Following is the keynote address given by President Lee Myung-bak of the Republic of Korea at the 9th IISS (International Institute for Strategic Studies) Asian Security Summit, the Shangri-la Dialogue on Friday, June 4.

Vision for a Global Asia and the Role of the Republic of Korea

Your Excellency Prime Minister Lee Tsien long,
Excellencies, distinguished government representatives,
Mr. Chairman of IISS, distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentleman,

I would also like to thank His Excellency Senior Minister Goh and Minister Mentor Lee, two individuals whom I respect deeply.

First of all, thank you for inviting me to speak today. The Shangri-la Dialogue is recognized as one of the most preeminent forums that deals with security and stability of the Asia-Pacific region.

In particular, I am grateful that I have been given this opportunity to share my thoughts on the security situation in and around Korean Peninsula since inter-Korean relations have been attracting quite a lot of attention these days.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

Asia is now a region that is leading the world in all aspects. It has become a “Global Asia.” In politics, economics, science, technology and education, Asia has shown remarkable leadership and immeasurable progress.

Asia is one of the main pillars sustaining the global order of today. What Asia does and how it interacts with others, in fact, will determine the 21st century. And this is why it is time for Asia to think more about its global role and responsibilities. 

Asia has been advocating open regionalism and APEC has been its main vehicles to realizing this goal. APEC has been pivotal in fostering closer ties with our partners across the Pacific and we have worked together towards peace and common prosperity.

Through APEC, Asia has strived to achieve closer cooperation and integration with its members and partners. Working toward the aim of liberalizing trade and investments by 2020, it has also recognized the urgent need to tackle global challenges such as eradicating terrorism, fighting climate change, stopping the proliferation of nuclear weapons and materials and working towards attaining food and energy security. It has also expanded its scope to discuss issues such as food safety and health-related issues which will improve our overall well-being as well as attain what we now call human security. So, as we can see, Asia has done a remarkable job of expanding the scope and level of cooperation which has led to real and tangible results.

Recently, in addition to the Asia-Pacific wide broad partnership, we are witnessing a new chapter of intra-regional cooperation as well.

ASEAN, which was always a huge and immensely attractive common market, has always been a model of regional cooperation and in recent times, it began to expand its scope further by strengthening its ties with the ASEAN+3 as well as the ASEAN+3+3 members. By doing so, ASEAN has now become the indisputable hub of Asia, linking together Northeast, Southeast, Oceania and West Asia as one.

In 2008, following Korea’s proposal, the annual Korea-China-Japan Trilateral Summit has been taking place which has fostered closer ties among the three Northeast Asian nations. We are pleased to note that this forum has greatly contributed to Northeast Asian cooperation.

Last weekend in the Korean island of Jeju, the third Trilateral Summit was held. The three leaders decided to set up a cooperation office in Seoul and we also adopted “Vision 2020” which lays out the various cooperation projects for the next ten years. Furthermore, the three countries also agreed to improve and strengthen our common investment standard which I believe will promote more interaction within Northeast Asia.

Distinguished guests,

As such, Asia has grown and become close together. And now, Asia must take on more responsibilities as part of a global family. There are innumerable challenges of varying scale and intensity; some are urgent while others require long-term responses. What is important, however, is that we work together as one. Problems nowadays are way too complex,; no single country can do it alone.

If we wish to have a Global Asia that ensures common prosperity and that promotes better cooperation, then we must be prepared to deal with the security issues of today as well as that of tomorrow.

Right now, Asia is faced with both the traditional security threats and the new types of comprehensive security threats are remnants of the 20th century such as extreme nationalism or the conflict surrounding history. The proliferation of WMD is also a problem that we have inherited from the past. While the Cold War is over, the threats still remain.

On top of these “old: problems, we now have “new” challenges. Tackling climate change, attaining energy and food security, maintaining healthiness in our financial system, eradicating terrorism, preventing cyber attacks, stopping the illicit trafficking of drugs as well as humans are all new types of threats and challenges. These challenges are not stand-alone challenges but rather, they are often complex and interconnected. In this sense, they are comprehensive threats that require innovative solutions.

Modern-day hybrid conflicts directly and indirectly affects all counties and regions, in one way or another. Especially in this day and age when globalization is so widespread and the spread of information so rapid, the complexity of security issues remind us of the importance of common responsibilities.

No one country can tackle it alone but rather, regional and international cooperation is vital. One good example is the global financial and economic crisis that we are still in the process of overcoming. When this latest crisis first hit us and as we worked together to overcome it, we immediately understood again how important it is for the global community to work together. Likewise, I believe Asia must do more to resolve global security issues. This is because Asia can and it must.

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

The Republic of Korea has been through a war and how devastating it can be. We know how precious freedom and liberty is. We know what it is like to be hungry and poor. We also know how hard it is to safeguard and defend what is sacred. We know that this entails sacrifice.

When the Korean War began in 1950, more than two million soldiers in total took part. Sixteen countries from around the world, including countries as far away as the United States, Ethiopia, Sweden and Turkey among others, came to our aid. Out of these young and brave soldiers, more than forty thousand of them lost their lives. The freedom and liberty that we Koreans enjoy today and values that are espoused in our constitution was possible because these young men and women came to help us in times of desperate need. It is because of these brave souls that the Republic of Korea is today a true democracy with a robust market economy.

This year, we are commemorating the sixtieth anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War. We are fortunate to have achieved so much during the last sixty years. We were once one of the poorest countries in the world with a per capita GDP of forty-some US dollars. Today, our per capita GDP is twenty thousand. We are proud of our dynamic democracy, our free society and our vigorous and open economy.

A young boy who once stood in line to receive used clothes from foreign missionaries now stands before you as president of the Republic of Korea. I know what it is like to be in want. I have benefited from other people’s compassion and so I know more than others what kind of help should be given to those in need.

Last December, the Republic of Korea became an official member of the OECD Development Assistance Committee, or DAC. In just one generation, the Republic of Korea has become a country that gives from a country that received. In just one generation, we are now in a position to provide help to those in need.

This remarkable achievement goes out to all those who fought for us and for those who helped us when we were in desperate need. The international community should be proud of our success. The Korean people are proud that we did not let you down but that our courageous efforts have led to such phenomenal growth.

The Korean people who have been through wars and destitution are now prepared to contribute to global peace and prosperity. We are committed to bringing peace and prosperity to Asia. We are ready to do our part.

The Republic of Korea will be providing the most effective form of aid to developing countries. These include providing vocational training and educational programs that will help them achieve sustainable economic development. Based upon our own experience, we will tailor our assistance so that it yields the maximum result.

We will continue to increase out ODA and also send more and more young Koreans abroad who will serve and assist our friends around the world, fostering better relations and building friendships. Our peacekeeping forces that are currently operating in 14 countries across 17 different regions as part of the UN and multinational peacekeeping forces will be expanded so that they contribute in maintaining peace and stability.

Distinguished guests,

The G20 summit, which is the premier forum for international economic matters, represents the 85% of the global GDP. This coming November, the Republic of Korea will be hosting the G20 Summit and we will do out best to ensure sustained and balanced growth of the global economy. The G20 will be discussing ways to coordinate policies and ensure that the global economy is put on a path of recovery and stable growth. Furthermore, it will be imperative to focus out attention on the post-crisis global economic management.

If we are to ensure a sustained and balanced growth of the global economy, we must discuss the rebalancing of the global economy, governance reform of international financial institutions like the IMF and others and carrying out regulatory reform which regards to large scale financial institutions. And of course, we must faithfully implement what have already been agreed at the previous G20 Summits.

Another important factor that will determine whether we manage to achieve sustainable growth for the global economy is whether developing and emerging countries are able to achieve economic development. I believe this is an important point and that is why I will actively engage and reach out to developing countries as well as non-G20 states so that their concerns and needs are adequately reflected. For instance, we will be discussing the establishment of a global financial safety net and the issue of increasing economic assistance to least developed countries.

Distinguished guests,

The first Nuclear Security Summit that was held in Washington DC last April was the largest security-related summit gathering since the end of the Cold War. In particular, the news of the United States and Russia signing a new START gave us renewed hope that a “world without nuclear weapons” could very well be realized in our lifetime.

If we hope to live in a world without nuclear weapons, it is imperative that nuclear weapon states continues to reduce their stockpiles but also, it is equally important for us to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons technology and materials.

The Republic of Korea will be hosting the second Nuclear Security Summit in 2012. As the North Korean nuclear weapons issue remains as one of our gravest challenges to stopping proliferation, we will work with our partners to make the world is a safer place. The fact that summit will be held in Korea adds to its significance. By working with our friends and partners, we will make sure that no rogue country or organization succeeds in acquiring or obtaining nuclear weapons or related technologies. At the same time, we will encourage and assist the peaceful use of nuclear materials.

Out darkest nightmare would become a reality of terrorist organizations were able to obtain nuclear weapons and/or related materials. To prevent this from ever happening, we must work together and share what we know with others. Information sharing and consolidating our network is vital.

Distinguished experts, ladies and gentlemen,

The world is undergoing rapid changes and each country is trying to stay ahead. We seek to be more competitive by predicting what the future trends may be and we continuously try to adapt and evolve. However, there is one country in the world that still refuses to change. There is one country that is still living in the past. That country is North Korea.

In the aftermath of the Second World War, the Korean Peninsula was one of the poorest regions in the world. It’s been sixty years since the end of the Korean War and the difference between the two Korea is start. North Korea, despite its appalling economy, is still engaged in nuclear weapons development.

In 1993, North Korea’s attempt to develop nuclear weapons was uncovered and the following seventeen years was spent trying to resolve this issue. Countless meetings took place, negotiations were hammered out, promises were made and documents were signed. But, the result was North Korea conducting underground nuclear tests not once but twice.

The Six Party Talks that have been held so far failed to deal with the core issue. Although it managed to attain partial freeze of the North Korean nuclear weapons program and compensation measures and agreements were subsequently reached, implementation was always delayed and eventually abandoned altogether. This was a very familiar and repetitive cycle throughout these years.

Nonetheless, the members of the Six Party Talks exercised patience and continued to encourage North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons ambitions. Up until recently, they were pursuing dialogue and seeking to engage with North Korea in negotiations so that we could peacefully resolve this issue.

It was then that North Korea, on the night of March 26th, infiltrated our territorial waters and attacked one of our navy corvettes by firing a torpedo. The sinking led to the deaths of forty six of our young sailors. North Korea violated our sovereignty and attacked our armed forces, which clearly makes this a military provocation.

However, this latest act of aggression is, of course, not the first to be perpetrated by North Korea against the Republic of Korea.

In 1983, the North Koreans attempted to assassinate the president of the Republic of Korea when he was on a state visit to Myanmar. Although the North Koreans did not succeed in their assassination attempt, we suffered terrible losses as seventeen of our highest-ranking cabinet members and other officials were killed, including our then Deputy Prime Minister. Four years later in 1987, North Korean agents succeeded in detonating a tie bomb which they planted in a Korean Air flight. As it was flying over Thailand, it was blown up, killing all 125 passengers on board.

On both occasions, the culprits were captured and confessions were made; irrefutable evidence proving their wrongdoing was obtained as well. However, North Korea insisted that they had nothing to do with both incidents and even asserted that it was fabricated by my government.

This time, however, in order not to give them any room to somehow wriggle out of, my government called for an international inquiry into the investigation of the sinking. Experts from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Sweden took part in the investigation team. We also obtained irrefutable, decisive evidence that no one could deny, proving beyond a doubt that it was North Korea who carried out the attack. The wreckage that was salvaged in the seas near the sinking has been accurately determined as part of the propellant of a North Korean manufactured CHT-02D, an acoustic sensored torpedo.

However North Korea is again saying they had nothing to do with the sinking. Instead, they are saying that the United States military mistakenly fired at the ship and caused it to sink. Such outlandish assertions are laughable and they continue to say that the Republic of Korea and the United States are trying to frame North Korea by calling on them to take responsibility.

North Korea has repeatedly attacked us, time and time again. But every time we exercised patience and refrained for the sake of peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula. But if we are to once again tolerate North Korea’s blatant act of violence, then I believe that will not promote but endanger the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula and that of Northeast Asia.

North Korea pursuing its nuclear weapons ambition and the recent attack by North Korea against the Cheonan are not matters pertaining only to the Republic of Korea. These are serious threats to peace, stability and prosperity of Northeast Asia and global security. It seriously undermines global peace. It is a direct threat against our values. This is why all those taking part in the Six Party Talks, together with the international community, must work together.

Today, the Republic of Korea government referred the matter of North Korea’s attack against the Cheonan to the United Nations Security Council. If we think that after awhile North Korea’s action will be condoned and that stability on the Korean Peninsula will somehow be maintained, then we would be fooling ourselves because North Korea would once again resort back to attacking others.

North Korea must admit its wrongdoing; it must pledge to never again engage in such reprehensible action. This is in the interest of peace. This is the interest of North Korea.

It is the responsibility of the international community to help the North Korean leadership understand this: buying time to build nuclear weapons is not going to help them achieve their goal of becoming a so-called “Strong Nation.” Such wishful thinking will in no way ensure their survival.

I take this opportunity to thank the international community for giving us their support. I ask that you continue to support our efforts.

I urge the North Korean leadership to heed to final document that was unanimously adopted by the 189 members who took part during the NPT Review Conference last May 28th. Give up your nuclear weapons ambition.

It is never too late for North Korea to give up their nuclear ambitions. It is never too late to embark on the path of mutual benefit and common prosperity with the Republic of Korea. When it does, then the people of the Republic of Korea will welcome and support them.

Our Grand Bargain proposal aims to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue by providing security assurance and economic assistance in exchange for North Korea fully giving up their nuclear weapons ambitions. Let us not concern ourselves with when the Six Party Talks resumes. Instead, we must hammer out a grand bargain to fundamentally resolve the North Korea issue through the Six Party Talks.

Let me be very clear: we do not seek confrontation and conflict. Our utmost concern, as always, is the maintenance of peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula. We dream of achieving peaceful reunification and common prosperity for all Koreans. This is our ultimate vision.

The Korean Peninsula must not remain as a place synonymous with conflict, strife and division. It must now become the cradle of peace in Northeast Asia. And for this, we will continue to work with our friends, partners and allies across the world.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Peace in the 21st century must not simply mean the absence of violence and war. Genuine and lasting peace in this century must be a peace where the causes of conflict are fundamentally addressed; we must actively pursue the kind of peace where everyone can realize their vision of a better life, where freedom and liberty is protected and a prosperous future is ensured.

The future ahead of us will be fraught with dynamic challenges and we will be tested at every stage. Perhaps preparing for everything that will happen in the future, both expected and unexpected may be impossible. However what I am certain of is that it is much more wise and effective if we prepare for the future “together” rather than “alone.”

Let us put behind the years of conflict. Let us have within us a global mind that encompasses regions and the world.

Let us respect our diversity, our traditions, our history and our religions. Doing so is the first step to becoming a true global citizen. In this regard, I believe the key theme of this year’s Shangri-la Dialogue must be about how to create a peace mechanism that will maximize Asia’s economic dynamism and tap into the vast potential that is uniquely Asian.

The future of Asia must be a place where dreams are realized and where diverse people come together to strive for a common purpose. It must be about working towards common prosperity. It must be about working to resolve global issues together with others. This is because we all have a stake; we must do our part to further welfare, wellbeing and security of all humankind.

I wish you great success as you engage in discussions regarding important themes. Once again, thank you for inviting me to speak. Thank you.