Lee Jae-myung "Welcome the Restoration of Inter-Korean Communication Line... Will Make Every Effort for Peace on the Korean Peninsula"

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, expressed his welcome on the 27th for the restoration of the inter-Korean communication line on the 68th anniversary of the armistice.

In a post titled "Today, the 68th anniversary of the armistice agreement, I welcome the restoration of the inter-Korean communication line" on Facebook, Governor Lee said, "At the time of the armistice agreement, it was promised to hold a separate peace negotiation within three months," adding, "However, even after 68 years, a peace agreement has not been reached," lamenting the painful passage of time.

He continued, "Many localized clashes occurred in the unstable armistice state, and military tensions persisted," emphasizing, "Our people had to endure great sacrifices, and as the Governor of Gyeonggi Province, I have experienced the reality where the safety of residents in border areas is threatened due to issues such as leaflet distribution, deeply feeling the necessity to establish a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula as soon as possible."

In particular, he said, "The establishment of a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula was agreed upon by the inter-Korean and North American leaders in 2018," but added, "However, with the stalemate in nuclear negotiations and the suspension of dialogue and exchanges between the two Koreas, there has been no progress."

Furthermore, he stated, "The military agreement signed in September 2018 has contributed to easing tensions, but the continued state of dialogue breakdown contains the risk of escalating tensions at any time," stressing, "The best way to solve the problem is, after all, dialogue and communication."

Governor Lee said, "Fortunately, today we heard the good news that the inter-Korean communication line has been restored," and "I actively welcome this precious result achieved through the exchange of letters between the two Korean leaders."

He also expressed hope that "the restoration of the communication line will lead to the resumption of dialogue and the restoration of trust between the two Koreas," advising that "between the two Koreas and the US-North Korea, in order to alleviate hostility and build trust, provocative acts should be mutually restrained."

He added, "Active policy promotion is necessary for the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of a peace regime," arguing, "Although inter-Korean relations are linked to the North Korean nuclear issue, the development of inter-Korean relations must be pursued for progress on the nuclear issue."

Governor Lee stated, "Our path is clear," explaining, "The development of inter-Korean relations promotes the resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue, and progress on the nuclear issue accelerates the development of inter-Korean relations, forming a virtuous cycle model."

He expressed hope that "dialogue between the two Koreas and the US-North Korea will resume soon so that the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of a peace regime can be discussed in earnest," and promised, "Willy Brandt, who laid the foundation for German reunification, said, 'Peace is not everything, but without peace, nothing is,' and I will do my utmost for peace on the Korean Peninsula."