The unification ministry said Monday that it will host an inaugural forum in Seoul this week in a bid to explore ways to muster international support for the two Koreas’ unification.

The Global Korea Forum (GKF) will take place at the Lotte Hotel Seoul on Tuesday, under the theme of “Unified Korean Peninsula for Freedom, Peace, and Prosperity.” This event is an expanded version of the annual forum focused on security and policy issues related to the Korean Peninsula.

Last month, President Yoon Suk Yeol announced a new unification doctrine that centers on expanding North Koreans’ access to outside information and proposes opening an official dialogue channel between the two Koreas to discuss any issue.

Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will deliver the keynote speech, following a congratulatory message by former Unification Minister Hyun In-taek.

Ri Il-gyu, a former counselor of political affairs at the North Korean Embassy in Cuba, will also participate in a session on North Korea’s situation. Ri
, a seasoned North Korean diplomat known for overseeing Cuban affairs, defected to South Korea with his family in November of last year.

The forum aims to contribute to global peace and prosperity by fostering international support for a unified Korea built on the principles of freedom, peace and prosperity, the ministry said.

Discussions will cover a range of topics, including the international community’s consensus on the liberal international order and the unification of the Korean Peninsula, as well as understanding the realities of North Korea in preparation for unification, it said.

Source: Yonhap News Agency