Global Peace Conference seeking unification vision

Moon Hyun-jin, the founder of the Global Peace Foundation, speaks during the opening ceremony of the Global Peace Leadership Conference at the Grand Hilton Hotel in Seoul, Monday. / Courtesy of Global Peace Foundation

By Jhoo Dong-chan

The Global Peace Leadership Conference began in Seoul, Monday, with the objective of forming a consensus about achieving unification on the Korean Peninsula.

The two-day conference, hosted by the Global Peace Foundation (GPF), has drawn high-profile guests from all levels of society ranging from local to overseas political, religious, academic and economic experts.

The roster includes leaders of six religious orders, along with former Heritage Foundation President Edwin Feulner, Victor Cha, the top North Korean advisor to former U.S. President George Bush and Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun of the ruling Saenuri Party.

In addition, the Ministry of Unification and the Unification Future Forum of the National Assembly are co-sponsoring the conference as part of efforts to suggest a roadmap toward a unified Korean Peninsula.

"Political disputes between two Koreas should not hinder our efforts toward the unification and peace. It is time for us to prepare for the unified Korea. The Global Peace Leadership Conference will seek true nature of Korea as one. Clear definition of our identity will lead us to the unification," said Moon Hyun-jin, the founder of the Global Peace Foundation.

"Vision, principles and values for a unified Korea will be addressed during the peace conference. General consensus over a united Korea highlights its role for peace in Northeast Asian region," he said during the opening ceremony of the conference at the Grand Hilton Hotel in Seoul.

"It was a shock that many young Koreans did not want Korean unification, which resulted in the launch of the conference," said Andrew Joo, general secretary of the GPF Northeast Asia Region bureau.

In the opening address, Unification Vice Minister Kim Nam-sik appreciated the GPF's efforts for unification on the Korean Peninsula.

"Next year will mark the 70th anniversary of the division of the Korean Peninsula and it is time for the people to cooperate with preparing for the Korean unification," Kim said.

The vice minister said that in line with the conference, where renowned personnel gather here to talk about unification, the government is also making various efforts.

"The government is appealing to the international community, asking for its support for unification," Kim said.

"When each and every effort is collectively made, we will be able to see an unified Korea."

Rep. Yoon of the ruling Saenuri Party said, "This conference has opened the door for the people to talk about the Korean unification," given that national consensus is essential in the government's push for unification.

This conference took place as the Park Geun-hye administration is stressing the need for peaceful unification.

Earlier this year, President Park came up with a unification initiative, describing the prospect of a unified Korea as a possible economic "bonanza" for South Korea as well as a "blessing" for neighboring nations. As a result, in line with the initiative, Park launched the 50-member Unification Preparatory Committee in July.

President Park's acknowledgement reflects a changing attitude toward the division of the Korean Peninsula. Only a few years ago, division was seen as an inevitable and unavoidable reality. Recently, however, unification has become a viable and more realistic option.

The GPF has been a pioneer in advancing unification through cross-border initiatives and scholarly research since 2010. Its unique, values-based approach to peace building focuses on defining a shared vision for the Korean Peninsula rather than on process or methodology.

Furthermore, the international non-profit organization has generated grass-roots engagement through creative initiatives like the Unification Pledge drive and the Need U Ideas competition. The GPF has also been active in creating a coordinated civil society effort through Action for Korea United, a coalition of over 300 non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

The conference began with the opening declaration by Honorary Chairman Lee Ki-taek.

Under this year's theme "Vision, Principles, and Values for a Unified Korea," the conference will continue to focus on generating a consensus for a united Korea, and highlight Korea's role in the Northeast Asian region and world.

On Monday, the conference opened with congratulatory speeches from Saenuri Party Chairman Kim; Rep. Won Hye-young of the main opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy; Unification Vice Minister Kim; GPF founder Moon Hyun-jin; and leaders of various religious groups.

Today's discussion session, which will focus on various topics, will feature Feng Zhu, a professor of the School of International Studies at Peking University, and Victor Cha, currently a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

These will be divided into four different topics - unification as an economic development model, interfaith effort for the unification, women's role for unification and the media's function in unification.