On June 15, President Lee Jaemyung stated, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the June 15 South-North Joint Declaration, "We will swiftly restore the suspended inter-Korean communication channels and reestablish the crisis management system in order to reduce military tensions and create a peaceful atmosphere."
President Lee made this announcement in a post on Facebook, saying, "The Lee Jaemyung administration will put an end to wasteful hostile acts and resume dialogue and cooperation."
President Lee emphasized, "On June 15, 2000, for the first time since the division in 1945, the leaders of South and North Korea sat face-to-face and announced the June 15 South-North Joint Declaration," adding, "It was a starting point that broke down the walls of confrontation and distrust that had persisted for over half a century and opened a new era of reconciliation and cooperation." He went on to say, "It brought a sense of peace to the Korean Peninsula and demonstrated the possibility that both South and North could prosper together."
President Lee also remarked, "However, in recent years, the Korean Peninsula has once again regressed to the cold and tense days of the past," and expressed deep concern about "the suspension of inter-Korean dialogue and exchanges, as well as the escalating tensions and anxiety in the border areas."
President Lee stated, "History has taught us that when peace is shaken, not only the economy and security but also the daily lives of the people are threatened," and insisted, "The saying that peace is the economy is by no means an exaggeration."
President Lee said, "We must recall the promise made 25 years ago today and reclaim the lost time and vanished peace," adding, "We must transform the Korean Peninsula risk into a Korean Peninsula premium and open a future where both South and North can coexist and prosper together."
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