Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon characterized North Korea’s declaration of hostile two-state status as reflecting psychological pressure and anxiety within the North Korean leadership. He emphasized the importance of elevating the South Korea-U.S. alliance and the significance of public diplomacy for peaceful unification.
The Peaceful Unification Advisory Council convened Tuesday’s 21st Eurasia Regional Meeting at the Grand Walkerhill Hotel in Seoul to discuss international affairs surrounding the Korean Peninsula and unification policies.
At the event, Ban assessed the current international situation as the most dangerous and complex crisis since World War II, noting that the Korean Peninsula is also a very grave concern due to North Korea’s hostile and constant provocations and its dispatch of troops to Russia.
He urged efforts to maximize self-reliance capabilities and elevate the South Korea-U.S. alliance into a future-oriented and mutually beneficial relationship while calling on civilian diplomats, including advisors in the Eurasia region, to engage in public diplomacy for unification.
Kim Kwan Yong, the Executive Vice-Chairperson of the National Unification Advisory Council, described the current situation on the Korean Peninsula as a geopolitical turning point, stating that in an era of uncertainty, we must adhere to the firm principle of peaceful unification based on liberal democracy as stipulated in our Constitution.
Kim also highlighted the role of private diplomats in the Eurasia region in promoting the values of free and peaceful unification abroad.
Thae Yong Ho, Secretary-General of the National Unification Advisory Council, remarked that a unified Korea would contribute to global peace and stability and urged advisors worldwide to actively work to create a favorable international environment for the peaceful unification of the Korean Peninsula amid rapidly changing international dynamics.
In a subsequent briefing, Thae reported that the council held five forums this year to address significant issues, including government response plans to North Korea’s troop deployments to Russia in October and directions for unification and security policies under the second Trump administration in November.