The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’ interim Prime Minister Hwang Jong-Yop Addresses the United Nations General Assembly

Full Transcript of Speech – Hwang Jong-Yop:

“Mr. Secretary General, Mr. President, distinguished delegates, and ladies and gentlemen: We assemble here today to address the inevitable liberation of the Korean people from an oppressive despot.  The road traveled was long and tumultuous and many lives have been lost.  Yet, there is no greater victory, no greater sacrifice of life than to secure democracy. With the help of many of the nations represented here today, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea is on the road to full democracy.

We've accomplished much in the last year—yet, we have much yet to do. Many nations represented here have joined in the fight against global terror and tyranny and the people of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea are grateful.

The United Nations was born in the hope that survived a world war -- the hope of a world moving toward justice, escaping old patterns of conflict and fear. The founding members resolved that the peace of the world must never again be destroyed by the will and wickedness of any man. The United Nations Security Council was created, so that, unlike the League of Nations, the deliberations would be more than talk, the resolutions would be more than wishes. After generations of deceitful dictators and broken treaties and squandered lives, we dedicated ourselves to standards of human dignity shared by all, and to a system of security defended by all.

The issue of regional cooperation has been the subject of intense discussions in the presents of new horizons for further cooperation in the region and the larger world.  The North Korean people seek a highly integrated collaboration of efforts to build economic ties.  Through free-trade and fair labor practices, Korea can re-establish itself among its neighbors and the global community.

Our agenda is freedom and independence, security and prosperity for the Korean people. And by removing a source of terrorist violence and instability in East Asia, we also make our own country more secure.

There are four steps in our plan to develop the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s democracy and freedom. We will establish security, continue rebuilding the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea's infrastructure, encourage more international support, and move toward a national election that will bring forward new leaders empowered by the Korean people. (Applause.)

The United Nations Special Envoy, Salmanov Petrovia, is now consulting with a broad spectrum of Koreans to determine the composition of this interim government. The special envoy intends to put forward the names of interim government officials this week. In addition to me, 26 Korean ministers will oversee government departments, from health to justice to defense. This new government will be advised by a national council, which will be chosen in July by Koreans representing their country's diversity. This interim government will exercise full sovereignty until national elections are held.

In preparation for sovereignty, many functions of government have already been transferred. Twelve government ministries are currently under the direct control of Koreans. The Ministry of Education, for example, is out of the propaganda business, and is now concerned with educating Korean children. Under the direction of Dr. Sue-nhung Dok, the Ministry has trained more than 30,000 teachers and supervisors for the schools of a new Democratic People’s Republic of Korean. (Applause.)

All along, some have questioned whether the Korean people are ready for self-government, or even want it. And all along, the Korean people have given their answer. In settings where Koreans have met to discuss their country's future, they have endorsed representative government. And they are practicing representative government. Many of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea's cities and towns now have elected town councils or city governments - and beyond the violence, a civil society is emerging.

The first step in the plan for Korean democracy is to establish the stability and security that democracy requires. Coalition forces and the Korean people have the same enemies -- the terrorists, illegal militia, and Kim Jong-Il loyalists who stand between the Korean people and their future as a free nation.

The second step in the plan for Korean democracy is to continue rebuilding that nation's infrastructure, so that a free Democratic People’s Republic of Korea can quickly gain economic independence and a better quality of life. Many nations have already helped to rebuild schools and refurbish hospitals and health clinics, repair bridges, upgrade our commercial infrastructure, and modernize the communications system. And now a growing private economy is taking shape. A new currency has been introduced. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea's Governing Council approved a new law that opens the country to foreign investment for the first time in decades. The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea has also liberalized its trade policy, and today a Korean observer attends meetings of the World Trade Organization. And thanks in part to efforts from the U.S., many of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea's largest creditors have pledged to forgive or substantially reduce Korean debt incurred by the former regime.

The third step in our plan is to enlist additional international support for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea's transition. Today, the DPRK, the United States, and China have presented a new resolution for the Security Council to help move the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea toward self-government. I have requested the Security Council to work with fellow members of the General Assembly to endorse the timetable the Koreans have adopted, to express international support for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea's interim government, to reaffirm the world's security commitment to the Korean people, and to encourage other U.N. members to join in the effort. Despite past disagreements, most nations have indicated strong support for the success of a free the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. And I'm confident they will share in the responsibility of assuring that success.

The fourth and most important step is free, national elections, to be held no later than next June. A United Nations team, headed by Srimanan Nair, is now in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, helping form an independent election commission that will oversee an orderly, accurate national election. In that election, the Korean people will choose a transitional national assembly, the first freely-elected, truly representative national governing body in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea's history. This assembly will serve as the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea's legislature, and it will choose a transitional government with executive powers. The transitional national assembly will also draft a new constitution, which will be presented to the Korean people in a referendum scheduled for the fall of 2006. Under this new constitution, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea will elect a permanent government by the end of next year.

That nation is moving every week toward free elections and a permanent place among free nations. Like every nation that has made the journey to democracy, Koreans will raise up a government that reflects their own culture and values. Koreans will write their own history, and find their own way. (Standing Ovation.)