Democratic Party and Innovation Party call for restoration of inter-Korean dialogue on the 19th anniversary of the October 4 Declaration

On the 4th, the Democratic Party of Korea urged, "We must restart the dialogue that has stopped," marking the 19th anniversary of the '10/4 Inter-Korean Summit Declaration'.

Park Seong-joon, chief spokesperson of the Democratic Party, said in a written briefing that day, "The Korean Peninsula has now moved away from the promise of that day. Inter-Korean dialogue has been cut off, and North Korea's nuclear and missile capabilities have become more sophisticated than before."

Senior Spokesperson Park pointed out, “Our soldiers were seriously injured by land mines laid by the North Korean military,” and “As the confrontation and disconnection deepens, military tensions increase and anxiety over the safety of our soldiers and the security of the people grows.”

Referring to President Lee's recent statement at the United Nations General Assembly that he would seek joint growth through cooperation between North and South Korea, he said, "I will also present a step-by-step solution to stop North Korea's nuclear and missile advancement and move toward a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula in the long term."

At the same time, he urged North Korea, saying, "Fortification of the border line and planting of land mines are a violation of the armistice agreement and the October 4 inter-Korean summit declaration," and added, "The North Korean authorities must show a responsible attitude toward the land mine explosion and engage in dialogue."

He added, "As the ruling party, the Democratic Party will respond firmly to North Korea's provocations," and added, "We will also make efforts at the National Assembly level to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula and restore inter-Korean dialogue."

The Fatherland Innovation Party also called for the restoration of inter-Korean relations in commemoration of the 19th anniversary of the October 4 Declaration.

Representative Shin Jang-sik said on Facebook that day, “As parties to peace on the Korean Peninsula, we urge sincere efforts from North and South Korea.”

Representative Shin said, "(Through the October 4 Declaration), the North and South confirmed and declared that if the Korean people work together, peace can be achieved on the Korean Peninsula and that peace between the North and the South is the food and the path to prosperity." He added, "This is not a dead phrase in a history book, but a seed of hope that the South and the North must cultivate together."

Referring to the recent mine explosion incident in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), he said, "The importance of the October 4th Declaration has increased as a tragedy has occurred," and emphasized, "The eight provisions of the October 4th Declaration must be revived."

He added, “The Innovation Party will act resolutely against forces that threaten peace,” and added, “We will take a horse race to move forward on the path to broad and solid peace and common prosperity.”