The 17th Inaugural Sessions of the Asian Municipal Chapters of the NUAC (National Unification Advisory Council) were held from July 1, 2015. Starting with the Southwest Asian Chapter on July 21, the municipal chapters in Vietnam, northern region of Southeast Asia and Southeast Asia held their inaugural session, respectively.
The inaugural sessions of the municipal chapters were attended by Shin Eun-suk (Director of the Council Member Activities Bureau) to encourage and congratulate them. Korean Ambassador to the region gave letters of appointment to the new council members, while Director Shin Eun-suk gave medal of merit to the former Vice-chairperson and head of the Chapter.
The inaugural session involved an opening ceremony, oath by new council members, letters of appointment to new council members and medal of merit to the former Vice-chairperson and head of the Chapter. South Korean President Park Geun-hye also sent a video message to throw light on the vision for the unification of Korea and show her love for the new council members.
Oath of Council Members
The program was followed by a briefing on the direction for the activities of the 17th NUAC and role of the council members, lecture on the conditions in Northeast Asia and North Korea as well as the trust process in the Korean Peninsula by an expert in unification, appointment of new council members and report on new projects.
Report of the Direction of Activities of the 17th NUAC
In her report on the direction for the activities of the 17th session, Director Shin Eun-suk said, "There are more than 3,000 council members in 117 countries, and they should play the role of a civil diplomat who encourage cooperation between Korean communities and build the basis for the unification of Korea by encouraging their support for the unification of Korea. She also urged them to take initiative to form a consensus on the unification policy among Koreans abroad, attract the support of the international society in the unification of the Korean Peninsula, renew the resolve of Koreans living abroad on the unification of Korea and gather their support in the process.
Special Lecture by Cho Yun-yeong, Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Chung-Ang University
Profession Cho Yun-yeong gave a special lecture on the international situation in Northeast Asia, recent conditions in North Korea, current relationship between South and North Korea, trust process in the Korean Peninsula, unification of the Korean Peninsula and role of Koreans living abroad in the unification. He urged the participants who're living abroad to attract the interest of the country of their residence, play the role of a mediator and locomotive in cooperation between South and North Korea and contribute to creating an international environment for the issue.
At the end of the inaugural session, the council members of the NUAC municipal chapters in Asia said that although they live in a different country, they promised to do their best in the unification of their home country by playing the role of a civil diplomat living in the area.
【Inauguration of the Southwest Asian Chapter】
Inauguration of the Southwest Asian Chapter
The Inaugural Session of the Southwest Asian Chapter (head of the Chapter: Eom Gyeong-ho) was held at 5:00pm on July 21, 2015 at the Galadair Hotel in Colombo, Sri Lanka with the participation of more than 100 people including Jang Won-sam, South Korean Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Ahn Seon-geun, Secretary of the ASEAN Chapter, council members from nine different countries (Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, Thailand, Miyanmar, Cambodia and Laos) and representatives of Korean communities.
▶In his opening speech, head of the Chapter Eom Gyeong-ho said, “I urge the council members to take the lead in gathering the opinions of Koreans living abroad in the unification of Korea and encouraging them to contribute to opening the era of unified Korea by renewing their resolve and concentrating their capabilities. I want you to build a basis for the unity of Koreans living abroad by creating an atmosphere for the unification of Korea."
▶South Korean Ambassador to Sri Lanka Jang Won-sam said, "It's very significant that the 17th inaugural session was held in the year when Korea celebrates its 70th anniversary of liberation. Please try your best to help people understand the importance of the unification of Korea and build a basis for the peaceful unification of the Korean Peninsula."
【Inauguration of the Vietnamese Chapter】
▶The council members of the Vietnamese Chapter promise to prepare for the peaceful unification of Korea.
The Inaugural Session of the Vietnamese Chapter (head of the Chapter: Yu Myeong-sik) was held on July 25, 2015 at the InterContinental Hotel Hochiminh.
▶Yu Myeong-sik, head of the Vienamese Chapter, said, "We'll help Koreans living abroad better understand the importance of the peaceful unification of Korea by forming a consensus on the unification policy among Korean communities as well as through regular forums on peaceful unification, workshops, seminars and lectures." He asked the support and cooperation of the Koreans living in Vietnam.
▶Park No-wan, Consul General to Hochiminh, thanked the Korean community in Ho Chi Minh and other areas in Vietnam for spreading the consensus on the unification of Korea, saying "I think we'll achieve the peaceful unification of Korea sooner with the concerted support of Korean communities."
【Inauguration of the Northern Southeast Asia Chapter】
▶The council members of the Northern Southeast Chapter promise to play their role while taking a group photo.
The Inaugural Session of the Northern Southeast Asia Chapter (head of the Chapter: Lee Yeon-baek) was held on July 27, 2015 at the Fairmont Makati Hotel in Manila, Philippines.
He asked for the support and cooperation of the Korean community by saying, "We fully support the President's unification policy. We'll make concerted effort to build the basis for the peaceful unification of Korea, which has been one of the long-cherished wishes of Koreans."
Lee Jae-wan, Consul General to the Philippines, urged the council members to play a leading role in opening the era of unified Korea in the international society by promoting discussions on all the good things about the unification of Korea how we should achieve it.
Director Shin Eun-suk, head of the Chapter Lee Yeong-baek, head of the Hong Kong Chapter Lee Gap-su, head of the Taiwanese Chapter and other council members visited the Monument for the Korean War and made a floral tribute to the soldiers.
【Inaugural Session of the Southern Southeast Asia Chapter】
▶The 17th Inaugural Session of the Southern Southeast Asia Chapter was held on July 29, 2015 at the Jakarta JW Marriott Hotel.
The Inaugural Session of the Soutern Southeast Asia Chapter (head of the Chapter: Jeon Min-sik) was held on July 29, 2015 at the Jakarta JW Marriott Hotel, Indonesia.
The inaugural session was participated by some 50 people including Cho Tae-yeong, South Korean Ambassador to Indonesia, Shin Gi-yeop, Chairperson of the Indonesia Korean Community, representatives of various organizations and heads of district chapters as well as over 50 council members including Seung Eun-ho, 16th Vice head of the ASEAN Chapter, Song Chang-guen, 17th Vice head of the ASEAN Chapter, Eom Gyeong-ho, head of Southwest Chapter, Sim Sang-man, Chairman of Idoji and council members of the Indonesian, Singapore, Malaysian and Brunei Chapters.
▶At 3:00pm, prior to the inaugural session, new council members from different countries had time to get to know each other in a meeting and to remind each other that they belong to the same organization.
▶Song Chang-guen, head of the 17th ASEAN Chapter, handed over a plaque of appreciation to former head of the Chapter, Song Eun-ho.
▶Jeon Min-sik, head of the Southeast Asian Chapter gave a welcoming speech by saying, "This inaugural session took place at a very important and meaningful time when talks on the unification of Korea are beginning to make progress in our society. It's also an opportunity for the Korean communities to get together and renew their resolve for the peaceful unification of Korea. You're a leader of the Korean community and a council member, I urge you to fulfill your responsibilities. As for other people who are present at this session, I want you to play your role as a diplomat for the peaceful unification of Korea while working for the unity of the Korean community."
▶Cho Tae-yeong, South Korean Ambassador to Indonesia, said, "In celebrating the 70th anniversary of Korea's liberation and division, I want you council members to take the lead in bringing unity to Korean communities, gather opinions of people in many different areas on the unification of Korea and form a consensus in the international society."
