President Lee Says S. Korea Does Not Seek Absorption Unification, Pledges to Restore Military Trust

 
President Lee Jae-myung, who is on an official visit to the Vatican, said on June 14 (local time), "Twenty-six years ago on June 15, the South and the North sat down together for the first time since the division of the peninsula and announced the June 15 Joint Declaration," adding, "I am confident that the embers of that hope are still alive today."

Attending the special Mass at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls and delivering a commemorative speech, President Lee stated, "The June 15 Joint Declaration was a historic turning point that went beyond long-standing hostility and tension to signal the possibility of dialogue and cooperation to the entire world."

First, President Lee greeted the distinguished guests, including Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, saying, "Standing in this holy place where the spirituality of Apostle Paul is alive and breathing, I feel an indescribable sense of reverence."

He continued, "Today, the world is in a state of deeper conflict and uncertainty than ever before.

The gunfire of the war in Ukraine has not stopped, and new conflicts are continuing in the Middle East," diagnosing that "shadows of division and confrontation are casting over various parts of the international community."

In particular, he explained, "The Korean Peninsula is by no means free from this reality. The South and the North, which once spoke of peace and prosperity together, have returned to an era of severance," adding, "The channels of communication that connected the South and the North have been closed, and distrust and tension remain."

President Lee emphasized that the crisis in inter-Korean relations can also be overcome, saying, "However, the people of the Republic of Korea have a history of firmly overcoming trials and hardships without losing faith in peace and democracy. We developed democracy beyond the era of dictatorship and oppression, and even amidst turbulent waves, we lit up the darkness not with guns and swords but with candlelight, not with violence but with peace, and not with cynicism but with solidarity."

Regarding his administration's policy toward North Korea, he introduced, "Since taking office last year, we have pursued preemptive measures to ease tensions, including halting the distribution of leaflets and loudspeaker broadcasts toward the North," adding, "We have made it clear that we do not pursue absorption unification or one-sided systemic competition."

Furthermore, he promised, "We will steadily continue our efforts to prevent accidental clashes between the South and the North and to restore military trust," adding, "We plan to do everything we can to go beyond the armistice state and establish a sustainable peace system."

He also delivered a message of peace to the international community.

President Lee said, "For a long time, the international community has yearned for peace and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula, and the Republic of Korea has also made steady efforts to live up to those expectations and support. I express my deep gratitude to the Holy See for sending its unwavering interest and support."

He continued, "At a time when conflict and uncertainty heavily weigh down the world, the Republic of Korea now delivers a message of hope," pledging, "With the light drawn from democracy, the dignity shaped by a rich culture, and the future possibilities opened by science, technology, and innovation, we will contribute to creating a world that is more peaceful, free, and where everyone enjoys a life of dignity."

He also added, "We will join hands with like-minded people across borders, ideologies, races, and cultures to bring reconciliation where there is conflict, trust where there is distrust, and solidarity where there is division, fulfilling our international responsibility to make peace a common heritage of humanity."

He then mentioned, "I hope we can together create a virtuous cycle where peace on the Korean Peninsula leads to world peace, and global solidarity in turn solidifies peace on the Korean Peninsula."

Quoting the passage from the biblical Book of Isaiah, "They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks," President Lee requested, "I ask you to pray with us so that these precious words can be realized across the entire land."

Regarding the World Youth Day to be held in Seoul next year, he requested the Holy See's interest, saying, "I hope that young people from all over the world can come together, transcending the limitations of frontlines, barbed wire, and borders."

Lastly, he concluded his speech by saying, "Two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ told his trembling disciples, 'Take courage, I have overcome the world.' I hope these words will be conveyed as comfort, courage, and hope to our young people today," adding, "I pray that our prayers will also become a blessed grain of wheat for peace and solidarity in the whole world, and I pray that God's grace will be with everyone."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.