Choo Miae: "We will seek ways to propose joint projects to North Korea on infectious diseases, disasters, and the ecological environment" first

At Goyang's "2026 DMZ OPEN EcoPeace Forum"
Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mia emphasizes the role of local governments
"As governor of a border region, I will ensure peace is properly maintained"
Also expresses determination to pursue a special peace economy zone

On October 28, Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae said the province would seek ways to propose joint projects to North Korea in the fields of infectious diseases, disasters, and the ecological environment, or to cooperate with the international community.

Governor Choo Mi-ae delivers welcoming remarks during the keynote conversation at the 2026 DMZ OPEN EcoPeace Forum, jointly hosted by Gyeonggi Province, the Ministry of Unification and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation at Sono Calm Goyang on the 28th. Provided by Gyeonggi Province.

Speaking at a keynote conversation at the 2026 DMZ OPEN EcoPeace Forum, jointly hosted that day by Gyeonggi Province, the Ministry of Unification, and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation at Sono Calm Goyang, Governor Choo said, "As the governor of a border region, I will ensure that peace is properly maintained."

The forum was organized to share the ecological and peaceful value of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and discuss a sustainable future for the Korean Peninsula and ways to achieve peaceful coexistence. The keynote conversation featured Governor Choo; Unification Minister Chung Dong-young; Christophe Heuser, head of the Korea office of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation; and Valérie Gelézeau, a professor at the École des hautes études en sciences sociales (EHESS) in France.

Governor Choo said, "We are considering proposing joint projects to North Korea to address infectious diseases, disasters, and ecological and environmental issues, as well as ways to work together jointly with other countries." She added, "The purpose of inter-Korean exchange and cooperation is not to bring down North Korean society or cause a meltdown of its system. It is about building understanding through exchanges and restoring the affinity that has faded between us."

She also emphasized her commitment to expanding exchanges at the local-government level. Governor Choo said, "Gyeonggi Province would like to focus more on broadening the foundation for mutual understanding and cooperation by engaging in substantial exchanges and cooperation with the North at the local level."

She also expressed her determination to reconnect roads severed by the division of the peninsula. Governor Choo said, "Roads are one way for neighbors to communicate, and they should connect naturally and without interruption. But our roads were cut off by the division of the peninsula. We will continue to work to reconnect them."

Minister Chung said, "Forging a path toward peaceful coexistence is something civil society, local governments, and the central government must all work on together." He added, "I hope that, alongside research on the environment, ecology, culture, and history, a peaceful environment in which our citizens can walk that path will be created as soon as possible."

In her earlier opening remarks, Governor Choo also outlined a vision linking development in northeastern Gyeonggi Province with inter-Korean economic cooperation. "We will actively pursue the creation of a special peace economy zone," she said. "We will increase corporate investment and job opportunities for young people, and establish the industrial and logistics infrastructure needed to support economic cooperation when inter-Korean exchanges resume."

Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Miae outlines plans for inter-Korean exchanges and cooperation and peaceful coexistence during a keynote discussion at the 2026 DMZ OPEN EcoPeace Forum, jointly hosted by Gyeonggi Province, the Ministry of Unification, and the Friedrich Ebert Foundation at Sono Calm Goyang on the 28th. Provided by Gyeonggi Province.

Drawing on Germany's experience of overcoming division, Heuser explained that small steps to ease tensions and foster communication can accumulate and lead to progress toward peace. Professor Gelézeau suggested that understanding the realities of the DMZ and border regions and considering the other side's perspective are starting points for peaceful coexistence.

The afternoon program consisted of three sessions, each organized by the Ministry of Unification, the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, and Gyeonggi Province. Experts, civil society representatives, and academics were scheduled to discuss "Peaceful Use of the DMZ and Ways to Cooperate," "Dialogue for Peaceful Coexistence on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia," and "Ecological Peace Cooperation on the Korean Peninsula: From the DMZ to Siberia."

Based on recommendations made at the forum, Gyeonggi Province plans to expand cooperation with the Ministry of Unification and international organizations and develop the DMZ's ecological and peaceful value into concrete policies.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.