DMZ International Forum on the Peace Economy

COVID-19’s global threat has reminded us once again that peace and safety are the fundamental values for social and national development. The Republic of Korea and its citizens’ collective efforts for a common goal to prevent the spread of the disease and create a safer society has become exemplary in the international community.

Still there exists more tasks to be resolved by our nation and people. The utmost urgent and significant task is to end the war that lasted for more than 70 years and conclude the history of division in the Korean Peninsula. Last September at the UN General Assembly, President Moon Jae-in requested for the support of the global community saying, “The end-of-war declaration will, indeed, open the door to complete denuclearization and permanent peace regime on the Korean Peninsula.”

In this regard, the NRC and the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP), alongside Incheon Metropolitan City, will be hosting the “2020 DMZ International Forum on the Peace Economy” this coming December. With the opinion leaders of the world, we will experience first-hand the symbol of division, the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), and seek a new order in the Korean Peninsula based on peace, coexistence and inclusion. We will also plan for a more beautiful and peaceful Korea with inspirations of the rich repository of natural ecosystems of the DMZ that remains preserved from human contact for more than 60 years.

We are confident the 2020 DMZ International Forum on the Peace Economy will serve as a venue for meaningful communication within Korea and throughout the international community, and lead to various ideas to support the peace economy on the Korean Peninsula. We ask for your continued interest in the forum.

Thank you.

We are pleased to invite you to the 2020 DMZ International Forum on the Peace Economy, hosted by the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP) and the National Research Council for Economics, Humanities, and Social Sciences (NRC) to be held on December 3-4, 2020 in Incheon, Republic of Korea.

This year 2020 marks the 70th anniversary of the start of the Korean War and 20th anniversary of June 15 South-North Joint Declaration, symbolizing the state of division and peace on the Korean Peninsula. As North Korea participated to the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, hold inter-Korean summit and had the historic first summit between North Korea and the U.S., the Korean Peninsula embarked on a new journey toward peace and prosperity. However, the resumption of the inter-Korean and North Korea-U.S. cooperation has placed on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a combination of international situation.

At this year’s Forum, we will be holding discussions on “Overcoming the Barriers: Towards Peace and Prosperity” in Incheon, located on the borders between South and North Korea. Our speakers will address the issues of resolving the state of division on the Korean Peninsula, establishment of permanent peace and a virtuous circle with the economy based on this peace. Scholars and experts in the areas of global peace, security and economy will engage in focused discussions on the issues to explore solutions toward the establishment of peace and prosperity on the Peninsula.

On December 3, our dignitaries joining from overseas, representatives from diplomatic missions and experts on Korean Peninsula issues will travel through the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) to appreciate the realities of division and the need to secure peace on the Peninsula. On December 4, former Prime Minister of Japan Yukio Hatoyama, Mayor of Incheon Metropolitan City Park Namchoon, and many other distinguished participants will exchange their views on the establishment of peace on the Korean Peninsula, a peace-driven economy, U.S. new administration’s East Asian policies and peace process on the Korean Peninsula, and prospects for Inter-Korean Relations in 2021.

Due to health considerations as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we have expanded our online platform to allow more guests to participate from a distance. It is our great pleasure to invite you to the 2020 DMZ International Forum on the Peace Economy.

Thank you.