Minister's Address at the John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum of Harvard University
Minister Song, pointing out that Northeast Asia has gone through a series of turbulent changes over the past century and emerged as the most dynamically developing region in the world today, stated that the region, at the same time, is marked by political and security uncertainties that inherently lurk behind the region's dynamic growth. Against this background, he said, the challenges for Northeast Asia is to prevent friction and antagonism among the countries in the region and to manage regional security through constructive engagement, dialogue and cooperation. Only by doing so, he added, we will be able to combine the region's dynamism growth potential with universal values such as democracy and economic freedom, thereby creating a synergy effect that is good for the region and the world.
Minister Song stressed that the Korea-US alliance has served as a stabilizing force in the region for the past 50 years, and that the priority of the alliance today is to successfully manage the changes taking place on the Korean peninsula, including the forthcoming transformation of the armistice regime into a permanent peace regime, and that the alliance should also move forward to actively tackle the regional and global challenges. He explained that Korea and the United States are suitable for playing such roles, considering their geographical location, the benefit of being free from controversies over history and strategic interests. Comparing Korea's role in the region to the function of a ball-bearing in a machine, he emphasized that the Korea-US alliance makes the ball-bearings strong and function effectively.
Minister Song pointed out that the objective and vision of the Korea US alliance, which was originally designed to focus on deterring aggression from North Korea, are now being expanded to the following:
denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, turning the armistice into a peace agreement, promoting democracy, freedom and prosperity through peaceful reunification of Korea, institutionalizing regional security and cooperation dialogue and securing the continued role of the United States as a stabilizer, and advancement of universal values and strengthening cooperation on major regional and international issues. He said, based on such a vision, Korea and the United States are making efforts to further expand cooperation in economic and social fields such as the rearrangement of the alliance, the conclusion of the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement and the ongoing efforts for Korea's joining the US Visa Waiver Program, and on major international issues such as the situation in the Middle East and counter-terrorism.
Minister Song said that North Korea's nuclear program remains an imminent threat to the security of the region as well as a serious challenge to the global non-proliferation regime, and explained that Korea and the United States maintain close consultations, including the undertaking of a "common and broad approach" for resolving the North Korean nuclear issue in a peaceful manner, paving the way for the implementation of the agreements reached at the Six-Party Talks on February 13 and on October 3.
Minister Song stated that North Korea's denuclearization is progressing in tandem with the improvement of the US-North Korea relations and the enhancement of the inter-Korean relations. He added that the denuclearization process and progress in US-North Korea relations and inter-Korean relations will move ahead in a mutually reinforcing way, paving the way to establishing a peace regime on the Korean peninsula and contributing to the efforts to build a multilateral security and cooperation dialogue in Northeast Asia.
Lastly, Minister Song stressed that the Korea-US alliance is robust and continues to evolve with a shared vision for the future, and by bringing forth concentric circles of accomplishments in the three tracks -- resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue, establishment of a peace regime on the Korean peninsula and formation of a Northeast Asia multilateral security and cooperation dialogue--, it will continue to play the role as a solid base for maintaining peace and stability in Northeast Asia.
이 보도자료는 Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade가(이) 작성해 뉴스와이어 서비스를 통해 배포한 뉴스입니다. 뉴스와이어는 편집 가이드라인을 준수합니다.