Honorable Former Prime Minister Lee Hong-gu,
Honorable Former Prime Minister John Howard,
Chairman Park Jin of our National Assembly
Distinguished Guests and
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to extend my warmest welcome to all of you.

It is indeed a great pleasure for me to host this luncheon today for such an array of distinguished guests, who have gathered here in Jeju-Island from all around the world.

Let me start by sharing an interesting story about this beautiful Jeju-Island.

They say that there are three things that cannot be found on Jeju-Island. I mean three things are missing here on the island.

Thus, it has been dubbed "the island of three no's” because not only are there "no front gates", but also "no beggars" and "no thieves."

This would be possible only in a society built upon a foundation of genuine neighborly trust and a true willingness to help each other.

And from this tale, we can see that Jeju-Island has fostered a tradition of coexistence, characterized by its love for peace.

In this age of globalization, where the walls and barriers between countries are rapidly disappearing, Jeju-Island, with its long-standing tradition of maintaining a peaceful community, offers a model for all of us to follow.

And, with the designation of Jeju as the "Island of World Peace" in 2005, the people of Jeju have been strengthening their efforts to become a global Mecca for peace.

In this vein, the Jeju Peace Forum, launched in 2001, has made meaningful contributions to the fostering of peace and multilateral security cooperation in East Asia.

The Forum has been playing an important part in the pursuit of Jeju's aspiration to live up to its name and emerge as a true "Island of World Peace."

East Asia represents an increasingly large share of the global economy, accounting for over one fifth of global trade.

Although the importance of the region's economy is widely recognized, the reality is that cooperation and solidarity among the countries in the region is not yet fully established.

The countries of East Asia have pursued various efforts to strengthen cooperation and to establish lasting peace in the region through such fora as the ASEAN Regional Forum.

However, the region continues to face traditional threats, including the North Korean nuclear issue, as well as non-traditional elements of instability, such as terrorism, epidemics, climate change, poverty and piracy.  

Accordingly, there is a need for more active efforts and cooperation to establish lasting peace among countries in East Asia. And, Korea is seeking to play a more active role to this end.
Above all, the North Korean nuclear issue stands out as the most urgent and serious security concern in the region.

A resolution of this issue has been sought through the Six-Party Talks process during the past six years.

Until last year, progress was made in the Six-Party Talks through the September 19 Joint Statement in 2005, and the subsequent Agreements in 2007.

However, earlier this year, North Korea launched a long-range rocket, followed by a second nuclear test, in spite of the strong opposition and appeal from the international community.

The continued provocations on the part of North Korea have led to increased tensions in the region.
In response, the international community condemned the North's provocations through the unanimous adoption of the UN Security Council Resolution 1874.

North Korea is now subject to wide-ranging sanctions, but we have not yet seen any indication of fundamental change in North Korea's attitude.

In short, North Korea's nuclear ambitions cannot be tolerated, as it not only poses a threat to peace and security in Northeast Asia, but also undermines the very foundation of the global non-proliferation regime.

As such, the remaining five parties to the Six-Party Talks share a strong will for the denuclearization of North Korea in a complete and verifiable manner.

Now, the international community including the five parties recognizes that there must be consequences for North Korea's misbehavior, and is therefore cooperating closely to ensure that the various sanctions and measures under SCR 1874 are faithfully implemented.

At the same time, the five countries share a common view that the Six-Party Talks process remains a valuable framework for the resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue.

The doors for dialogue stay open for North Korea.

Henceforth, North Korea must realize the fact that its nuclear ambitions cannot guarantee its own security and prosperity, and that its previous strategy of gaining concessions in return for provocations will no longer work.

It is imperative that North Korea return to the Six-Party Talks as early as possible to engage in sincere negotiations.

North Korea must realize that time is not on its side.

We are well aware that the complete and verifiable denuclearization of North Korea will be a difficult and arduous task.

Nonetheless, considering the regional and global implications this issue has, it is imperative that we persevere in our efforts.

The Korean Government is therefore determined to continue our efforts to peacefully resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, under close consultations with the other countries concerned.

In tandem with our efforts to peacefully resolve the North Korean nuclear issue, the Korean Government will strive to pave the way for making progress in inter-Korean relations and for establishing a peace regime in Northeast Asia.

In the process of negotiation on the North Korean nuclear issue, the Six-Party Talks may deepen mutual understanding and trust among the countries in the region, and could develop further into an effective regional security mechanism.

The establishment of a meaningful multilateral security cooperation framework would usher in a new era of lasting peace and common prosperity on the Korean Peninsula as well as in East Asia.
Ladies and Gentlemen,

President Lee Myung-bak declared the "New Asia Initiative" during his visits to Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia last March.

The Initiative constitutes one of the central tenets of Korea's foreign policy, and reflects our firm commitment to actively contribute to the common prosperity of East Asia.

The Korean Government will strengthen multilateral cooperation in the region, encompassing not only security, but the economy and culture as well, pursuing our common vision for an East Asian order of "Mutual Benefits and Common Prosperity."

The time has now come for the countries of East Asia to rise above their differences and work more closely together in addressing global challenges.

As for the Republic of Korea, we are willing to play a leading role in such efforts. In June of this year, the ROK-ASEAN Commemorative Summit was held on this Island.

I believe that the Summit marked a valuable step taken by my government in its active initiative to contribute more fully to the strengthening of East Asian cooperation.

Also, I think that the holding of such summit on Jeju Island under the theme of "Partnership for Real, Friendship for Good" was indeed fitting, since Jeju Island has a tradition of neighborly trust and cooperation.

I look forward to seeing the Jeju-Island's spirit of mutual trust and cooperation being embraced in the region and beyond through future international meetings such as the Jeju Peace Forum.

It is my sincere hope that this Fifth Jeju Peace Forum will prove to be a milestone in the efforts toward achieving the common vision for Mutual Benefits and Common Prosperity in East Asia.

In closing, I hope that this Forum will be a worthwhile occasion for all of you.

I also hope that you will return home with fond memories of Jeju-Island and Korea.

Thank you.