South Korean local governments propose annual peace coexistence convention

South Korea's Ministry of Unification, the National Assembly, and various local government associations held the ‘2026 Korean Peninsula Peace Coexistence Policy Festa’ at the National Assembly Member's Hall. The event aimed to shift the focus of inter-Korean relations from a central government-led discourse to a collaborative model involving local governments, civil society, and research institutions.

During the event, participants adopted a joint declaration for peace coexistence and mutual growth. The declaration emphasizes securing the continuity of peace policies, discovering exchange projects tailored to regional characteristics, and building regular communication systems.

Gwangmyeong Mayor Park Seung-won, acting as Secretary-General of the Association of Local Governments for Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation, proposed establishing an annual ‘Peace Coexistence Convention.’ This proposed event would include academic discussions and cultural performances to increase public engagement with peace initiatives.

The Ministry of Unification expressed intentions to transition inter-Korean exchange systems toward a more open direction and highlighted the potential for local governments to engage in cooperation, even noting possibilities for regional-level collaboration regarding North Korea's ‘Regional Development 20×10 Policy.’