Cardinal Kim Sou-hwan chats with Samzzang

"It is an honor to meet with a celebrity like you."
"But you're more famous than me, sir cardinal."
"Me? Well, a little perhaps."

Cardinal Kim Sou-hwan and famed professional gamer Lee Ki-seok (21), also known as Samzzang, met in a visual computer chat room yesterday. The unlikely pair chatted for about an hour, discussing the Cyber Age and the 'Generation Gab.'

Cardinal Kim asked Lee if he agreed that young people are becoming addicted to computer games. "It isn't true," Lee replied. "Some people can get a bit too attached, but they get over it easily."

Lee told Cardinal Kim, "I want to be a hero." The cardinal and his fellow priests reacted with laughter. Cardinal Kim invited Lee for a 'bunggae,' Korean chat room jargon for an immediate meeting.

Cardinal Kim began using computers after retiring his post as archbishop of Seoul archdiocese in June of 1998. He started exchanging e-mails with young followers on a site called 'Letters to the cardinal,' bringing him closer to young 'cyber-minds.'

The meeting was part of a special function to foster 'Religion in the Cyber World.' It is co-presided by Sogang University's Graduate School of Mass Communication and Crec-Avex International Center of France.

by Woo Sang-gyun