By Yoon Sojung
Photos = Cheong Wa Dae

Ahead of World Korean Day on Oct. 5, President Moon Jae-in sent a message of appreciation and hope for peace to overseas Koreans around the world.

President Moon said on Sept. 27 that, “Peace is the road for us,” to leaders of overseas Korean communities who attended the 11th Korean Day ceremony and the 2017 World Korean Community Leaders' Convention, which both opened together at Lotte Hotel World in Seoul.

“Let the Republic of Korea and overseas Koreans become one so that we can start a journey together toward a path for peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula,” said the president.

"Although they live in different areas, throughout our history Koreans both overseas and in the country have always been one,” said President Moon.

“When their home country suffered hardship, the unity among Korean communities became firmer, giving great encouragement and hope to all Koreans who were in despair,” said President Moon, praising the role of overseas Korean communities.

Mentioning some concerns that overseas Koreans may have concerning the current security conditions on the Korean Peninsula, President Moon emphasized his will to protect peace, saying that, “Though it's a rocky road, we will get through it wisely as it's the only path down which the Republic of Korea should go.”

“The Korean government and myself are doing our utmost to resolve the North Korean nuclear weapons issues in a fundamental manner. World leaders are responding to Seoul’s desperate appeals,” he said.


In order to transform tensions on the Korean Peninsula into peace, President Moon emphasized the importance of successfully hosting the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and of supporting overseas Koreans in this regard.

“The PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games is an important opportunity for you, myself and all of us to build peace on the Korean Peninsula,” said President Moon.

“In order to build peace on the Korean Peninsula and across Northeast Asia while in Pyeongchang, the roles of overseas Korean community leaders from 194 countries and that of 7.4 million overseas Koreans are significant,” he said.

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http://www.korea.net/Government/Briefing-Room/Presidential-Speeches/view?articleId=149820

arete@korea.kr