Seorak, South Korea—The Summit for Peace Assembly and One Million Rally of the World Summit 2022, co-hosted by UPF and the Royal Government of Cambodia, was held at the HJ Global Arts Center in Seorak, about 30 miles outside Seoul, and live streamed around the world on February 13, 2022. The event featured keynote addresses from 32 current and former heads of state and government, first ladies and senior government officials as well as a well-known investor from 27 countries across the Americas, Asia, Europe and Africa.
The program began with a traditional Korean drum performance and the presentation of the flags of the 157 countries that have diplomatic ties with North and South Korea.
The emcee, Dr. Young-ho Yun, director general of UPF and co-chair of the Executive Organizing Committee of the World Summit 2022, remarked, “This will be an occasion for our nation’s unity and international cooperation for the peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula, with the support and participation of 157 countries having diplomatic relations with the two Koreas.”
Next, 14 leaders of various religions participated in the Water of Harmony Ceremony.
Pastor Paula White-Cain, spiritual advisor to President Donald J. Trump, then offered the invocation. She stated, “Peacemakers are ones who bravely declare God’s terms, which make someone whole. They are those who promote God’s shalom, total well-being, both personally and communally…. We must engage in dialogue. Engagement means we seek ways to find common ground, for security, prosperity and peace…. We know that true peace can only be achieved with faith. We must bring God directly into the equation.”
H.E. Ban Ki-moon, co-chair of the World Summit 2022 and UN secretary-general (2007-2016), in his welcoming remarks stated that the UN Security Council has played a pivotal role in promoting peace on the Korean Peninsula through the adoption of more than 10 sanctions resolutions on North Korea since 2006 during which time the country has concluded six nuclear tests and launched multiple missiles. “Sanctions and pressure are the tools that can lead North Korea to change their behavior and return to the dialogue table…. The world needs a broad-based, multi-stakeholder partnership approach that is committed to constructive dialogue and with a strong will to take cooperative, courageous steps toward sustainable peace.”
Nine Korean governors, mayors and other government officials gave their greetings and expressed gratitude for the international leaders coming together to work for peace on the peninsula.
This was followed by live and recorded keynote addresses from members of the International Summit Council for Peace (ISCP) from the Americas, Asia, Europe and Africa.
Keynote addresses from the Americas
U.S. President (2017-2021) Hon. Donald J. Trump stated: “I pursued peace through strength. Together with Prime Minister Abe of Japan and President Moon of South Korea, we put in place the strongest ever measures to confront the situation on the Korean Peninsula... diplomatically, militarily and economically. … Strength created the opening for peace. … We have planted the seeds of peace and cooperation and now we must let them bloom and grow.”
Other speakers included: U.S. Vice President (2001-2009) Hon. Richard Cheney; H.E. Michel Temer, president of Brazil (2016-2018); U.S. Vice President (1989-1993) Hon. Dan Quayle; H.E. Anthony Carmona, president of Trinidad and Tobago (2013-2019); H.E. Frederico Franco, president of Paraguay (2012-2013); and H.E. Jimmy Morales, president of Guatemala (2016-2020).
Keynote addresses from Asia
Then, nine leaders from Asia spoke, with the first keynote address given by Japanese Prime Minister (2012-2020) H.E. Shinzo Abe. He remarked: “It is time to have an attitude of respect toward each other’s traditions and cultures, consider the value of freedom and democracy, and believe in the hope that such values will bring. It is ever more the right time to bear in our hearts the words of Winston Churchill: ‘Never despair.’ I have great trust in the word ‘hope.’ … I believe that honest dialogue among world leaders is crucial for peace on the Korean Peninsula. We cannot build trust without honesty.”
H.E. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, president of the Philippines (2001-2010), said: “There will be no shortage of naysayers pointing to past failed efforts. But we don’t stop at our last failure; we sustain our dream of harmony with ever-renewed peace-building. That is exemplified in the Korean Peninsula.”
Next to speak was H.E. Mahinda Rajapaksa, prime minister of Sri Lanka; H.E. Dave Gowda, prime minister of India (1996-1997); and H.E. Leni Robredo, vice president of the Philippines.
Mdm. Adi Koila Nailatikau, first lady of Fiji (2009-2015): “Rev. and Madam Moon knew and practiced their belief that unification would happen peacefully for all Korean people. In setting up peace zones and soft-power diplomacy, they have made more successful developments at peace and interaction of North and South than most governments put together have. They understood that peace is a process. It will not come simply, and it will take years of consistent nurturing and love, which is what they envisaged 30 years ago.
Also to give speeches were: H.E. Xanana Gusmão, president of East Timor (2002-2007); H.E. K.P. Sharma Oli, prime minister of Nepal (2015-2016, 2018-2021); and H.E. Syed Yousuf Raza Gillani, prime minister of Pakistan (2008-2012).
Keynote addresses from Europe
The first of six leaders from Europe to speak was H.E. José Manuel Barroso, 11th president of the European Commission (2004-2014) and prime minister of Portugal (2004). He said: “The European Union is about peace. Through economic integration there is a way to reach a political goal: peace. It is committed to peace within our countries and peace in the world.” Regarding Korea, he stated, “There are conditions to make progress provided there is goodwill on both sides.”
Next to speak were H.E. Ilir Meta, president of Albania; H.E. Romano Prodi, prime minister of Italy (2006-2008), 10th president of the European Commission (1999-2004), and UN Special Envoy for the Sahel; and H.E. Dominque de Villepin, prime minister of France (2005-2007).
H.E. José María Aznar, prime minister of Spain (1996-2004), remarked: “The United States as well as China and Russia, can contribute constructively. Cooperation between civil societies is one of the keys to gaining popular support for future negotiations. I am sure the UPF Summit will contribute to this important process of searching for constructive solutions to a conflict that has been going on for too long.”
H.E. Albin Kuriti, prime minister of Kosovo, said: “Rev. Moon teaches us that peace flourishes where there is justice, and justice requires repentance which must be accompanied by restitution. The people of Kosovo and Korea share a similar path of suffering under occupation and have struggled for freedom. We are among rare peaceful people who were invaded often, fought continuously against invaders, but we’ve never invaded others. Freedom means and seeks peace. We all must do our part wherever we are.”
Keynote addresses from Africa
Seven leaders from Africa then spoke, with the first keynote address given by H.E. Muhammadu Buhari, president of Nigeria.
H.E. Macky Sall, president of Senegal and chairperson of the African Union, stated: “The future is conditioned by our choices. There is the enlightened choice of peace, which germinates with wisdom and guides action towards progress and human fraternity.”
This was followed by speeches from: H.E. George Weah, president of Liberia; H.E. Carlos Vila-Nova, president of São Tomé and Príncipe; and H.E. Goodluck Jonathan, president of Nigeria (2010-2015).
H.E. Adolphe Tiao, prime minister of Burkina Faso (2011-2014), said in his speech: “True Mother, the Mother of Peace, is constantly multiplying her initiatives on all continents, involving many leaders in the world and all men and women whose influence can affect peace in her endeavor.”
H.E. Paul Mba, prime minister of Gabon (2009-2012), stated: “I am convinced that during this February meeting in Seoul, the proposals that will be made will allow for rapid, progressive and concrete solutions, and above all, that these solutions can also be used to resolve other conflicts throughout the world, a world where all conflicts must be resolved peacefully, through discussion and negotiation.”
The audience was treated to a special musical and dance performance afterwards.
The next keynote speaker was Hon. Mike Pence, U.S. vice president (2017-2021): “Russia and China’s deepening alliance should be a cause for concern amongst the free world… Now more than ever, nations who cherish freedom must stand strong and call on China and Russia to respect human rights, democratic principles, national sovereignty and do their part for the final and fully verified denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula… The times of crisis in the world have always been the times of greatest opportunity if we find ways to overcome our differences and cooperate together. This is such a time. I urge you to keep working, keep believing, keep striving for peace, and never give up.”
Hon. Mike Pompeo, U.S. secretary of state (2018-2021) and CIA director (2017-2018), remarked: “Diplomacy should always be our first tool to resolve crises.… The historic meetings between President Trump and Chairman Kim.… showed the power of a personal connection in a deep and fundamental way.… We reduced risk for the moment…. We can’t pretend away our problems. We must build success upon foundations of facts and science. As a matter of human nature, it is a whole lot harder to fire a weapon of mass destruction at someone with whom you’ve met. We spent time trying to help Chairman Kim come to know the world in a larger way.”
Singapore-based American investor Jim Rogers, chairman of Beeland Enterprises, stated: “South Korea spends billions of dollars on bullets and guns. North Korea spends an even larger amount of its economy on bullets and guns. Can you imagine how much money we would have if we didn’t have to spend money on guns and bullets and tanks? … The Korean Peninsula will be the single most exciting place in the world once you open the DMZ. If you put together North Korea with its cheap, disciplined, educated labor and lots of natural resources, and South Korea with huge amounts of capital and expertise, you have 80 million people on the Chinese border, it is going to be unbelievably exciting. After we finish our party at the DMZ… we are going to have a very vibrant and exciting economy here.” He noted that opening the 38th parallel will allow Korea to become a transportation hub again, connecting to the One Belt, One Road rail system and the Trans-Siberian rail system.
Next, the Little Angels Children’s Folk Ballet of Korea sang songs in tribute to peace.
The final keynote address of the program was given by H.E. Samdech Hun Sen, prime minister of Cambodia and co-chair of the World Summit 2022. He stated: “Our world is so interconnected and intertwined. We need to acknowledge that mutual prosperity and greater independence are the foundations of peace and security. Our social-economic lifelines are bound to co-exist through this all-inclusive and open international order, which embraces the two Koreas. Korea should be appreciated as a bridge of trust and a land of opportunities for all. To seek peace on the Korean Peninsula, we need to be mindful of the following: 1. Overcoming 70 years of animosity and distrust will require many years of negotiations and confidence-building measures, and a gradual reconciliation process. Similarly, the denuclearization process will have to unfold in phases. 2. Pressure alone will not address the deeply rooted cause of conflict. Nor would it resolve decades-long complex issues. A robust and comprehensive diplomatic engagement is a prerequisite. A positive engagement with Pyongyang would reduce the risk of further isolation, which in turn would lead to a re-escalation of the vicious circle of military tension and ultimately a tuning down of its nuclear ambitions. National reconciliation must come from within, with national ownership. Nothing is more valuable than independence and self-determination. I would like to propose: two states toward one nation, one peninsula, one people, one culture initiative for your consideration. Why two states? The political system and governance system in North Korea and South Korea are completely different. It is impossible to integrate the two political systems in the foreseeable future. Therefore, we need to accept the fact that the two political systems will have to continue to co-exist in parallel. Peaceful co-existence between the two political regimes must be encouraged and promoted. Why one nation? Korea can be divided by the land but not people. Culture is a critical source for reunification. I believe that two states toward one nation, one peninsula, one people, one culture initiative is practical and achievable because it is aimed at promoting cultural exchanges and people-to-people ties between the two Koreas.
The prime minister continued, saying: “I would like to propose some practical steps: 1. We should transform the demilitarized zone into a safe and open cultural corridor connecting the two people. 2. The two Koreas should further cooperate under the framework of UNESCO to create the necessary conditions for dialogue based upon respect for commonly shared values. 3. The two Koreas should work together to advance the Korean culture, connect the Korean civilization with other civilizations, and jointly develop a culture based on tourism and innovation. Full diplomacy can be jointly promoted by the two Koreas. I invite leaders to give input on the two states toward one nation, one peninsula, one people, one culture initiative, so that we can translate this concept into practical achievable and concrete action. Trust can only be built based on action, not on empty promises.”
UPF co-founder Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon in her Founder’s Address said: “Only when these two countries [North and South Korea] unite can there be peace and stability in Northeast Asia and the world. We who live in this age today need to be able to become children who attend and live with their Heavenly Parent, who are connected to God directly. This people, all people around the world, only when they can stand in a position where they live with God attending Him as their parent can there be a world of freedom, peace, unity and happiness, where we are all one big human family under God. As the True Parent that God has sent, I am asking all the people of North and South Korea, will you work together with me so that North and South Korea, these two brotherly nations, can become like one peninsula as sons and daughters of God? Then I am sure that a world of peace, like one big family, can really be achieved within our generation, within this time, centered on God.
Until now, though, due to man’s ignorance, this beautiful Earth has been destroyed, and it is getting more serious, as a result of climate change. We see sea levels rising and in particular, we see all these natural disasters ravaging different places across the world.… We don’t know what challenges we will face in the future. This is the reality we stand on. As children of God who live and attend God as Parents, let us all realize the dream of our Parents on Earth. As children who know the dream of heaven, can we stand still and do nothing about our Parent’s dream? I hope that everyone in the world can become one so that we can bring this world to its original, beautiful state. Let us all become people who fulfill their responsibility. Let us become qualified as children of God. We need to become one in order to create this world into the Kingdom of Heaven, where we can all live together as one family with God.”
Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, H.E. Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen and H.E. Ban Ki-moon then signed the Seoul Resolution for Peace on the Korean Peninsula on behalf of the 157 nations that have diplomatic ties with North and South Korea.
The event closed with a traditional Korean musical performance.