"With the spirit of the Foolish Old Man who moved mountains, let us steadfastly build a mountain of peace — and keep the embers of hope alive."
National Assembly Speaker Cho Jung-sik delivered those words Monday at a ceremony marking the 26th anniversary of the June 15 inter-Korean summit, held at the Kim Dae-jung Library at Yonsei University in Donggyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. Quoting former President Kim Dae-jung, he said, "President Kim once said, 'Miracles do not come like miracles.' We can start again."
Cho described the June 15 Joint Declaration as "a historic turning point that moved us from an era of confrontation and hostility to one of cooperation and peace." He credited the declaration with giving rise to the Kaesong Industrial Complex — a symbol of the peace economy — and said it opened the door to emotional reconciliation through reunions of separated families, Mount Kumgang tourism and the revival of civilian exchanges.
Turning to the current state of inter-Korean relations, Cho said the situation felt as though the country had been transported back 26 years. "The Lee Jae Myung government is working to restore inter-Korean ties and open a path toward reunification, but the channels for dialogue remain closed, and tension and mistrust persist — that is the reality we face today," he said.
He added that the flame of hope must be rekindled. "I find myself wondering what President Kim Dae-jung would have done," he said. "The National Assembly will do its part to fulfill that responsibility."
The event was co-hosted by the Kim Dae-jung Library at Yonsei University, the Kim Dae-jung Foundation and the Kim Dae-jung Nobel Peace Prize Memorial Hall. Prime Minister Kim Min-seok, Democratic Party of Korea leader Jung Chung-rae, Unification Minister Jeong Dong-young and presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik were among those in attendance.
bigroot@heraldcorp.com
