Chairman, United Religions Initiative of Korea

Reverend Dae Sun Kim, a devoted Won-Buddhist minister, has served in various leadership roles since 1981. Beginning as an assistant minister at the Jeju Temple, he has dedicated more than four decades to spiritual and social service. From 2006 to 2012, he led the Department of Culture and Society within Won-Buddhism, and he later served as head of the Pyongyang Diocese (2012–2015). His commitment to peace and reconciliation is reflected in his founding of the House of Peace—a shelter for North Korean defectors—where he currently serves as chair. Rev. Kim has also played a key role in civic and interfaith initiatives. He was a standing member of the Presidential Advisory Council on Democratic and Peaceful Unification (2005–2012), he cochaired the 100th Anniversary Committee for the March 1st Movement (2015–2019), and he is now executive representative to Korean Interfaith Solidarity. Since 2016 he has directed the Won Multicultural Center and served on the boards of several NGOs, including the Nanum National Movement and the Life Movement Coalition. Through these roles, Rev. Kim continues to promote multiculturalism, social welfare, and interreligious harmony.