Former President Moon calls for renewed dialogue with North

Politics

Published: 27 Apr. 2023, 19:04 Updated: 28 Apr. 2023, 16:36

Former President Moon calls for renewed dialogue with North

Former President Moon Jae-in smiles as he talks with the leadership of the Democratic Party at his home in Pyeongsan Village in Yangsan, South Gyeongsang on Jan. 2. [NEWS1]

Former President Moon Jae-in on Thursday stressed the importance of South and North Korea and the United States’ efforts to restore dialogue, stressing the South Korean government’s role in doing so, during an academic conference marking the fifth anniversary of the April 27 Panmunjom Declaration.

Moon’s remarks came as President Yoon Suk Yeol and U.S. President Joe Biden adopted the so-called "Washington Declaration" with enhanced measures for extended deterrence at a summit Thursday morning.

Moon did not physically attend the event as his speech was read by Democratic Party lawmaker Do Jong-hwan during the commemorative event held at Korea Exchange in Yeouido, western Seoul.

Do served as the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism under the Moon administration.

“The country is facing its highest risk, worsened by the instability of the international situation,” Moon said in his speech, pointing out that people’s safety and the economy will be at risk if the situation continues.

“South and North Korea and the United States need to make efforts to restore dialogue.”

The former president further stressed that “cooperation with China and Russia is needed for denuclearization across the Korean Peninsula,” condemning the current government’s lack of “serious efforts to stably manage the situation.”

“I hope South and North Korea and the United States will all resume dialogue and relieve tensions to step forward toward the path of peace before it is too late.”

Participants of an academic forum to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Panmunjom Declaration pose for a photo at Korea Exchange in Yeouido, western Seoul on Thursday. The event was attended by multiple officials, including Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon. [NEWS1]

Co-hosted by the Gyeonggi provincial government, a group formed by former Blue House officials and the Korea Peace Forum, the event was held for the first time in four years to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Panmunjom Declaration for Peace, Prosperity and Unification. The declaration was signed by Moon and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in 2018.

The declaration included several agreements, including ones on denuclearization and the establishment of a joint liaison office. The inter-Korean liaison office in Kaesong established after the declaration was announced was destroyed by North Korea in June 2020 as the inter-Korean relationship worsened.

Referring to the Panmunjom Declaration as a “spring of peace” and a “milestone for peace,” Moon emphasized that the agreement was a result of the country’s efforts “after persuading North Korea and the United States as well as asking for support from the international community.”

Meanwhile, the People Power Party (PPP) on Thursday denounced the former government and the significance of the declaration, pointing out that the agreement just reaffirmed the simple truth that “strength protects peace.”

"Five years ago today was nothing more than a fake peace show, mired in the delusion that you can get peace for free," Yoo Sang-bum, the chief spokesperson of the PPP wrote in a statement.

“The declaration was filled with blueprints for a denuclearized Korean Peninsula and a declaration to the end of the war, but now the situation has deteriorated,” referring to continuous threats by North Korea, including missile launches.

The PPP spokesperson stressed that South Korea and the United States will cooperate by drawing up specific and powerful policies against North Korean threats.

“The Yoon government and PPP will face the serious reality of security and protect South Korea from North Korean threats through a strong alliance with the United States,” Yoo wrote.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]