Kim Dong-yeon, Gyeonggi Province Governor: "DMZ is the Starting Line for Humanity's Future"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park Nohoon] Kim Dong-yeon, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, has taken the initiative to promote the 'DMZ Open Festival'.

Governor Kim stated on the 20th via SNS, "The train ran along the Gyeongui Line from Munsan Station to Dorasan Station. This is the first time in 4 years since operations were suspended due to COVID-19 quarantine measures," and expressed his conviction that "the DMZ is not merely a result of armistice, but a symbol of 'peace' and 'ecology and environment,' serving as the starting line toward humanity's future."

He continued, "From today through November, the 'DMZ Open Festival' will run for 12 weeks. Through various performances, exhibitions, academic programs, and sports events, we have prepared diverse experiential venues to communicate the DMZ's values of peace, ecology, and historical significance.

We ask for your keen interest and participation," he urged.

The following is the full text of Governor Kim Dong-yeon's SNS post.

< A Grand Journey for Peace and Ecology - The Curtain Rises on the DMZ >

The train ran along the Gyeongui Line from Munsan Station to Dorasan Station. This is the first time in 4 years since operations were suspended due to COVID-19 quarantine measures.

Dorasan Station is a station installed within the civilian control line after the June 15, 2000 inter-Korean summit. While it is the last station when viewed from the south, I regard it as the 'first station heading north,' embodying our aspirations for reunification.

In this way, the '2023 DMZ Open Festival' has begun.

Approximately 1,500 participants walked the DMZ ecological trail, including diplomatic envoys from 15 countries such as the French Ambassador, former Minister Kang Kyung-shul, climate ambassador, and Professor Choi Jae-cheon, co-chair of the DMZ Open Festival organizing committee.

The DMZ is not merely a result of armistice, but a symbol of 'peace' and 'ecology and environment,' serving as the starting line toward humanity's future.

In preparing today's event, we demonstrated not only our resolve for peace and reunification, but also the progressive and bold determination of our Gyeonggi Province in responding to climate change, with meticulous attention paid to even the smallest props used.

From today through November, the 'DMZ Open Festival' will run for 12 weeks. Through various performances, exhibitions, academic programs, and sports events, we have prepared diverse experiential venues to communicate the DMZ's values of peace, ecology, and historical significance.

We ask for your keen interest and participation.