Return to *North Korean Studies*
Speeches Delivered at the 2nd Congress
of Korean Studies
Pyongyang, 4 August 2004
Foreign scholars and Korean scholars from abroad who are engaged in the
Korean studies, Comrades and friends,
Today we have the 2nd World Congress of Korean Studies under the
circumstances of growing trend for the independent and peaceful reunification in
the Korean peninsula under the banner of June 15 Joint Declaration and
solidarity for it is strengthening among the people over the world.
Seminars on the Korean Studies which began at first on a small scale and
gradually expanded through many places like Beijing, Osaka, Hawaii, etc. have in
the long run, developed into the World Congress. I think it is a fruition and
achievement of inexhaustible efforts of many scholars who are making Korean
studies and many other figures who are specially interested in the development
of the Korean studies.
World Congress of Korean Studies is of very important significance in
deepening understanding and exchanging academic success among the scholars in
the field of the Korean studies and in enabling the Korean studies activities to
contribute to the peace and reunification of Korea.
Believing that this Congress which is held in Pyongyang with 5000-year-long
history and culture under the great concern and expectation of the Korean
studies activists over the world will be a meaningful meeting, a new milestone
in developing further the Korean studies, I declare the 2nd World Congress of
Korean Studies open.
 |
Pyongyang, 4 August 2004
Scholars from many countries and fellow scholars from abroad,
Comrades and friends,
Today the people's aspiration and desire to achieve the
independent development and prosperity of the country and nation against all
sorts of domination, subjugation and inequality under the banner of independence
becomes stronger as never before. In such circumstance here in Pyongyang the 2nd
World Congress of Korean Studies has been opened on a grand scale under the
concern of all Koreans and the world progressive people who want reunification
of Korea and peace of the world.
In this meaningful occasion of today I, first of all in the name
of the government of DPRK, congratulate all delegates who came to the Congress
with a lofty ideal of contributing to reunification of Korea and the independent
development, peace and security of our nation.
|
World Congress of Korean Studies is a great international
gathering which is held under the lofty ideal to serve the reunification and
peace of Korea, independent development of our nation and peace and security of
north east Asia and the world. Therefore, it is very meaningful that the 2nd
World Congress of Korean Studies has been held on a grand scale here in
Pyongyang.
Our nation is a proud nation who has homogeneously lived
on this land throughout generations for over 5,000 years to create and flourish
brilliant culture and history. Pyongyang is a historic place which mirrors exactly this
5000-year-long history of our nation and a meaningful city which witnessed many
historical events connected with the endeavour of our nation to realize
reconciliation and cooperation, great unity and reunification of the nation.
Here in Pyongyang in which was adopted the "July 4
North-South Joint Statement" was held the historic north and south summit
meeting and was adopted the "June 15 North-South Joint Declaration", a
milestone for national reunification movement for the first time in our national
division.
Holding of the 2nd
World Congress of Korean Studies with participation of the scholars in the north
and abroad and other progressive scholars of many countries who want
reunification and peace of Korea and the independent development and prosperity
of our nation clearly proves that reconciliation and cooperation of the north
and south for the united development and prosperity of the nation and solidarity
with the world progressive people who aspire after independence for global
independence is today's current stream that can never be checked by any one.
Delegates,
Today our nation has entered a new era of history in which we
put an end to all sorts of contradiction and mistrust, unite and cooperate under
the lofty ideal of "our nation itself", defend our independence and
dignity by ourselves and make common development and prosperity of the
nation.
Such a new historic era bestows us scholars with an important
duty and mission to lead the development of the era and history with our pen of
justice and truth by advancing towards the road of reconciliation, cooperation
and reunification free from the past history of contradictions and mistrust.
All the Korean scholars at home and abroad and progressive
scholars of the world who are engaged in the Korean studies should keep their
mission and duty deep in mind and bring a new development continuously in the
Korean studies with their inexhaustible research and efforts, sincere exchange,
cooperation and assistance with each other, thus making active contribution to
the unification and prosperity of Korea and to the peace and security of the
world.
The government of our Republic always gives priority to the role
of pen in leading and promoting the development of the era and society and pays
attention to the exchange and cooperation, unity and solidarity not only among
the compatriot scholars in the north, south and abroad but also among the world
progressive scholars who want the reunification and peace of our country and
independent development and prosperity of our nation.
It is the principled stand and consistent policy of the
government of our Republic to join hands with everyone whether he is in the
north, south and abroad, if he wants to realize national reunification and unite
with the progressive and peace-loving forces of the world for the independent
development and prosperity of the nation, for peace and reunification of the
Korean peninsula and for the common welfare of the humankind.
As in the past, so in the future, too, the government of our
Republic will make strenuous efforts to strengthen exchange and cooperation,
unity and solidarity between scholars who love and value justice and truth and
whose mission and duty is to lead the development of the era and history with
their pens.
I wish that, with this Congress as a momentum, you will make
researches in the Korean studies on a higher level and promote solidarity
between scholars in the field of the Korean studies, so that the Congress can be
not only significant for the reunification of our country and the development
and prosperity of our nation but also providing a meaningful turning point in
the peace and prosperity of Korea and the peace and security of north east Asia
and the world in the 21st century.
In conclusion, congratulating once again the delegates of
the Congress on behalf of the government our Republic and our people, I am sure
that the 2nd
World Congress of Korean Studies will be successful thanks to the active and
sincere efforts of the entire participants.
Pyongyang, 4 August 2004
Dear Korean scholars from the north and abroad, Dear foreign scholars
and friends,
Today we gathered here in Pyongyang with the pleasure of
starting the much expected 2nd
World Congress of Korean Studies.
Availing of this significant opportunity I, on behalf of the
government and people of our Republic and entire scholars in the north, would
like to extend once again a warm welcome to the Korean scholars from abroad and
foreign scholars.
I would also like to express my thanks to many figures who have
given sincere help and assistance for the successful holding of this
Congress.
As you will know through this Congress and visits during your
stay here, our republic is striving to build a great prosperous powerful nation
braving ordeals upholding the Son'gun leadership of the respected General Kim
Jong Il and in this context our social science is carrying out to the national
dignity and independence, reunification and prosperity of the country.
It is, indeed, a meaningful event to have a gathering of the
Korean scholars in the north and abroad and foreign scholars who specialize in
the Korean studies for the first time in time-honoured Pyongyang at the time
when the era of north-south confrontation was changed into that of cooperation,
the era of mistrust and contradiction into that of reconciliation and
cooperation, and the efforts for national reunification is strengthened as never
before in the history of national division.
Through the Congress we will confirm once again the greatness of
our nation with 5,000-year-long history and brilliant culture and exchange our
success and experiences made in the field of the Korean studies and
reunification of our nation on the basis of mutual understanding and respect.
The path for the Korean studies in the era of reconciliation and
cooperation is, undoubtedly, the road to reconciliation and cooperation and the
purpose of the Korean studies should be the same for the reunification of the
country.
We intellectuals who live in the era of reunification should be
well aware of the mission and devote our wisdom and enthusiasm to the full for
the flourishment and development of the Korean studies.
Expressing my hope that the 2nd
World Congress of Korean Studies will be held successfully thanks to the sincere
efforts and help of all the scholars present here, I propose this toast to the
good health of the great leader Comrade Kim Jong Il who is making inexhaustible
efforts for the reunification and prosperity of the country and for the
ever-lasting happiness of the nation with devoted patriotism, and to the health
of all scholars from the north and abroad and foreign scholars present
here.
Thank you.
Return to *North Korean Studies*