The Last UN General Assembly of Moon's Term... Will the Hope for a 'Simultaneous North-South Message' Come True?

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] With the 30th anniversary of the joint North-South UN membership approaching in about two weeks, attention is focused on whether President Moon Jae-in will attend the UN General Assembly in person. As it is the last UN General Assembly during his term, the Blue House's position is that both North and South Korea want to deliver a peace message simultaneously at the UN General Assembly, but considering the COVID-19 situation, it does not seem easy.

According to the Blue House on the 6th, President Moon's in-person attendance at the 76th UN General Assembly has not yet been decided. The decision on in-person attendance will ultimately be made by President Moon after considering all relevant factors.

Since his inauguration, President Moon has expressed his thoughts on North Korea and peace on the Korean Peninsula through keynote speeches at the UN General Assembly every year. In 2017, he welcomed North Korea's participation in the PyeongChang Olympics, saying, "I do not wish for the collapse of North Korea." In 2018, he mentioned the 'Declaration of the End of the War' for the first time. In 2019, he proposed the 'Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) Peace Zone,' and last year, when the assembly was held virtually due to COVID-19, he emphasized the declaration of the end of the war again.

Accordingly, if President Moon's in-person attendance is confirmed, he is expected to deliver another message to North Korea on the international stage. The symbolism of the 30th anniversary of simultaneous North-South membership and the last UN General Assembly of his term means that in-person attendance carries significant meaning. However, the rapidly increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the US and the unstable local situation are variables. Furthermore, the Blue House has expressed a desire for "North and South Korea to simultaneously send a peace message on the Korean Peninsula," but given that North Korea is focusing on internal affairs and refusing any dialogue, the possibility of North Korea responding to this plan seems low.

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