Moon Jaein Calls for Renewed Path to Peace on the Korean Peninsula
Former President Moon Jaein attended the '7th Anniversary Ceremony of the April 27 Inter-Korean Panmunjom Declaration' held at the National Assembly Library on the 25th. Lee Jaemyung, former leader and presidential primary candidate of the Democratic Party, did not attend, while Kim Dongyeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, and Kim Kyungsoo, former Governor of South Gyeongsang Province, were present.
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
The Lee Jaemyung campaign stated, "Former leader Lee had a private schedule following his morning itinerary in South Jeolla Province, making it difficult for him to attend the April 27 Panmunjom Declaration anniversary ceremony." Instead, Yoon Hochung, the head of the election committee, attended the event on his behalf.
That afternoon, Lee Jaemyung wrote on Facebook, "Peace on the Korean Peninsula is not a matter of choice for us, but an urgent task for survival," and added, "The two Koreas must resume dialogue, cooperate, and build trust." He continued, "Peace on the Korean Peninsula will not only ease military tensions but also reduce social and economic costs for both Koreas and promote cooperation and joint prosperity in East Asia." He emphasized, "North Korea must also recognize that peace on the Korean Peninsula is the path for everyone to live together, and should strive to restore trust and ease tensions through dialogue."
Former President Moon criticized the Yoon Sukyeol administration, saying, "The past three years have truly been a period of reaction and regression," and added, "The achievements and efforts of past administrations toward peace on the Korean Peninsula have been completely denied." He further stated, "All dialogue has been cut off, and even the September 19 military agreement, which served as a safety pin for peace, has been scrapped."
Moon Jaein said, "It is time to once again set out on the path to peace on the Korean Peninsula," and added, "Just as successive Democratic Party administrations have pioneered the path to peace with firm resolve and a relay of efforts, I hope that a new, competent government committed to peace will continue the history of peace on the Korean Peninsula and restart a new Korean Peninsula peace process."
This event was co-hosted by the forum Saejae, composed of former officials from the Moon Jaein administration, along with 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 National Innovation Party.
The Panmunjom Declaration is an agreement reached at the April 27, 2018 summit between former President Moon Jaein and Kim Jongun, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea. The agreement 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.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
