Israeli President Reuven Rivlin speaks during his visit to Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Jung Min-ho





Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and senior pastor Lee Young-hoon shake hands. Courtesy of Yoido Full Gospel Church



By Jung Min-ho



Israeli President Reuven Rivlin thanked South Korean Christians for "praying for the peace of Jerusalem" and invited them all to the holy city during his visit to Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, Wednesday evening.



In an unprecedented move, the Jewish leader visited the Christian church, with the world's largest congregation of more than half a million members, to bring "blessings of brotherhood and love" to the crowd who packed the building.



"Israel will welcome you with open arms," Rivlin, who was on a five-day state visit to South Korea, said. "I can promise you that, if you come to see, feel and breathe the holiness of the land, it will open your heart and mind."



He noted Jerusalem today is a holy, safe and secure city, in which "members of all religions worship freely, and more and more pilgrims and tourists are coming from all over the world each year."



Before visiting the church, Rivlin toured the demilitarized zone separating South Korea and North Korea as the first Israeli president to do so. During the tour, he heard a briefing by South Korean forces and met U.N. troops stationed there.



Rivlin said he will pray for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.





Israeli President Reuven Rivlin speaks to the crowd. Courtesy of Yoido Full Gospel Church