Lee calls for breaking off from 'vicious cycle of hostility' for peace

President Lee Jae Myung on Sunday called for breaking off from a vicious cycle of hostility and confrontation to create peace and prosperity, in remarks marking the 19th anniversary of the Oct. 4 Inter-Korean Declaration. He described the 2007 declaration as a historic agreement for mutual trust and a permanent peace system. Lee also said the promise of peace and prosperity was not fulfilled and urged a return to its spirit.

The remarks were read out by Vice Unification Minister Kim Nam-jung on Sunday.

The speech marked the 19th anniversary of the Oct. 4 Inter-Korean Declaration signed in 2007.

Lee called the declaration a historic agreement for moving inter-Korean relations toward mutual trust and a permanent peace system.

Lee said that the promise of peace and prosperity was not fulfilled and that hostility and confrontation filled that space.

He said at the United Nations General Assembly in New York last month that his administration would push for inclusive, stable and responsible coexistence with North Korea.

Published Oct 5, 2026 12:21 am KST

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung delivers opening remarks during a civil petition innovation case reporting session, Sejong, Friday. Yonhap

President Lee Jae Myung on Sunday called for breaking off from "a vicious cycle of hostility and confrontation to create a virtuous cycle of peace and prosperity," in a speech marking the anniversary of a declaration aimed at improving inter-Korean relations.

"The journey to resolve the Korean Peninsula issue and establish peace will not be easy. But it is clear that is the road we have to walk," Lee said in remarks read out by Vice Unification Minister Kim Nam-jung.

His remarks came on the 19th anniversary of the Oct. 4 Inter-Korean Declaration signed by late former President Roh Moo-hyun and late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, the father of current North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, in 2007.

The president called the declaration a "historic agreement" on transitioning inter-Korean relations to one of mutual trust and moving forward together toward a permanent peace system.

"Unfortunately, as the promise for peace and prosperity was not fulfilled, hostility and confrontation filled that space," he said.

Lee urged for the upholding of Roh's determination for peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and returning to the spirit of the Oct. 4 declaration.

Speaking at the United Nations General Assembly in New York last month, Lee reiterated his commitment to seeking "peaceful coexistence" with North Korea, saying his administration will push for inclusive, stable and responsible coexistence, which he said will respect the North's system, build inter-Korean trust and promote stability and cooperation in Northeast Asia.

李在明总统周日发表讲话，纪念10月4日朝韩联合宣言19周年，呼吁打破敌对和对抗的恶性循环，创造和平与繁荣。他称2007年签署的这份宣言是建立互信和永久和平体系的历史性协议。李在明还表示，和平与繁荣的承诺尚未兑现，并敦促各方回归宣言的精神。

这些讲话是统一部副部长金南中周日宣读的。

此次讲话是为了纪念2007年10月4日签署的《朝韩宣言》19周年。

李称该宣言是推动朝韩关系走向互信和建立永久和平体系的历史性协议。

李说，和平与繁荣的承诺没有实现，取而代之的是敌意和对抗。

他上个月在纽约联合国大会上表示，他的政府将推动与朝鲜实现包容、稳定和负责任的共存。

发布于2026年10月5日凌晨12:21（韩国标准时间）

韩国总统李在明周五在世宗市出席民事申诉创新案例报告会并致开幕词。（韩联社）

李在明总统周日发表讲话，纪念旨在改善朝韩关系的宣言发表周年，呼吁打破“敌对和对抗的恶性循环，创造和平与繁荣的良性循环”。

“解决朝鲜半岛问题、实现和平的道路不会平坦。但很显然，这是我们必须走的路。”李在讲话中说道，该讲话由统一部副部长金南正代为宣读。

他的讲话是在2007年10月4日《朝韩宣言》签署19周年之际发表的。该宣言由已故前总统卢武铉和已故朝鲜领导人金正日（现任朝鲜领导人金正恩的父亲）签署。

总统称该宣言是“历史性协议”，旨在将朝韩关系过渡到互信关系，并共同迈向永久和平体系。

“不幸的是，和平与繁荣的承诺没有实现，取而代之的是敌意和对抗，”他说。

李敦促各方坚持卢武铉关于朝鲜半岛和平与繁荣的决心，回归10月4日宣言的精神。

李明博上个月在纽约联合国大会上重申了他寻求与朝鲜“和平共处”的承诺，并表示他的政府将推动包容、稳定和负责任的共处，这将尊重朝鲜的制度，建立朝韩互信，促进东北亚的稳定与合作。