President Lee: "Peace Is a Very Practical Benefit"
President Lee Jae-myung is greeting Professor Michael Sandel of Harvard University, famous for his book "Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?" at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 18th. Photo by Yonhap News
President Lee Jaemyung met with Professor Michael Sandel of Harvard University, author of "Justice: What's the Right Thing to Do?" on the 18th, and said, "It would be wonderful if a peace regime could be established in Korea so that all citizens could receive a peace dividend."
During his meeting with Professor Sandel at the presidential office in Yongsan that day, President Lee stated, "The concept of a peace dividend, as you mentioned, was also intriguing to me. The United States has also come to receive such a peace dividend." The peace dividend refers to the economic benefits gained by reducing defense spending through the elimination of war or military tensions and investing those resources in welfare or growth.
Professor Sandel responded, "When we talk specifically about the peace dividend, I think we can also discuss economic dividends and even democratic dividends. If peace can be established on the Korean Peninsula, and if this could help resolve polarization not only in Korea but also in neighboring countries, I believe that would also contribute to democracy."
President Lee replied, "That is actually what I wanted to say. We often think of democracy, justice, and peace as idealistic values or ideologies far removed from our daily lives, but it is difficult to realize that they are in fact very practical interests."
He continued, "When highly influential figures like yourself say that peace can be a practical benefit and that justice can be a practical benefit, it truly has a significant impact."
President Lee also said, "The world is experiencing a great deal of political turmoil, and especially with the rise of the far right, social stability is being severely undermined. However, although Korea has gone through difficult times, I am confident that through the revolution of light, we are becoming a model of a truly democratic society and a community of solidarity that is being realized in practice."
He added, "When we think of democracy in textbooks, we usually think of Athens, but I believe that after a long time has passed, people may think of Seoul, Korea instead."
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