Gyeonggi province is the leading negotiator of South Korea when it comes to Peace in Korean peninsula. The province holds various events and implements policies for the peace of North and South.
Located in northwestern
region of South Korea and bordering North Korea, Gyeonggi-do stands in a
strategic location. The province, which has long suffered from the effects of national
division, is contributing substantially to exchange and cooperation projects
with the North.
The Gyeonggi Provincial
Government understands the importance of peace for prosperity throughout the
Korean Peninsula. Accordingly, the Gyeonggi provincial administration is undertaking
various events and implementing peace policies as a stepping stones towards a
peaceful future.
20th Anniversary of June 15 South-North Joint
Declaration
On May 28,
2020, Gyeonggi Province announced that various events are underway to foster an
atmosphere of peace on the Korean Peninsula, including a talk show and a peace
concert to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the June 15 South-North
Joint Declaration.
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| Traditional singers at the Peace Talk show in Banswol Art Hall, Pocheon ⓒGyeonggi Province |
The Peace
Talk Show commemorating the 20th anniversary of the South-North
Joint Declaration was held on June 10, 2020, at Banwol Art Hall in Pocheon
City. The purpose of the show was to provide members of the public and policymakers
with an opportunity share opinions on the peace policies of Gyeonggi Province
and Pocheon City. Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor for Peace Lee Jae-kang,
former Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok, and Pocheon City Mayor Park
Yoon-kook participated in the event to share their passion for peace.
This year, the
Peace Music Concert also showcased the mission of “walking together from
Gyeonggi to Pyeongyang”. To this end, famous K-pop stars and traditional
musicians will perform for peace on the Korean Peninsula during a concert that will
be held at the KBS Hall in Yeouido, Seoul, on June 14.
In
addition, Gyeonggi Province, along with the Ministry of Unification and the
Seoul Metropolitan Government, will hold a 15-day public event under the theme
of “Creating Peace on the Korean Peninsula” from June 1 to 15 to promote related
programs based on “empathy”, “hope”, and “communication”. These programs include,
respectively, a TV show, a walking tour, and an anniversary ceremony for the June
15 South-North Joint Declaration.
Gyeonggi-do Vice-governor for Peace
Although
armed conflict has ceased, the Korean War has not officially ended. Since the
signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement in 1953, there have been hopes and
speculation about peace and reunification. The Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor
for Peace holds a unique local government office, serving a necessary role in bringing
the two sides together. The current Vice Governor for Peace, Lee Jae-kang, was
appointed in July 2018.
Role &
Responsibilities of the Vice Governor for Peace
Gyeonggi
Province Governor created the office of the Vice Governor for Peace
as part of the province’s efforts to improve South-North cooperation. As one of
the northern-most provinces of South Korea, Gyeonggi-do borders North Korea and
occupies a strategic central location for South-North relations because it
connects Seoul to the North Korean border.
The Vice Governor
for Peace works to create new cooperation strategies so as to help the central
and local governments of the two Koreas to work together. This is especially
important in matters pertaining to the Joint Special Economic Zones and the two
Kaesong Industrial Complexes. The Vice Governor focuses on creating a
foundation for cooperation initiatives that are practical and feasible, such as
the expansion of Gyeongui and Gyeongwon lines to the border.
Many
officials believe that exchange and cooperation with North Korea are impossible
due to UN sanctions. However, according to the Vice Governor for Peace, this is
not necessarily so; Gyeonggi-do has been pursuing plans to enhance exchange and
understanding between the two sides. The Vice Governor believes that, unlike
ten years ago, North Korea now values national gains over ideological
beliefs.
DMZ; a Legacy of War & a Pathway to Peace
The Korean
Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is a strip of land stretching from the east coast to
the west coast of the Korean Peninsula that is governed by specific international
rules regarding military activities. It was established upon the cessation of
hostilities of the Korean War in 1953. South Korea and North Korea agreed to
withdraw their military forces from a 2 kilometer-wide zone on their respective
sides of the border.
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| Heavily guarded yet, beautiful scenery (DMZ) |
Contrary to what
its name may imply, the Korean DMZ is actually one of the most heavily guarded
and militarized places in the world. That does not, however, mean that the area
is a barren and oppressive place inaccessible to the public. Throughout its
history, many efforts have been made to utilize the DMZ for peaceful purposes.
After the signing of the Inter-Korean Basic Agreement in 1991, these efforts started
looking more feasible. Some of the peaceful endeavors pursued include the
Geumgangsan tour, the Gyeongui Line, the Donghae Line, Kaesong Industrial
Complex, and more.
Nowadays, the
DMZ has become a popular destination for those seeking to learn more about the
Korean War and its after-effects. In addition, the control of human activity in
the region has resulted in a thriving natural environment. The estuary of the
Hangang River is now a neutral area where, to date, civilian access has been
limited and military patrols minimized. As a result, the estuary and the nearby
islands have become important resting and breeding grounds for migratory birds.
Paju City
Located just
north of Seoul, Paju City is one of the main destinations for DMZ tours. The
city, which has suffered heavily from South-North tensions, has been reborn
stronger and now brims with art, culture, and history. It also is the gateway
to Panmunjom, also known as the Joint Security Area or Truce Village, which is
renowned for its iconic blue buildings.
The DMZ Peace
Train leaves from Seoul Station and takes visitors through various DMZ sections
in Paju City including the Dorasan Peace Park, Dora Observatory (where the
visitors can look into North Korean territory), and the notorious 3rd Tunnel.
The 3rd
Tunnel (a.k.a. the 3rd Tunnel of Aggression) is one of four known tunnels running
under the border. It was discovered in 1978 after an underground explosion;
South Korea then intercepted the tunnel, which is believed to have been built
to carry a surprise attack on Seoul. It’s estimated that 30,000 soldiers could have
moved through the tunnel per hour.
The DMZ Peace
Trail
After an
agreement was reached between the South and North, the two Koreas decided to
increase civilian visits to the DMZ. There are now three courses, known as
Peace Trails, that allow a limited number of visitors to hike along sections of
the DMZ.
One of these
trails was created following the removal of a guard post in the Paju City area.
Walking past the facilities and memorials offers visitors a glimpse into the
destruction brought about by the war and subsequent tensions. The trail follows
the path of South Korean military patrols. Only a limited number of visitors
are allowed to hike in the area each day; they are accompanied by South Korean
soldiers to ensure their safety. The trail stretches for 21 kilometers from Imjingak
Station to the Unification Observatory.
Gyeonggi-do's Efforts & Plans
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| Gyeonggi province puts its best effort to communicate with North Korea |
Inter-Korean
exchanges and cooperation are important issues for Gyeonggi Province, which has
jurisdiction over border areas such as Panmunjom and the Kaesong Industrial
Complex, as well as Gimpo City, Paju City, Yangju City, and Yeoncheon County.
Gyeonggi Province
is devising plans and proposing activities that contribute to peace in the
area. The current Vice Governor for Peace is one of a handful of experts on
North Korean relations who has traveled frequently to North Korea on official
occasions.
The Governor
of Gyeonggi Province and the Vice Governor for Peace has been following up on
events and activities such as the Peace Forum, the DMZ Marathon from Paju to the
North Korean city of Kaesong, tours to Kaesong, and more. They are also
optimistic about the possibility of building a jointly administered Peace Park
as military activities in the area are scaled back.
Gyeonggi Province
anticipates possible future economic cooperation when UN sanctions on North
Korea are eased. During the 2018 Peace Forum, the Vice Governor for Peace spoke
with North Korean officials about smart farming technologies that could be
beneficial to North Korea. Economic cooperation stands to benefit both South and
North, and could potentially lead to more peaceful future relations.
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