Gwangmyeong Mayor Park Seung-won Proposes 'Peace Coexistence Convention' with Central Government, Local Governments, and Private Sector Participation for Korean Peninsula Peace

Gwangmyeong Mayor Park Seung-won has proposed holding an annual 'Peace Coexistence Convention' where citizens can experience and practice the values of peace in their daily lives for Korean Peninsula peace coexistence.

Mayor Park attended the 'Korean Peninsula Peace Coexistence Policy Festival' held at the National Assembly Members' Hall on the 14th and stated, "We must conduct concrete peace practice activities that citizens experience in their daily lives so that the public can have hope that an era of peace and coexistence can be opened."

As one of these practice activities, Mayor Park proposed holding an annual 'Peace Coexistence Convention' with participation from the central government, local governments, and private sector, composed of various programs including discussions related to peace and cultural and artistic performances.

Mayor Park said, "During the best period of inter-Korean relations, there were concrete exchanges such as tourism to Mount Kumgang," and added, "If we continue practicing such efforts as the Peace Coexistence Convention while maintaining hope that we can open the path to peace again, we will gain sustainable momentum for Korean Peninsula peace."

Meanwhile, the 'Korean Peninsula Peace Coexistence Policy Festival' held that day was organized to bring together the central government, local governments, private organizations, and research institutions in one place to share policy directions for Korean Peninsula peace coexistence and seek sustainable cooperation measures. It was co-hosted by the Ministry of Unification, the National Assembly, the Korea Association of Mayors and Governors, the Korea Association of Mayors and Governors of Cities and Counties, and the National Conference of Local Governments for Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation.

Mayor Park attended the event in his capacity as Secretary-General of the National Conference of Local Governments for Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation, and stated during a meeting with Unification Minister Jung Dong-young that the central government's interest and support are necessary so that local governments and private organizations can expand their role as subjects of inter-Korean exchange and cooperation.

Following this, he participated in the 'Joint Declaration for Korean Peninsula Peace Coexistence and Mutual Growth through Cooperation and Shared Prosperity' involving the National Assembly, Ministry of Unification, local governments, private organizations, and research institutions, and adopted a joint declaration statement that united the will for continuous cooperation linking the central government, local governments, and private sector.

The joint declaration includes contents such as △securing sustainability of Korean Peninsula peace coexistence policies and strengthening strategic cooperation △discovering exchange and cooperation projects reflecting regional characteristics △spreading peace consensus among future generations and local communities △establishing regular communication systems and discovering common tasks.

Mayor Park stated, "Peace is not just a task for the central government but should be created together by local governments, the private sector, and citizens," and added, "We will steadily promote exchange and cooperation that leverages regional characteristics and capabilities, and join forces with the central government to broaden the foundation for peace coexistence."