New vision for nation

Time to bring peace, prosperity to Korean Peninsula

The country marked the 100th anniversary of the March 1 Independence Movement against Japanese colonial rule Friday. This year's celebration carries special meaning as the nation seeks to overcome the legacy of the shameful past and move toward peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula.

In this regard, President Moon Jaein's address at the centennial ceremony drew much attention. He presented his vision for a "new Korean Peninsula regime" aimed at turning the peninsula into a new community of peace and cooperation. He wants to end confrontation and conflict not only on the peninsula but also in Northeast Asia.

As the President pointed out, the country should first sweep away the remnants of Japanese colonialism and imperialism. To that end, we have to advocate the spirit of the independence movement which was based on national self-determination, peace, coexistence and co-prosperity.

Moon cited ideological conflicts between the right and the left and red-baiting as a legacy of the oppressive 1910-45 Japanese rule. In a broad sense, national division, the Korean War and dictatorship could be seen as resulting from the colonial past. He stressed true liberation will come after we discard aversion and hatred toward others, and only then the country can begin a new century.

It is also worth noting that Moon has promised to strengthen cooperation with Japan. Seoul-Tokyo ties have recently deteriorated following rows over victims of Japan's wartime sexual slavery and forced labor as well as a millitary radar lock-on dispute.

Needless to say, improving relations with the former colonial power is imperative. The two neighbors need to solve historical matters and other pending issues through dialogue and compromise. Without doing so Korea and Japan can never forge a future-oriented partnership.

The March 1 celebration came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jongun failed to reach any denuclearization agreement at their second summit in Hanoi. In relation to the failed talks, President Moon has pledged to play a more active role to prod the North to denuclearize without fail.

It is apparent that Moon has floated the idea of creating the new Korean Peninsula regime as part of his efforts to break the deadlock in the U.S.-North Korea nuclear negotiations. A community of peace and cooperation on the peninsula cannot be established without the North's complete and verifiable denuclearization.

However, it would not be impossible to translate his ideas into action if the two Koreas revive the spirit of the March 1 movement. We urge the Kim regime to return to dialogue with the U.S. as soon as possible to resolve the nuclear showdown.

More importantly, Seoul and Pyongyang should work together to create a community of peace and economic cooperation which can be extended to East Asia and the Eurasian region. Genuine liberation can be achieved when we overcome national division.