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.
Global Peace Foundation's forum in Mongolia explores Korean unification, climate action
Action for Korea United Chairman Seo In-teck, front row seventh from left, and Center for Asia Pacific Strategy Vice President David Maxwell, rear row fourth from left, pose with participating experts during the "Mongolia Forum and Retreat: Northeast Asian Peaceful Development and Korean Unification" at Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, June 24. Courtesy of Global Peace Foundation
By Jhoo Dong-chan
Experts discuss Korean Dream, development of Northeast Asia
ULAANBAATAR — Visions for unification of the two Koreas should go beyond questions of process and power to focus on a more aspirational goal: a united Korea that serves humanity as a whole.
Mongolia may hold a unique key in the process with its rare diplomatic ties to Pyongyang and a history of peaceful transition from communism to democracy, according to experts attending the “Mongolia Forum and Retreat: Northeast Asian Peaceful Development and Korean Unification.”
The Global Peace Foundation (GPF) hosted the international forum to discuss the development of Northeast Asia and potential peaceful unification of two Koreas at Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on June 24. Blue Banner, One Korea Foundation, Global Peace Leadership Corps and Action for Korea United co-hosted the forum alongside the nongovernmental organization.
Some 30 renowned experts from 10 countries joined the annual event to discuss not only the current international situation and possible unification of the two Koreas but also Mongolia’s efforts in countering climate change. The forum is the sixth of its kind since its inception in 2018.
Action for Korea United Chairman Seo In-teck introduced the organization’s vision for unification, “the Korean Dream,” during his opening remarks.
"Past talks about unification mostly focused on 'how' to unify, like the steps or methods. But the Korean Dream is very different,” Seo said.
“The Korean Dream does not want one side to take over the other. We want to draw a picture of how a united Korean Peninsula can bring hope and help all of humanity. It is Hyun Jin Preston Moon’s long vision for a new and united nation.”
Moon is the founder and co-chairman of Action for Korea United. He also founded the GPF.
Former Mongolian Prime Minister Amarjargal Rinchinnyam pointed out his country’s challenge amid climate change during his welcome remark for the forum.
“We gather at a time when the global community is confronting an array of interlinked challenges — from climate change and biodiversity loss to the degradation of natural resources,” Rinchinnyam said. “Mongolia is particularly vulnerable to these changes, especially desertification. Therefore, I welcome the forum's recent emphasis on environmental resilience.”
Mongolia is scheduled to host the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in August 2026.
The highlight of this year’s Mongolia Forum was the joint statement developed and signed by the participating scholars.
“(We) believe that a united Korean peninsula shall serve as an important pillar of the region’s stability and development in line with the notion of Hongik Ingan,” the statement reads. Hongik Ingan is the founding principle of Gojoseon, Korea’s first ancient kingdom, translated as "for the benefit of all humanity."
“The Korean Dream of unifying aspiration offers a transformative model for reconciliation, integration, freedom, human rights and peace-building in the region for sustainable development.”
Action for Korea United Chairman Seo In-teck speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, June 24. Korea Times photo by Jhoo Dong-chan
Mongolia holds key to change North Korea
Seo pointed out that Mongolia is a strategically important country that can influence North Korean people for possible change.
“Mongolia was the country that communized itself right after the Soviet Union did around 1920. For this reason, it is even now one of the very few countries with a North Korean Embassy,” Seo said during an interview with The Korea Times.
“It also managed to peacefully transform itself as a democratic country. Mongolia’s change could carry significant implications for the North Korean people. Former Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj’s remarks during his visit to Pyongyang is probably one such example.”
Elbegdorj, who is a frequent lecturer on democracy and human rights, said in his speech during his 2013 visit to Kim Il Sung University in North Korea that “no tyranny lasts forever.”
Due to his bold remarks at the heart of the oppressive regime, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un refused to meet the Mongolian president at the time.
Seo added it is time for South Korea to display its aspiration for a unified Korea.
“This year marks the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from colonial rule under Imperial Japan. We then faced the division, but we have never shown our aspirations for unification in all these years,” Seo said.
“The GPF will organize the largest rally for peaceful unification on the coming Liberation Day in August. It is driven solely by civil society.”
The GPF said it will host the Korean Dream Hangang Grand Festival along the Han River on Aug. 15 under the theme “Beyond the Miracle on the Han River, to National Harmony and a Unified Korea.”
The festival is also an outcome of the establishment of the Korean Dream 10 Million Unification Campaign Organizing Committee in 2022.
Center for Asia Pacific Strategy Vice President David Maxwell speaks during the "Mongolia Forum and Retreat: Northeast Asian Peaceful Development and Korean Unification" at Best Western Premier Tuushin Hotel in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, June 24. Korea Times photo by Jhoo Dong-chan
Unification first, then denuclearization
Center for Asia Pacific Strategy Vice President David Maxwell said it is nearly impossible to achieve the peninsula’s denuclearization under the current geopolitical platform.
“The U.S. has failed to achieve denuclearization in North Korea for four decades, and a new approach is needed,” Maxwell told The Korea Times.
“There are four paths to unification: war, regime collapse, peaceful unification and regime transformation. We must prevent war, and prepare to mitigate the effects of regime collapse. The U.S., along with South Korea, should support regime transformation by the Korean people in the North as the optimal path to peaceful unification.”
The path includes emphasizing human rights in the North while actively engaging information and influence campaigns to educate North Korean people to foster environment for peaceful unification.
“This is a radical departure from the long-held belief that we must be single focused on the nuclear threat. Unification first, then denuclearization. The path to unification is through human rights,” the former Green Beret colonel added.
“Kim can change. Or, Kim can be changed by the Korean people in the North.”
Participants of the "Dream and Challenge: Mongolia Youth Leadership Forum and Adventure Workshop" pose at IC Park in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, June 23. Korea Times photo by Jhoo Dong-chan
Youth leadership forum
As the forum’s side event, the organizers also hosted the “Dream and Challenge: Mongolia Youth Leadership Forum and Adventure Workshop,” a leadership program for youth under the age of 25.
Against the backdrop of Mongolia’s vast plains and historic heritage, participants experienced the country’s traditional nomadic life while studying the 13th-century Mongol Empire and its founder Temujin Genghis Khan. Some 30 participants from 10 countries joined this year’s program.
The program started with a horseback riding lesson from traditional Mongolian horsemen on June 21.
“Mongolian horses are different,” a staff member said during the program’s introduction session at a local ger, or traditional yurt, in the Mongolian Plateau, about 90 kilometers northeast of the country’s capital city of Ulaanbaatar.
“They are smaller than European breeds, but they are more enduring and resilient, covering longer distances. After some basic drills with the horsemen, participants are expected to travel 38 kilometers along the Mongolian Plateau.”
The 38-kilometer horseback riding activity symbolizes the 38th parallel, a demarcation line that divides the two Koreas, the staff member added. The participants traveled the trail, which used to be part of the Silk Road network.
The workshop also included a tree planting event in Ulaanbaatar.
According to the staff, Mongolia has long suffered the desertification of its nomadic plains near the Gobi Desert. Countering the desertification, youth leaders participating in the workshop have been planting trees on the city’s outskirts for the past six years.
“The desertification causes a series of problems especially among Mongolian nomads who raise horses or goats,” the staff member added.
“We need to do something. This isn’t just Mongolian nomads’ problem. In time, climate change will cause catastrophic consequences to all of us.”