By Kim Minji and Kim Hwaya

"The voluntary actions of ordinary people will serve as the force for creating a 'new regime' on the Korean Peninsula."

President Moon Jae-in emphasized this quote in his op-ed "The Greatness of the Ordinary: Reflecting on the New World Order" to be run on May 10 by the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ). Every five years, the daily publishes a collection of editorials from former and incumbent world leaders such as former American President George H.W. Bush, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Pope Benedict XVI.

In praising the achievements of ordinary Koreans, the president cited two examples. The first was the March First Independence Movement of 1919, in which the people held mass rallies for liberation from Japanese colonial rule, and the other was the Candlelight Revolution of 2016, a series of peaceful protests against corruption in the Park Geun-hye administration.

Stressing a "community of life" regime under which both Koreas can coexist, President Moon said, "From now on, the North-South issue should not be misused for ideological or political purposes; rather, it must be expanded into an issue of life and existence for ordinary people." He added that going forward, the people can achieve peace on the Korean Peninsula and set a new world order.

The collection's publisher explained the background of including the president's op-ed by saying, "Including President Moon’s op-ed is important considering Korea's positive social and economic results achieved recently." 

The book containing his op-ed will be published in late May.

The text of his contributory piece can be read via the link below:
http://www.korea.net/Government/Briefing-Room/Presidential-Speeches/view?articleId=170812&pageIndex=1

kimmj7725@korea.kr