평화군축센터 미분류 2011-11-23   1342

[Press Release] PSPD Publication

[Press Release] PSPD Publication <A Civic Proposal for a Peace System of the Korean Peninsula>
– Suggestions for a Korean peace system to improve Korean citizens’ security and welfare while stressing civic engagement. 
– Peace system principles and action to break from the Cold-War pattern of arms races, repeated military conflicts and delays in the democratization process. 
It has been one year since the November 23, 2010 naval confrontation between North and South Korea at Yonpyong Island. The skirmish took several innocent soldier and civilian lives and terrified all Korean citizens. In the zero-sum game standoff between the two Koreas, ending military confrontation and hostility is the only solution to prevent any recurrence of this kind of incident. Facing increasingly severe military tensions, it is absolutely necessary to make every effort to shift from the current cease-fire system toward a peace system on the Korean Peninsula. 
In line with this, we at the PSPD Center for Peace & Disarmament (director, Prof. Namjoo Lee, Sungkonghoe Univ.) presented a statement [Issue Report]’The issues and alternatives of NLL: the West Sea, from powder keg to eco-peace zone on the Korean peninsula’ yesterday, and will release today, November 23rd <A Civic Proposal for a Peace System of the Korean Peninsula>(16page report), which aims to build a sustainable, civilian-led peace system on the Korean Peninsula while setting peace and citizen quality of life as its first objectives. 
The reason behind this suggestion is that PSPD believes that military clashes can re-occur at any time under the current cold-war system. Due to extreme ideologies and militaristic culture (albeit to different degrees) in the North and South, democratic processes have not been well established, and the ever-present arms race has eaten up the larger part of the social welfare budget. We therefore believe that it is urgent to shift from the current cold-war system to a peace system capable of promoting basic human dignity and staving off conflict on the peninsula. 
PSPD stresses that it is Korean citizens who are the most important stakeholders and the driving force of this ‘peace policy’ transition. It is the citizens who are first on the cutting block when national security is threatened. At the same time they are the most powerful guarantors and protectors of peace in the country. 
Peace can only be achieved when citizens become the principal actors. In other words it is imperative to switch from the cold-war system into a peace system, and especially on initiated and driven by citizens. These are the two key points which will aliment our discussion. 
The peace system that we envision is one of institutionalized sustainable peace, which has as a primary focus improving citizen quality of life. In order to achieve this, the peace system should be based on the followings principles:
First, the peace system should be based on pacifism. War can under no circumstances be justified, nor can peace be attained through simple military dominance. Policy priorities and political practices should be entirely reviewed, and should accompany engaged and active measures to ensure the real protection of peace and of the right to live free of the threat of war. 
Second, building a peace system of Korea must start by respecting and implementing the agreements signed by North and South Korea and neighbouring countries. The two governments and their citizens are the principal parties. Therefore these parties should make efforts to settle disputes peacefully, to build reciprocal trust and actively seek cooperation and agreements with neighbouring countries and the international community. Despite echoes of opposition in domestic politics, complying with existing agreements will build up mutual trust and the foundations of a true peace system. 
Third, the peace system should be oriented towards peaceful North-South Reunification The Cold War era was marked by military tension between North and South Korea, a conflict which reproduced various forms of violence in each country’s society. It also threatened public safety, worsened quality of life, and caused undesirable social spending on a wasteful military face-off instead of on democratic progress, at a time when national financial resources were limited. As such, discussion on reunification without also stabilizing peace on the Korean Peninsula will worsen the quality of citizens’ lives. It is unrealistic to discuss a peace system that does not also strive for peaceful reunification. Therefore the peace system should aim to achieve a gradual, step-by-step reunification.
Fourth, the peace system should be established by respecting and further building upon international norms. The Korean peace system should contribute to shifting away from the current policy of dependence on military deterrence towards one of conflict-prevention oriented diplomacy. By establishing such a policy shift on the Korean Peninsula but also in Northeast Asia, Korea will be able to adhere to and give credibility to international norms.
Fifth, the peace system on the Korean peninsula should draw upon citizen participation. It should be concerned with public safety over national security and identify factors that threaten public safety and prioritize possible countermeasures on the basis of civic participation. Therefore we oppose the idea that the government and its various security authorities dominate security-related intelligence. Therefore the current system must be reformed to enable citizens to actively participate in policy decision-making and apply pressure to ensure more overall responsible management and increased security policy transparency. 
Based on the above principles, PSPD suggests five central points for building a peace system on the Korean Peninsula
 Institutionalize reconciliation and cooperation, form a North-South Alliance : Respect and comply with peace agreements signed between North and South, build economic ties, promote socio-cultural exchanges, and build a North-South Korean alliance.
 Denuclearize the Korean Peninsula and consolidate a peace agreement: Denuclearize the Korean Peninsula in the context of negotiations on a peace system. Fulfil Six Part Talk agreements, eradicate the root of nuclear threats on the Korean peninsula and entire Northeast Asia, and sign a peace agreement. 
 Ease tensions between the two Koreas and promote disarmament: Rebuild the Korean crisis management system, prevent armed conflicts surrounding the disputed west coast islands, and enforce arms control.
 Seek a peace system in Northeast Asia & strengthen peaceful diplomatic cooperation: 
Strengthen diplomacy on the peninsula, complete cross-recognition, promote multi-party security cooperation and progressively reduce military alliances, organize a Northern Asian Citizens’ Forum, shift diplomacy toward peaceful cooperation and tighten diplomatic ethical standards.
 Reform security organizations and institutionalize civic involvement:
Prioritize a ‘democratic’ interpretation of security threats, shift the focus of national security towards public safety, achieve transparency in the security policy decision-making process, reinforce democratic controls, institutionalize the prevention of human rights violations by security institutions, promote ‘peace education’, and promote a peace-sensitive society.
We are not proposing a completed version of a Korean peace system, but rather hope that the suggestions we make will provide a starting point for more enriched future debates. We will further discuss the peace system and hold active forums not only with ordinary citizens, but also with professionals from various fields. We believe that this type of active discussion will pave the way to find practical solutions to build peace on the Korean Peninsula. 
▣ <A Civic Proposal for a Peace System of the Korean Peninsula> Index (total 16pages)
Content————————————————————–2
Introduction———————————————————–3
I. The meanings and principles of a peace system on the Korean peninsula ——-6 
1. The meaning of a Korean peace system———————————-6
2. Principles ———————————————————-6
  First, a peace system on the Korean peninsula is based on the principles of pacifism
  ——————————————————————–6
  Second, a peace system on the Korean peninsula starts with upholding prior
   agreements between  North and South Korea and neighbouring countries ——-7
  Third, a peace system is oriented towards peaceful reunification—————-7
  Fourth, a peace system adheres to and builds upon international regulations——8
  Fifth, a Korean peace system should be built upon citizen involvement———–8
Ⅱ. Principal challenges to the Korean peace system ————————–9
  1. Institutionalize reconciliation and cooperation between the Koreas and form a
      North-South alliance ————————————————-9
  2. Denuclearize and form a peace agreement on the Korean Peninsula ———–9
  3. Ease tension between North and South Koreas and promote disarmament——11
  4. Aim for a peace system in Northeast Asia and strengthen diplomatic peace
      cooperation——————————————————- 12
  5. Reform security related institutions and institutionalize civic engagement——-13

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