Former Minister of Unification Kim Yeon-cheol, Invited Lecture in Nam-gu, Gwangju... 3 Elements of Peace Cooperation

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] Kim Yeon-cheol, former Minister of Unification, who visited Gwangju at the invitation of Nam-gu Office of Gwangju Metropolitan City, emphasized that three things must be pursued simultaneously for peace cooperation on the Korean Peninsula: corresponding measures according to the North Korean denuclearization process, trust-building based on political and military confidence, and the establishment of a foundation for a Korean Peninsula economic community.

According to Nam-gu on the 6th, former Minister Kim attended as a lecturer at the ‘1st Peace Docent Intensive Training’ held in the conference room of Nam-gu Office on the afternoon of the 4th, and took the podium under the theme of ‘Changes in the World Order and Peace Tasks on the Korean Peninsula,’ presenting a trinity methodology related to peace cooperation on the Korean Peninsula.

Regarding changes in the world order, he stated, “Strategic competition between the United States and China is causing conflicts throughout East Asia, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a representative case of defiance against the US-led world order. In particular, the strengthening of cooperation between China and Russia is a concerning factor for peace on the Korean Peninsula.”

He also foresaw the need for a strategic approach to North Korea’s economic reality, which is facing great difficulties in overall economic activities due to UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea and prolonged border closures caused by the spread of COVID-19, in order to improve relations with North Korea, which is in a deadlock amid the turmoil surrounding peace on the Korean Peninsula.

To end the repeated advances and setbacks in inter-Korean relations, it is interpreted that it is most important to prioritize the import of quarantine and emergency supplies that can bring progress to the lives of North Korean residents and the North Korean economy, thereby instilling confidence that daily life can change simply through the improvement of inter-Korean relations.

At this event, former Minister Kim presented three specific implementation plans for peace cooperation on the Korean Peninsula: the ‘denuclearization process,’ ‘trust-building,’ and ‘establishment of a foundation for a Korean Peninsula economic community.’

He emphasized that the resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue, the establishment of permanent peace, and the realization of a Korean Peninsula economic community through sustainable development of inter-Korean relations must be achieved simultaneously.

He said, “As a corresponding measure for the denuclearization process, sanctions should be eased, and it is necessary to convert the armistice agreement into a peace agreement to form political and military trust. Also, by expanding North Korea’s economic reforms, we must create a Korean Peninsula economic community that provides new growth engines for both South and North Korean economies and promotes the construction of a Northeast Asian economic community.”

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