"Situation on the Korean Peninsula Worst Since the Korean War... Crisis Escalation on Both South and North"

Former President Moon Jae-in delivering a greeting at the 5th anniversary ceremony of the September 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration held last year at the 63 Building in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

On the 31st, when North Korea launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), former President Moon Jae-in pointed out the joint responsibility of both South and North Korea for the tense situation on the Korean Peninsula.

In a congratulatory speech at the 15th anniversary ceremony of the Korea Peninsula Peace Forum held at the Baekbeom Kim Koo Memorial Hall in Yongsan, Seoul, former President Moon expressed concern, saying, "The current situation on the Korean Peninsula is the worst since the Korean War, a critical crisis where military conflict could occur at any time." He especially criticized, "Both South and North Korean authorities are not resolving the situation but rather amplifying the crisis."

At the event, Cho Kuk, leader of the Innovation Party, criticized the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, saying it "heightened tensions instead of dialogue and cooperation," mentioning the abolition of the September 19 military agreement. On the other hand, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, urged a change in North Korea's stance, stating, "North Korea's 'hostile two-state declaration' and attempts to fortify the MDL must be withdrawn."

Lim Dong-won, honorary chairman of the Korea Peninsula Peace Forum, emphasized, "We must leverage the experience of promoting the Korea Peninsula peace process through policy coordination with the United States in 2000 and 2018 to restart the peace process."

Chairman Kim Yeon-cheol also presented a future vision, saying, "We will strengthen solidarity and cooperation with international peace forces and activate an international policy network for the Korea Peninsula peace initiative."

Meanwhile, the Korea Peninsula Peace Forum, launched in 2009, is a civilian forum aiming for peace movements oriented toward overcoming division and unification, involving academics, civil society figures, and former officials.