The Statement of NPU on the 76th Anniversary of 8.15 Liberation

Let's open the door to peace on the Korean Peninsula based on humanitarian aid to North Korea

We celebrate the 76th anniversary of 8.15 liberation. The unity of the divided Korean people is true liberation, but our liberation is still a long way off. Inter-Korean relations are still on a thin ice sheet of tension, conflict, and confrontation. On the 68th anniversary of the armistice agreement, there was a good news of the resumption of inter-Korean communication lines. However, it is deeply deplorable that the situation on the Korean Peninsula is faltering again due to the reef of the ROK-U.S. joint military exercise.

The Biden administration of the United States has already mentioned several times that dialogue and diplomacy, not strategic ignorance or confrontation, are the solution to the Korean Peninsula problem. While emphasizing self-reliance and internal ideological arming, North Korea has not blocked the possibility of dialogue with the United States. The Moon Jae-in administration has an urgent task to link these two situations. President Moon and the Ministry of Unification must do their best to keep the clock for peace on the Korean Peninsula moving again with the attitude of “I will do everything I can,” rather than being hesitate.

As promised during the Korea-US summit in May, the United States will have to continue diplomacy and dialogue based on existing commitments between the two Koreas and the United States, such as the 2018 Panmunjom Declaration and the Singapore Joint Statement. It should not be limited to just saying that the door to dialogue and diplomacy is open. The United States should be able to show that it is a genuine party in resolving North Korea's nuclear issue and establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula by accepting the lifting of some of the sanctions related to people's livelihoods that North Korea demands as a prerequisite for North Korea-U.S. dialogue.

North Korea should not lock its door because of the US attitude, but rather boldly come out for inter-Korean dialogue at times like this. It should be remembered that severing ties with South Korea just because relations with the United States have been cut off is tantamount to self-harm. North Korea should remember that severing ties with South Korea is tantamount to self-harm just because relations with the US are blocked. It must be remembered that a strong inter-Korean relationship can not only promote peace on the Korean Peninsula by spurring new relations between North Korea and the United States, but also pursue happiness and prosperity for both North and South Korea.

We, Network for Peace and Unification(NPU), strongly urge the Moon Jae-in government and the National Assembly to actively take the following steps to overcome the situation on the Korean Peninsula, where everything is blocked by Corona and sanctions against North Korea.

Officially declare the repeal of the 5.24 Measure. Although it is said that it was virtually abolished due to a change of government, the “declaration of abolition” by the responsible authority would provide an opportunity for a change of state by giving meaning to the North and South society beyond the declaration.

Declare the resumption of tourism to Mt. Kumgang. Tourism has nothing to do with the sanctions on North Korea. The government needs to send a message to the North Korean authorities that exchanges and support unrelated to sanctions against North Korea will resume as soon as the corona situation is alleviated or ended.

Convert the prior approval export system for North Korean goods to a follow-up reporting system. There are many criticisms that the existing export approval system restricts private activities too much by the government. The government should make a breakthrough in reforming system so that the private sector can become the main agent of practical aid to North Korea.

The National Assembly should ratify all declarations and agreements after the 7.4 North-South Joint Statement agreed between the South and North Korean officials. The National Assembly should provide legal support so that the hard-earned results of efforts to ease tensions, peaceful exchanges, and mutual prosperity between the two Koreas can be inherited regardless of the governments.

In the current stalemate between the two Koreas, we face the time for churches and other private organizations to step forward. North Korea is now facing serious problems of livelihood due to flood damage and prolonged sanctions. This situation in North Korea is a realm of humanitarian aid that has nothing to do with the political situation or UN sanctions. It is fortunate that there are sporadic voices and movements in places calling for immediate implementation of aid to North Korea. When these movements and efforts are gathered, the waters of dialogue and exchange will burst. As we celebrate the 76th anniversary of the liberation of Korea on August 15, we earnestly hope that the government, the National Assembly, and the private sector, at each level, will make every effort to achieve true liberation for our people and the Korean Peninsula.

 On 12th, Aug. 2021

Network for Peace and Unification(NPU)