The Republic of Korea’s President opened his address by linking its national story to the achievements of the United Nations, underscoring how international solidarity shaped its survival and success.  “If someone asks what the UN has achieved, I would confidently reply, ‘Look at the 80-year history of the Republic of Korea,’” he said.  Emerging from colonial rule in 1945 and devastated by the Korean War, the Republic of Korea rebuilt itself with the UN’s support, benefiting from humanitarian aid, education and vaccination programmes that set the foundations for stability.  The President also recalled, “Whenever the Republic of Korea revived the hopes of lives as precious as the weight of the universe amidst horrific wars and disasters, the UN flag fluttered at the centre of that intense solidarity.” Today, the Republic of Korea positions itself as both proof of the UN’s value and as a “beacon of light for global citizens”, intent on sharing its lessons of resilience with the wider world.

He stressed that the UN’s mission is far from complete.  Global peace remains precarious, with armed conflicts and humanitarian crises persisting in every region.  “The answer lies in the wisdom of the pioneers who founded the United Nations,” he said, adding:  “There is only one way:  more democracy.”  With 280 million people facing extreme hunger and wars continuing in Ukraine and the Middle East, the need for revitalized multilateralism is urgent.  The President welcomed the UN80 initiative as an effort to modernize the Organization, while also calling for institutional reform. For one, “the UN Security Council must increase the number of seats of non-permanent members, reflecting changes in the international environment”, he went on to say.  As a current Council member, Seoul pledged to ensure that the body can respond “proactively to threats to international peace and security”.

The Korean Peninsula remains one of the gravest challenges for peace and security, he said, emphasizing that the Republic of Korea “respects the North’s current system” and “will not pursue unification by absorption” or engage in hostile acts.  As a gesture of goodwill, the Republic of Korea suspended leaflet launches and broadcasts towards the North.  Yet lasting peace requires more than restraint.  “The most certain peace is a State where there is no need to fight,” he declared. While acknowledging that “denuclearization cannot be achieved in the short term”, he urged pragmatic steps, beginning with a stop to the sophistication of nuclear and missile capabilities, progressing to reduction and ultimately achieving dismantlement.  “It is crucial for both the ROK and the DPRK, as well as the international community, to work together to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula,” he said, stressing that “lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula would present new hope and possibility to humanity suffering from conflict”.

He said, “Peace is not merely the absence of armed conflict, but the realization of a community where differences are respected and people coexist.”  The Republic of Korea is committed to leading by example — transforming from an aid recipient into a donor nation, championing sustainable energy transitions, spearheading AI governance and promoting cultural exchange.  “Though a difficult journey is expected, humanity has been able to grow and come this far by not giving up on challenges, even in the face of adversity,” he said.