Lee In-young: "The Spirit of the Inter-Korean Agreement Is Still Valid... North and South Should Return to Their Original Intentions"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Minister of Unification Lee In-young, on the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the Basic Agreement on Reconciliation and Cooperation between South and North Korea, urged the North to come to the dialogue table, stating, "The spirit of the inter-Korean agreement is still naturally valid."

In his congratulatory speech at the '30th Anniversary Academic Conference on the Adoption of the Basic Agreement on Reconciliation and Cooperation between South and North Korea' held at the Westin Chosun Hotel on the 13th, Minister Lee said, "It is time for South and North Korea to once again come together as in 1991 and create a new vision and hope for the next 30 years."

Minister Lee stated, "Especially at this point where inter-Korean relations are stagnant and the Korean Peninsula peace process is deadlocked, returning to the original intention of the Basic Agreement on Reconciliation and Cooperation will be an important starting point for both South and North Korea," and added, "We urge the North to quickly respond to our government's recent proposal for a ‘Declaration of the End of War’ to reopen the door to peace on the Korean Peninsula and to promote steps toward denuclearization."

Minister Lee emphasized, "Respecting and faithfully implementing all inter-Korean agreements, including the Basic Agreement, is not a choice but a historic responsibility of our nation," and added, "If we maintain such efforts and attitudes, peace on the Korean Peninsula will never regress to a past of hostility despite any changes or crises in the international order."

He also requested the political circles, saying, "Please send bipartisan cooperation and support to create a consistently sustainable path beyond changes in administration for these efforts."

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