President Lee calls for return to spirit of October 4 Inter-Korean Declaration

President Lee Jae-myung marked the 19th anniversary of the October 4 Inter-Korean Summit Declaration by calling for a return to the spirit of the agreement. In a congratulatory message read by Vice Minister of Unification Kim Nam-jung, Lee emphasized the need to break the cycle of hostility and confrontation to create a virtuous cycle of peace and prosperity.

Reflecting on former President Roh Moo-hyun’s legacy, Lee noted that while the June 15 Joint Declaration opened a new era, the October 4 Declaration was a historic commitment to solidify peace through mutual respect and trust. He expressed regret that the failure to uphold these promises has led to increased tension, economic obstacles, and threats to democracy.

Lee outlined a three-part blueprint for the future: inclusive peaceful coexistence based on mutual respect, stable peaceful coexistence that eliminates the need for conflict, and responsible peaceful coexistence that contributes to global peace. He acknowledged that while the journey toward resolving peninsula issues is difficult, it remains a necessary path for the nation.