73rd Session of the UN General Assembly
The 73rd session of the UN General Assembly (#UNGA73) opened on 18 September 2018. The first day of the high-level General Debate will be Tuesday, 25 September 2018, and is scheduled to last for nine days. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, President-elect of the 73rd session of the UNGA announced in July 2018 that the theme of the general debate will be, ‘Making the United Nations Relevant to All People: Global Leadership and Shared Responsibilities for Peaceful, Equitable and Sustainable Societies.’ María Espinosa emphasized, “Each and every one of my actions will bear in mind the fact that the main recipients of our commitments and decisions are our peoples. We are working for them.”
Seven priority themes for the 73rd session
• promote gender equality
• promote and implement new global compacts on migration and refugees
• highlight innovative thinking around the future of work
• effort to protect the environment particularly plastics pollution
• raise awareness on persons with disabilities
• implement the reform of the UN system
• promote peace
Address by South Korean President Moon Jae-in
Moon Jae-in has been performing well the Role of Messengers of Peace. It is clear that the Moon Jae-in is the midwife of the North-Korea USA Summit in many ways. By turning all the credit to President Trump, Mr. Moon made him an active participant in the North-Korea USA Summit. Bill Clinton, former president of the United States assessed it “Moon Jae-in the president is a true hero”. In the process, President Moon left a famous saying in Korean diplomatic history that “the Nobel Peace Prize is for Trump and we only need to bring peace.”
UN Official text:
“Over the past year, something miraculous has taken place on the Korean Peninsula. For the first time in history, the leader of North Korea crossed the Military Demarcation Line to visit Panmunjeom. A historic summit between the United States and North Korea was also held on the Sentosa Island in Singapore.
Chairman Kim Jong Un and I removed the shadow of war and resolved to usher in an era of peace and prosperity. At the U.S-North Korea summit, the two sides agreed to work towards achieving complete denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, ending hostile relations and establishing a permanent peace regime. President Trump and Chairman Kim moved and gave hope to those who desire peace all around the world.
North Korea dismantled its nuclear test site in Punggye-ri under the observation of the international community. The United States and the Republic of Korea suspended large-scale joint military exercises and built trust.
I would like to thank and salute President Trump and Chairman Kim‘s courage and resolve as they usher in a new era on the Korean Peninsula as well as in U.S-North Korea relations.”
Inter Korean Summit on 18th September
“Last week in Pyongyang, I met Chairman Kim for the third time and reached an agreement once again to turn the Korean Peninsula into a land of peace free from nuclear weapons and threats. Chairman Kim expressed his hope of completing denuclearization as soon as possible to focus on economic development.
Moreover, Chairman Kim expressed his commitment to permanently dismantle the missile engine test site and launch platform in Dongchang-ri under observation of the international community as a first step, in order to expedite progress in denuclearization.
Furthermore, he expressed his firm willingness to continue to take additional denuclearization measures including the permanent dismantlement of nuclear facilities in Yongbyon as the United States takes corresponding measures in the spirit of the Sentosa Agreement.”
“The Korean Peninsula has remained under the armistice over the past 65 years. Ending the Korean War is an urgent task. It is a process that we must go through in order to move towards a peace regime. I look forward to seeing bold measures for denuclearization implemented among the related countries, leading to the declaration to end the War.
Regardless of the challenges that lie ahead, the leaders of the South, the North and the United States will move step by step towards peace based on mutual trust.
Such a dramatic change has been possible thanks to the support and encouragement of the people around the world who desire peace. In particular, the United Nations gave North Korea the courage to embark on the road to peace. I would like to express my gratitude to the United Nations for its role.
This is, however, just the beginning. I would like to ask for continued support and cooperation from the member states on our journey towards complete denuclearization and permanent peace. The Republic of Korea will spare no effort to encourage North Korea’s participation in the international community while adhering to the resolutions adopted by the United Nations.”
The Role of the United Nations
He continued, “On April 20, North Korea officially ended its policy of nuclear development and has since devoted all of its efforts towards economic development. On September 9, in the ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of its foundation, North Korea expressed its commitment to peace and prosperity instead of boasting its nuclear capabilities. North Korea moved out of longstanding isolation on its own initiative and stands before the international community once again.
Now, it is the international community’s turn to respond positively to North Korea’s new choice and efforts. We must assure Chairman Kim that he has made the right decision in committing to denuclearization. We must encourage North Korea to stay on the path that leads to permanent and solid peace.
The Role of the United Nations is crucial. The UN Secretariat has continued its efforts for dialogue and engagement, including the invitation of North Korean officials to international conferences.
The United Nations has stated its commitment to “leave no one behind.” My sincere hope is that the UN’s vision of sustainable development will be realized on the Korean Peninsula.
I have no doubt that if the international community paves the way, North Korea will not stall on making strides towards peace and prosperity. The Republic of Korea will spare no effort to guide North Korea towards that path.
I would like to call on the United Nations to share its experience and wisdom.”
President Trump, Before & After
The president Trump derided the chairman Kim as “Little Rocket Man” and threatened to “totally destroy North Korea.” at UN General Assembly a year ago. But now he praised the Chairman Kim for his courage. This Trump’s speech comes after South Korean President Moon Jae-in gave a personal message to Trump from North Korea’s Kim. This is the message they talked in the inter-Korean talks last week.
The White House’s official transcript(a partial extract):
“With support from many countries here today, we have engaged with North Korea to replace the specter of conflict with a bold and new push for peace.
In June, I traveled to Singapore to meet face to face with North Korea’s leader, Chairman Kim Jong Un.
We had highly productive conversations and meetings, and we agreed that it was in both countries’ interest to pursue the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. Since that meeting, we have already seen a number of encouraging measures that few could have imagined only a short time ago.
The missiles and rockets are no longer flying in every direction. Nuclear testing has stopped. Some military facilities are already being dismantled. Our hostages have been released. And as promised, the remains of our fallen heroes are being returned home to lay at rest in American soil.
I would like to thank Chairman Kim for his courage and for the steps he has taken, though much work remains to be done. The sanctions will stay in place until denuclearization occurs.
I also want to thank the many member states who helped us reach this moment — a moment that is actually far greater than people would understand; far greater — but for also their support and the critical support that we will all need going forward.
A special thanks to President Moon of South Korea, Prime Minister Abe of Japan, and President Xi of China.”
International Trust is Essential to North Korea
RI YONG HO, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the DPRK, asked the US for less sanctions and more understanding. He still showed North Korea’s willingness to denuclearize and said “The Korean Peninsula, the hottest spot in the globe, will become the cradle of peace and prosperity.” Ri ascribed this progress almost entirely to efforts by the Koreas but he said that the US continued to damage the peace protest by mistrusting North Korea. Four days ago, Trump highlighted his achievement with North Korea, but added that sanctions will continue until denuclearization is carried out. Frequently reemphasising the need for trust, Ri said there was “no way” North Korea would unilaterally disarm themselves before “coercive” sanctions were lifted.
How to achieve Peace on Korean Peninsula?
Special Lectures to support the Peaceful
Unification of the Korean Peninsula
– Delivered by Former Presidents of Eastern European Nations
On September 18, the two leaders of inter-Korea met in Pyongyang. To support the peaceful unification of the Korean Peninsula, H.E. Ivo Josipović, Former President of Croatia, and Hon. Emil Constantinescu, Former President of Romania, both of whom experienced times under Communist rule and the transition to democracy, gave presentations on September 16th and September 20th respectively. They gave specific advice through their real experience.
H.E. Ivo Josipović explained the power of culture in the achievement of peace and the need for adoption of DPCW by the United Nations.He emphasized the important role of political leaders to cease the ongoing conflicts in the world, citing the past case of the treaty signed by Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. In relation to the establishment of a legally binding international law for peace, he added, “Presenting the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) to the United Nations as a resolution, with our intention to build peace in the world, is novel and important.”
Hon. Emil Constantinescu gave practical advice based upon the Experiences throughout the Transition Period of Eastern Europe. He said, “I lived under a communist dictatorship that deprived the country and its citizens of freedom for 50 years.” and told horrendous reality. “World War II caused the death of more than 25 million soldiers and over 73 million civilians, as well as created huge economic losses and led to the destruction of many world cultural heritage sites.” He concluded the lecture by proclaiming, “In order to achieve the peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula, leaders, politicians and even the youth must have the consciousness to achieve peace.”
Real Peace starts from where?
2018 HWPL World Peace Summit
Collaboration for Peace Development:
Building a Peace Community through the DPCW
At a time when the global world wanted peace, there was the closest place to peace. The 4th Annual Commemoration of the 2018 HWPL World Peace Summit was held in South Korea from the 17th to the 19th of September. This year, thousands of leaders and citizens from around the globe will gather for 3 days with the great determination of creating a peaceful world together. Under the theme of “Collaboration for Peace Development: Building a Peace Community through the DPCW”, the wind of peace is blowing all over the world. This 918 WARP Summit is the core of HWPL’s peace movement. The main agenda of the WARP Summit will be the introduction of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) to the United Nations (UN) as a binding resolution.
DPCW is aligned with UN Charter
So far, international law has not ended the war. Likewise, the Universal Declaration does not include a separate article on “Right to Peace”. This is why the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was held. So HWPL is creating a new order for the world. It is DPCW! It can be the Right to Peace. Currently, there is a worldwide campaign to introduce the DPCW to the United Nations. Now, they collected 734,055 signatures (as of October, 2017) and 173,170 people of 176 countries participated. Law experts agreed that the DPCW is fully aligned with the UN Charter & the UDHR and this Declaration not only encapsulates and supports all of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Like proof of this, delegations of Permanent Missions of the UN and HWPL gathered at the Office of the Commonwealth (New York) to discuss the promotion of sustainable peace and human rights, on Friday 7 September 2018. Also, they discussed intensively the way to promote the 918 WARP Summit. Because the walks of HWPL are alignment with the core purposes of the United Nations, the delegations have no choice but to support the DPCW.
Finally, the Last East Germany Prime Minister Lothar de Maizière, who achieved reunification, said (not this year) that “Reunification was the will of heaven. It happens like a miracle when human endeavor is met with internal and external conditions.”
HWPL‘s heavenly culture will change the world.
73rd UNGA Address by South Korean President Moon Jae-in:
Ladies and gentlemen,
We all desire peace. Peace represents the relatives and neighbors we love, and the hometowns we long for. Peace means sharing what we have together. A peace we have all achieved together is a peace for all. I’m confident that all of you will always be with us on the path to permanent peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula as well as on the journey to a peaceful world.
Thank you.