Kim Daejung Peace Conference Opens: Seeking Coexistence and Peace for the World and the Korean Peninsula

Academic Conferences and Roundtable Sessions Continue Until the 26th
Carrying On President Kim Daejung's Spirit... Addressing Global Issues

Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, attended the opening ceremony of the "2025 Kim Daejung Peace Conference" held on the 24th at Hotel Hyundai Bira Han Mokpo in Yeongam, with the theme "A New Vision for Coexistence and Peace for the World and the Korean Peninsula," and took a commemorative photo with diplomatic envoys and guests. Provided by Jeonnam Province

Jeollanam-do announced on the 24th that, starting with the opening ceremony of the 2025 Kim Daejung Peace Conference, a series of academic conferences under the theme "A New Vision for Coexistence and Peace for the World and the Korean Peninsula" will be held in earnest over three days until the 26th.

The opening ceremony, held at Hotel Hyundai in Yeongam, was attended by Kim Youngrok, Governor of Jeollanam-do and Chair of the Organizing Committee; Kwon Nokap, Chairman of the Kim Daejung Foundation; Lee Kwangil, Vice Chair of the Jeollanam-do Provincial Council; Kim Daejung, Superintendent of Education; as well as members of the organizing and executive committees and speakers. The event also attracted significant attention with the participation of about 500 people, including renowned scholars from around the world, related organizations, social groups, and university students.

In particular, diplomatic envoys from six countries in Korea, including Petar Kraychev, Ambassador of Bulgaria to Korea, and Sindiswa Mququ, Ambassador of South Africa to Korea, attended to celebrate the Kim Daejung Peace Conference and share the "Kim Daejung Spirit," further enhancing the event's international stature.

Prime Minister Kim Minseok delivered a video message, stating, "President Kim Daejung's philosophy of coexistence and peace serves as the cornerstone for the 'Peaceful Coexistence on the Korean Peninsula' and 'Practical Diplomacy toward the World' pursued by the Lee Jaemyung administration. The government will also listen carefully to and review today's discussions."

In his welcoming remarks, Governor Kim Youngrok emphasized, "President Kim Daejung was a symbol of a 'conscience in action' and a leader who risked his life for what he believed was right. Through this peace conference, Jeollanam-do will faithfully serve as a messenger to deliver President Kim Daejung's spirit to the world."

The keynote speech following the opening ceremony was delivered by Professor James Robinson of the University of Chicago, recipient of the 2024 Nobel Prize in Economics, who presented on the topic "Peace Economy: Strategies for the World and the Korean Peninsula."

Professor Robinson noted, "We can observe a clear increase in per capita income and development indicators after democratization," and evaluated, "The driving force behind Korea's inclusive economic growth was democracy, and the people were the main agents who made this possible."

One attendee at the event commented, "It was a very valuable experience to hear directly from a Nobel laureate in our region. I hope local residents will have more opportunities to participate in such international events in the future."

On the second day of the academic events, September 25, the program includes: a special lecture by Professor Kim Jungho of KAIST on sustainable technology, artificial intelligence, and peace; a session on "Trump's Second Term: Global Policy and Korean Peninsula Policy"; and two sessions and a peace roundtable on the topic of "China's Theory of Responsible Power and World Peace."

Distinguished scholars from around the world, including John Ikenberry (Professor of Political Science at Princeton University, USA), Zhang Wenling (Director of the Asia-Pacific Research Institute at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences), Jude Lal Fernando (Professor at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland), and Jeong Sangki (former Ambassador for Northeast Asian Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), are expected to participate in in-depth discussions.