President Moon: Efforts for Kim Jong-un's Return Visit, Railway Connection, and Geumgangsan Tourism (Comprehensive)

President Moon Jae-in's New Year's Address
"Will Make Every Effort to Promote North Korea-US Dialogue"

On the 7th, citizens are watching President Moon Jae-in's New Year's address in the Seoul Station waiting room. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

President Moon Jae-in said on the 7th, "The display and threat of force do not help anyone," adding, "The momentum for North Korea-U.S. dialogue must continue."

In his New Year's address delivered at the Blue House that morning, President Moon stated, "The government will do everything it can to promote North Korea-U.S. dialogue."

President Moon emphasized, "Amid the deadlock in North Korea-U.S. talks and concerns over the regression of inter-Korean relations, it has become even more urgent to seek practical measures to enhance inter-Korean cooperation alongside efforts to achieve success in North Korea-U.S. dialogue."

He proposed, "While international solutions are necessary to uphold the three principles for peace on the Korean Peninsula?no war, mutual security guarantees, and joint prosperity?there are also things that can be done through cooperation between the South and the North. Let us sit down together and discuss seriously."

President Moon noted, "This year marks the meaningful 20th anniversary of the June 15th North-South Joint Declaration," mentioning various inter-Korean cooperation projects such as the resumption of tourism in Mount Kumgang and the connection of railroads between the two Koreas. He added, "I hope South and North will work together to create conditions for Chairman Kim Jong-un's reciprocal visit as soon as possible."

He said, "Let us begin cooperation in border areas for the joint safety of the 80 million Korean people," expressing his belief that "Chairman Kim Jong-un shares the same will."

Furthermore, President Moon stated, "The joint hosting of the 2032 Olympics by South and North Korea will be a golden opportunity to showcase to the world that we are one Korean people and to leap forward together."

He expressed, "I am willing to meet repeatedly and engage in continuous dialogue," and added, "Efforts to resume the Kaesong Industrial Complex and Mount Kumgang tourism will also continue."

President Moon said, "If South and North find practical ways to realize the connection of railroads and roads between the two Koreas, it will not only lead to international cooperation but also greatly support the resumption of tourism between the two Koreas and the revitalization of tourism in North Korea."

He continued, "The internationalization of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) as a peace zone aims to guarantee mutual safety between South and North Korea both institutionally and practically, and to gain international support."

President Moon appealed, "The DMZ holds tremendous value including ecology, history, inter-Korean reconciliation, and peace, and the joint registration as a 'UNESCO World Heritage' is something we can start right away," expressing hope for North Korea's positive response.

He emphasized, "The path we seek through peace is ultimately a peace economy," explaining, "The peace economy aims to create an era where division no longer hinders peace and prosperity, allowing both South and North Korea to prosper together with neighboring countries."

Along with this, President Moon stated, "We will develop the traditional alliance with the United States to a higher level and work together to complete the Korean Peninsula peace process," and "We will strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China in various fields."

He also said, "Japan is our closest neighbor, and we will evolve the cooperative relationship between the two countries in a more future-oriented way," emphasizing, "If Japan withdraws its export restrictions, bilateral relations can develop more rapidly."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.