On Tuesday, President Lee Jae Myung declared that reviving the inter-Korean dialogue, which has been suspended for seven years, would mark the beginning of a new era of peaceful coexistence between North and South Korea.
President Lee made this statement during the inaugural meeting of the 22nd Democratic Peace and Unification Advisory Council at the Korea International Exhibition Center (KINTEX) Exhibition Center in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province. He emphasized the government’s commitment to ushering in a new era of peaceful coexistence.
Expressing regret over the failure to implement past inter-Korean agreements and the escalation of tensions, President Lee stressed that restoring dialogue is crucial for a peaceful future. He stated that all issues can be resolved through dialogue. Without face-to-face meetings, misunderstandings accumulate, leading to distrust, and over time, the walls of mistrust only grow higher.
The President called for immediate action to prevent accidental military clashes, address the humanitarian suffering caused by division, and discuss various inter-Korean issues. As a first step towards resuming open dialogue, he proposed restoring communication channels between the two Koreas.
President Lee also outlined his vision for promoting cooperation and mutual growth between North and South Korea. He explained that by identifying mutually beneficial initiatives on the foundation of peaceful coexistence and implementing achievable goals step by step, it can pave the way for shared prosperity.
He emphasized a balanced approach, stating that it will actively seek solutions that benefit both sides, rather than imposing unilateral support or demanding concessions. This approach will ensure that peace and economic development reinforce each other, leading to joint growth. The President suggested starting with collaborative projects addressing global concerns and mutual interests, such as climate change, disaster management, and healthcare.
Highlighting South Korea’s global standing, President Lee remarked that South Korea may be geographically small, but it’s a significant global player. They’re among the world’s top ten economies and rank fifth in military strength, with a robust deterrent capability based on our strong alliance with the U.S. He added that as a cultural powerhouse captivating global audiences with K-culture and a leader in advanced technology aiming to be among the top three nations in artificial intelligence (AI), South Korea cannot remain trapped in outdated paradigms regarding inter-Korean relations.
In conclusion, President Lee called for national unity, saying to join forces to end the era of hostility and confrontation, and create a world where it coexist peacefully and grow together without the fear of war. He pledged that the government would foster a social dialogue system enabling citizens to shape the future of the Korean Peninsula through deliberation and discussion, with the aim of developing policies that truly reflect the will of the people.