The Mission of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council (PUAC):

Together with the Korean People, I Will Open the Path to Peaceful Unification.

It is a great pleasure to meet you all. There is a Korean saying that even brushing sleeves in passing creates a bond, so I am especially grateful that we now have the opportunity to work together through an even deeper connection. First, I would like to once again extend my heartfelt condolences on the passing of former Executive Vice-chairperson and Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan. He was not only a trusted colleague with whom I shared difficult times but also a cherished friend and comrade. I, too, will carry on his vision by dedicating myself wholeheartedly to the cause of peaceful unification.

Wherever you go in Korea or abroad, the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council (PUAC) enjoys tremendous prestige. Many people aspire to become Council Members, and those who do serve with great dedication. At the same time, however, I am not sure the Korean public is fully aware of the work the Council carries out at the national level. At times, it seems to be overshadowed by the Ministry of Unification, and its own identity is not as visible as it should be. That is why I believe we need to further strengthen the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council (PUAC). When it comes to gathering public opinion on issues related to peace and unification, there is no organization better suited to the task than the Council. One of its greatest strengths is its ability to gather public opinion not only across Korea but also from overseas. Bringing those views together, presenting policy recommendations to the President, and broadly promoting peaceful unification are among the Council's most important responsibilities.

The Peaceful Unification Advisory Council (PUAC) is responsible for gathering public opinion on peace and unification and making policy recommendations, while the Ministry of Unification serves as the government's executive agency. I also intend to take a close look at whether the Council is effectively carrying out these responsibilities by properly gathering public opinion and making policy recommendations. Since my appointment, I have received many congratulatory and encouraging calls urging me to revitalize the Council. We need to renew our resolve by recognizing that the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council (PUAC) has an enormous responsibility and that we ourselves must remain fully aware of it.

We are living through an exceptionally critical period. North Korea is now advocating what it calls the "hostile two-state theory." In reality, there are indeed two states on the Korean Peninsula. Both Koreas are members of the United Nations, and the Korean people live in two separate states. At the same time, this reality differs from our constitutional x-framework in certain respects and therefore warrants careful consideration. During the previous administration, continued provocations toward North Korea may have contributed to its adoption of this position. As a result, the lingering tensions have not been easily resolved. The Ministry of Unification has continued to send messages of reconciliation to the North, and more recently, North Korea responded positively to remarks made by President Lee Jae-myung. I regard this as an encouraging sign. In the past, the leaders of the two Koreas even climbed Mount Baekdu together. By contrast, under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, the government's criticism of North Korea and its emphasis on unification through absorption must have placed North Korea in a difficult position. When actions become excessive, North Korea is likely to respond sensitively. These are serious circumstances. It has become more important than ever for us to gather public opinion on unification both at home and around the world and to communicate our activities more broadly. I believe this is the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council's unique role and responsibility. Therefore, I believe the Council can make a significant contribution to reconciliation and cooperation between the two Koreas. In particular, it has become increasingly important for us to gather public opinion on unification both at home and around the world, develop it into policy recommendations for the President, and communicate our activities more broadly. I believe this is the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council's unique role and responsibility. Let us work together to achieve these goals. Although I still have shortcomings in many respects, I sincerely ask for your support and cooperation. Together, let us do our very best. Thank you.