The world has been showing great interest in the upcoming 2018 Inter-Korean Summit. Media outlets from around the globe are covering stories related to the Korean Peninsula, visiting the Demilitarized Zone and the summit venue of the Peace House in Panmunjeom, and interviewing displaced people who have had to flee their original homes in the North. In line with this, Korea.net is meeting with diplomatic envoys to Seoul to learn more about their perspectives on the upcoming Inter-Korean Summit.

By Sohn JiAe and Park Hye Ri
Photos = Jeon Han
Seoul l April 20, 2018



Finnish Ambassador to South and North Korea Eero Suominen says that it boils down to two things regarding the establishment of peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula: trust building and developing cooperation.

On April 19, about one week from the 2018 Inter-Korean Summit, the Finnish ambassador in Korea said that it won't be easy and that it would take quite a long time for South and North Korea, whose relationship has long been strained, to achieve the two goals of trust and cooperation.

“Small concrete steps are significant to build the road to a bigger objective,” said the ambassador, as he stressed that the summit between Seoul and Pyeongyang is the first step toward achieving the ultimate goal of peace and denuclearization.

“This summit is just the beginning that paves the way not only for the Washington-Pyeongyang summit, but also for further negotiations about different issues concerning the peninsula and the world,” he said.

These moves should lead to a peace treaty, Suominen emphasized. His idea is in line with President Moon Jae-in’s latest remarks that, “The armistice that has dragged on for 65 years must come to an end. The signing of a peace treaty must be pursued after an end to the war is declared.”

The ambassador stressed that a peace treaty not only between South and North Korea, but also between North Korea and the U.S. should be signed. "The U.S.’ role in peace on the peninsula is very important. In this sense, it’s a very positive sign that there’s dialogue between the U.S. and North Korea,” he said.

The ambassador was pleased to share with Korea.net some more of his expectations for the upcoming historic event.



- What was the reaction of your government to the inter-Korean summit?
We are happy about the positive turn of things. The Finnish government has been talking about dialogue for a long time, since the situation began to escalate. So we're really happy about the developments that started in the beginning of the year.

- What expectations and prospects do you have for the Inter-Korean Summit?
The biggest issue will be the peace treaty between the Koreas, and between the DPRK and the U.S. We hope that there will be sustainable little steps that move forward and bring positive results.

It would be difficult to get quick solutions to many different problems. The main issue now is to continue the dialogue that has recently started after being absent for such a long time.

- What do you think is the top priority for the establishment of peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula?
It's growing trust between the two sides. That's necessary for any future negotiations. Second is growing co-operation. I believe it will move ahead slowly, but hopefully steadily and concretely. There's quite a lot for both sides to gain, especially in the area of the economy.

- Any message of hope for this upcoming summit?
I hope that the 2018 Inter-Korean Summit will bring hope, trust and co-operation not only to the Korean Peninsula but to the whole world, too. Hopefully there will be concrete and sustainable first steps, that will carry on for quite a long way. I wish all the luck for this important and historical summit.

jiae5853@korea.kr