Speeches
- Written by: Dr. Alexander Zhebin, Director, Center for Korean Studies, Institute of Far Eastern Studies, Moscow
“Russia’s firm conviction is that there is no alternative to inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation. Moscow never failed to confirm that Russia supports the policy of developing dialogue between the two Korean states and bringing them closer together and that Russia has always aspired to, and today expresses its unequivocal support for, a dialogue and rapprochement of the Korean states and maintaining a denuclearized Korean peninsula.”
- Written by: Hon. Yoon Sang-hyun, Chairman, Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, National Assembly, Korea
“We must stay focused on the goal. Our goal is the complete dismantlement of nuclear weapons and the weapons of mass destruction. The only way to achieve this goal is to maintain the R.O.K.–U.S. alliance.”
- Written by: Vice Admiral (Ret.) Fumio Ota, Director, Defense Intelligence Headquarters (2001–2005), Japan
“Japan’s former defense intelligence chief outlines threats and opportunities for regional security in the relationship of South Korea and Japan.”
- Written by: Prof. Kim Hyung-suk, Professor at Daejin University (formerly vice unification minister)
“Considering the changes in the generations that form the two Koreas today since they were divided, as well as the current dynamics of the fourth industrial revolution, internationalization and rade liberalization, it is realistic to push for unification in a practical sense.”
- Written by: Prof. Cho Myung-chul, Professor, Sun Moon University, Korea; Former Professor at Kim Il Sung University, DPRK
“In this situation, it is desirable that South Korea should endeavor to realize freedom and democracy, human rights and welfare, which are the constitutional values of South Korea and the universal values of humanity, on the Korean peninsula, and to call for international support for it. In order for these values to be realized on the Korean Peninsula, changes in the present North Korean regime must be premised.”
- Written by: Mr. Humphrey Hawksley, World Affairs Correspondent, BBC of London; former BBC Beijing Bureau Chief, United Kingdom
“Excluding North Korea, Northeast Asia is faced with two levels of threat. One is the failure of Japan and South Korea to forge a substantive defense agreement despite both being formal US allies, and this leads into the second threat in that the absence of such a security mechanism makes it easier for China to exploit America’s allies and pitch a narrative about its global expansion in terms of it being America against China.”
- Written by: Amb. Cho Tae-yong, Former Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs (2014-2015), Korea
“…there is a growing need for security cooperation between Korea, Japan and the U.S. in the future. North Korea’s surging nuclear missile capability poses a common threat to Korea and Japan, and this threat is bound to heighten barring any solutions to North Korea’s nuclear issue.”
- Written by: Hon. Hirohisa Takagi, Member, House of Representatives, National Diet (2012-2017), Japan
“I must emphasize, at this critical time in this region, it is imperative not to hamper the trilateral security cooperation, not only for the stability and peace of the Korean peninsula but also for the security of Japan.”
- Written by: Dr. Chih-Lung Tan, Deputy Secretary General, Institute of Marine Affairs and Policy, ROC
"A unified Korea with rich mineral resources, manpower, capital and technology will undoubtedly make a new Korea a strong power."
- Written by: Amb. Chung Tae-ik, Honorary President, Korean Council of Foreign Relations (2014–2016), Korea
“I am very sure that this International Leadership Conference will provide a golden opportunity as an international group of leaders from various sectors to contribute to peace and security in Northeast Asia and to open a pathway to the peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula.”
- Written by: Hon. Yoshinori Ohno, Minister, Ministry of Defense (2004–2005), Japan
“Interdependence, mutual prosperity, and cooperation are the basis for the ideal of peace and security in Northeast Asia. Let’s open the door. Everybody is our friend.”
- Written by: Dr. Raffaela Di Marzio, Founder and Director, LIREC
“The presence of multiple religions in a country appears to have a pacifying effect if they are free of restrictions. There are many other ways in which religions can facilitate greater peace: through the common benefits of group membership or the power of interfaith dialogue for conflict resolution.”