Former President Moon Jae-in criticized the nuclear armament theory raised by some in the People Power Party as a "dangerous claim." He emphasized the need to restore the September 19 military agreement signed during the 2018 inter-Korean summit to improve relations with North Korea.
At the ceremony commemorating the 7th anniversary of the April 27 Panmunjom Declaration held at the National Assembly Library on the afternoon of the 25th, former President Moon said, "The theory of nuclear armament raised by some is a dangerous claim," adding, "It provides a reprieve for North Korea's nuclear development, signifies giving up on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and is an irresponsible claim that could turn Northeast Asia into the world's powder keg."
This is the first time former President Moon has visited Seoul for an official schedule since attending the 5th anniversary event of the September 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration in 2023, marking a two-year interval. In his speech that day, he placed significant emphasis on criticizing the three years of Yoon Suk-yeol's administration.
Former President Moon stated, "The last three years have truly been a time of regression and backlash. It has been three years with no days of peace of mind," and added, "The December 3 martial law was the culmination of the regression of South Korea. I could not have dreamed that such an anachronistic event would occur in our democratized country."
He noted, "The economic losses left by the martial law are also immense. The Bank of Korea estimated that more than 6 trillion won of the gross domestic product had evaporated," and said, "Due to a contraction in consumption caused by the martial law, the number of self-employed individuals decreased by as much as 200,000 in just two months, leading to even greater negative impacts on the livelihood economy."
He also emphasized that if the Democratic Party comes to power in the presidential election in June, it must work to improve inter-Korean relations. He particularly urged that South Korea should not remain a mere spectator of peace on the Korean Peninsula, insisting that the September 19 military agreement he facilitated must be restored.
The September 19 military agreement is a consensus reached in 2018 between former President Moon and North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un, stipulating that both the South and North would completely cease all military hostile acts. However, North Korea nullified the September 19 military agreement in 2023.
Former President Moon stated, "To avoid the risk of military conflict, restoring the September 19 military agreement is the starting point," and emphasized, "We must not forget that war on the Korean Peninsula could be triggered by accidental clashes."