On Tuesday, President Lee Jae Myung unveiled three key goals for his North Korea policy, following his Korean Peninsula peace initiative known as the E·N·D Initiative. Instead of directly mentioning North Korean nuclear weapons, he used phrases like denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula to minimize provocation towards North Korea while proposing the restoration of inter-Korean communication channels and the promotion of exchanges and cooperation.
President Lee emphasized the necessity of pursuing unification between North and South Korea, stating that it is a path it must take, even if it takes thousands of years. However, he made it clear that he would avoid an absorptive unification approach, prioritizing the establishment of peace on the Korean Peninsula.
He shared these ideas during a commemorative speech at the 22nd launch ceremony of the National Unification Advisory Council held at Korea International Exhibition Center (KINTEX) in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.
President Lee stated that unification is a path that the divided Republic of Korea must take, whether it takes years, decades, centuries, or even millennia, adding that the path to unification must be based on peace.
He emphasized that unification achieved through one side absorbing or oppressing the other is not true unification, insisting that unification must occur through peaceful means, with terms that everyone can willingly agree upon.
Under the overarching direction of peaceful unification, President Lee summarized and specified three short-term goals: pursuing a war-free and nuclear-free Korean Peninsula, restoring inter-Korean dialogue, and resuming inter-Korean exchange and cooperation projects.
A War-Free and Nuclear-Free Korean Peninsula….The Nuclear Armament is Unrealistic
Analysts noted that there is a power struggle between the so-called independence faction and alliance faction regarding the expression levels and the order of mentioning the three goals of President Lee’s North Korea policy.
President Lee clearly established a direction for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, placing it at the forefront. His efforts to avoid unnecessary provocation of North Korea by softening terms like North Korean nuclear weapons and denuclearization were evident.
He stated that it will take proactive and preemptive measures to reduce military tensions in the military demarcation line area, which is the front line of confrontation, and eliminate the possibility of accidental clashes. He added that it will continue our efforts to end the state of war on the Korean Peninsula, pursue a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula, and establish lasting peace.
Additionally, he expressed opposition to domestic calls for nuclear armament, emphasizing that South Korea will also work towards peace.
President Lee questioned the realistic attempt at nuclear armament while enduring severe international sanctions like North Korea. He argued that South Korean nuclear armament contradicts the principle of a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.
President Lee Suggests to Gradually Start Restoring Communication Channels and Cooperation Projects
His enthusiasm for restoring dialogue materialized into the concrete plan of rebuilding inter-Korean communication channels.
President Lee remarked that reviving the inter-Korean dialogue that has been suspended for seven years will be the starting point for a new relationship of peaceful coexistence. He stressed the need to begin discussions to prevent accidental military clashes, alleviate human suffering caused by division, and address various issues between North and South Korea.
He then proposed restoring communication channels between North and South Korea as a priority for sincere dialogue.
He publicly expressed his intention to rebuild inter-Korean cooperation projects, which were previously represented by the Kaesong Industrial Complex. His plan aims to open discussions on humanitarian issues and common challenges faced by humanity.
President Lee stated that it will also pursue cooperation for the joint growth of North and South Korea, emphasizing that if both sides examine what benefits them on the foundation of peaceful coexistence and implement feasible actions one by one, the path to joint growth will open wide.
He continued that instead of unilateral support or forcing concessions from one side, it will seek directions that benefit everyone, actively exploring ways for peace and economic cycles to flourish and for North and South Korea to grow together. He suggested starting with cooperation projects that address global concerns, such as climate change, disaster safety, and healthcare, which have significant mutual demand between the two Koreas.
