“The peace we seek to build on the Korean Peninsula will not remain confined to the peninsula,” Han said in a keynote speech at the Seoul Defense Dialogue in Seoul.
“We will build a foundation that connects peace on the Korean Peninsula to stability in Northeast Asia and, ultimately, contributes to global peace and shared prosperity,” she said.
Han said growing global interconnectedness has made overseas conflicts increasingly consequential for South Korea, even when the country itself is not directly involved in war.
“We live in an era when wars elsewhere can have significant economic repercussions and affect people’s livelihoods even if no war breaks out in our own country,” Han said. “The world is more closely connected than ever, yet paradoxically, conflict and fragmentation are deepening.”
She stressed that peace is closely tied to economic security and growth.
“When peace is shaken, the foundation for growth is also shaken,” Han said. “Peace and coexistence are not ideals, but realistic choices for our people and our national interests.”
The prime minister said the government’s vision of an “indispensable Korea” does not mean a country seeking to move ahead alone.
Rather, she said, South Korea aims to strengthen its independent defense capabilities and deterrence while pursuing pragmatic diplomacy centered on the national interest, seeking common interests and promoting peaceful coexistence and shared prosperity through trust and dialogue.
Han also pledged to use South Korea’s advanced manufacturing capabilities, competitive defense industry, experience with democratization and global cultural influence to help build a safer and more prosperous world.
“We will also fulfill our responsibilities in peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, disaster response and reconstruction,” she said.
Describing the Seoul Defense Dialogue as a forum to discuss “how countries can create common interests in an era of turmoil,” Han said South Korea would take a leading role.
“South Korea will lead the way,” she said. “We will demonstrate through responsible action that coexistence can lead to shared interests.”
AJP Takeaways
- PM Han said Korean Peninsula peace should support stability in Northeast Asia and global prosperity.
- She called peace and coexistence practical choices for South Korea’s security, economy and national interests.
- Han pledged stronger deterrence, pragmatic diplomacy and a greater role in global security.
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