The National Unification Advisory Council (Hyun Kyung-dae, Executive Vice-chairperson) held the inaugural session to launch the 16th municipal chapters of Russia and Central Asia on July 16 ~ 22.
The inaugural session proceeded with the presentation of the letter of designation to the municipal chapter heads, branch chapter heads, and secretaries, reports on the action plans of the 16th Council, election of executive members, and decision on the project plans of the municipal chapter.
On July 16, the Vladivostok Municipal Chapter (Head: Lee Kyung-jong) was launched at Hyundai Hotel. There were a total of 100 participants including members and compatriots.

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  Presenting the Letter of Designation

  "Since our municipal chapter is located near the border of North Korea, our roles are more important than any other municipal chapters in the world. Therefore, the members should raise one voice for national unification," said Lee Kyung-jong, Head of Vladivostok Municipal Chapter, in his opening speech. According to Consul General Lee Yang-gu, the Russian government has keen interest in the Far East. “We need to let the Russians know that the unification of the Korean Peninsula corresponds to the interest of Russia as well," he said.

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  Opening address by Lee Kyung-jong

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  Reports by Shin Eun-sook, Director of Unification Policy Advisory Bureau

The Moscow Municipal Chapter (Head: Kim Won-il) was launched on July 19 at Korsoton Hotel, with 100 persons including members, compatriots, and VIPs of Moscow in attendance. In particular, Uzbekov, property managing director of Moscow Univ., Boronchov, manager of the Korean Study Center of Russia Science Academy, Mazegora, deputy director of Asia of Russia’s Foreign Ministry, Jebin, director of the Korean Study Center of Russia Science Academy, and Igor, director of Asia of the Voice of Russia, graced the ceremony.

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  Kim Won-il, Head of Moscow Municipal Chapter

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    Uzbekov, property managing director of Moscow Univ., and Boronchov, manager of the Korean Study Center of Russia Science Academy

  • "We will try our best to make the Korean Community harmonized and expand exchanges with Russians to secure friendly public opinion on the unification of the Korean Peninsula," said Kim Won-il, Head of Moscow Municipal Chapter, in his opening speech. The Moscow Municipal Chapter decided the business plan for the second half of the year including publicizing the Korean government's policy of unification to the Russians and instilling a sense of national unification among the next generation.

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  Presenting the Letter of Designation

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  Commemorative photograph of the Moscow Municipal Chapter

The Central Asia Municipal Chapter, organized by six countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tadzhikistan, and Azerbaijan, was launched on July 22, with 150 persons including members and compatriots living in such countries in attendance.

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  Central Asia Municipal Chapter

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  Lee Jae-wan, Head of Central Asia Municipal Chapter

  "Since the Chairperson of the Council, President Park, has strong will for national unification, members of the six countries should maintain close relations with one another to perform their roles according to the conditions and characteristics and fulfill obligations for the unification of our fatherland," said Lee Jae-wan, Head of Central Asia Municipal Chapter, in his opening speech.

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  Presenting the Letter of Designation

  "The Korean government promotes the Korean Peninsula Trust-Building Process with patience and broad-mindedness. We can achieve national unification if overseas Koreans join in such efforts," Ambassador Baek Joo-hyun said in his congratulatory message.

Sing-along Arirang, Central Asia Municipal Chapter

After the inaugural session, Prof. Choi Dae-seok of Ewha Women's Univ. gave a lecture on "Promoting the Korean Peninsula Trust-Building Process," explaining the background of proposing the government unification policy and roles of overseas Koreans in national unification.

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  Prof. Choi Dae-seok

"The Korean Peninsula Trust-Building Process involves developing the relations between South and North gradually, like laying bricks one by one, to achieve sustainable peace with harmony and balance. We hope that the foundation of peaceful unification of the Korean peninsula can be built by promoting practicable policy that people can sympathize with and by deriving international cooperation," Prof. Choi said in his lecture.
He added that Russia and Central Asia would play a key role in achieving the unification of the Korean Peninsula in the future. In this regard, he emphasized the importance of active contributions by the members of the Council and Korean communities in the regions.