Focus on Parliamentary Diplomacy and Multilateral Cooperation
Discussion on Strengthening Practical Cooperation
On July 29 (local time), at the United Nations Conference Hall in Geneva, Switzerland, Speaker Woo attended the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament and delivered a keynote speech. He said, "The loudspeaker broadcasts, leaflets and waste balloons, regime propaganda broadcasts, and jamming signals that North and South Korea aimed at each other have been halted. These were acts symbolic of confrontation and hostility."
In the general debate on the theme "Parliaments for Peace, Justice and Inclusive Prosperity in a World in Turmoil," Speaker Woo added, "I hope that the small peace that has come to the inter-Korean border will lead to greater peace on the Korean Peninsula and to peace and prosperity for the world, with the support and cooperation of the international community."
Regarding the political situation in South Korea following the 12·3 Martial Law Incident, he said, "South Korea has shown that the power of democracy is strengthened when the participation of sovereign citizens is combined with the responsible role of the parliament." He emphasized, "This fact also indicates that parliaments must play an active role in addressing problems such as war and climate crises, political polarization and injustice, and the deepening of socioeconomic inequality, which the world is currently facing."
At the conference, Speaker Woo held separate bilateral meetings with Nukaga Fukushiro, Speaker of the Japanese House of Representatives, and Seah Kian Peng, Speaker of the Singaporean Parliament, discussing ways to promote friendship and develop parliamentary diplomacy between the respective countries.
Speaker Woo told Speaker Nukaga, "I hope we can meet again soon to discuss unresolved historical issues and matters that need to be harmoniously resolved between our countries."
In response, Speaker Nukaga said, "Since our two countries are extremely important to each other, let us continue to work together to maintain good relations going forward."
When meeting with Speaker Seah, Speaker Woo said, "Although the situation in South Korea has been very complicated, it is very meaningful that, following the launch of the new government, our leaders have agreed to establish a strategic partnership through direct communication."
Speaker Seah stated, "I hope that the relationship between South Korea and Singapore, as a strategic partnership, will expand even more toward the future as we mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties."
The World Conference of Speakers of Parliament is a summit meeting of parliaments organized every five years by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). Park Incheol, Speaker of the Supreme People's Assembly of North Korea, also attended the conference. However, it is known that there was no separate meeting between Speaker Woo and Speaker Park.
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