Bishops today sent policy proposals to candidates running in South Korea's upcoming presidential elections, asking them to reflect Catholic values in their campaigns.

The 31-page booklet contains recommendations on everything from press freedom to the environment and economy, said Father Hugo Park Jung-woo, secretary of the Korean Bishops’ Committee for Justice and Peace.

“[The church has] a duty to pass moral judgment even in political matters when the fundamental rights of a person or the salvation of souls requires it,” he said.

Nine candidates are registered in the December 19 election including Park Geun-hye of the ruling Saenuri Party and Moon Jae-in of the main opposition Democratic United Party.

Polls have shown they are currently running neck and neck with Ahn Cheol-soo, an independent candidate.

The bishops also called on candidates to abolish the death penalty and amend the National Security Law which permits prosecution of anyone “praising” or “benefitting” North Korea.

The Church has also called on the government to amend or repeal the Mother and Child Health Act which permits abortion in cases of rape, incest or when there are concerns about the mental or physical well being of either parent.

Fr. Park said a controversial military base under construction on Jeju Island and the layoff of more than 2,600 workers at a Ssangyong car factory in 2009 following a bloody confrontation with security forces were also included in the proposals to presidential candidates.

Father Park said the Ssangyong layoffs represented “a case in which capital used workers as a means,” adding that humans should never become a means to a commercial end.

Current President Lee Myung-bak is due to step down in February next year following the end of his term in office.

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