Im Jong-seok, Speech on Ruling Party's Platform... "Let's Pass Peace to Future Generations"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] Former Presidential Chief of Staff Lim Jong-seok emphasized a peace process on the Korean Peninsula based on dialogue on the 21st, saying, "Let's pass peace on to future generations."

Lim said during the Democratic Party's policy broadcast speech held at MBC in the afternoon, "The North Korean nuclear risk and Korea risk are challenges that must be resolved for the future of the Republic of Korea."

He added, "I believe the best way to overcome the past is not hatred and confrontation but successful peace," and "The best inheritance the older generation can give to future generations is to leave no burden from the past."

Referring to his attendance at the first inter-Korean summit in 2018, Lim recalled, "I remember it as the day when confidence was gained within our government that an irreversible era of peace could begin through dialogue and cooperation with Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea."

He said, "As proven in the conversation between the two leaders on the stone bridge, sharing our language, which was neither interpreted nor translated, showed a magic that instantly approached the closest truth."

Regarding Chairman Kim, he evaluated, "Although we cannot fully know his inner thoughts, he is an honest and bold leader," and "His willingness to engage in negotiations was sufficient to be recognized as a firm stance to build a peace regime centered on the economy." He added, "I also saw how he respected our president and earnestly tried to explain things."

Lim stated, "Our government's efforts to peacefully resolve the Korean Peninsula issue have continued in this way, but now they are temporarily paused," emphasizing, "Some claim that we have returned to before 2017, but there is clearly a difference from the past."

He explained, "Although not as active as expected, the inter-Korean joint liaison office in Kaesong is still operational," and "Promises such as the mutual cessation of hostile acts under the September 19 military agreement, and the withdrawal of guard posts and coastal artillery are being kept."

He then reintroduced President Moon Jae-in's early-year proposals, including ▲cooperation in border areas for the safety of the 80 million Korean people ▲joint hosting of the 2032 Olympics, joint entrance and unified teams at the Tokyo Olympics ▲inter-Korean railway and road connection projects ▲joint UNESCO World Heritage registration of the Demilitarized Zone ▲resumption of the Kaesong Industrial Complex and Mount Kumgang tourism projects.

He also summarized President Moon's peace negotiation principles as ▲the first rule of negotiation is not to break the negotiation ▲respect for the other party ▲direct meetings ▲breakthroughs through imagination and boldness.

Lim also explained the "New Economic Vision for the Korean Peninsula" through a "paradigm shift." He said, "If we worry that regulated goods are involved in connecting railways, we might not even be able to send a small nail. However, we can also see it as connecting new technologies, cultures, and ideas by railway," adding, "Through railways and roads, we must create a domestic market of over 200 million people extending to the three northeastern provinces and advance overland to China and ASEAN."

He continued, "We must open an era where trains run to Siberia and Europe. We must advance boldly to Mongolia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and Europe," and said, "Riding the connected roads and railways, our companies and people must go to Pyongyang, Nampo, Wonsan, and Chongjin. As seen in the Kaesong Industrial Complex, inter-Korean economic cooperation will become a new growth engine for our economy."

President Moon Jae-in and Chairman Kim Jong-un are showing the Pyongyang Joint Declaration after signing it following their summit at the Baekhwawon Guesthouse on September 19 last year.

Lim emphasized, "The Moon Jae-in administration's peace process maintains a desperate will, strategic judgment, and a good attitude and posture toward the other party," adding, "It is a difficult path, but one that cannot be avoided, and we must proceed with patience and restraint."

He said, "The Democratic Party, together with President Moon, is trying to equip peace economy as a new growth engine," and stated, "It's not about 'Why improve inter-Korean relations when people's livelihoods are difficult now,' but rather, a future blueprint looking 30 years ahead is necessary for the sake of livelihoods."

Meanwhile, Lim also shared the background of his decision not to run in the general election and his recent status during the speech. He said, "Since deciding not to run in the general election, I have been hiking a lot, cooking, and spending time studying and thinking about peace on the Korean Peninsula and a new future."

He explained, "My decision not to run was partly a desire to do even small things for peace, but also a big concern about the future time we were not prepared for."

Lim said, "The so-called 386 generation, like me, who spent their youth in the democratization movement and entered politics, have actually received sufficient rewards and honor beyond their youthful contributions," and added, "The precious realization gained after various debates is that we should not do things for future generations but enable them to draw a new future on their own."

Lim had previously announced his decision not to run in the general election via Facebook in November last year. This speech is his first official event since the announcement. There is interpretation that he might return to politics, and the possibility of running in the general election is also being discussed.