Kim Dong-yeon: "All Efforts for Korean Peninsula Peace Denied by Current Government"

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon (front row, far right) is taking a commemorative photo with attendees, including former President Moon Jae-in and his wife, at the 6th anniversary ceremony of the September 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon lamented the current situation, stating that "all efforts for peace on the Korean Peninsula are being denied by the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, democracy is being threatened by the elected power, and the livelihood economy is collapsing."

Governor Kim attended the ‘6th Anniversary Ceremony of the September 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration’ held at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Gwangju on the 19th, and said, "The successive governments have carried the baton for peace on the Korean Peninsula through the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration during President Kim Dae-jung’s era, the October 4 North-South Joint Declaration during President Roh Moo-hyun’s era, the April 27 Panmunjom Declaration, and the September 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration during President Moon Jae-in’s era," adding, "However, the relay has now stopped. Not only stopped, but it is going backward."

He continued, "All efforts for peace on the Korean Peninsula are being denied, democracy is being threatened by the elected power, and the livelihood economy is facing a disastrous reality."

In particular, he said, "About two weeks ago, we held a DMZ Peace Concert at Imjingak. Six years ago in April, North and South Korean artists gathered in Pyongyang and performed under the title ‘Spring Comes,’ and they promised to perform in Seoul in the fall under the title ‘Autumn Has Come,’ but that promise was not kept," adding, "If the North-South Peace Concert is held again, I don’t know whether the title should be ‘Autumn Has Come’ or ‘Spring Comes Again,’ but Gyeonggi Province will take the lead in preparing it, and on the occasion of the 6th anniversary of the September 19 Peace Declaration, we make a ‘firm’ commitment."

At the end of his congratulatory speech, Governor Kim emphasized the ‘Unstoppable Dream’ and added, "Once again, I dream. An unstoppable dream. The dream that goes beyond denuclearization and prevention of military clashes to preparing for North-South economic cooperation talks."

Governor Kim also shared a behind-the-scenes story from six years ago with former President Moon Jae-in, who attended the event.

He recalled, "President Moon had an opportunity to receive a report on the development direction of the North Korean industry and job measures after the September 19 declaration. I remember his words, which he spoke quietly to me alone, not in front of many people," and said, "He told me, ‘North-South economic cooperation talks will proceed in the future, and there is a high possibility that the Deputy Prime Minister will have to play the role of chief representative, so please prepare for it.’"

However, he expressed regret, saying, "My heart fluttered at the President’s words, and I prepared as I oversaw the economy, but the opportunity (for North-South economic cooperation talks) did not come."

Besides Governor Kim Dong-yeon, Archbishop Kim Hee-jung, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea (video congratulatory message), Cho Kuk, leader of the Innovation Party, and Wada Haruki, honorary professor at the University of Tokyo, also gave congratulatory speeches at the ceremony.

Meanwhile, the September 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration is a joint declaration adopted on September 19, 2018, during the 3rd Inter-Korean Summit held at the Baekhwawon State Guesthouse in Pyongyang between then-President Moon Jae-in and North Korean National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un. It includes provisions to eliminate the risk of war on the Korean Peninsula, resolve hostile relations, increase inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation, and strengthen humanitarian cooperation.