c-span three. using also watch online at c-span.org or stream it on the free c-span radio app. next on c-span, leaders from south korea, canada, and russia addressing the 72nd u.n. general assembly in new york. together, this week's run about an hour and 15 minutes. together, the speech is run about an hour and 15 minutes.

>> the assembly will hear an address by his excellency, the president of the republic of korea. welcome to the united nations, his excellency, president of the republic of north korea, and invite him to address the assembly. pres. moon: first of all, on behalf of the people and government of south korea, i would like to extend my sympathies to the victims in mexico as well as the people and government of mexico. i offer my respect and gratitude to all member states and the staff of the united nations secretariat for their contribution to world peace and security. i congratulate the election of the president of the second general assembly. i expect the session will be meaningful results under his excellent leadership.

i also wish general gutierrez great success. the republic of south korea takes a strong stance in support to sustainingals peace. i look forward to the rebirth of the united nations as an even stronger organization, offering peace and prosperity for all peoples. mr. president, secretaries general and distinguished delegates, as i prepared this address, i thought about the spirit of the united nations and the joint mission for us all. the united nations is one of the best institutional inventions created by human intelligence. save succeeding generations from the scourge of

war and has inevitably met the challenges confronting humanity over the past 70 years. the roles and contributions of the united nations and international community continue to grow over time. today, the number of transactional issues is ever increasing, and no country can resolve them single-handedly. for this reason, we should truly fulfill the spirit of the united nations to find solutions to all of the problems facing us. to this end, i hope everyone will pay attention to the republic of korea, located on the southern part of the korean peninsula at the east end of the asian continent. the candlelight rallies created

a historic movement that is evidence of the brilliant achievement of the spirit of united nations. with the power of cooperation and solidarity, in defiance of challenges, the future was thehe rallies forged ahead , future was aspired to buy humanity. some of you may remember the candlelight vigils shown by the media. streets packed with billions of light. people expressing their opinions freely and joining in discussions on every street corner, where there was singing, dancing, and painting. the radiant faces of parents who took children by their hands. and the pride of young people who picked up trash on the streets afterwards. all of these scenes were very much a part of a democracy and

peace. the candlelight revolution in korea started in a public square, named for the democracy and awakened the citizens collective intelligence. i participated in the rallies myself just as a citizen. the people of the republic of korea achieved democracy in the most peaceful and beautiful manner. they proved the power of public sovereignty, the quintessence of democracy. those approved the fact that the power of peace can bring greater changes to the world and -- to the world. the new administration of north korea is made possible by the

candlelight revolution. above and beyond the meaning of a democratic election, this means the administration was launched by the aspirations of the people and their awareness that they are the rightful owners of the nation. i am standing here on behalf of that administration. i am very gratified with and proud of the fact that the republic of korea, though belatedly a democracy, showed the world and a new hope for democracy. building on the strength, the republic of korea intends to play an active role in addressing issues facing the international community. mr. president, the republic of korea has always taken joint steps with united nations. since the establishment of the government in 1948, the republic of korea has received assistance from the united nations, first during the korean war and then

during reconstruction. even though it was not until 1991 that the republic of korea could become a member of the united nations, the country has announced its roles and responsibilities as a member state faster than any other nations in the span of one generation. in 1993 onward, korea has continued to participate in peacekeeping operations. this year, as chair of peace building commission, it is focusing on resolving the root causes of conflicts. over the past five years, the republic of korea has increased its financial assistance for refugees by 15 times, and last year, it donated over $20 million. expediting the implementation of the paris agreement, the korean

government is also staking its role in preventing global warming. in the years to come, the republic of korea will significantly increase its contributions to the united nations. this is in line with the governance of the new administration. people come first. it is the slogan i have used for several years and to express my political philosophy.

the people are at the center of all policies of my administration. as of now, my administration is pursuing bold measures to change the current paradigm to deal with economic inequality that stand in the way of growth and social cohesion. we are now pursuing economic policy focusing on the income growth of individuals and households. and promoting an economy or the growth is led by job creations and all people can enjoy equal opportunities and the fruit of growth. this is what we call a people centered economy. my administration is determined to realizing growth will not be confined to our country. in accordance with this new paradigm, the republic of korea will lend support for sustainable growth in developing countries.

mr. president, secretary general and representatives from around the world, i was born in the refuge town in the middle of the korean war. this civil war which developed into an international war, devastated the lives of countless people. over 3 million lost their lives, and many of the survivors were deprived of leaving. my father was also one of them. my father, who thought he was taking temporary refuge at the time, could never make it back to his hometown before he passed away. i come from one of these separated families, the victims whose human rights were violated by the war. the war has yet to come to a complete end.

the korean war, or that begin as -- a war that begin as an offshoot of the larger cold war conflict, continues to this day. though the cold war ended and 64 years have passed since the conclusion of the armistice agreement, the war remains ongoing in the form of an uneasy cease-fire on the peninsula. the last residual cold war order .n northeast asia the memory of war has become more pronounced and hearts aspiring to peace pound painfully. this is the republic of korea in september 2017. for me, the president of the only divided country, peace is calling.

and a historical duty. i am representing my fellow citizens who send out a message of peace through the candlelight revolutions to the global village, where wars and conflicts will know end. at the same time, and trusted to safeguard the people's rights to peace to an undisturbed daily life as a universal value. for these reasons, i hope north korea will be able to choose its own path, leading to peace. i believe peace, when chosen willingly, becomes sustainable. more than anything else, i am grateful that my convictions are joined by the international community.

despite the international community's demand and warnings, and to our great disappointment, north korea recently carried out its sixth nuclear test and further missile provocations. in the wake of nuclear tests, the korean government has made enhanced effort to convince countries in the region and beyond of the necessity for stronger sanctions and pressure to make north korea stop its provocations and choose the path of dialogue. i highly appreciate the un security council's unanimous adoptions of north korea sanctions resolutions with unprecedented speed and tougher measures than previous resolutions. this clearly reflects that the international community is

collectively outraged and responding under one voice on the north korean nuclear issue and the problem on the korean peninsula. once again, as the party directly involved with issues on the korean peninsula, i would like to express my appreciation to the international community for its shared understanding and support to our traditions of the korean government. despite north korea's flagrant violation of its obligations under the u.n. charter, the korean government and international communities are making every possible effort with great determination to peacefully solve the north korean nuclear issue. the un security council sanctions resolutions against north korea that have articulated principles of peaceful, diplomatic and political resolutions.

once again, here at the general assembly where nations pledge actions toward peace, i make the following point very clear to north korea and the international community -- we do not desire the collapse of north korea. we will not seek reunification by absorption or artificial means. if north korea makes the decision, even now, to stand on the right side of history, we are ready to assist north korea together with the international community. north korea should acknowledge all these facts as soon as possible. it must immediately cease making reckless choices that could lead to its own isolation and downfall and choose the path of dialogue. i urge north korea to abandon hostile policies against other

countries and give up its nuclear weapons program in a very viable and irreversible way. the efforts of the international community should also be further strengthened. it has to struggling and sternly respond until north korea gives up its nuclear program of its own accord. all nations must thoroughly implement the un security council sanction resolutions and take new measures in case of any further provocations by the north. it is also important to manage the situation in a stable manner. all of our endeavors are to prevent the outbreak of war from breaking out and maintain peace. in that respect, the situations surrounding the north korea nuclear issues need to be managed stably, so that situations will not become

intensified or accidental military clashes will not destroy peace. we should all remind ourselves of what former u.s. president ronald reagan said, peace is not absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means. we should once again remind ourselves. i would like to make a special request to the member states of the united nations, and in particular to the u.n. security council. in order to fundamentally solve the north korean nuclear issue, the basic spirit of the security community should be fulfilled on the korean peninsula. the basic pillar should be

wisely combined. the spirit of the united nations is to realize global peace through multilateral dialogue. the korean peninsula is where the this spirit is most desperately needed. the realization of peace is the issue for which the united nations was created and is aiming, and is in the process of achieving. we need the united nations to play a more active role on the korean peninsula. the most important role the united nations is apt to play today is to come up with fundamental measures to stop the vicious cycle of increased provocations and heightened sentience. -- heightened sanctions. on many occasions, i have announced a new economic map for korea and the economy.

i believe that genuine peace and prosperity for northeast asia will begin when the foundation for the economic community is solidified on one side and multilateral security cooperation is materialized on the other. distinguished president, secretary general and delegates, the olympics had not been held

i aspire for tease three -- the olympics had not been held for as many as 1500 years until it was reintroduced in 1896. the force behind revival of the olympics was the thirst for peace. the history of the modern olympics started with the overwhelming emotions of the first olympics held in athens, on the peninsula that was once the center of conflicts. five months from now, the olympic winter games will be held in the republic of korea. it is the first of a series of olympics to be held in northeast asia. tokyo in 2020, beijing in 2022. i aspire for these three olympics to become an opportunity for promoting peace and cooperation in northeast asia, where remnants of the cold war and hope for the future, as well as confrontations and cooperation coexist. the republic of korea is ready to make every possible effort for that. please imagine for a moment, people from all around the world who love peace and sports will be gathered in korea, only 100

kilometers away from the demilitarized zone, the symbol of divisions and confrontation on the korean peninsula. heads of states and governments around the world will express harmony. my heart is filled with joy when i imagine north korean athletes marching into the stadium during the opening ceremony, and squads welcoming them with brightly smiling faces from people all over the world. it is not an impossible dream. to turn this into reality, i will make wholehearted endeavors until the end in corporations with the ioc to welcome the north koreans to the winter olympics. i hope that it will become another candle to be lit, like the candles the korean people held out in the face of the crisis of democracy.

i believe the open picks will become a way to shed light on ace when peace is threatened. when peace is threatened. i hope that all of you and the united nations will light your candles. i hope you will put your hearts nd minds together to go hand in hand with peace. today with that heartfelt pledge i invite the head of states and governments from in hand world to come around the here. the steps you take together will become a march for peace. i look forward to seeing you

all next year. thank you. [applause]