Asian cities forge peace alliance

The 2006 Hankyoreh-Busan International Symposium, titled ”Trying for Peace after North Korea's Test of a Nuclear Bomb”

In wake of North's nuclear test, cities in Korea, Japan, South Pacific seek bond

Antiwar and anti-nuclear civic groups in cities and areas in East Asia, such as Osan and Pyeongtaek in Korea, Okinawa in Japan, and Guam, have proposed to join hands as a regional peace framework after North Korea's nuclear test.

The question of 'peace' is one much discussed in East Asia in the wake of the North's nuclear test and the U.S. military's realignment around the world. The proposal for the regional group was made on November 24 at the 2nd annual Hankyoreh-Busan International Symposium, titled "Trying for Peace After North Korea's Test of a Nuclear Bomb", jointly organized by The Hankyoreh Foundation and Culture, and the Busan Metropolitan City.

The topic of the symposium was the role of East Asian cities in promoting peace in the region after North Korea's nuclear test. University of North Korean Studies Professor Koo Kap-woo proposed an alliance and networking among civic organizations.

"The alliance would be the biggest power on the Korean peninsula to deter a war," Professor Koo said. He said he would "design an antiwar and anti-nuclear city alliance that would include Okinawa, Jeju Island, and Pyeongtaek, where U.S. troops are based."

Japan's Hosei University Professor Yuji Suzuki said that cooperation among cities is spawning a new possibility for resolving the regional conflict. The international symposium was initiated last year in the wake of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Busan.

In a congratulatory message given at this year's symposium, President Roh Moo-hyun said, "Efforts are needed to institutionalize regional cooperation in East Asia. Cooperation and an alliance among cities in the region will be a stepping stone toward a regional bloc in East Asia."

In a welcome message, Busan Mayor Hur Nam-sik said, "This international symposium will be a place for East Asia to discuss how to bring forth mutual cooperation in the region."

On November 25, Chung Young-woo, South Korea's top negotiator at the six-party talks on the North Korea nuclear issue, will hold a discussion session with ambassadors from the U.S., Japan, and Russia. Other participants will talk about the possibility of building an economic bloc and a cultural alliance among Asian cities.

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