Monday, March 25, 2019

Korean peninsula sees peace at the end of tunnel

SEOUL: Seoul is hopeful that the Korean peninsula is soon going to witness a peaceful unity as the clouds of doubts have started clearing between the two Koreas – North and South – in recent years.
In his address during the inauguration ceremony of the Global Journalist Conference (GJC) 2019, in Seoul on Monday, Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Lee Taeho briefed the journalists from around the world about the latest developments in an attempt to reach an agreement that would bring Seoul and Pyongyang closer.
"Inter-Korean relations continue to look hopeful this year," he said, adding that the two Koreas withdrew guard posts in the demilitarized zone and hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for an inter-Korean railway linkage. "The Korean Peninsula is gradually transforming itself from the world’s last Cold War frontier to a symbol of world peace."
Calling the media to play a role in building peace on the Korean Peninsula, he said a peaceful Korean Peninsula was closely linked to the security of East Asia. "North Korea's participation in economic affairs in the region will help stabilize it."
As relations between North and South Korea has been moving towards more peaceful future, the year 2019 is expected to see both the countries start some of he joint projects. Though, South Korean has been openly talking about the significance of peace on the peninsula, the North has not denied the joint future that looks more promising and prosperous.
The week-long conference – organised by the Journalists Association of Korea (JAK) – also helped the international journalists to better understand Korea’s policies aimed at peace building.
Some 70 journalists from 40 countries around the world – on the occasion – not only discussed on 'Role of journalists in seeking peace on the Korean Peninsula,' but also presented their country case study. Some 13 participants presented their country case study and talked about the challenges media today is facing, globally and locally. They also discussed on responsibility of media in promoting world peace and how their reports can make a difference in the world.
Apart from Seoul, the journalists will visit some six major South Korean cities including Suwon, Sejong, Jeollabuk-do, Gwangju, Daejeon, Cheonan and Incheon, before leaving for their home country on March 30. The journalists will also visit traditional Korean houses at a Hanok Village, the Samsung Innovation Museum in Suwon, the Independence Hall of Korea in Cheonan, and the May 18th National Cemetery, commemorating the nation's democratization movement back in 1980.
After the inauguration ceremony, the Korea Tourism Organisation hosted a lunch for the journalists. President of the Korea Tourism Organisation Young Bae Ahn, on the occasion, informed the guests that South Korea witnessed a total inbound and outbound tourist volume of 44 million tourists. Highlighting the South Korea’s growing role in the global tourism industry, he informed that 15 million international visitors arrived in Korea while 28 million Korean tourists travelled overseas.

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