President Lee Jae Myung on Sept. 23 gives a keynote speech at the United Nations General Assembly in New York. (Yonhap News)

By Lee Jihae

President Lee Jae Myung on Sept. 23 said in a keynote speech to the United Nations General Assembly in New York, "The Republic of Korea (ROK) will end the Cold War on the Korean Peninsula through the 'E.N.D. Initiative' and fulfill its responsibility and role to contribute to world peace and prosperity."

END stands for Exchange, Normalization and Denuclearization.

"The fact that exchanges and cooperation are a shortcut to peace is a timeless lesson demonstrated by the history of fraught inter-Korean relations," he said. "By gradually expanding inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation, we will pave the way for sustainable peace on the Korean Peninsula."

"It is crucial for both the ROK and the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea), as well as the international community to work together to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula," he added. "The international community must gather its wisdom in a pragmatic and phased solution beginning with a 'stop' in the sophistication of nuclear and missile capabilities, going through a 'reduction' process and reaching 'dismantlement.'"

"The Government of the Republic of Korea clearly reaffirms that it respects the North's current system, that it will not pursue any form of unification by absorption, and that it has no intention of engaging in hostile acts," President Lee said.

"This is the reason why we have proactively taken measures including halting the launch of leaflets and suspending broadcasts toward the North."

In his speech, President Lee also mentioned artificial intelligence (AI) and national goals for reducing greenhouse gases. He announced his plan to share his vision for the future of AI at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit starting late next month in Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province.

jihlee08@korea.kr