President Lee Jae-myung stressed the need for the restoration of inter-Korean relations, as he proposed that the two Koreas begin talks to end the war and change the unstable armistice regime of the Korean Peninsula into a peace regime.
President Lee made the proposal while delivering his commemorative speech at a ceremony to celebrate the 81st anniversary of Liberation Day on Aug. 15.
He also announced three initiatives toward North Korea – inclusive peace co-existence for mutual respect, stable peace co-existence with no need to fight, and responsible peace coexistence contributing to global peace.
“Let us put down our intentions to threaten each other and begin discussions to end the long-running war as the directly involved parties,” President Lee said, adding, “In the process, (we) may also discuss effective ways to halt the advancement of the North’s nuclear capabilities.”
The divided Koreas have technically remained at war since the 1950-53 Korean War ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty.
President Lee said he will embark on a journey to end the war and replace the “unstable armistice system” with a peace regime.
Lee’s overture came amid the North’s unresponsiveness to Seoul’s repeated reconciliatory gestures since Lee took office in June last year.
As for the Korean-Japanese relationship, President Lee emphasized future-oriented cooperation, citing the 1993 Declaration by former president Kim Dae-jung and ex-prime minister Obuchi.
He suggested the national vision “Irreplaceable Republic of Korea” as well as future growth, balanced development and national integrity for the direction of state affairs.
According to the Presidential Office Cheong Wa Dae, President Lee cited peace 19 times in total, saying that peace on the Korean Peninsula will be a “milestone spurring the stability and cooperation of Northeast Asia and moving toward a nuclear-free world.”
He said the two Koreas could launch talks on effective ways to stop the advancement of North Korea’s nuclear capabilities, and they should reduce their hostility.
President Lee said the two Koreas should take preemptive and sustainable steps toward peace by considering the security situation of the Korean Peninsula by working out institutional systems designed to control tension and conflict and several layers of safety devices designed to prevent crises and expand a war.
“By inducing a positive response from the North, I will create a stable Korean Peninsula,” the president said, adding that peace on the peninsula could help promote stability and cooperation in Northeast Asia, and contribute to a world without nuclear weapons.
“I will turn the energy of hostility and confrontation into momentum for peaceful coexistence and mutual growth,” he added.
On the South Korea-Japan relationship, Lee highlighted the active “shuttle diplomacy” between the two countries over the past year, saying it had bolstered trust and expanded cooperation in supply chains, energy and advanced technologies.
“Going forward, our government will expand the scope of cooperation (with Japan) for mutual interests and address shared challenges by mustering wisdom,” the president said, voicing hope to open a new era of peace and prosperity with the Japanese government.
The president also reiterated his vision of creating “an irreplaceable South Korea” that will lead the world in advanced technologies.
“In the face of the (industrial) upheaval and a transformation of the international order, we should create possibilities instead of counting impossibilities,” he said.
“We should become a country that the world absolutely needs and all countries want to cooperate with,” the president added.
During the anniversary event, President Lee conferred awards on five descendants of independence activists, including the late Choi Joon-rae of Kim Koo.
The late Choi was awarded with the Order of Merit for National Foundation, Patriotic Medal for his leading role in enlightening women as a school teacher in Hwanghae Province and supporting activities of the Korean Provisional Government in Shanghai in 1920.
The five people were among a combined 283 independence activism award winners of the latest Independence Day anniversary.
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