"President Park Geun-hye, Chairperson of National Unification Advisory Council, has an ambitious vision to create a new Korea where continental and ocean routes meet; and where the southern region and the ocean economy merge, making Eurasia as one. Seoul is the core of the Republic of Korea. I wish that all council members represent the pillar of national unification, while understanding the strong will and vision of being one."

NUAC (Hyun Kyung-dae, Executive Vice-chairperson) held the 16th Provincial Assembly from June 16 to July 7, where 16,434 council members from 17 local provinces and cities attended. In the meantime, the Seoul Assembly was held on June 24. During the provincial assembly, the council members recommended the policy that puts into effect the Dresden Declaration of President Park and discussed how to revitalize the "One to Five Movement to Meet with National Unification," which is to support the successful settlement of North Korean refugees in South Korean society.

"Create a New Culture where the Continent and Ocean Meet through the Eurasia Initiative"

NUAC held the 16th NUAC Seoul Assembly on June 24 at Sejong University under the title of, "Era of Unification Bonanza: Preparation for Unification." Hyun Kyung-dae, Executive Vice-chairperson of NUAC, Lee Jung-geun, Vice-chairperson of Seoul Assembly, Park Won-soon, Mayor of Seoul, Ryoo Kihl-jae, Minister of Unification and heads of 25 municipal chapters in Seoul were present among 2,200 council members of Seoul.

Songpa-gu Choir (Director Lee Eun-i) initiated the event before Seoul Assembly started, followed by reading the Practice Creed of Council Members” and airing the video message of President Park Geun-hye.

President Park said in the video message, "Domestic situations are rather difficult in many aspects at the moment and the nuclear development by North Korea and its provocation threat continues. Nevertheless, we can overcome the current crisis by initiating more positive activities of NUAC members who take important roles in our society." After Lee Jung-geun, Vice-chairperson of Seoul Assembly delivered the opening speech, congratulatory messages were given by Hyun Kyung-dae, Executive Vice-chairperson and Park Won-soon, the mayor of Seoul, while Minister of Unification Ryoo Kihl-jae presented the "Reports on the Current Status of Promoting Unification Policy" and Shin Eun-suk, director of Council Member Activities Supporting Bureau, presented the "Reports on 2014 Major Business."

• Hyun Kyung-dae, Executive Vice-chairperson, said in his speech, "Younger generations of Korea worry more about the cost of unification. However, Korea can be one of the world’s Big 3 Economic Powers if the two Koreas are unified by the initiative of South Korea, according to the recent reports of Goldman Sachs & Company, a U.S. investment institution. President Park's Eurasia Initiative Plan is not only to unite the divided territory of Korea but to also make meaningful contributions to the peace and prosperity of Northeast Asia and the world. It is an ambitious unification plan that will create a new culture in the Korean Peninsula, where the continent-ocean routes and southern region-ocean economy meet." He requested the council members to understand the strong will and vision of the government to achieve national unification, and to be the leaders of national unification.

• Lee Jung-geun, Vice-chairperson of Seoul Assembly, said in his opening address, "Our society has been paying less interest in national unification as the South-North division continues. Under such situation, roles of the council members to raise the people's bond of sympathy with the unification are very important. On the occasion of holding the Seoul Assembly, the council members should convey the policy and vision of the government for national unification to the citizens more actively in order to lead their minds in one direction."

• Park Won Soon, the mayor of Seoul, said, "We realize the Korea Discount by the South-North conflict to be the discount of Seoul. Exchange and cooperation programs between South and North, combining the exchange in the areas of society, culture and sports with the aid project for North Korea, will be promoted more positively. Advice, support and cooperation of NUAC members are required for Seoul to join and lead the historical grand march towards the peace of the Korean Peninsula."

• Ryoo Kihl-jae, minister of Unification, said in his 'Reports on the Current Status to Promote Unification Policy,’said, "Unification is not a matter of discussion on whether it would be an opportunity of crisis but it is a must like our destiny. Unprepared national unification could be disastrous but prepared unification could be a blessing. Three basic elements to achieve peaceful unification are: ▲ Developing an inter-Korean relationship through the Korean Peninsula Trust-Building Process ▲ Communicating and cooperating with surrounding countries ▲ Establishing our own preparation for unification. In particular, such preparation will demand the younger generation's better and correct recognition on the national unification. The issue of unification will be solved by cultural discussions rather than those on politics, the military and economy.
  We should try to lead the younger generation to solve the resentment of "division" through the pleasure and mirth of "unification," and let them realize the necessity of achieving national unification."

Lee Ho-ryeong, central committee member (researcher at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses) proposed the following for establishing the livelihoods of North Korean people: Expanding inter-Korean cooperation by forming a composite agricultural complex by and between the local governments of South and North Koreas ▲ Supporting 21st century cooperation projects to achieve the "Miracle on the Daedong-gang” (a river flowing around Pyeongyang, the capital city of North Korea) similar to the on the of South Korea miracle ▲ Promoting development and cooperation projects for North Korea.

Kim Hae-won, council member (professor of Pai Chai University) recommended the following under the subject of "Establishing international environments to realize Dresden Declaration": ▲ Enhance the publicity of the Dresden Plan and continue the discussion about it with internal stability ▲ Promote humanitarian aids for North Korea through international organizations ▲ Establish an inter-Korean policy based on the Korea-U.S. partnership and strategic dialogue between Seoul and Washington, D.C. ▲ Induce Beijing’s participation with various multi-lateral consultative groups ▲ Promote a three-party economic cooperation among South, North Korea and Russia.

Nam Gwang-gyu, executive committee member (professor of Korea Univ.) recommended the following for 'Humanitarian aids for North Korea': ▲ Humanitarian aids for North Korea should supply practical goods required by North Korean people for their daily living ▲Humanitarian aids should be implemented with the solidarity and support of international societies to reduce poverty and for human development ▲ Express our willingness of rendering continuous support in large scale including disease control, protecting mother and children, improving nutrition and water quality and support electric power.

Jungnang-gu and Gangnam-gu Municipal Chapters introduced their successful cases. Cha Cheon-mun, secretary of the former, reported its chapter's activities under the ‘Living Guide for the North Korean Refugees, and Supporting Their Settlement in the South Korean society, 'We are the Same Jungnang Families', 'Mentoring Workshop,’ 'Football Match between Seoul and Pyeongyang Wishing National Unification,’ and 'One to Five Movements Meeting with National Unification.’ Professor Jun Sun-young of Yongin University explained the overall outlook, current status, evaluation and future plans of the ‘Council Members’ Mentoring Program in Preparation for Unification,' which has been promoted with the Gangnam-gu Municipal Chapter.

Lee Jung-geun, Vice-chairperson of the Seoul Assembly, adopted the recommendation for the unification policy and special agenda to be submitted to the government with unanimous agreement of the council members in attendance. The Seoul Assembly closed in song with, "Our Wish is Unification."

• Namgung Geum-sun, council member, read the "Resolution to Practice Preparation for National Unification." Afterwards, the council members pledged the following: ▲ Council members shall lead in building the environments to achieve President Park's Dresden Plan as soon as possible ▲ Council members shall actively participate in achieving national integrity for unification ▲ Council members shall actively promote the "One to Five Movement for Unification" ▲ Council members shall work together in achieving unification both at home and abroad.

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  Jeong Ok-chae, council member

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  Shin Dong-won, secretary

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  Park Min-seon, chief of Youth Standing Committee

Jeong Ok-chae, council member (Gangnam-gu Municipal Chapter): “Attending a municipal chapter meeting is a good opportunity for the members to express their opinions and suggest their ideas on the government’s policy on national unification. The explanations on President Park's theory of Unification Bonanza, were clear on why Koreans should enhance their recognition on unification.”

Shin Dong-won, secretary (Nowon-gu Municipal Chapter): “I did not know exactly what to do first in preparation for national unification, but now it is clear that I should support the cultural exchange between South and North Korea, and to help with the successful settlement of North Korean refugees in South Korean society. The council members’ actual practice of such support in their everyday lives will be helpful for achieving unification.”

“This kind of meeting was absolutely required to prepare ourselves for national unification. I also wish it will be given to the younger generation so that they can participate in the unification movement more positively. That way, all the council members will support them to the fullest extent.”

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  Kang Gyeong-il, chief of Youth Standing Committee

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  Kim Yun-jeong, council member

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  Kim Heung-hwan, council member

Kang Gyeong-il, chief of Youth Standing Committee of Gangbuk-gu Municipal Chapter: “It's my first time attending the Seoul Assembly. I realized the necessity of national unification, and the words of the Minister and Executive Vice-chairperson of NUAC were of great help for me to better understand the national policy of unification. I am determined to exert more effort in letting the students and youth empathize with the unification bonanza.”

Kim Yoon-jeong, council member of Dongdaemun-gu Municipal Chapter: “It was a great opportunity for me to understand the government's unification policy and plan, and to listen to the various recommendations by the council members. I was able to obtain better and realistic ways to practice preparation for national unification."

Kim Heung-hwan, council member of Gwanak-gu Municipal Chapter: “The unification training session for council members was really helpful in preparation for unification. I am now working for the Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation, and we plan to promote performances and a charity bazaar with North Korean refugees living in our district.”

• Yeo Su-ok, administration manager of Seoul Assembly: “Above all, I appreciate the council members attending the Seoul Assembly. Over 2,200 council members, including administration managers of 25 districts in Seoul, participated in the meeting and it was great success.”