President Moon: "Declaration of the End of War Opens the Door to Korean Peninsula Denuclearization" (Summary)

President Moon Jae-in at the 75th UN General Assembly
"Call for a Declaration of the End of War, Urging the UN and International Community to Unite"
"COVID-19 Vaccines, Ensuring 'Equitable Access' for All Countries"
"Climate Change Response, Developed Countries Must Make Greater Efforts"

President Moon Jae-in delivered a keynote speech via video at the 75th United Nations General Assembly held at the UN Headquarters in New York, USA, on the morning of the 23rd (Korean time).

As North Korea-U.S. denuclearization talks stall and inter-Korean relations enter a prolonged deadlock, President Moon Jae-in has once again brought up the 'Korean Peninsula End-of-War Declaration.' Additionally, President Moon officially proposed a 'Northeast Asia Disease Control and Health Cooperation Mechanism' involving North Korea in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, aiming to entice North Korea back to dialogue and the international stage.

Furthermore, President Moon emphasized the necessity of international cooperation in the COVID-19 era and stressed the need to strengthen the free trade order. He also appealed for support to impoverished and developing countries in the development and distribution of vaccines and treatments, calling for global solidarity.

◆ President Moon: "The End-of-War Declaration Must End the Remaining Tragic Situation on the Korean Peninsula"

On the 23rd (Korean time; 22nd morning New York time), President Moon stated, "Now, the war on the Korean Peninsula must be completely and permanently ended," adding, "I believe the start is the Korean Peninsula 'End-of-War Declaration,' which can confirm mutual will for peace."

In his keynote speech at the 75th United Nations General Assembly general debate held at the UN headquarters in New York, USA, President Moon said, "The End-of-War Declaration will be the door that opens the path to a 'permanent peace regime' along with denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula."

In this, his fourth speech since taking office, President Moon emphasized, "Especially this year marks the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War," and stressed, "It is time to end the tragic situation remaining on the Korean Peninsula."

President Moon noted that although peace on the Korean Peninsula remains unfinished and stalled, South Korea will continue dialogue and called for international support and cooperation.

He said, "Above all, South and North Korea are a community of life," adding, "Cooperation in disease control and health will serve as a starting point for dialogue and cooperation in the process of achieving peace on the Korean Peninsula." He continued, "(South and North) share mountains, rivers, and seas and are closely connected," stating, "They are jointly exposed to infectious diseases and natural disasters, and must cooperate to overcome these."

President Moon then proposed joint efforts and measures for multilateral security in the Northeast Asian region beyond the Korean Peninsula.

He pointed out, "It is now difficult for a single country’s capability alone to take full responsibility for comprehensive security," and said, "Cross-border cooperation is necessary to protect the peace of one country and the life of one person, and a multilateral security system must be established."

He added, "I hope the post-COVID Korean Peninsula issues will be considered from the perspective of international cooperation with enhanced inclusiveness," officially proposing a 'Northeast Asia Disease Control and Health Cooperation Mechanism' involving North Korea, China, Japan, Mongolia, and South Korea.

President Moon emphasized, "The world is now expanding the concept of security from traditional security that protects one’s own territory to comprehensive security," and said, "A cooperative body where multiple countries protect lives and ensure safety will be the foundation for North Korea to be guaranteed security through multilateral cooperation with the international community."

President Moon Jae-in is speaking at the video Cabinet meeting held at the Cheong Wa Dae Yeomin Hall on the morning of the 22nd.

◆ "After COVID-19 Vaccine Development, 'Equitable Access' Must Be Guaranteed to Poor Countries"

Additionally, President Moon emphasized not only international cooperation for the development of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments but also ensuring equitable access for all countries after development.

He said, "International organizations should pre-purchase sufficient quantities of vaccines through international fundraising so that poor and developing countries can also benefit."

In his speech themed on 'International Cooperation with Enhanced Inclusiveness,' President Moon explained, "International cooperation with enhanced inclusiveness means enjoying freedom and prosperity together without excluding anyone."

He stated, "Domestically, it means resolving inequality to guarantee my safety and sustainable development together with neighbors, and internationally, it means cooperating by considering the circumstances and conditions of neighboring countries for common prosperity." He added, "The UN’s 'inclusive multilateralism' will clearly face its first test in whether it can distribute COVID-19 vaccines to all countries."

◆ "Even Amid the COVID-19 Crisis, We Must Strengthen the Free Trade Order"

At the same time, President Moon urged that even amid the COVID-19 crisis, multilateralism based on solidarity and cooperation and a rules-based free trade order must be strengthened.

He said, "It is indeed an extremely difficult task, but we must catch two rabbits at once: disease control and the economy."

President Moon assessed, "Economic shocks are hitting us like a tsunami after an earthquake," adding, "Border closures for disease control and the contraction of human and material exchanges have made global economic recovery even more difficult."

The president emphasized, "To lead a sustainable economic structure by strengthening inclusiveness, we must break the formula that 'crisis deepens inequality' and achieve 'economic recovery that leaves no one behind.'"

He said, "South Korea has been striving to maintain global supply chains and facilitate the movement of essential personnel such as businesspeople," and added, "South Korea will share its development experience with developing countries and actively participate in the international community’s efforts to achieve the UN’s 'Sustainable Development Goals.'"

President Moon Jae-in is speaking at the video Cabinet meeting held at the Yeomin Hall of the Blue House on the morning of the 22nd.

◆ "In Addressing Climate Change, Developed and Developing Country Gaps Must Be Recognized, and Developed Countries Must Make Greater Efforts"

President Moon also appealed for solidarity and cooperation from the international community regarding climate change response.

He said, "Developing countries undergoing industrialization cannot catch up in a short period with the path developed countries have taken over hundreds or tens of years," adding, "We must recognize the gap with developing countries and developed countries must make greater efforts to find the best solutions."

Regarding climate change response, President Moon emphasized that South Korea will serve as a bridge between developed and developing countries.

He said, "South Korea is actively participating in efforts to establish a new climate regime, including faithful implementation of the Paris Agreement," and added, "South Korea will actively engage in climate response as a 'bridge between developed and developing countries' and faithfully share its experience with developing countries."

Additionally, President Moon mentioned the 'P4G Summit' to be held in Seoul next year, stating, "It will be an occasion to reaffirm the importance of international solidarity in responding to climate change."