Hyun Kyung-dae, Executive Vice-chairperson of NUAC, said that the Dresden Declaration would be the most efficient and practical way to assist North Koreans while preparation for unification is promoted. He gave a special lecture during the peaceful unification forum held on April 11 at the Dong River Sista in Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon-do. "The Dresden Declaration is most essential in the course of preparing for unification since it features humanitarian support, cooperation for North Korean economic infrastructure, and recovery of homogeneity," he said.

Hyun described the Maternity Project supporting a mother and an infant as an example. "We will render the required nutrition support until two years of age when the brain and basic physical frames are formed after infants are born. The Dresden Declaration covers the most urgent issues for the unification and future of the Korean peninsula.

The deficiency of nutrition of infants and babies in North Korea is extremely serious, and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon also pointed out that the DNA of the residents in South and North Korea might be different if the current situation would persist for another three decades. The reunion of separated families and maternity project are humanitarian proposals that should be implemented with top priority during the course of preparation for unification," he emphasized.

He cited the deteriorating economic situation of North Korea, explaining the exodus of cranes from North Korea as an example. Cranes are endangered species, with only 2,800 surviving in earth. At least 200 used to spend the winter season at the Cheorwon area, Gangwon-do, south of Demilitarized Zone, but the population is increasing greatly these years.

According to the study and report of the International Crane Foundation (ICF), since the cranes could not find fodder in North Korea due to serious economic difficulties, those that used to stay in North Korea during winter have come down southward. The Foundation sent fodder for the cranes to North Korea, but it was given either to the people or other animals. Thus, the cranes escaped from North Korea.

He quoted the New York Times report that Kim Jung-eun regime spends US$500 million to import luxurious items while the people there suffer from serious malnutrition. "Nevertheless, we cannot neglect North Koreans. It is necessary for us to approach North Korea, separating its regime from residents.

Now is a golden opportunity to achieve national unification when the national power and diplomatic power of Republic of Korea are at their highest. If national unification could not be achieved due to our insufficient preparation for unification, all of us commit a serious sin against the people and history," he explained.

He also mentioned the skepticism about national unification existing in some parts of our society. "I am aware that some of us worry about the possibility of integrating the heterogeneous situations between the South and North when harmony of the east and west parts of South Korea can hardly be achieved. Given our potential, which achieved the Han River miracle and democratization amid the devastation caused by war, preparation for unification and challenge afterward will actually be a great opportunity for another takeoff of our people. We can make the bonanza of national unification happen if our will is collected and concentrated by the passion and wish for unification," he said.

Hyun added that Gangwon Province has been playing great roles in making the Republic of Korea as it is now since the Korea War. We should pour our best efforts to make the Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games most successful and achieve peaceful unification of the Korean peninsula, he stressed.

"Korean Peninsula Trust-Building Process based on trust and principle made most of the people have dreams of unifying our country with the democratic system. North Korea should accept the Dresden Declaration as soon as possible for Gangwon Province to lead cooperation and exchange between the South and the North," said Jo Dong-yong, Vice-chairperson of Gangwon Assembly, in his opening speech.

According to Yeongwol County Mayor Park Sun-gyu, Yeongwol is a city of natural environments of long history flowing with Dong River and growing to be a supporting city for the Pyeongchang Winter Olympic Games. All of us wish Yeongwol to be a city of culture and creation with the bonanza of unification of the Korean peninsula," he said.

A total of 200 people including the chiefs of Gangwon-do municipal chapters of Gangwon Province of NUAC, local advisers, and members of the Gangwon Peaceful Unification Forum attended the forum held at the Donggang Cistar Resort.