UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 24 -- South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Tuesday proposed transforming the demilitarized zone (DMZ) between the two Koreas into an international peace zone.
"Today ... I would like to propose to the United Nations and all the member states the idea of transforming the DMZ that cuts across the midriff of the Korean Peninsula into an international peace zone," Moon told the UN General Assembly General Debate.
"The DMZ is a colossal green zone that stretches 250 km from east to west and 4 km from north to south. Its borders define a tragedy spawned by 70 years of military confrontation. But paradoxically, it has become a pristine ecological treasure trove," he said. "It has also become a symbolic space steeped in history, which embraces both the tragedy of division as embodied by the Joint Security Area, guard posts and barbed-wire fences as well as the yearning for peace."
"The DMZ is the common heritage of humankind and its value must be shared with the whole world. Once peace is established between the two Koreas, I will work together with North Korea (the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, DPRK) to inscribe the DMZ as a UNESCO World Heritage Site," said Moon.
He put forward the idea of designating the area connecting the border village of Panmunjom and Kaesong in the North as a peace and cooperation district, and making the DMZ a center for research on peace, peacekeeping, arms control and trust-building.
Approximately 380,000 anti-personnel mines are laid in the DMZ, and it is expected to take 15 years for South Korean troops to remove them on their own. However, cooperation with the international community, including with the United Nations, will not only guarantee the transparency and stability of demining operations, but also instantly turn the DMZ into an area of international cooperation, said Moon.
"If North Korea makes sincere efforts to implement denuclearization, the international community should also reciprocate. The establishment of an international peace zone will provide an institutional and realistic guarantee to North Korea's security. At the same time, South Korea will also be able to gain permanent peace."
Moon said that he and Kim Jong Un, the top leader of the DPRK, agreed on the peaceful use of the DMZ, and that on-site inspections on the current state of the DPRK's railroads were conducted after the two Koreas embarked on the reconnection of the severed railways and roads.
The groundbreaking ceremony for their reconnection and modernization has already taken place, he said.
"All of these efforts constitute a process that will help solidify the foundation for peace on the Korean Peninsula and also contribute to peace and stability in Northeast Asia," said Moon.
When the DMZ that cuts across the midriff of the Korean Peninsula is turned into a peace zone, the peninsula will evolve into a bridging nation that connects the continent and the ocean and facilitates peace and prosperity. The vision of an East Asian Railroad Community in which six Northeast Asian countries and the United States take part could also become reality, he said.
Moon concluded that his proposal is based on the three principles of zero tolerance for war, mutual security guarantee by the two Koreas, and co-prosperity.
亚太区域经济一体化的光明前景
山东省济宁市梁山一中2016-2017学年高一12月月考 英语 Word版含答案
体坛英语资讯:World champion Selby named snooker Player of the Year
国内英语资讯:China calls for cooperation with Denmark under Belt and Road initiative
江苏省淮安市涟水中学2016-2017学年高一上学期第二次阶段检测试题 英语 Word版含答案
山东省济宁市嘉祥一中2016-2017学年高一12月质检 英语 Word版含答案
国际英语资讯:Trump adds trips to Saudi Arabia, Israel, Vatican before NATO, G7 summits
浙江省乐清市第二中学2016-2017学年高一12月月考英语试题
湖北省武汉市汉铁高级中学2016-2017学年高一12月月考英语试题
国内英语资讯:Senior Chinese legislator meets with Lao top legislator
国际英语资讯:Zuma calls for more attention on youth at WEF
山西省重点中学大同市第一中学2016-2017学年高一上学期期末考试英语试题
陕西省南郑中学2016-2017学年高一上学期英语寒假作业(三)
江西省宜春中学2016-2017学年高一上学期期中考试 英语试题 Word版含答案
体坛英语资讯:Chen Long takes worlds only wild card
河北省邢台二中2016-2017学年高一上学期第四次月考英语试题
广东省中山市华侨中学2016-2017学年高一上学期第一次段考英语试题 Word版含答案
吉林省白山市第一中学2016-2017学年高一上学期期末考试英语试卷
山东省济宁市任城一中2016-2017学年高一12月质检 英语 Word版含答案
国际英语资讯:Spotlight: U.S. Republican-controlled House passes bill to repeal Obamacare
陕西省三原县北城中学2016-2017学年高一上学期期中考试英语试题
黑龙江省某重点中学2016-2017学年高一上学期期末英语试题 Word版含答案
四六级考试将成历史? 教育部制定统一国家英语能力等级考试体系
甘肃省兰州一中2016-2017学年高一上学期期末考试英语试题
国内英语资讯:Senior Chinese official calls for improving China-Japan relations
委内瑞拉通胀危机:商店收款不是点钞而是称重
广东省肇庆市2016-2017学年高一上学期期末质量检测英语试卷
内蒙古通辽市甘旗卡二中2016-2017学年高一上学期期中考试英语试题Word版含答案
中国正研究土地使用权续期方案
湖北省黄冈市2016-2017学年高一上学期期末考试英语试题 扫描版含答案