By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Konstantinos Christopoulos from Greece

The PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games were the first step that brought the two Koreas together. North Korea's participation in the "Peace Olympics" was crucial in leading the two Koreas to hold summit talks and also potentially a meeting between the U.S. and North Korea.

The 2018 Inter-Korean Summit is scheduled to take place on April 27. It will be the third Inter-Korean Summit, the first in 11 years, and the first that will take place on the Southern side of the Joint Security Area (JSA) at the Peace House in Panmunjeom.

The Summit is expected to focus on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the North Korean nuclear weapons program, as this is deeply connected to the establishment of peace.

Greece firmly supports the promotion of a demilitarization process on the Korean Peninsula, under the framework of the United Nations, via dialogue for a peaceful settlement in the area of all issues. The relationship between Athens and Seoul, based on common principles and values, is cordial with strong historical ties due to the participation of Greece in the Korean War (1950-1953).

Lately, the Korean people have greatly appreciated all the support and hospitality that the Greek government and people have given during the Olympic torch lighting and handover ceremony for the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, which opened the door for dialogue and hope.



After his official visit to Seoul in November 2017, Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs Nikos Kotzias stated that, “The leadership of Korea told us that their biggest problem with North Korea is that they lack the channels for communication through which to discuss their differences.”

The 2018 Inter-Korean Summit is heading toward a positive direction to achieve denuclearization, the establishment of peace on the Korean Peninsula, improving inter-Korean relations, and also an opportunity to understand each other.

A symbolic sculpture in the Third Tunnel site on the southern side of the Demilitarized Zone (DMA) shows the world divided into two and people working in accord to push it back together. In the center of the world are the two Koreas, as two parts of a puzzle, that are being pushed together in unity by men, women and children as a symbol of peace and forgiveness.

In the 2018 Inter-Korean Summit, as the world will be focused on the denuclearization talks, I am hopeful and look forward to seeing the best possible outcome from President’s Moon policies on peace and diplomacy.

I believe that each and every one of us should help and push a little bit harder so that peace can spread across the Korean Peninsula and the Korean people.

wisdom117@korea.kr

* This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.