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Miami Herald
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
A civilizational vision for resolving the north Korean nuclear crisis
July 8 (UPI) --North Korea will not abandon its nuclear weapons. This is not a matter of opinion, but a strategic fact rooted in decades of historical precedent, failed diplomacy and shifting global dynamics. Despite successive rounds of sanctions, summits and deterrence-based policies, Pyongyang's nuclear program has only advanced. For the regime, nuclear weapons are not mere bargaining tools -- they are the ultimate guarantor of survival. And recent events have only hardened that conviction. The U.S. precision airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities in June served as a stark warning to nuclear aspirants. But to Pyongyang, the lesson was not about deterrence -- it was about vulnerability. Iran had restrained itself within international norms, only to see its key infrastructure reduced to rubble. Meanwhile, China, the largest importer of Iranian crude, suddenly found one of its critical energy lifelines threatened should the conflict escalate. The message was clear: Strategic autonomy requires robust deterrence. In the eyes of North Korea's leadership, nuclear weapons are the only true shield. Simultaneously, Pyongyang has solidified its place within an emerging axis of resistance. Its partnership with Iran, decades in the making, includes missile development, sanctions evasion and technical cooperation. Its relationship with Russia has grown dramatically in the context of the Ukraine war, with thousands of troops committed to it and reports of artillery transfers from North Korea in exchange for advanced military and satellite technology. These are not transactional alliances -- they represent a reorientation of global power, and North Korea is positioning itself as an indispensable node in this new order. In this geopolitical climate, efforts to achieve denuclearization through economic incentives or coercion are increasingly futile. The nuclear issue is not the disease -- it is a symptom of deeper structural conditions: division, distrust and existential insecurity. If we are to resolve the North Korean crisis, we must move beyond narrow diplomacy and adopt a transformative, visionary framework. That framework is the Korean Dream. The Korean Dream is not a political slogan. It is a civilizational blueprint rooted in Korea's founding ideal: Hongik Ingan, "to live for the benefit of all humanity." This ancient philosophy, which predates the peninsula's modern divisions, envisions a Korea unified not by conquest or coercion, but by shared identity, spiritual purpose and democratic ideals. It offers a future grounded in human dignity, freedom and mutual prosperity -- not only for Koreans, but as a model for the world. Central to this vision is the establishment of a unified liberal democratic republic on the Korean Peninsula -- one that guarantees the God-given rights of all people, North and South, and transcends the Cold War paradigm of containment. The Korean Dream provides a way to move forward without demanding the violent collapse of the North Korean regime. Just as Mongolia transitioned peacefully after the fall of Soviet communism, so too can North Korea contribute to the future of a unified Korea if its leadership is given security assurances and a stake in peaceful integration. Such a process would allow for the organic resolution of the North's nuclear and human rights challenges. As the North becomes part of a greater national framework rooted in freedom and transparency, it would naturally erode the rationale for nuclear weapons. Moreover, the integration of the North's labor force and natural resources with the South's capital, technology and global networks could elevate a unified Korea into the ranks of the world's top five economies. This new unified Korea would emerge not only as a regional stabilizer in Northeast Asia, but as a moral and economic leader in an era of fractured global governance. President Lee Jae Myung's early move to suspend loudspeaker broadcasts along the Demilitarized Zone was a small, but significant, gesture. It signaled, intentionally or not, a desire to reopen channels of dialogue. Historically, Pyongyang has been more responsive to progressive South Korean leaders who emphasize mutual respect and reconciliation. If this overture is followed by a broader strategy grounded in the Korean Dream, it could serve as the beginning of a new phase in inter-Korean relations -- one based not on fear, but on aspiration. To be clear, the Korean Dream is not naïve. It does not ignore the dangers posed by North Korea's nuclear arsenal or the regime's history of repression. But it rejects the notion that permanent division and cyclical crisis are inevitable. It offers an alternative to the failed frameworks of the past -- an alternative rooted in Korea's unique cultural heritage and its potential role as a bridge between East and West, authoritarian past and democratic future. What Korea needs now is not another summit or sanctions resolution, but a generational vision. The Korean Dream provides exactly that. It aligns moral legitimacy with strategic necessity. It empowers the Korean people -- in both North and South, as well as throughout the global Korean diaspora -- to take ownership of their shared destiny. And it provides the international community with a coherent and forward-looking narrative -- one that transcends transactional diplomacy and embraces principled statecraft. Only through unification grounded in shared identity, individual freedom and human dignity can the Korean Peninsula be truly stabilized and transformed. The Korean Dream is the roadmap -- not only for resolving the North Korean nuclear crisis, but for unlocking the full potential of the Korean nation and presenting the world with a model of principled reunification rooted in peace and prosperity. Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
UPI
08-07-2025
- Business
- UPI
A civilizational vision for resolving the north Korean nuclear crisis
A photo released by the official North Korean Central News Agency shows North Korea conducting the first test firing of the weapon systems on the multi-mission destroyer Choe Hyon at an undisclosed location in North Korea in late April. KNCA/EPA-EFE July 8 (UPI) -- North Korea will not abandon its nuclear weapons. This is not a matter of opinion, but a strategic fact rooted in decades of historical precedent, failed diplomacy and shifting global dynamics. Despite successive rounds of sanctions, summits and deterrence-based policies, Pyongyang's nuclear program has only advanced. For the regime, nuclear weapons are not mere bargaining tools -- they are the ultimate guarantor of survival. And recent events have only hardened that conviction. The U.S. precision airstrikes on Iran's nuclear facilities in June served as a stark warning to nuclear aspirants. But to Pyongyang, the lesson was not about deterrence -- it was about vulnerability. Iran had restrained itself within international norms, only to see its key infrastructure reduced to rubble. Meanwhile, China, the largest importer of Iranian crude, suddenly found one of its critical energy lifelines threatened should the conflict escalate. The message was clear: Strategic autonomy requires robust deterrence. In the eyes of North Korea's leadership, nuclear weapons are the only true shield. Simultaneously, Pyongyang has solidified its place within an emerging axis of resistance. Its partnership with Iran, decades in the making, includes missile development, sanctions evasion and technical cooperation. Its relationship with Russia has grown dramatically in the context of the Ukraine war, with thousands of troops committed to it and reports of artillery transfers from North Korea in exchange for advanced military and satellite technology. These are not transactional alliances -- they represent a reorientation of global power, and North Korea is positioning itself as an indispensable node in this new order. In this geopolitical climate, efforts to achieve denuclearization through economic incentives or coercion are increasingly futile. The nuclear issue is not the disease -- it is a symptom of deeper structural conditions: division, distrust and existential insecurity. If we are to resolve the North Korean crisis, we must move beyond narrow diplomacy and adopt a transformative, visionary framework. That framework is the Korean Dream. The Korean Dream is not a political slogan. It is a civilizational blueprint rooted in Korea's founding ideal: Hongik Ingan, "to live for the benefit of all humanity." This ancient philosophy, which predates the peninsula's modern divisions, envisions a Korea unified not by conquest or coercion, but by shared identity, spiritual purpose and democratic ideals. It offers a future grounded in human dignity, freedom and mutual prosperity -- not only for Koreans, but as a model for the world. Central to this vision is the establishment of a unified liberal democratic republic on the Korean Peninsula -- one that guarantees the God-given rights of all people, North and South, and transcends the Cold War paradigm of containment. The Korean Dream provides a way to move forward without demanding the violent collapse of the North Korean regime. Just as Mongolia transitioned peacefully after the fall of Soviet communism, so too can North Korea contribute to the future of a unified Korea if its leadership is given security assurances and a stake in peaceful integration. Such a process would allow for the organic resolution of the North's nuclear and human rights challenges. As the North becomes part of a greater national framework rooted in freedom and transparency, it would naturally erode the rationale for nuclear weapons. Moreover, the integration of the North's labor force and natural resources with the South's capital, technology and global networks could elevate a unified Korea into the ranks of the world's top five economies. This new unified Korea would emerge not only as a regional stabilizer in Northeast Asia, but as a moral and economic leader in an era of fractured global governance. President Lee Jae Myung's early move to suspend loudspeaker broadcasts along the Demilitarized Zone was a small, but significant, gesture. It signaled, intentionally or not, a desire to reopen channels of dialogue. Historically, Pyongyang has been more responsive to progressive South Korean leaders who emphasize mutual respect and reconciliation. If this overture is followed by a broader strategy grounded in the Korean Dream, it could serve as the beginning of a new phase in inter-Korean relations -- one based not on fear, but on aspiration. To be clear, the Korean Dream is not naïve. It does not ignore the dangers posed by North Korea's nuclear arsenal or the regime's history of repression. But it rejects the notion that permanent division and cyclical crisis are inevitable. It offers an alternative to the failed frameworks of the past -- an alternative rooted in Korea's unique cultural heritage and its potential role as a bridge between East and West, authoritarian past and democratic future. What Korea needs now is not another summit or sanctions resolution, but a generational vision. The Korean Dream provides exactly that. It aligns moral legitimacy with strategic necessity. It empowers the Korean people -- in both North and South, as well as throughout the global Korean diaspora -- to take ownership of their shared destiny. And it provides the international community with a coherent and forward-looking narrative -- one that transcends transactional diplomacy and embraces principled statecraft. Only through unification grounded in shared identity, individual freedom and human dignity can the Korean Peninsula be truly stabilized and transformed. The Korean Dream is the roadmap -- not only for resolving the North Korean nuclear crisis, but for unlocking the full potential of the Korean nation and presenting the world with a model of principled reunification rooted in peace and prosperity.
UPI
13-06-2025
- Politics
- UPI
Korean Dream Festival to mark 80th Liberation Day
Chung Un-chan, shown when he was prime minister, chairs the Korean Dream Festival Organizing Committee, The festival is planned for Aug. 15. Yonhap/EPA-EFE SEOUL, June 13 (UPI) -- South Korea will host the 2025 Korean Dream Han River Festival on Aug 15 at Ttukseom Han River Park in Seoul to commemorate the 80th anniversary of liberation from Japanese colonial rule and promoting a civic movement for Korean reunification. The details of the event were announced during a press briefing Friday at the Korea Press Center in central Seoul. The festival is being organized by the Korean Dream Festival Organizing Committee, chaired by former Prime Minister Chung Un-chan. Former National Assembly Vice Speaker Chung Woo-taik and former Democratic Party floor leader Lee Jong-kul serve as co-chairs. The festival is expected to draw more than 10,000 participants. Highlights include a 1,200-drone light show, a 1,000-member citizen choir and the debut performance of a new anthem for reunification. "Reunification is not a distant aspiration, but a stepping stone toward a new national transformation," Chung Un-chan said. "This festival will provide a space for hope and unity." Co-chair Chung Woo-taik described the Korean Dream as "a vision rooted in the national spirit of reconciliation and unity," while Lee Jong-kul urged broad public participation in recognition of the historic occasion. Executive Chair Seo In-teck emphasized the symbolism of the Han River, which is formed by the confluence of the South and North Han Rivers. "Just as the rivers merge and flow to the sea, this festival will represent the culmination of a national movement for harmony and integration," he said.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Korean unification: A new nation rooted in the Korean Dream
Feb. 20 (UPI) -- South Korea has long been heralded for its economic prowess and rapid modernization, emerging as a global leader in technology, trade and cultural exports. However, the recent political turmoil around the impeachment of President Yoon has revealed deep-seated flaws in the nation's governance, economy and social fabric. Similarly, North Korea continues to suffer under a totalitarian regime that stifles its people's potential and isolates the nation from global progress. The dysfunction on both sides of the peninsula transcends mere political struggles, reflecting a fundamental crisis that threatens the long-term stability and prosperity of the Korean people. The ultimate solution to these challenges lies in the peaceful unification of the Korean Peninsula, creating a new nation rooted in the vision of the Korean Dream, based on the Hongik Ingan ideal. A new nation recognizing the source of human rights and freedom A truly free and just society must acknowledge that the origin of human rights and freedom is God -- a transcendent being who grants dignity and liberty to all people. A unified Korea must be a nation that not only protects these rights, but also harmonizes the best of the East and the West. By integrating Korea's rich cultural heritage of moral responsibility and collective harmony with Western traditions of individual freedom and democracy, this new nation can set an example for the world in building a just and prosperous nation. A society divided and fractured South Korea's current turmoil has exposed deep-rooted fragmentation within its society. Political discourse has devolved into a battleground of ideological extremes, where progressives and conservatives prioritize factional victories over the common good. This division, arising from the Cold War framework, extends beyond politics, influencing social interactions, media narratives and corporate decision-making. It has led to a fractured nation, unable to forge a cohesive vision for the future. Meanwhile, North Korea remains isolated, exacerbating the disunity that prevents a shared national identity. Institutional erosion and distrust In this environment, the judiciary and prosecutorial systems, instead of serving as pillars of justice, have been weaponized to serve political and corporate interests. Successive administrations either have fallen victim to judicial crackdowns or used legal mechanisms to target opponents, creating an environment in which the rule of law is perceived as arbitrary and politically motivated. This erosion of institutional integrity has diminished public trust in the nation's ability to uphold fairness and transparency. In North Korea, political oppression and the absence of rule of law further deepens the crisis, leaving its people without recourse to justice or political representation. Economic inequality and structural corruption While South Korea's economic rise is often praised, the dominance of chaebols (large family-controlled conglomerates) underscores the nation's deep structural inequality. These corporate giants, entrenched in political favoritism, stifle competition and perpetuate an economic hierarchy that marginalizes smaller businesses and entrepreneurs. Corruption, cronyism and economic monopolization hinder innovation and social mobility, exacerbating inequality and social unrest. In North Korea, the state-controlled economy fosters extreme poverty and dependence on illicit activities for survival. The economic disparities between the two Koreas highlight the need for unification under a just economic system that empowers all citizens. Reforming the financial and banking system A unified Korea must reform its financial and banking systems to ensure that all citizens -- not just chaebols or political elites -- can access capital and opportunities. The current system, which concentrates financial power in a few large conglomerates, stifles creativity and economic mobility. By decentralizing financial resources, encouraging entrepreneurship and enabling easy access to funding, a unified Korea can foster a thriving economy in which young people and small businesses drive innovation and growth. Contrary to concerns about the cost of unification, this new nation will attract private investment from around the world, creating unparalleled economic opportunities, especially for the younger generation. Decline of the traditional family model A well-functioning constitutional republic requires moral and ethical citizens, yet South Korea has seen a deterioration in its traditional family structure, which has historically served as the foundation for character development and social harmony. The decline of the three-generational family model has weakened the cultivation of moral values, interpersonal relationships and a sense of responsibility across generations. As family bonds erode, so too does the ethical foundation upon which a stables society depends. In North Korea, family structures have been severely damaged by state interference, forced separations and economic hardship. Reviving the traditional family model, in which all members can cultivate healthy character and relationships through a three-generational structure, must be a core foundation for a unified Korea. An identity crisis: The need for a unifying national vision The chaos in South Korea's political sphere and the oppression in North Korea are symptomatic of a larger crisis of identity. The Korean peninsula lacks a unified vision rooted in fundamental and universal principles that transcend partisan interests and ideological divides. The absence of a shared ethos has led to inconsistent policies, wavering approaches to inter-Korean relations and unpredictable domestic reforms. Without a clear sense of national purpose, Korea remains vulnerable to internal discord and external pressures. Unification offers the opportunity to establish a new national ethos based on the Korean Dream --one that aspires to fulfill the Hongik Ingan ideal of benefiting all humanity by creating a just and moral society. Conclusion: The path to true national renewal South and North Korea stand at a critical juncture where superficial political reforms will not suffice. The Korean people must undergo a comprehensive renewal that addresses systemic weaknesses across all aspects -- political, economic and social --through the peaceful unification of the peninsula. A new Korea must recognize that true freedom and human rights originate from God, ensuring a government that protects these rights while harmonizing the strengths of Eastern moral heritage and Western democratic values. Reviving the traditional family model, restoring moral values and creating a just economic system that empowers all citizens will be essential to building this new nation. Far from being a financial burden, unification will attract private investment and generate unprecedented opportunities, especially for young people. By reforming the financial and banking systems, enabling broad access to capital and fostering a truly free and competitive economy, a unified Korea will unlock the full potential of its people. By embracing the Korean Dream based on the Hongik Ingan ideal, a unified Korea can overcome its historical limitations and dysfunctions, paving the way for true and lasting peace and prosperity. Now is the time for the Korean people to reclaim their shared providential destiny and forge a new future through peaceful unification rooted in the Korean Dream. Youngjun Kim is vice chairman of UPI. The views expressed in this article are his own and are not a statement of UPI's editorial views.
