Restoration of the September 19 Military Agreement Needed
Nuclear Armament Theory Leads to National and Ethnic Ruin
Former President Moon Jaein on the 25th criticized the Yoon Sukyeol administration, stating, "The past three years have truly been a period of reaction and regression," and added, "The dignity of the Republic of Korea has collapsed, and the lives of the people have become more difficult."
Former President Moon Jaein is speaking as he meets Woo Wonsik, Speaker of the National Assembly, at the National Assembly on the 25th. On this day, former President Moon visited the National Assembly for the first time since his retirement to attend the 7th anniversary ceremony of the Panmunjom Declaration. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group
On this day, at the '7th Anniversary Ceremony of the 4·27 Inter-Korean Panmunjom Declaration' held at the National Assembly Library in the afternoon, former President Moon said, "The achievements and efforts of previous administrations toward peace on the Korean Peninsula have been entirely denied," and continued, "All dialogues have been cut off, and even the 9·19 Military Agreement, which served as a safety pin for peace, has been scrapped."
Former President Moon stated, "Endless confrontation has been incited, tensions have been heightened, and the two Koreas have been driven into a dangerous situation where a military clash could occur at any time," and added, "Ultimately, there is even evidence that the government intentionally tried to provoke military conflict between the two Koreas in order to create a crisis situation for martial law."
Former President Moon emphasized, "It has become almost a destiny for successive Democratic Party administrations to correct the regression and incompetence left by previous conservative governments and to move the Republic of Korea forward again," and continued, "I hope that the new government, which the people will choose, will restore the damaged dignity of the Republic of Korea together with the people and build an even more competent and proud nation."
Former President Moon declared, "Now is the time to return to the path of peace on the Korean Peninsula," and added, "Just as successive Democratic Party administrations have pioneered the path of peace on the Korean Peninsula with firm determination and a relay of efforts, I hope that a competent new government that pursues peace will continue the history of peace on the Korean Peninsula and resume a new Korean Peninsula peace process."
Former President Moon stated, "Restoring the 9·19 Military Agreement is the starting point for avoiding the risk of military conflict," and added, "We must not forget that war on the Korean Peninsula could be triggered by an accidental clash."
Former President Moon said, "The arguments for nuclear armament raised by some are dangerous. They grant indulgence to North Korea's nuclear development, abandon denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and are irresponsible claims that could turn Northeast Asia into a powder keg of the world," and continued, "Such arguments could lead to self-imposed isolation in the international community, trigger economic sanctions, and ultimately bring ruin to the nation and its people."
This event was co-hosted by the forum Saejae, composed of officials from the Moon Jaein administration, the Kim Daejung Foundation, the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation, and the Korean Peninsula Peace Forum. Attendees included Woo Wonsik, Speaker of the National Assembly; Chung Sye-kyun, former Prime Minister; Park Chandae, acting leader and floor leader of the Democratic Party; and Kim Sunmin, acting leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party.
The Panmunjom Declaration is a joint statement from the April 27, 2018 summit between former President Moon Jaein and Kim Jongun, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea. The declaration includes provisions for realizing a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula, declaring an end to the war within the year, and a complete halt to hostile acts.
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