- 저자
- Won Hee-ryong (Governor, Jeju Special Governing Province)
- 발간호
- 2017-04
Message from Jeju, the Island of World Peace
It has been 12 years since Jeju was designated as the “Island of World Peace.”
Since January 27 2005 when Jeju was designated and declared as the Island of World Peace, it has operated various programs for peace. Through continuous 17 peace practicing projects pushed ahead without single cease, it has established solid infrastructure for peace promotion.
I think events such as establishment of the 4.3 Peace Park, concord between 4.3 Bereaved Families and Jeju Police Veterans' Association, and designation of 4.3 as national tribute day are good example of enabling the citizens of Jeju to overcome the unfortunate history through spirit of reconciliation and coexistence. The Jeju Forum, which is marking its 12th anniversary, is becoming a representative site of knowledge diplomacy pursuing peace and prosperity of East Asia.
The attraction of the Jeju's first international organization UNITAR (UN Institute for Training And Research) Jeju International Seminar Center, proactive Inter-Korean Exchange and Cooperation project by the local government, and international development cooperation project with underdeveloped countries, etc. are representative peace promoting projects that Jeju has pursued so far.
Established through peace promoting projects, the infrastructure of peace in Jeju are now entering into a new stage based on creativity and harmony.
The "carbon-free island" project, a vision of Jeju 2030, is turning into a vision of energy peace informing Jeju to inside and outside of the country. Not long ago, the Davos Forum from Switzerland was well-received by introducing the "green big bang strategy." "Jeju, the island of world peace," is now advancing into a "Jeju-type peace industry" with virtuous cycles of peace and economic profit.
There are peace projects that are unable to find direction due to internal and external difficulties.
In terms of external factors, North Korea’s continuing nuclear test, the deadlock between South and North, and the cold atmosphere in Korea-China relationship due to our deployment of THAAD are limiting Jeju’s role for world peace.
Internally, there are residents who have to overcome their pain of sacrifice and loss as a result of the construction of the 2nd airport, which is already confirmed as a government business. Moreover, there are many internal factors threatening the daily life of residents and peace, such as garbage issues, traffic congestion, parking issues, housing issues, real estate issues, etc.
I believe now is the time to put our utmost effort into finding alternatives and consider how we can overcome factors causing conflicts that broadly exist within our society.
Jeju Province will do its best to a peaceful community where everybody embraces and respects each other instead of fighting due to conflicts. We will also actively deal with issues that are threatening the peace of our daily life by broadening the scope of communication and enhancing governance with the province's citizen society.
Soon, Jeju, the island of world peace, needs to find a new impetus for peace promoting projects. Specifically, it should find new world peace promoting projects that differ from existing projects which rely on the nation’s resources as it upgrades Jeju’s reputation and future value.
Peace promoting projects by Jeju, which is celebrating the 12th anniversary of its designation as an island of world peace, will start to build a new horizon through the residents' participation and peace city diplomacy.
First of all, out of the 17 peace promoting projects being pursued under the government’s support, many have already been completed. So far, peace promoting projects participated in by residents stay still from its announcement. I believe now is the time to build specific plans for peace promoting projects participated in by residents and projects for internal peace of Jeju society. I will explore peace promoting projects participated in by residents as I work with private, public, academy, and research sectors.
Second, I will take the lead in active city diplomacy. City diplomacy is an act of diplomacy directly participated in by a city in order to resolve and prevent conflicts, build peace, and work for poverty reduction, humanitarian support, emergency rescue, etc. The United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) is asking all cities to provide new roles to regional areas and is also seeking their active participation in city diplomacy.
The city diplomacy of Jeju should be based on "peace" as its brand. From the perspective of peace city diplomacy, I will further extend and strengthen the global peace network that has been formed previously and advance and extend our relationship with other peace cities in the world. I will also push through with ODA projects based on peace as its brand, also known as the "peace ODA." Furthermore, I would like to upgrade the annual Jeju Forum to a global forum representing the city diplomacy of South Korea.
Now, we have a noble duty to build a peaceful Jeju Island through peace promoting projects led by the Jeju Government and its residents. I ask for your active interest, cooperation, and participation.
Photo Source: http://news.hankyung.com/article/2017052155861
Governor, Jeju Special Governing Province
Won Hee-ryong 원희룡