"North Korea's 'Two-State Theory' Requires Full Reexamination of Existing Discourse"
"North Korea Likely to Claim Nuclear State... New Denuclearization Solutions May Need to Be Designed"
Former President Moon Jae-in stated that "with North Korea defining inter-Korean relations as 'hostile two states,' a comprehensive reexamination of the existing peace discourse and unification discourse is necessary."
On the 19th, former President Moon made these remarks during a speech at the 6th anniversary ceremony of the September 19 Joint Declaration, hosted by the '2024 Korean Peninsula Peace Joint Project Promotion Committee' at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Gwangju.
Former President Moon said, "This (reexamination of peace and unification discourse) is something the government of the Republic of Korea should take the lead on," but criticized, "However, the current administration appears to have neither the will nor the capability to do so."
He also mentioned the U.S. presidential election, saying, "Regardless of who becomes president in the U.S., there is a possibility that North Korea-U.S. talks will resume. This is because the U.S. must address the growing threat of North Korea's nuclear weapons and missiles." He added, "At such times, to avoid being 'passed over' and marginalized as in the past, we must first make efforts to lead the dialogue."
He stated, "If talks resume, unlike during the previous administration, North Korea will not accept complete denuclearization but will assert its status as a nuclear-armed state," and added, "To realize complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula according to our position, closer sharing of negotiation strategies and cooperation between South Korea and the U.S. is necessary." He also argued, "We may need to newly design denuclearization solutions and the peace process."
Former President Moon pointed out, "Recently, the September 19 agreement was discarded, and non-military forms of conflict such as trash balloons and loudspeaker broadcasts toward the North have begun," calling it "a very dangerous situation that could escalate into military conflict with just one misstep." He emphasized, "The authorities of South and North Korea must no longer worsen the situation and must immediately engage in dialogue." Former President Moon had led the September 19 Joint Declaration during his tenure.
Former Chief Im, prior to former President Moon's speech at the same event, proposed in his keynote address, "Let's not pursue unification," suggesting "accepting objective reality and recognizing two states." However, it is known that former President Moon and former Chief Im did not coordinate their remarks for the event in advance.
Meanwhile, former President Moon is scheduled to attend the 'Jeonnam Peace Conference' held at the Hyundai Hotel in Mokpo, Jeonnam, on the 20th, where he will deliver a keynote speech on peace on the Korean Peninsula and related topics.
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