Do not go gentle into that good night, old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light, though wise men at their end know dark is right, because their words had forked no lightning they, do not go gentle into that good night.
Hyun Jin Preston Moon calls on gov't to adopt ‘Korean Dream Vision’ in bold proposal for unification
Global Peace Foundation founder and Chairman Hyun Jin Preston Moon speaks during his keynote address at a preliminary dinner gala for the Korean Dream Hangang Grand Festival, a parallel event of the "International Support for a Free and Unified Korea: Catalyst for Global Peace and Development" forum, at Lotte Hotel Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of Global Peace Foundation
By Jhoo Dong-chan
Bipartisan efforts and civic-led approach urged for a free and unified Korea
Global Peace Foundation (GPF) founder and Chairman Hyun Jin Preston Moon has a bold proposal to the Lee Jae Myung administration: It should adopt the GPF’s Korean Dream Vision, transform the current Ministry of Unification into a nongovernmental advisory committee and make its vision a part of the country’s primary education system.
The GPF hosted an international forum to offer an ideal course for the possible unification of the two Koreas while celebrating the country’s 80th Liberation Day at Lotte Hotel Seoul last Thursday and Friday. Blue Banner, One Korea Foundation and Action for Korea United co-hosted the forum alongside the nongovernmental organization.
Some 200 global leaders and scholars from 20 countries participated in the forum to discuss various efforts by not only civil society but also the international community for a possible unified Korea under the theme of “International Support for a Free and Unified Korea: Catalyst for Global Peace and Development.”
Moon called for relentless bipartisan efforts from not only political circles but also civil society during his keynote address during an evening gala for the Korean Dream Hangang Grand Festival at Lotte Hotel Seoul on Thursday. The festival was a parallel event of the two-day forum.
The gala included several heavyweight political figures, including Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, former Prime Minister Chung Un-chan, former National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo and former National Assembly Deputy Speaker Chung Woo-taik, along with incumbent lawmaker Song Seok-jun of the main opposition People Power Party.
“The Miracle on the Han River has hit its peak, and will face a sharp decline. Today, South Korea stands more divided than ever. The political machinations and scandals surrounding the impeachment of the former president are a national disgrace and are exacerbating the divide,” Moon said.
“There is urgent need for reform and renewal in every sphere of national life — politics, economics, society and culture. Such renewal will only come through a fresh vision and national purpose that all citizens and segments of society can unite around and work toward as our parents worked in the postwar period.”
He made a proposal to the current government for reform and renewal.
“It should adopt the Korean Dream vision since the former government already adopted its platform,” Moon highlighted.
“It needs to dissolve the Ministry of Unification and install a nongovernmental advisory committee in order to take the politics out of the unification agenda. It should also make the Korean Dream vision a mandatory curriculum in all primary and secondary schools.”
According to the GPF, the Korean Dream refers to the organization’s vision for peaceful unification. Unlike past efforts focusing mostly on methodology, the vision aims to draw a picture of how a unified Korean Peninsula can bring hope for all humanity.
Former Prime Minister Chung Un-chan speaks during his welcome remarks at a preliminary dinner banquet for the Korean Dream Hangang Grand Festival, a sister event of the "International Support for a Free and Unified Korea: Catalyst for Global Peace and Development" forum, at Lotte Hotel Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of Global Peace Foundation
Former Prime Minister Chung Un-chan also stressed the importance of unification.
“The two Koreas’ unification not only signifies a consolidation of the two different political systems but also eventually leads to a harmony between generations, regions and global citizens,” Chung said during his welcome remarks.
“This requires a new concept of national consensus that guarantees diversity and coexistence.”
Unification Minister Chung Dong-young introduced the Lee administration’s North Korea policy during his congratulatory address.
“I would like to emphasize the Miracle on the Han River, a symbol of Korea’s democratic and economic success. At the same time, it’s tragic to see the division on the 80th anniversary of the country’s Liberation Day,” he said.
“Now, the shackle of the two Koreas’ division should be dealt with under a framework of peace and coexistence. The Lee administration will respect the 1991 Inter-Korea Basic Agreement in its future North Korea policy.”
Unification Minister Chung Dong-young speaks during his congratulatory address at a preliminary dinner banquet for the Korean Dream Hangang Grand Festival, a sister event of the "International Support for a Free and Unified Korea: Catalyst for Global Peace and Development" forum, at Lotte Hotel Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of Global Peace Foundation
The 1991 Inter-Korea Basic Agreement highlights the two Koreas’ agreement on reconciliation, nonaggression, exchange and cooperation. The joint agreement also includes the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
Foreign leaders also emphasized the Korean Dream as a means to deliver the unification of the two Koreas.
“(The two Koreas’) unification is a historic destination. It will be a beacon of moral compass for mankind,” former Guatemalan President Vinicio Cerezo during his welcome address.
“The Korean Dream will unite us all beyond race and territory. Freedom and democracy are completed through relentless vigilance and activism. The vision will deliver the faith that it will make impossible peace possible all around the world.”
The forum consisted of six different roundtable sessions where global leaders and scholars discussed various topics including not only the possible unification of the two Koreas but also international situations and sustainable green growth.
The first day featured three sessions covering environmental cooperation, lessons from Latin America and Africa and the role of overseas Koreans in promoting unification.
Some 700 Participants of a preliminary dinner gala of the Korean Dream Hangang Grand Festival, a sister event of the "International Support for a Free and Unified Korea: Catalyst for Global Peace and Development" forum, applaud during the banquet at Lotte Hotel Seoul, Thursday. Courtesy of Global Peace Foundation
The first session, titled “Environmental Forestation, Cross Border Peace Initiative and Youth Leadership,” included presentations by U.N. Resident Coordinator in China Siddharth Chatterjee and Blue Banner Chairman Enkhsaikhan Jargalsaikhan, followed by Yuhan-Kimberly Corporate Social Responsibility Team Leader Bae Chul-yong.
Discussions highlighted ongoing reforestation collaboration among Korea, Mongolia, China and Japan, as well as strategies to expand private sector and citizen-driven environmental initiatives into outcomes linked to the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in August 2026.
The second session, “Lessons Learned for Peace and Development in Latin America and Africa,” brought together former Guatemalan President Cerezo, former Ecuadorian President Jamil Mahuad and former St. Lucia Prime Minister Kenny Anthony as well as Kenyan Parliament members Ikana Fredrick Lulu, Duncan Maina Mathenge and Agnes Pareiyo Matane.
Participants examined conflict management and prosperity strategies rooted in democracy, the rule of law and regional cooperation. Cerezo described Korean unification as a catalyst for global values of love and understanding, while Mahuad noted that sustainable peace requires the combination of civic pressure and political will, drawing from his own experience.
The third session addressed the “Role of Korean Diaspora in Realizing a Free and Unified Korea,” featuring East Asia Research Institute Director Kang Young-ji, Action for Korea United-Japan Representative Director Eiko Kawasaki and Modu Moija (Korea of All) President Lee So-ra.
Speakers discussed how the organizational strength and global network of 7 million overseas Koreans can raise awareness and participation in unification movements.
The fourth session, on the “Role of Northeast Asia and U.S in Supporting a Free and Unified Korea,” brought together former Mongolian Prime Minister Amarjargal Rinchinnyam, North Korea Freedom Coalition Chair Suzanne Scholte and Hanyang University Graduate School of International Studies Adjunct Professor Chung Kyung-young.
Building on momentum from the June forum in Mongolia, speakers explored the proposal of “Unification first, then denuclearization — through human rights.” They examined how the U.S. and Northeast Asian partners could support a Korean-led unification road map within a regional cooperation framework.
The fifth session, “Regional Solidarity for Korean Unification: Mobilizing the Indo-Pacific for Peace,” featured Action for Korea United professors association head Park Dong-soon and Bina Nusantara University Assistant Professor Dian Novikrisna.
Panelists emphasized the importance of citizen-led diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific and announced a joint statement to expand the “10 million signature campaign” for peaceful unification, positioning it as a model for cross-border civic engagement.
The sixth session, “Stories Beyond Borders: a Conversation with North Korean Escapees,” provided a human dimension to the geopolitical discussion. Defector activists Joh Kyeong-il and Kim Ju-hyeon shared personal accounts that highlighted the challenges of escape, resettlement and reconciliation.
They underscored the urgent need for an international civil society network to advocate for human rights, facilitate integration and foster trust between North and South Koreans.