"Unification Should Be the Goal, but Direct Pursuit Is Vulnerable"
"Ministry of Unification Considering Changing to Ministry of Inter-Korean Cooperation and Ministry of Peace Cooperation as a Realistic Option"
[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, promised on the 16th to develop Gangwon-do into a "global peace tourism destination beyond a recreational area for metropolitan citizens." He stated that he would pursue inter-Korean coexistence through practical North Korea policies that benefit both the South and the North, such as resuming tourism to Mount Kumgang.
Continuing his schedule in Gangwon-do from the previous day, Candidate Lee announced the "Gangwon-do pledge" at the Unification Observatory in Goseong, Gangwon-do. He said, "I will ensure that the 'border area' and the 'DMZ' no longer function as constraints but as opportunities," adding, "Gangwon-do can become a hub for digital and green energy industries."
He introduced his plan, saying, "I will make Gangwon-do a Special Peace Autonomous Province," and "designate a special peace economic zone and simplify procedures for travel and trade to continuously promote inter-Korean economic cooperation and joint resource development."
He continued, "We will establish an East Sea and DMZ international tourism joint special zone and resume Mount Kumgang tourism," adding, "We will reopen the Mount Kumgang tourism, which has been closed since 2008, as quickly as possible." Candidate Lee stated, "We will create an East Sea international tourism joint special zone stretching from Wonsan to Mount Kumgang, Goseong, and Gangneung, as agreed upon by the South and North Korean leaders in 2018, and promote DMZ peace ecological tourism, which has attracted deep global interest."
Candidate Lee promised to grow Gangwon-do's industries by establishing a data-driven bio-health convergence belt, supporting the establishment of a neutralizing antibody treatment development support center, and expanding infrastructure such as hydrogen, wind power, and bioenergy. Additionally, he pledged to foster marine, mountain, and inland tourism by utilizing the region's pristine environment, expand transportation networks for the peace economy on the Korean Peninsula, and establish an economic self-reliance foundation for abandoned mines and border areas.
He said, "Gangwon-do is the region that has suffered the greatest sacrifice in the 70 years of division and inter-Korean confrontation," and added, "Special sacrifices for the Korean community deserve special compensation. I will properly make it the mecca of the digital and green New Deal leading the era of peace economy on the Korean Peninsula."
Meanwhile, when criticized for the lack of mention of unification in the Gangwon-do pledge, Candidate Lee said, "It is natural to aim for unification as stipulated by the constitution for permanent peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," but added, "Pursuing unification directly as a short-term task under the current circumstances is realistically very unlikely." He mentioned, "There is considerable discussion about the name of the Ministry of Unification, with ideas such as renaming it the Ministry of Inter-Korean Cooperation or the Ministry of Peace Cooperation, focusing on short-term goals as a practical and effective way to achieve long-term unification." He emphasized that these ideas are not finalized, saying, "It does not mean that we will do so yet. I am just saying that such considerations are necessary."
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