At the Fierce 6·25 Battle Site, Lee Jae-myung Emphasizes 'End of War': "Opposing the End of War? An Act of Treason Beyond Pro-Japanese"

"True Security Means a State Where Fighting Is Unnecessary... Must Change to 'End-of-War Status' Before Peace Agreement"
"Both the Whip Called Pressure Sanctions and the Carrot of Communication, Dialogue, and Cooperation Are Effective... Must Mix Appropriately"
"Choosing Only One Is 'Byukchangho'"
"Is It Reasonable That South Korean Politicians Oppose Ending the Armistice?"

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon, Chilgok=Reporter Jeon Jin-young] Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, emphasized on the 11th regarding the declaration of the end of the war, "Creating a state where there is no need to fight is the most certain security," and stated, "We must change the armistice state to a state of peace."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On that day, Lee visited the Dabudong War Memorial Hall in Chilgok, Gyeongbuk, and said, "The prosperity we have created should not disappear due to bombings. We must create a 'peace economy system' where peaceful coexistence, mutual respect, and cooperation benefit everyone, where peace guarantees the economy and the economy guarantees peace."

He referred to the fierce Dabudong Battle during the Korean War, explaining, "This was the most brutal battlefield on the Nakdong River front. It is the place of the Dabudong Battle, which I heard about a lot since I was young."

He added, "The most important duty of the state is to protect the lives and safety of its people, and the greatest role of the government is to maintain the national community," emphasizing, "The sacrifices of many nameless people disappearing again must not be repeated."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee raised his voice, saying, "We must make peace at all costs." He also expressed flexibility in North Korea policy, stating that former President Kim Dae-jung's Sunshine Policy and pressure policies toward North Korea should be appropriately combined and utilized.

He said, "We can use means to pressure the other side. However, as former President Kim said, a warm spring breeze makes clothes come off. Pressure is important, but finding a path of dialogue, communication, increasing understanding, cooperation, and coexistence is another way to peace."

He continued, "Both the whip called pressure sanctions and the carrot called communication, dialogue, and cooperation are effective. We must appropriately mix the two methods; choosing only one is usually called 'byeokchangho' (a stubborn person who refuses to change)."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee emphasized, "The Korean Peninsula is still legally in a state of war. It is only a temporary armistice, not a peace agreement. Therefore, before signing a peace agreement and moving to a peace system, we must change the armistice state to a state of peace."

He noted, "There may be countries opposing changing the armistice to peace," pointing to Japan, saying, "Since diplomacy is centered on national interests, it is understandable that they take such a stance." However, he compared South Korean politicians opposing the armistice to being 'pro-Japanese.'

Lee strongly criticized, saying, "Is it reasonable for South Korean politicians to oppose the peace agreement and the end of the armistice when they cannot even strive for peace?" He added, "They may be called pro-Japanese, but if the result of being pro-Japanese threatens South Korea's security and harms national interests, it goes beyond pro-Japanese to treason."

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