The Status of the September 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration and the Call for Compliance with the Military Agreement

September 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration Turns Five: Former President Moon Urges Compliance with Military Agreement

Introduction

Exactly five years ago in Pyongyang, President Moon Jae-in and Chairman Kim Jong-un came together to issue the September 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration. This landmark agreement aimed at fostering peace and cooperation between North and South Korea by abolishing the Dongchang-ri engine test site, connecting railways and roads, and initiating various joint endeavors. However, recent discussions have questioned the effectiveness and relevance of the September 19 military agreement.

The Unkept Promises

Despite the high expectations, very little of the joint statement outlined in the September 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration has been implemented. Promised initiatives like the establishment of a permanent meeting center for separated families, joint hosting of the 2032 Olympics, and the reopening of the Kaesong Industrial Complex and Mount Geumgang tourism remain unfulfilled.

Former President Moon Reaffirms the Military Agreement

At the September 19 Joint Declaration ceremony held today, former President Moon emphasized the importance of the military agreement as the “last safety pin” to prevent military conflict between North and South Korea. He argued that breaking away from the misconception that conservative governments are better for the economy and security is crucial. Moon also highlighted the positive outcomes achieved during his administration, attributing them to the military agreement.

Opposition to Scrapping the Military Agreement

The Yoon Seok-yeol government is facing criticism for considering the suspension of the September 19 military agreement in the event of a North Korean invasion. Despite North Korea’s multiple violations of the agreement, including missile launches, the importance of maintaining its effectiveness is claimed by Moon and his supporters.

Conclusion

As the September 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration reaches its fifth anniversary, it serves as a reminder of the unfulfilled promises and challenges faced in inter-Korean relations. The future of the military agreement remains uncertain, with differing opinions on its efficacy. The hope for continued peace and cooperation between North and South Korea depends on the commitment and actions of both parties involved.

[앵커]

Exactly five years ago in Pyongyang, President Moon Jae-in and Chairman Kim Jong-un issued the September 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration.

The idea is to abolish the Dongchang-ri engine test site and connect the railways and roads between North and South Korea.

Also included was the Kaesong Industrial Complex, tourism Mt. Geumgang, a permanent meeting center for separated families, and joint hosting of the 2032 Olympics.

‘Military Agreement 9.19’ was also to prevent all military hostilities from targeting the other side.

However, very little of the joint statement has been preserved.

There are also recent claims that the September 19 military agreement should be scrapped.

At the September 19 Joint Declaration ceremony held today (19th), former President Moon called for compliance with the military agreement, calling it the “last safety pin” to prevent military conflict between North and South Korea, and he said that we must break away from the false myth that the conservative government is better for the economy and security It hits the government directly.

This is reporter Su-min Lee.

[리포트]

Former President Moon Jae-in chose the commemoration of the 5th anniversary of the Pyongyang Joint Declaration on September 19 as his first official event since leaving office.

He said that inter-Korean relations have collapsed to the point where one wonders when such a day has ever happened, and that it is unfortunate and complicated.

He said, “Peace is economics,” and claimed that security and economic performance were significantly better under the progressive governments led by Kim Dae-jung, Roh Moo-hyun, and Moon Jae-in.

[문재인/전 대통령 : “‘안보는 보수 정부가 잘한다’, ‘경제는 보수 정부가 낫다’ 이런 조작된 신화에서 이제는 벗어날 때가 되었다는 것을….”]

Former President Moon singled out the inter-Korean military agreement as the most important achievement of the September 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration.

It was defined as the first concrete arms control agreement signed between North and South Korea.

He emphasized that thanks to the military agreement, there was no military conflict between South and North Korea during the Moon Jae-in administration, and no one was sacrificed as a result.

[문재인/전 대통령 : “남북군사합의를 폐기한다는 것은 최후의 안전핀을 제거하는 무책임한 일이 될 것입니다.”]

We have made our opposition clear to the repeated claims that the September 19 military agreement should be scrapped.

The position of the Yoon Seok-yeol government is that if North Korea invades its territory again, as in the case of a drone that moves south of the Military Demarcation Line, it may consider suspending the effectiveness of the September 19 military agreement.

[신원식/국방부 장관 후보자/지난 15일 : “개인적으로 9.19 군사합의는 우리 군사적 취약성을 확대하는, 반드시 폐기가 되는 것이 바람직하다고 생각해 왔습니다마는….”]

North Korea has violated the September 19 military agreement a total of 17 times over the past five years, including firing a missile towards Ulleungdo in November last year.

This is Su-min Lee from KBS News.

Camera reporter: Park Sang-wook/Video editor: Jo Wan-ki

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