We have observed, through the issues of the ‘Comfort Women’, the Korean War, and the Division of North and South Koreas, how war and conflict devastated women’s lives and used human beings as a tool. On the other hand, we confirmed that women played principal roles in the inter-Korean peace, reconciliation and cooperation processes. 

“UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace and Security” recognizes the differential impact of armed conflict on women and men, highlights women’s role to participates peace and security policy as not victims but peacebuilders and demands the full involvement in all peace processes. We fully support Resolution 1325 and have conducted a variety of activities to implement it.

As found in the draft resolution, we strongly urge the South Korean government to submit a National Action Plan to implement “UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.” The National Action Plan will have positive impacts on the realization of peace and reunification on the Korean Peninsula by promoting women’s participation and incorporating gender perspective in conflict prevention, management and resolution.

The National Action Plan should be related to the national strategies - such as reunification, defense and development policies - and include realistic goals, a timetable for implementation, concrete budget, accountable institutional structure and a reporting mechanism. The process of the developing of the National Action Plan is as important as the actual Plan itself. Therefore, it should be proceeded in a cooperative manner by including the different branches of the government - such as the National Assembly and the Gender Equality and Family Committee, the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Reunification, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade ? and relevant actors such as women’s organizations.