Lee In-young: "Promote National Assembly Ratification of Panmunjom Declaration... North Korea Should Also Come to the Path of Dialogue"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Lee In-young, Minister of Unification, emphasized the importance of the Panmunjom Declaration on the 3rd anniversary of the April 27 Inter-Korean Summit and announced plans to pursue National Assembly ratification.

According to the joint press corps at the Gyeongui Line Inter-Korean Transit Office, Minister Lee attended the April 27 Inter-Korean Summit 3rd anniversary commemorative event held at the Dorasan Inter-Korean Transit Office in Paju on the 27th. In his congratulatory speech, he stated, "The Panmunjom Declaration has laid the foundation for continuing the peace process on the Korean Peninsula."

Minister Lee said, "The moment when President Moon Jae-in and Chairman Kim Jong-un crossed the Military Demarcation Line for the first time since the division and shook hands was a historic scene that gave a sense of reconciliation and peace not only to our people but to the entire world," emphasizing that "the Panmunjom Declaration has great historical significance and achievements in the peace process and journey on the Korean Peninsula."

He added, "To build on the achievements of the Panmunjom Declaration and elevate the peace process on the Korean Peninsula to an irreversible level, 'institutionalization of peace' is necessary," and said, "we will promote National Assembly ratification of the Panmunjom Declaration and support the institutionalization of inter-Korean relations."

He stated, "The Ministry of Unification has restarted the necessary preparations and is almost complete," adding, "In the future, through processes of political parties, the National Assembly, and public consensus, the National Assembly ratification procedure will be undertaken again at an appropriate time."

Minister Lee said, "Starting with cooperation in health and medical fields such as COVID-19 prevention, we aim to expand comprehensive humanitarian cooperation to areas like rice and fertilizer," and added, "At the same time, we will continuously seek ways to resume inter-Korean relations and raise the atmosphere of peace by utilizing various opportunities such as international sports events."

He also urged the North to come to the dialogue table. Minister Lee said, "We are willing to engage in dialogue with the North anytime, anywhere, regardless of form or agenda," and added, "On this day, we hope that North Korea will also come out on the path of dialogue and cooperation promptly in accordance with the spirit of the Panmunjom Declaration."

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