Kim Dong-yeon Criticizes "Korea-US Summit as Sacrificing National Interest and Merely Supporting Economy"

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon is taking a commemorative photo with Im Dong-won, Honorary Chairman of the Korean Peninsula Peace Forum, Kim Young-joo, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, members of the National Assembly, and other distinguished guests at the 4.27 Panmunjom Declaration 5th Anniversary Academic Conference held at the Korea Exchange Conference Hall on the afternoon of the 27th.

Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon harshly criticized the South Korea-US summit, calling it a "summit where national interests disappeared and the economy was sidelined."

Governor Kim made these remarks on the 27th during his welcoming speech at the '4.27 Panmunjom Declaration 5th Anniversary Academic Conference: Calling for the Spring of Peace,' held at the Korea Exchange Conference Hall, addressing the recent diplomatic and security situation.

The event, co-hosted by Gyeonggi Province, the Korean Peninsula Peace Forum, and the Forum Sa-ui-jae, was organized to mark the 70th anniversary of the armistice and the 5th anniversary of the 4.27 Panmunjom Declaration. It aimed to explore peace policies with various experts and contribute to spreading a consensus on peace.

Governor Kim said, "Two weeks ago, I visited the United States and met with several governors, telling reporters that this South Korea-US summit should be an economic summit. However, looking at the joint statement released this time, there was nothing said about the IRA (Inflation Reduction Act) or semiconductors, so the economy was completely sidelined." He added, "The world is currently facing difficult international circumstances, with each country fending for itself and long having moved beyond ideological and bloc frameworks. Yet, we alone are trapped in factional logic and frameworks, showing such results and unprincipled, wavering diplomacy in this summit. Ultimately, I cannot help but evaluate this summit as one where national interests have disappeared somewhere, leaving only the state banquet."

He continued, "I think the South Korea-US summit gave lip service to nuclear non-proliferation with very flashy packaging. The South Korea-US alliance is solid, with a mutual defense treaty in place, and discussions about nuclear extended deterrence assume some emergency situation. Handling it this way does not align with the principles we have maintained in inter-Korean relations."

He also expressed concern, saying, "Regarding inter-Korean relations, from Presidents Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun to the present, building a denuclearization and peace platform has been the fundamental value, philosophy, and basis. However, with recent talks even about nuclear armament and the partial inclusion of nuclear non-proliferation in the joint statement today, we can see how much our value principles are shaking."

He added, "In my view, diplomacy is about the world knowing the principles, philosophy, and values that the Republic of Korea holds, and accumulating various cases that pursue those values so that when something happens, it can be predicted internationally. However, looking at the various values that have come up recently in South Korea-Japan relations, Ukraine's lethal weapons, and issues related to China, I question whether we have clear and definite diplomatic principles and value philosophy. Without clear principles and philosophy, we will be swayed by regime changes or the thoughts and relations with other countries at the time. This is exactly the situation now," he lamented.

Governor Kim said, "I believe the root of these issues lies in a leadership crisis. Perhaps because of the overly grand packaging of the Washington Declaration, the Panmunjom Declaration five years ago is even more meaningful." He pledged, "Gyeonggi Province, which has the longest border area with North Korea, promises to do its utmost to play its role on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of the 4.27 Panmunjom Declaration today. Starting with the DMZ Open Festival next month, we will do our best to continue the intent and philosophy of the 4.27 Panmunjom Declaration, and as the largest metropolitan local government, we will act as a watchdog over the central government, which is currently unable to find its center, fulfilling our role."

Meanwhile, the academic conference was divided into two sessions: Session 1, "70 Years of Armistice and the 4.27 Panmunjom Declaration," and Session 2, "Military Crisis on the Korean Peninsula and the Safety of Border Area Residents," featuring presentations and discussions on these topics.

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