Jeong Dong-young, the Minister of Unification, stated on September 9 that a peace agreement must be established to end the state of war and reduce tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
During his speech at the opening ceremony of the '2026 World Ecumenical Peace Conference' held at the Anglican Cathedral in Seoul, Jeong emphasized the need to address the fundamental issues stemming from the war that began 76 years ago through the establishment of a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula.
He remarked, "Building a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula is the way to break the cycle of hatred and animosity that is constantly reproduced within the division system and to establish a just peace on this land. The parties involved in the ongoing war must come together to put an end to it and create a sustainable peace regime."
Jeong added, "At that time, we can stop hatred and hostility, anxiety and crises, and open the doors to healing and reconciliation," urging the international community to unite and take action for the realization of a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula.
He also expressed regret over the prolonged suspension of dialogue and religious exchanges between North and South Korea, noting, "It has been over seven years since dialogue between the North and South has been severed, and exchanges between the National Council of Churches in Korea and the Korean Christian Federation have also come to a halt."
Jeong stated, "The barbed wire that divides the Korean Peninsula cannot obstruct God's will for peace, harmony, and justice," and emphasized that through each step we take as instruments of peace, harmony and peace will return to this land.
He introduced the three pillars of 'inclusive, stable, and responsible peaceful coexistence' proposed by President Lee Jae-myung in his Liberation Day address, explaining, "It is about washing away distrust and hatred, practicing reconciliation and cooperation, preventing horrific wars, and opening the path to peace and harmony for the Korean Peninsula, Northeast Asia, and the world."
Additionally, he referenced the first meeting of North and South Korean Christians in 1986 in Glion, Switzerland, and the declaration on 'National Unification and Peace' made by the National Council of Churches in Korea in 1988, acknowledging the contributions of the global church to peace on the Korean Peninsula and inter-Korean exchanges.
Jeong concluded by stating, "We must pray fervently and act vigorously so that the flame of peace can ignite on the Korean Peninsula and extend to healing, reconciliation, and peace throughout the world."
Meanwhile, this conference was organized by the NCCK in collaboration with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the first meeting of North and South Korean churches held in Glion, Switzerland, in 1986. That meeting marked the first time Christians from both sides met to worship and share communion since the division, and this conference aims to restore the long-suspended inter-Korean church exchanges and revive discussions on peace on the Korean Peninsula.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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