Legarda on North and South Korea Summit: There Is Hope For Peace

Senator Loren Legarda today said that the historic meeting between Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, and President Moon Jae-in of South Korea should be a cause for celebration not only by the region, but also by the rest of the world.

“This is indeed a turning point in these countries rent asunder by the proxy wars of the big powers. It is a tribute to both leaders that they have overcome their differences and are moving towards unification. It only proves that there is hope for peace,” said Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

Legarda said that last year, the Philippines called on North Korea to “commit to making meaningful progress towards the peaceful resolution of the issues facing the Korean Peninsula.”

She stressed that the agreement forged by the leaders of North and South Korea at the recent Summit – to end decades of hostility and to rid the Korean Peninsula of nuclear weapons – is a huge step in this direction.

“We have always believed in promoting peace through dialogue and cooperation. This is what the ASEAN Regional Forum strives to achieve, of which North Korea is a participant. This Summit actualized dialogue at the highest level, thus, giving everyone hope for a resolution to one of the potentially most perilous sources of tension in the world today. This will augur well for the future,” Legarda added.

The Senator said that the Philippines should continue extending its support and hand of assistance in whatever way, in order to help the Korean Peninsula, and the region at large, achieve lasting peace and stability.