Gov. Oh Young Hun of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province on May 29 delivers the welcoming speech at this year's Jeju Forum held at International Convention Center Jeju in Seogwipo, Jeju Island. (Yonhap News)

By Koh Hyunjeong

The three-day Jeju Forum kicked off on May 28 at International Convention Center Jeju in Seogwipo, Jeju Island.

Marking its 20th year, the event offers a forum for domestic and foreign political leaders, renowned scholars and global entrepreneurs to discuss world peace and mutual prosperity.

Held under the theme "Harnessing Innovation for Peace and Shared Prosperity," the conference is expected to attract about 4,000 officials from about 30 countries with 53 sessions including one with world leaders and others to mark the 60th anniversary of the normalization of bilateral relations with Japan, maritime security, Korea-Africa ties and expansion of multilateral cooperation.

In addition, the 2025 Youth Declaration from youths and college students from 16 countries in Asia and the Pacific will be officially announced.

Launched in June 2001 to commemorate the first anniversary of the 2000 inter-Korean summit between then President Kim Dae-jung and North Korean leader Kim Jong Il, the forum seeks methods for peace and joint prosperity on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia.

hjkoh@korea.kr