Kim Dong-yeon on the 23rd Anniversary of the June 15 Joint Declaration: "We Must Create a New Framework for Inter-Korean Relations"

On the 12th, at the International Experience Hall on the 2nd floor of the National Assembly Museum, Kim Dong-yeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province; Moon Hee-sang, former Speaker of the National Assembly; Im Dong-won, former Minister of Unification; Chung Se-hyun, former Minister of Unification; Chung Dong-young, former Minister of Unification; Lee Jong-seok, former Minister of Unification; Lee Jae-jung, former Minister of Unification; and members of the National Assembly are taking a commemorative photo at the Peace Policy Forum marking the 70th anniversary of the armistice.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon, ahead of the 70th anniversary of the armistice and the 23rd anniversary of the June 15 Joint Declaration, stated, "It is time to reshape the framework of what a new inter-Korean relationship and path to peace should be," expressing his intention to start with Gyeonggi Province and provide generous support.

Governor Kim emphasized this on the 12th at the National Assembly Museum during the peace policy forum titled "Five Former Ministers of Unification Speak on Peace on the Korean Peninsula."

In his welcoming remarks, Governor Kim said, "South Korea is shrinking. Politics has become more divisive, splitting into 'your side' and 'my side,' and the economy is drawing lines between economic actors. Inter-Korean relations and diplomacy rely on one side, practicing subtractive diplomacy," adding, "In 2009, President Kim Dae-jung spoke at the Kim Dae-jung Library about three crises: democracy, livelihood, and peace. Fourteen years later, instead of improving, the country is shrinking more and more."

He continued, "In this situation, we reevaluate the June 15 Joint Declaration. It was the first meeting of leaders with authority and responsibility since the division. This led to the October 4 Joint Declaration in 2007 and the April 27 Panmunjom Declaration in 2018," and added, "Newton said, 'If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.' I believe this turning point of the June 15 Joint Declaration is the giant's shoulders we have stood on so far."

He further stated, "At this moment of rapid change in the world, we must consider what our policy direction and framework should be to match these changes. It is time to reshape the framework of what a new inter-Korean relationship and path to peace should be," promising, "From May to the end of November, we will hold the DMZ Open Festival, reflecting on issues of peace and the environment. Starting with Gyeonggi Province, we will think deeply and provide generous support."

The event was co-hosted by Gyeonggi Province, the Local Governments Council for Peace and Cooperation on the Korean Peninsula, and the Kim Dae-jung Foundation to mark the 70th anniversary of the armistice and the 23rd anniversary of the June 15 Inter-Korean Joint Declaration. Key discussants included former Ministers of Unification Lim Dong-won, Chung Se-hyun, Chung Dong-young, Lee Jong-seok, and Lee Jae-jung, who discussed the theme "The Path to National Reconciliation and Peaceful Unification," focusing on peace on the Korean Peninsula and the way forward.