International Symposium on 17th Anniversary of June 15 North-South Joint Declaration: Sanctions, Pressures Aren't Solutions

An international symposium was held on June 11 in central Tokyo to commemorate the 17th anniversary of the North-South Joint Declaration issued on June 15, 2000.  Scholars and analysts from South Korea, North Korea, North America, China, Russia and Japan discussed with the theme "Korean Peninsula and the East Asia, towards a new stage leading to peace." In the speech representing the organizers, FUJIMOTO Yasunari, Co-representative of the Peace Forum strongly criticized the hostile policy of the Abe administration against North Korea.  "The Korean Peninsula is in a state of ultra high tension now. We need to urge the United States to stop the provocation against North Korea. It is the only way to avoid a war. Japan must change its policy of subordination to the US and hostility against North Korea: It will otherwise be left behind in the international society," said Nam Sung-wu, vice-chairman of the central steering committee of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, speaking as a guest. The event closed with adoption of an appeal that reads "Neither sanctions nor pressures will solve the problem. The countries neighboring the Korean Peninsula should contribute to building an environment where North and South Korean states are able to spontaneously promote a dialogue, rather than unnecessarily pursuing a hostile policy against the North."   （By KANEKO Toru)

制裁や圧力では問題は解決しない！～6.15南北共同宣言 17周年・国際シンポジウム

 

６月１１日、東京・駿河台記念館２８１号室において、「６．１５南北共同宣言１７周年・国際シンポジウム‐朝鮮半島と東アジア、平和への新たなステージへ」と題した集会が開催された。シンポジウムには、日本と南北朝鮮、北米、中国、ロシアの識者を招き、参加者の間で議論を深めた。主催者を代表して、藤本泰成「フォーラム平和・人権・環境」共同代表が「安部政権の朝鮮を敵視した政策」を強く批判。続いて、来賓出席した南昇祐・朝鮮総連中央常任委員会副議長は、「朝鮮半島は現在『超緊張状態』が続いている。我々は今こそ米国の朝鮮に対する挑発を中止させる必要がある。それこそが戦争を回避できる唯一の手段だ。日本は対米従属と対朝鮮敵視政策を転換しなければ、国際社会から取り残される」などと言及。集会の終わりには、参加者で「制裁や圧力では問題は解決しない。周辺各国はいたずらに朝鮮を敵視するのではなく、北と南が対等な立場に立って自主的に話し合えるよう環境整備に寄与すべき」等とするアピールを採択し、終了した。（金子通）