[Full Text] President Lee Jaemyung's Keynote Address at the 80th United Nations General Assembly

Seventh Keynote Address at the UN General Assembly High-Level Session

Yonhap News Agency

On September 23 (local time), President Lee Jaemyung unveiled the "END (Exchange·Normalization·Denuclearization) Initiative" as a new framework for the Korean Peninsula peace process during his keynote address at the 80th United Nations General Assembly. He pledged that South Korea would fulfill its responsibilities and roles to contribute to world peace and prosperity. President Lee stated, "The most certain form of peace is a state where there is no need to fight," and emphasized, "We must end the era of hostility and confrontation on the Korean Peninsula through comprehensive dialogue centered on 'Exchange, Normalization, and Denuclearization'-that is, 'END'-and open a new era of peaceful coexistence and joint growth."

President Lee, speaking as the seventh keynote speaker at the high-level session of the United Nations General Assembly held at the UN Headquarters in New York, presented the restoration of inter-Korean trust as the first step. He declared, "The Government of the Republic of Korea will respect the other side's system, will not pursue any form of absorption unification, and has no intention of engaging in any hostile acts whatsoever. I reaffirm this position," as he outlined his vision.

The following is the full text of President Lee's keynote address at the 80th United Nations General Assembly.

To all UN member states and

UN staff who have contributed to world peace and shared prosperity,

I extend my respect and gratitude.

I sincerely congratulate President Annalena Baerbock of the 80th General Assembly

on her inauguration,

and pay tribute to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres

for his unwavering dedication and service.

Under the outstanding leadership of the President and Secretary-General,

I hope this UN General Assembly will achieve even more meaningful results.

President, Secretary-General, and distinguished representatives,

This year marks the meaningful 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations.

The past 80 years of the UN have been a precious journey to uphold the dignity and values of humanity

and to seek a path for future generations.

If someone asks what the UN has achieved,

I would confidently answer,

"Look at the 80-year history of the Republic of Korea."

The history of the Republic of Korea, marked by challenges and responses,

is, in itself, a history of the UN relentlessly confronting the great challenges facing humanity.

The Republic of Korea was liberated from colonial rule in the year the UN was established,

and, with the help of the UN, maintained its national identity amid the scars of division and the ruins of war,

achieved industrialization, and blossomed into a democracy.

For this reason, the Republic of Korea itself

is a nation that has proven the value of the UN's existence.

Whenever Korea revived hope for precious lives amid the horrors of war and disaster,

the UN flag flew at the center of that intense solidarity.

The UN has strived to provide equal rights and opportunities to all without discrimination,

and provided education and vaccines to nurture the lives of children.

This small nation in the East, which rose with the support of the UN and the international community,

has become a proud UN member state attracting global attention,

and is rapidly enhancing its role and responsibility as a member of the international community more than any other nation.

There were times when democracy and peace were in crisis,

but the Republic of Korea rose each time with indomitable strength.

Even a coup d'etat could not break the strong will of the Korean people

who longed for democracy and peace.

Last winter, in the face of the darkness of insurrection,

the "Revolution of Light" achieved by the people of Korea

was a historic moment that showcased the shining achievements of the UN spirit.

The remarkable resilience and democratic strength demonstrated by Korea

will not only belong to Korea, but to the entire world.

"I hope you will lead me to the bright side, to the side where the light shines,

to the side where flowers bloom."

As the Nobel Prize-winning writer Han Kang said,

Korea will become a "beacon of light" for all those who embark on the journey toward democracy.

Today,

at this UN General Assembly to discuss the future of world peace and the common prosperity of humanity,

I proudly declare that a new Korea, ready to be a beacon for global citizens,

has fully returned to the international community.

Having grown with the support and help of the UN,

Korea will now willingly take on the role of a leading nation, sharing its experience and history of democratic restoration without reservation.

Despite the ceaseless efforts of every nation,

the resolve and aspiration of the international community from 80 years ago to "maintain world peace and security"

remains an unfinished task for all of us.

There are still 280 million people suffering from severe hunger,

and armed conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and many other parts of the world,

as well as the "climate crisis," which has become a real and pressing issue, threaten the very survival of humanity.

The answer lies in the wisdom of the pioneers who founded the UN,

and in the path proven by the people of Korea.

The solution is simple: "More democracy."

Korea's "sovereign government" is constantly striving for democratic innovation,

seeking better alternatives through the power of collective intelligence.

The way to solve the common challenges facing the international community is no different.

When all nations facing the same problems gather here at the UN

and continue "multilateral cooperation" by putting their heads together,

we can all move toward a bright future of peace and prosperity.

The "UN80 Initiative" proposed by the Secretary-General

is expected to serve as a vision for the evolution and development of the UN,

in line with the demands of this era.

I also hope that the United Nations Security Council will

expand non-permanent membership to reflect the changing international environment,

and enhance its effectiveness and representativeness.

As a Security Council member for the 2024-2025 term,

Korea is working to ensure that the Council can respond proactively

to threats to international peace and security.

President, Secretary-General, and distinguished delegations,

Having restored democracy, Korea now dreams of a better future.

Korea will steadfastly fulfill its role as a global leader in upholding the UN's values of freedom, human rights, inclusion, and solidarity.

We aim to further develop our institutions and culture so that all residents of Korea, both citizens and foreigners,

can be respected as equal members of society in every aspect of life.

Korea will realize the value of respect for human rights,

strengthen and lead cooperation with the international community.

In this era of urgent crises threatening immediate survival,

the words solidarity, coexistence, and cooperation may feel unfamiliar.

But humanity has always dreamed of hope as high as its deepest despair,

and achieved today's progress with a passion for a "better tomorrow."

In difficult times, we must return to the UN's founding spirit-

faith in universal human values.

The determination not to bequeath the horrors of war led to the founding of the UN,

prevented conflicts, and preserved peace.

Just as in the past, for a better world for future generations,

we must cooperate more, trust more, and hold hands more firmly today.

Korea will take the lead on the path of multilateral cooperation for a sustainable future.

Peace is the most important value of all.

In Korea, and anywhere in the world,

peace is the fundamental foundation of democracy and economic development.

The conflicts and disputes we face today

clearly show how easily the ideals of human dignity and sustainable development can collapse without peace.

Today, Korea is fulfilling its responsibilities as a key contributor

to the UN's peacekeeping and peacebuilding activities.

Our soldiers, who have steadfastly defended Korea as a divided nation,

are now helping to pave the way for "sustainable peace" led by the UN.

What threatens peace is not only physical factors.

In an era where artificial intelligence (AI) determines security capabilities

and cyberattacks threaten national security,

we must confront not only "visible enemies" but also "invisible ones."

If we passively follow the changes of the AI era,

we will face a dystopia of deepening polarization and inequality,

unable to escape the dark shadow of human rights violations caused by the misuse of technology.

However, if we respond proactively to change,

we can use high productivity as a driving force to lay the foundation for innovation and prosperity,

and create a useful basis for strengthening direct democracy.

I expect that tomorrow's open debate, which I will chair as President of the Security Council,

will greatly contribute to the international community's efforts to promote the responsible use of AI.

Furthermore, at the APEC Summit to be held next month in Gyeongju, Korea,

I intend to share a future vision for AI through the "APEC AI Initiative."

We will strive to ensure that the vision of "AI for All," where advances in cutting-edge technology contribute to universal human values,

becomes the "new normal" for the international community.

Technological innovation driven by AI will become an important and new tool

for solving global challenges such as the climate crisis.

Over the past 80 years, the UN has paved the way for "sustainable development,"

and led the response to the climate crisis, which is critical to humanity's survival.

The world must respond to these efforts.

Korea is promoting an "energy transition" by leveraging science, technology, and digital innovation

to improve energy efficiency and expand the share of renewable energy.

Within this year, we will submit a responsible "national greenhouse gas reduction target"

and join the international community's united commitment.

At the "Fourth United Nations Ocean Conference," which Korea will co-host with Chile in 2028,

we will work to build practical solidarity for sustainable ocean development.

Korea's proactive response to global challenges is based on

a firm commitment to fulfill humanity's shared promise of "sustainable development."

Since the UN established the "Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)" ten years ago,

the international community has made various advances in eradicating poverty and reducing inequality.

However, the demand for development financing continues to rise,

and the most vulnerable still suffer.

Let us face this harsh reality and bring about new change.

We must structurally reform global development governance

and move toward improving the quality of resources.

I believe we can work together to create more cases like Korea,

which has grown and leaped from a "recipient" to a "donor" nation.

This year marks both the 80th anniversary of the UN's founding and the 80th year of division on the Korean Peninsula.

New challenges and unfinished tasks await us.

Democratic Korea will embark on a new journey toward a Korean Peninsula of peaceful coexistence and joint growth.

The first step is to restore the broken trust between the two Koreas

and shift to a posture of mutual respect.

The Government of the Republic of Korea will respect the other side's system,

will not pursue any form of absorption unification,

and has no intention of engaging in any hostile acts whatsoever. I reaffirm this position.

Based on these three principles,

we first aim to break the vicious cycle of unnecessary military tension and hostile acts between the two Koreas.

This is why, immediately after my inauguration, I took preemptive measures such as halting the distribution of anti-North Korean leaflets and suspending loudspeaker broadcasts toward the North.

Going forward, our government will consistently pursue ways to ease military tensions and restore trust between the two Koreas.

The most certain peace is a state where there is no need to fight.

Through comprehensive dialogue centered on "Exchange, Normalization, and Denuclearization"-that is, "END"-

we must end the era of hostility and confrontation on the Korean Peninsula

and open a new era of peaceful coexistence and joint growth.

The history of the tumultuous inter-Korean relationship has proven the unchanging lesson

that exchange and cooperation are the shortest path to peace.

By gradually expanding inter-Korean exchange and cooperation,

we will open the path to sustainable peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Peace on the Korean Peninsula must be created not only by the two Koreas,

but also together with the international community.

While pursuing progress in inter-Korean relations,

we will also actively support and cooperate with efforts to normalize relations within the international community, including between North Korea and the United States.

Denuclearization is undoubtedly a grave challenge,

but it is time to seek realistic and rational solutions based on the clear recognition that it cannot be resolved in a short period.

The international community must pool its wisdom for a practical, phased solution-

starting with a "halt" to the advancement of nuclear and missile capabilities,

moving through a process of "reduction," and ultimately reaching "elimination."

Achieving lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula

will offer new hope and possibilities to humanity suffering from conflict.

Korea will do its utmost to end the Cold War on the Korean Peninsula through the "E.N.D Initiative"

and fulfill its responsibilities and roles to contribute to world peace and prosperity.

The future in which the peoples of different countries cooperate and overcome global challenges together

may sound like a rosy dream.

But it is by no means an impossible dream.

Peace is not simply the absence of armed conflict,

but the realization of a community that lives together while respecting differences.

As long as the desire for and respect for diversity lives within us,

we can always stand in solidarity and embrace each other.

Transcending borders, languages, and cultural differences,

K-Culture is connecting people around the world as one.

The success and spread of K-Culture prove that universal empathy among humanity is possible,

transcending all differences in background.

Gathering the energy of solidarity, coexistence, and consideration,

Korea, which has established a new democratic republic,

is ready to move toward a sustainable future and a new history for humanity.

The journey ahead may be arduous,

but humanity has come this far by never ceasing to take on challenges despite trials.

Just as the people of Korea held up multicolored cheering sticks in the face of a crisis of democracy,

I ask the international community and the UN to hold up the torch of hope to light the future of humanity.

Toward a new era of "peaceful coexistence and joint growth" on the Korean Peninsula,

toward the path of a "Better Together" future,

Korea will boldly take the lead at the forefront.

Thank you for your attention.