Partnership covers infrastructure use, program coordination and visitor support
Seongdong-gu signed an MOU with the 8th District of the Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul on Tuesday to cooperate on hosting the 2027 Seoul World Youth Day (WYD).
World Youth Day is the Catholic Church's largest international gathering, founded by Pope John Paul II in 1985 as a forum for young Catholics worldwide to share faith and culture with the pope. The Seoul edition, hosted by the Vatican, runs from July 29 to Aug. 8, 2027, and is expected to draw up to 1 million pilgrims from South Korea and abroad.
The agreement establishes a cooperative framework between the district office and the archdiocesan district to support stable operation of the event. Under the MOU, the two parties will work together in three areas: sharing infrastructure and administrative resources; exchanging and promoting information on participants and event programs; and providing administrative services to improve convenience for local residents and attendees.
The 8th District of the Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul oversees 15 parishes, including those in Geumho-dong and Seongsu-dong. Seongdong-gu plans to engage with these parishes and their pastoral councils to help participants experience the cultural and artistic character of the district.
"We are delighted that Seongdong-gu can be part of an event that brings together young people from around the world," Seongdong-gu District Mayor Yoo Bo-hwa said. "We will work with the 8th District of the Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul and the local community to ensure participants can connect and build meaningful memories here in Seongdong."
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