October 2, 2026
Toward a Free and Unified Korea: Building Consensus on a Comprehensive Strategy
Location
- Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, Grand Ballroom
About this event
Each October, Koreans commemorate Gaecheonjeol, National Foundation Day, recalling the founding of the Korean nation and the ancient ideal of Hongik Ingan – to broadly benefit humanity. This ideal remains central to the Korean Dream vision of a free and unified Korea: a nation that overcomes division and contributes to peace and prosperity throughout Northeast Asia and the world.
Today, the Korean Peninsula stands amid significant political and strategic change. North Korea has abandoned its previous commitment to Korean reunification, advanced the concept of two separate and hostile states, and continues to expand its nuclear capabilities. At the same time, the Republic of Korea has placed greater emphasis on peaceful coexistence and a “two-state” relationship oriented toward eventual unification, an approach focused on managing division that risks prolonging it rather than overcoming it.
These developments are taking place amid growing regional and global instability and an increasingly complex security environment across Northeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific. Shifting security relationships, expanding military cooperation, and continuing conflicts in other parts of the world are reshaping the conditions for peace and security on the Korean Peninsula. The future of Korea therefore has implications far beyond the peninsula itself, affecting regional security, human rights, economic development, and the broader future of Northeast Asia.
The International Forum on One Korea 2026 brings together experts, policymakers, and civil society leaders from the Republic of Korea, the United States, Japan, and the international community to strengthen support for a Free and Unified Korea and examine practical pathways toward its realization. Grounded in the Korean Dream vision and the ideal of Hongik Ingan, the Forum will explore concrete policies, partnerships, and action strategies that can advance Korean unification and contribute to a new framework for peace, freedom, and shared prosperity in Northeast Asia.
Event highlights
Agenda
- Venue: Fairmont Ambassador Seoul, Grand Ballroom
- In-Person
SESSION 1 - Opening Ceremony & Plenary
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Opening Declaration & Introduction of Guests
- Mr. Jong-chun Park, Master of Ceremonies
Video Presentation
Opening Remarks
- Mr. James P. Flynn, International President, Global Peace Foundation
- Hon. Seung-Joo Baek, Former Member, 20th National Assembly of the Republic of Korea; Senior Advisor, Action for Korea United
Congratulatory Remarks
- Hon. Jin-pyo Kim, Former Speaker, 21st National Assembly of the Republic of Korea
- Hon. Seok-jun Song, Chairman, Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, 22nd National Assembly of the Republic of Korea
Special Address
- Amb. Robert Joseph, Senior Scholar, National Institute for Public Policy; Former US Undersecretary of State
- Hon. Yong-ho Thae, Former Secretary, Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, 21st National Assembly of the Republic of Korea
Video Presentation
Keynote Speech
- Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon, Chairman, Global Peace Foundation
A Message on the Publication of Korean Dream: A Bold Journey
- Ji-wan Cha, Director of the Publishing Bureau, The Dong-A Ilbo
Celebratory Song
- Cheong-ha Lim / Soprano
Commemorative Photograph
SESSION 2 - Strategy, Policy & Action Plenary
1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Session Opening & Overview
- Moderator: Mr. Baek-san Kim, President, Global Peace Institute
Presentation 1 - Transforming ROK-U.S. Security & Diplomacy: Establishing a Free and Unified Korean Peninsula as the Official Goal
- Col. (Ret.) David Maxwell, Vice President, Center for Asia Pacific Strategy (U.S.)
Presentation 2 - A Critique of the Two-State Theory and Policy Proposals for Realizing a Free and Unified Korea
- Dr. Chun-sig Kim, Former President, Korea Institute for National Unification (Korea)
Presentation 3 - The Korea Link Strategy for Information Inflow into North Korea
- Rev. Kenneth Bae, President, New Korea Foundation (Korea)
Panel Discussion & Q&A
Closing Remarks by Moderator
- Venue: Red Ume Room
- By invitation only
SESSION 3 - Roundtable: ROK-US-Japan Trilateral Cooperation for a Free and Unified Korea
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Speakers
Session 1
Opening Ceremony & Plenary
Hon. Seung-joo Baek
Senior Advisor
Action for Korea United
Hon. Seok-jin Song
Chairman, Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee
National Assembly of the Republic of Korea
Hon. Yong-ho Thae
Former Secretary General
National Unification Advisory Council
Ambassador Robert Joseph
Senior Scholar, National Institute for Public Policy
Former Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security
Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon
Founder and Chairman
Global Peace Foundation
Mr. James P. Flynn
International President
Global Peace Foundation
Hon. Jin-pyo Kim
Former Deputy Prime Minister
Ministry of Strategy and Finance
Moderator
Mr. Jong-chun Park
Secretary General
Action for Korea United
Session 2
Strategy, Policy & Action Plenary
Dr. Chun-sig Kim
Former President
Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU)
Rev. Kenneth Bae
Founder and President
New Korea Foundation International and New Korea Hope Broadcasting
Mr. Baek-san Kim
President
Global Peace Institute
Mr. David Maxwell
Senior Fellow, Global Peace Foundation
Vice President, Center for Asia Pacific Strategy
Session 3
Roundtable: ROK-US-Japan Trilateral Cooperation for a Free and Unified Korea
Dr. Jong-soo Park
Former Chairman
Northern Economic Cooperation Committee
Ms. Naoko Nancy Tada
Founder
Smiling Nancy’s
Mr. Geor Moon
President
Hongik Life Economics Community
Mr. Aya Goto
International Senior Vice President of Program Development and Implementation
Global Peace Foundation
Rev. Kenneth Bae
Founder and President
New Korea Foundation International and New Korea Hope Broadcasting
Mr. Jeremy Graham
Chief of Staff
Global Peace Foundation
Dr. Kwang-kyu Nam
Director, Maebong Institute for One Korea
Research Felow at the Asiatic Research Institute
Mr. Young-ji Kang
President
East Asia Research Institute (Japan)
Dr. Pil-hyun Koo
Director General and Senior Journalist
AsiaToday
Mr. Baek-san Kim
President
Global Peace Institute
Ambassador Robert Joseph
Senior Scholar, National Institute for Public Policy
Former Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security
Mr. David Maxwell
Senior Fellow, Global Peace Foundation
Vice President, Center for Asia Pacific Strategy
Mr. Komei Isozaki
Japan Chair Fellow
Hudson Institute
Mr. James P. Flynn
International President
Global Peace Foundation
Dr. Jin Shin
President
Institute for Peace Affairs
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