"UN General Assembly Speech" President Lee: "Will Open a New Era on the Korean Peninsula with the 'END Initiative'"

President Lee Jaemyung Speaks as the Seventh Keynote Speaker at the UN General Assembly
Proposes Exchange, Normalization, and Denuclearization as the New Framework
"End the Era of Hostility and Confrontation, Usher in a New Era of Peaceful Coexistence and Shared Growth"
Declares "Overcoming the 12·3 Loyalist Coup and Full Return to the International Community"

On September 23 (local time), President Lee Jaemyung presented the 'END (Exchange·Normalization·Denuclearization) Initiative' as a new framework for the Korean Peninsula peace process during his keynote address at the 80th United Nations General Assembly. He pledged that South Korea would fulfill its responsibility and role in contributing to global peace and prosperity. President Lee stated, "The most certain peace is a state in which there is no need to fight," and emphasized, "Through comprehensive dialogue centered on exchange, normalization of relations, and denuclearization-namely, 'END'-we must bring an end to the era of hostility and confrontation on the Korean Peninsula and usher in a new era of peaceful coexistence and shared growth."

Yonhap News

Speaking as the seventh keynote speaker at the high-level session of the UN General Assembly held at the UN Headquarters in New York, President Lee proposed the restoration of inter-Korean trust as the first step. He declared, "The government of the Republic of Korea respects the other side's system, will not pursue any form of unification by absorption, and makes it clear once again that it has no intention of engaging in any hostile acts." This was the first time President Lee unveiled the 'END Initiative.'

President Lee further explained, "Immediately after taking office, I proactively implemented measures such as suspending the distribution of anti-North Korean leaflets and halting loudspeaker broadcasts toward North Korea." He added, "Going forward, our government will consistently seek ways to ease military tensions and restore trust between the two Koreas." He continued, "While pursuing the development of inter-Korean relations, we will also actively support and cooperate with efforts to normalize relations with the international community, including between North Korea and the United States." Regarding denuclearization, he reiterated, "The international community must pool its wisdom to pursue a practical and phased solution, starting with a 'halt' to the advancement of nuclear and missile capabilities, proceeding through a process of 'reduction,' and ultimately achieving 'elimination.'"

President Lee also declared that South Korea had fully returned to the international community after overcoming the '12·3 Martial Law,' which shook democracy at the end of last year. He stated, "There were times when democracy and peace were at risk, but the Republic of Korea has always risen again with indomitable strength," and added, "Not even a loyalist coup could break the strong will of the Korean people yearning for democracy and peace."

President Lee remarked, "Last winter, the 'Revolution of Light' achieved by the Korean people in the face of the darkness of rebellion was a historic moment that demonstrated the shining achievements of the UN spirit." He also quoted a line from Nobel Prize-winning author Han Kang's novel Human Acts: "I hope you will lead me to the bright side, to where the light shines, to where the flowers bloom."

Yonhap News

He went on to say, "The Republic of Korea will serve as a 'beacon of light' for all those on the journey toward democracy," and declared, "At this UN General Assembly, I proudly announce that a new Republic of Korea, which will be a light for global citizens, has fully returned to the international community."

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