The first-ever Korean World Youth Day is scheduled to commence this August, ahead of the worldwide youth celebration in July 2008.

World Youth Day is the Catholic Church's week of events for the youth, gathering thousands of young people from around the world to celebrate and learn about faith and to build bridges of friendship between continents, peoples and cultures.

Hosted by the Diocese of Cheju, the event in South Korea will promote the international World Youth Day, which takes place 15-20 July 2008 in Sydney.

The youth commission of the Korean Bishops' Conference is organising the event, and aims to draw youth from parishes and associations from across the peninsula.

The event will be held with the theme: "I Pray That They May Be One" (John 17:21).

The inaugural Korean World Youth Day will be patterned on past international youth days, with the host diocese to organise daily conferences, discussions and prayers, and mass.

Youth will stay with local families or in schools or sports complexes during the event.