Foundations for Peace on the Korean Peninsula and the Northern Limit Line issue and Federalism: Fundamental Way for Korea’s Reunification

ASIA FORUM with Mr. So Kwang Yong and Mr. Choe Chang Man

“Federalism: Fundamental Way for Korea’s Reunification” and “Foundations for Peace on the Korean Peninsula and the Northern Limit Line issue”

May 24, 2011, 10:00 – 12:00

“Foundations for Peace on the Korean Peninsula and the Northern Limit Line issue”

In January 2010, the DPRK Foreign Ministry submitted a proposal to the parties to the Armistice Agreement for an early start to talks about replacing the Armistice Agreement with a peace treaty; since then, the Foreign Ministry has made every possible effort to implement this proposal.In reality, however, a dark cloud of confrontation and conflict has been hanging over the Korean peninsula for the past one and half years, rather than a blessed rainbow of peace. The back-to-back Cheonan and Yeonpyeong incidents have brought the situation on the Korean peninsula to the brink of war.

Examined by fluoroscopy, malignant tumors remain on and around the Korean peninsula that could easily trigger continued confrontations and conflicts and cause a flare-up of tension at any moment. The most malignant of all is none other than the Northern Limit Line. Choe Chang Man will give a general overview of the NLL, focusing on its origins, the aftermath of its illegal establishment and solutions to the issue.

Choe Chang Man is a Senior Researcher at the Institute for Disarmament and Peace in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. He is currently a guest researcher at ISDP. His latest publications include “The Conclusion of a Peace Treaty is Imperative.”

“Federalism: Fundamental Way for Korea’s Reunification”

It has been more than 60 years since the Korean peninsula was divided into two by outside forces. Since then, territorial partition and national division have imposed untold misfortunes and sufferings on the Korean people. In order to put an end to the division and achieve permanent peace and security on the Korean Peninsula, the north and south of Korea must sincerely discuss and decide on a way for reunification. As long as two different social systems exist in the north and south of Korea, federalism is the most reasonable and realistic way of reunification.

So Kwang Yong is a Researcher of the Institute for Disarmament and Peace of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK and current guest researcher at the ISDP.

Location: ISDP, Västra Finnbodavägen 2, Stockholm-Nacka. For a map and directions, please go here.