President Moon: "The June 15 North-South Joint Declaration is a Warm Breeze in the Hearts of Our People" (Comprehensive)

Video Message for the 20th Anniversary of the June 15 North-South Joint Declaration Ceremony... "Trust Between North and South Is Above All"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] President Moon Jae-in evaluated the June 15th North-South Joint Declaration as "a warm breeze that settled in the hearts of the Korean people and a historic declaration that changed the fate of the Korean Peninsula" in a video message at the '20th Anniversary Ceremony of the June 15th North-South Joint Declaration' held at the Odusan Unification Observatory in Paju, Gyeonggi Province on the afternoon of the 15th.

Regarding North Korea's recent actions that have heightened tensions, such as severing inter-Korean communication channels, President Moon emphasized that efforts for dialogue and communication for peace on the Korean Peninsula must not be halted. He said, "On this joyful occasion commemorating the historic declaration, I should be reflecting on the great achievements of that declaration and how far we have advanced toward a peaceful Korean Peninsula, but the recent situation makes this difficult and I feel regretful and apologetic."

President Moon stated, "Recently, North Korea has criticized our government and closed communication channels due to leaflets sent by some defector groups, causing concern among our people that the inter-Korean relationship might regress to a confrontational phase," adding, "We have always proceeded cautiously, as if walking on thin ice, to take even a single step forward, but I feel that we have not done enough."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Moon said, "Given our current difficult situation, I am reminded of the courage and wisdom of President Kim Dae-jung, who overcame numerous setbacks and harsh ideological attacks to ultimately realize the inter-Korean summit," emphasizing, "On June 15, 2000, for the first time in 50 years since the outbreak of the Korean War, the leaders of the South and North were able to sit face to face because both leaders believed in the power of dialogue."

President Moon added, "In 2017, when the dark clouds of war were thickening over the Korean Peninsula, the leaders of the South and North were able to meet again because both leaders were determined to carry on the spirit of the June 15th Joint Declaration," and said, "The Korean Peninsula is not yet in a situation where the South and North can freely advance solely by their own will. Even if slow, we must proceed with the consent of the international community."

President Moon appealed, "There are certainly projects that the South and North can undertake independently. Above all, the most important thing is trust between the South and North. We must nurture trust through continuous dialogue."

He pointed out, "The uncomfortable and difficult issues we face must be resolved through communication and cooperation," and added, "We must not allow discord and misunderstanding to obstruct our efforts toward peace and coexistence."

President Moon also expressed trust in North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un. He said, "I am well aware of Chairman Kim Jong-un's efforts to bring about a breakthrough in the situation on the Korean Peninsula. I also deeply regret that progress in North Korea-U.S. relations and inter-Korean relations has not been as much as expected."

President Moon stated, "We cannot turn back on the promise of peace on the Korean Peninsula that Chairman Kim Jong-un and I made before the 80 million Korean people," and pledged, "Our government will not let go of the thread of communication and will continuously strive to implement the April 27 Panmunjom Declaration and the September 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration."

He mentioned that there was an agreement to stop hostile acts such as leaflet distribution, saying, "This is an agreement that anyone who wishes for peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula must abide by."

President Moon requested North Korea not to close the door to dialogue, saying, "Peace does not come overnight. The more difficult it is, the more we must start with 'small things, what is possible.' We must carve out our destiny ourselves. This is something the South and North must do together."

President Moon recalled, "I remember President Kim Dae-jung's sentiment that our Korean people must coexist and prosper together, and in the new 21st century, join hands and soar as a world-class nation," and pledged, "We will surely open an era where the South and North unite and cooperate for peace and prosperity."

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