9/19 Anniversary Ceremony Held 2km from DMZ... Moon: "Restoration of Military Agreement Urgent"

Calls for North Korea-U.S. Dialogue
Moon: "Kim Jong Un and Trump Should Meet Again"
Chung Dongyoung: "Pushing for Restoration Within the Year... Government Discussions Underway"

The 7th anniversary ceremony of the September 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration and the September 19 Inter-Korean Military Agreement was held near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on September 19, 2025. Former President Moon Jae-in, commenting on the new administration's North Korea policy, stated, "Above all, the most urgent and important task is the restoration of the September 19 Inter-Korean Military Agreement," adding, "This will serve as the starting point for managing the situation on the Korean Peninsula in a stable manner and improving inter-Korean relations."

The Democratic Government Council for the Succession and Development of Peace on the Korean Peninsula, Gyeonggi Province, and the Ministry of Unification held the 7th anniversary ceremony of the September 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration and Inter-Korean Military Agreement, as well as the opening ceremony for the 2025 Korean Peninsula Peace Week, at Camp Greaves in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, on this day. Attendees included former President Moon Jae-in, National Assembly Speaker Woo Wonshik, Democratic Party leader Jung Chungrae, Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dongyeon, Minister of Unification Chung Dongyoung, former National Assembly Speaker Moon Heesang, and former ministers Lim Dongwon, Jeong Sehyun, Lee Jaejung, and Kim Yeoncheol, representing key current and former Democratic Party-affiliated figures.

Speaker Woo Wonshik, after recently exchanging brief greetings with North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un at China's Victory Day, predicted that inter-Korean relations would not be easy in the future. However, he said, "No matter how difficult it may be, it does not mean it is impossible," adding, "Just as former President Moon opened the door to dialogue and achieved the September 19 agreement with courage and patience, we, too, must not give up and should continue to seek a way forward." Party leader Jung Chungrae also stated, "The September 19 Military Agreement is one that must be restored and implemented more quickly than any other agreement," emphasizing, "The Democratic Party will provide its full support."

In his commemorative address, former President Moon Jae-in said, "Easing military tensions and building trust are prerequisites for any peace process and are essential for facilitating North Korea-U.S. dialogue," adding, "If it is difficult to immediately resume comprehensive dialogue between the two Koreas, I hope that discussions will at least begin with the restoration of the September 19 Inter-Korean Military Agreement."

Former President Moon then called on both North Korea and the United States to engage in dialogue. He stated, "I welcome U.S. President Donald Trump's willingness to meet North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un within this year and hope that North Korea-U.S. talks will be realized soon. Now is the time for President Trump to demonstrate his commitment to peace and leadership to the world," adding, "It is time for the two leaders to meet again and achieve the peace that was not realized before."

Former President Moon also addressed Chairman Kim Jong Un, saying, "Chairman Kim's decision can still serve as the key to peace at this time," and emphasized, "I hope you will once again demonstrate a courageous decision."

Prior to the event, key architects of North Korea policy from previous Democratic administrations gathered to discuss the situation on the Korean Peninsula, including former Minister of Unification Jeong Sehyun (Kim Daejung administration), former Minister of Unification Lee Jaejung (Roh Moo-hyun administration), former National Intelligence Service Director Suh Hoon (Moon Jae-in administration), and Minister Chung Dongyoung (Lee Jaemyung administration). They reached a consensus that, unlike in the past, the current environment does not allow for rapid improvement in inter-Korean relations.

Minister of Unification Chung Dongyoung stated, "At the very least, I believe the September 19 agreement should be proactively restored before the end of this year," adding, "Discussions are ongoing within the government."

He went on to address North Korea's subsequent severance of inter-Korean relations, saying, "During the Moon Jae-in administration, inter-Korean relations led North Korea-U.S. relations, but given the current domestic and international environment, it seems that North Korea-U.S. dialogue must come first," and emphasized, "During the South Korea-U.S. summit, the name 'Kim Jong Un' was mentioned more than twenty times in both public and private meetings. Our top priority should be to act as a pacemaker and ensure that a North Korea-U.S. summit is realized as soon as possible."

Minister Chung Dongyoung also referred to North Korea's definition of inter-Korean relations as a "hostile relationship between two warring states," citing the Buddhist monk Wonhyo's concept of "Not One, Not Two," and said, "The government's task is to somehow transform this hostile relationship between two states into a peaceful relationship."

Minister Chung Dongyoung further commented on the Yoon Sukyeol administration's suspension of the September 19 Inter-Korean Military Agreement, stating, "I believe this issue is closely connected to the preparations for the December 3 Martial Law and coup," and argued, "This is a matter where the facts must be clarified."

Former Minister of Unification Jeong Sehyun discussed the possibility of reducing next year's South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises. He argued, "Whether next year's joint exercises are canceled, held on a smaller scale, or conducted as intensively as during the Yoon Sukyeol administration, will determine the timeline for inter-Korean relations."

He also commented on Minister of National Defense Ahn Kyubaek, who is a civilian, saying, "It seems there is a tendency for him to be led by the military," and added, "Minister Chung Dongyoung should play the role of pacemaker and help the Minister of National Defense become the pacemaker who stands in front of the military."

Former Minister Jeong Sehyun also assessed that if the United States demands denuclearization from North Korea at a North Korea-U.S. summit, the talks may not succeed, and suggested, "Our government should persuade the United States on whether the goal of the negotiations is denuclearization or nuclear freeze, and confirm the corresponding compensation to be offered to North Korea. This is how we should lead negotiations between North Korea and the United States."

Former Director Suh Hoon cited his negotiations with North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong Un prior to the 2018 inter-Korean summit, where the South Korea-U.S. joint military exercises were raised, and said, "Joint military exercises are a significant obstacle, but not an insurmountable one. Now is the time for the new administration to carefully consider and prepare solutions, including this issue."

Meanwhile, at the commemorative luncheon, dishes such as seasoned beef with vegetables, assorted blood sausage, Hamgyeong Province-style flatfish sikhye, Pyongyang five-blessing platter, Haeju bibimbap made with DMZ rice, soybean paste soup, Kaeseongju, and traditional Korean sweets were served. For the toast, Paju Kaeseong ginseng Makgeolli and Myeoncheon Dugyeonju were offered. Myeoncheon Dugyeonju was the representative dinner wine selected by the South Korean side during the 2018 Pyongyang Joint Declaration. At the luncheon, Minister Chung Dongyoung called out, "For the revival of September 19!" during the toast.