President Moon: "Panmunjom Declaration Cannot Overcome 'International Constraints'... South and North Must Seek 'Practical Cooperation'" (Update)

'2nd Anniversary of the Panmunjom Declaration' President Moon Jae-in Chairs Senior Secretary and Aide Meeting
"Opening the Future of 'Peace Economy' Based on Trust in Kim Jong-un... COVID-19, a New Opportunity"

President Moon Jae-in is presiding over a senior secretaries and aides meeting at the Blue House on the afternoon of the 27th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Son Sunhee] On the 27th, marking the 2nd anniversary of the Panmunjom Declaration, President Moon Jae-in said, "The reason we have not been able to accelerate the implementation of the Panmunjom Declaration is by no means due to a lack of our will," adding, "It is because we have not been able to overcome the practical international constraints that exist." He emphasized, "We will seek the most realistic and practical path for inter-Korean cooperation," and "The crisis of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) could be a new opportunity for inter-Korean cooperation."

On the same day at 2 p.m., President Moon presided over a senior secretaries and aides meeting at the Cheong Wa Dae Yeomin-gwan, stating, "We cannot just wait indefinitely for conditions to improve," and "Even amid realistic constraints, we must find what we can do and continuously carry out even small tasks." The 'practical constraints' mentioned by President Moon are understood to refer to international sanctions against North Korea.

President Moon said, "If we do not forget that 'we are the masters of the fate of the Korean Peninsula,' the path will surely open, and even narrow paths can gradually be made wider," expressing his determination, "Based on the trust between myself and Chairman Kim Jong-un of North Korea and a firm will for peace, we will open the future of a peace economy." He repeatedly stressed inter-Korean cooperation to overcome the COVID-19 crisis, calling it "the most urgent and pressing cooperation task at present."

President Moon said, "In March, Chairman Kim sent a letter of condolence and encouragement to our people, and I responded in kind," emphasizing, "South and North are one life community. The inter-Korean life community will be the foundation for moving toward a peace community." He further specified, "I hope that inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation for the life of the Korean Peninsula will be actively carried out, starting with joint cooperation to respond to COVID-19, and extending to joint responses to livestock epidemics, disasters and accidents in border areas, and climate and environmental changes." This is interpreted as a repeated urging to the North Korean side, which has not provided a significant response to the proposal for 'joint cooperation in the health sector' made in the previous '101st Anniversary of the March 1st Independence Movement Commemorative Speech.'

President Moon also said, "We will start by doing what we can to connect railways between South and North," and "I look forward to realizing together the dream of connecting the Donghae Line and Gyeongui Line, agreed upon by the South and North leaders." He added, "I hope that the grand dream of turning the Demilitarized Zone into an international peace zone will be steadily pursued starting with projects that South and North can work on together," and "I hope we can join forces to transform it from a symbol of division into a zone of peace and hope." In this regard, the government held a 'Donghae Northern Line (Gangneung?Goseong Jejin) Promotion Ceremony' hosted by the Ministry of Unification and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport in Goseong County, Gangwon Province, on the morning of the same day.

President Moon Jae-in is presiding over a senior secretaries and aides meeting at the Blue House on the afternoon of the 27th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Two years ago today, President Moon and Chairman Kim shook hands across the Panmunjom Military Demarcation Line. The scene of the South and North leaders crossing the Military Demarcation Line together was recorded as a historic turning point in the peace process on the Korean Peninsula. However, since then, North Korea?U.S. talks have stalled, and there has been little progress since the 'Hanoi No Deal' incident in February last year.

Regarding this, President Moon reflected, "The Panmunjom Declaration opened an irreversible door to peace, but the past two years have been a period that made us once again deeply realize that 'peace does not come overnight,'" adding, "Expectations and disappointments have been repeated, and each time, we have endured and tried to advance the peace process, even if the steps were slow."

President Moon mentioned the 70th anniversary of the Korean War (June 25) this year, saying, "One of the most important meanings of commemorating the war is to remember the horrors of war and to reaffirm the determination that there must never be war again on this land," and "The joint excavation of remains by South and North is a meaningful project to heal the wounds of war and move toward a new future of life and peace, so it must continue. Once the COVID-19 situation stabilizes, we will also promptly promote reunions of separated families and mutual visits of displaced persons."

President Moon said, "COVID-19 is awakening the spirit of solidarity and cooperation," and "The basic spirit of the Panmunjom Declaration is also solidarity and cooperation. This is also a fundamental value in the 'post-COVID' era." He added, "I hope that South and North will work together to overcome COVID-19 and accelerate the implementation of the Panmunjom Declaration, pioneering the post-COVID era and opening a peaceful and prosperous Korean Peninsula of mutual development."

Regarding the domestic COVID-19 situation, which is showing a clear calming trend with new confirmed cases dropping to fewer than 10, he said, "Confidence is growing that if we just put in a little more effort, we can return to normal life," and expressed deep respect and gratitude, saying, "The tearful dedication of quarantine authorities and medical staff, voluntary participation and cooperation of the people, and collective intelligence have been a great strength."

However, President Moon cautioned, "Since humanity does not have immunity and vaccines and treatments have not been developed, even a small number of confirmed cases could trigger a cluster infection at any time," and "Ultimately, we must prepare for a long-term battle and be ready for an uncomfortable coexistence with the coronavirus." He continued, "In the long run, it is now time to prepare for 'wise coexistence of quarantine and daily life,'" and said, "Beyond K-quarantine, K-daily life can become another global standard and model, so let us all work together. We will also revive economic recovery opportunities ahead of the world."

Meanwhile, Professor Kim Yong-hyun of Dongguk University's Department of North Korean Studies attended the senior secretaries and aides meeting. It is unusual for a civilian expert to attend a meeting usually attended only by Cheong Wa Dae staff. Given the occasion of the 2nd anniversary of the Panmunjom Declaration, it appears to be to obtain advice on recent North Korean trends and future inter-Korean cooperation projects.

President Moon Jae-in and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un are shaking hands at the Military Demarcation Line in Panmunjom on April 27, 2018. (Photo by Cheong Wa Dae)

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