[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the 15th, President Moon Jae-in, marking Liberation Day, stated that he has "kept the door to dialogue open" with Japan and expressed hope for cooperation as neighboring countries. He also extended a hand to North Korea, saying, "Although unification may take more time, the South and North can coexist and create a Korean Peninsula model."
President Moon attended the 76th Liberation Day celebration held at 'Culture Station Seoul 284' (formerly Seoul Station) in Jung-gu, Seoul, at 10 a.m. on the 15th. In his congratulatory speech, he said, "Regarding historical issues that need to be rectified, we will resolve them through actions and practices aligned with the universal values and standards of the international community."
President Moon referred to the proposal made by Ahn Jae-hong on August 16, 1945, the day after liberation, suggesting that "defeated Japan and liberated Korea should move toward an equal and mutually beneficial relationship," evaluating it as "a truly bold and inclusive historical consciousness that transcends the victim mentality of colonized nations."
He continued, "Although national consciousness was at its peak after liberation, we did not fall into closed or hostile nationalism," implying that instead of hostile nationalism toward Japan, a more open attitude should be adopted.
President Moon said, "Since the normalization of diplomatic relations, South Korea and Japan have achieved economic growth together through division of labor and cooperation based on shared values of democracy and market economy," adding, "This is the direction both countries should continue to pursue."
He also extended a hand to Japan, saying, "Our government always keeps the door to dialogue open to jointly respond to not only bilateral issues but also global threats such as COVID-19 and the climate crisis. I hope South Korea and Japan will pool their wisdom to overcome difficulties together and set an example of cooperation as neighboring countries." Although the summit with Japanese Prime Minister Suga, planned around the Tokyo Olympics, was canceled, he expressed a continued willingness to engage in dialogue with Japan.
President Moon also urged the North, which has been making tough remarks about the ongoing South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises, to pursue "reconciliation and prosperity." He emphasized, "Institutionalizing peace on the Korean Peninsula firmly is a great benefit to both the South and the North," and highlighted, "Especially, the benefits Korea can enjoy when it overcomes the so-called Korea discount and moves from being a de facto island nation to connecting with the continent are enormous."
He mentioned that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the simultaneous admission of South and North Korea to the United Nations, noting, "One year before that, in 1990, East and West Germany ended 45 years of division and achieved unification," signaling his will for unification.
He also referred to the 'German model,' created by East and West Germany based on trust, pursuing universalism, pluralism, and coexistence and co-prosperity, stating, "Although unification will take more time, the South and North can coexist and create a 'Korean Peninsula model' that contributes to the prosperity of the entire Northeast Asia through denuclearization and lasting peace on the peninsula."
President Moon said, "The 'Northeast Asia Disease Control and Health Cooperation Mechanism' is currently discussing cooperative projects such as information sharing, joint stockpiling of medical and quarantine supplies, and joint training of COVID-19 response personnel," adding, "We will strive to expand cooperation so that North Korea, as a member of the East Asian life community, can also participate."
He also emphasized the responsibilities and roles as an advanced country. President Moon stated that the Republic of Korea, which gained independence after the "painful and tearful history" of Japanese colonial rule, has reached the ranks of advanced countries economically, culturally, and militarily, and was recognized as an advanced country at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in June. He stressed, "Now that we have become an advanced country, we dream again?a dream to become a country that fulfills its role in the international community."
President Moon declared, "Despite experiencing the humiliation, discrimination, violence, and exploitation of colonial rule, our ancestors chose inclusion over revenge against the Japanese in the post-liberation period," adding, "With the power of coexistence and cooperation, we will move toward new dreams and lead the post-COVID era."
In this regard, he presented three goals: ▲becoming a vaccine hub country ▲expanding the role in the global supply chain ▲responding to the climate crisis. President Moon said, "Based on the world's second-largest biopharmaceutical production capacity and the Korea-U.S. vaccine partnership, we will take the lead in overcoming the common infectious disease crisis of humanity," and added, "The government will work with companies to commercialize the first domestic vaccine by the first half of next year."
He further pledged to solidify the status as a global leading base in the semiconductor and battery industries and promised to announce a feasible 2030 reduction target within the year based on the 2050 carbon neutrality scenario.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
