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The Relationship between South and North Korea in 1970's |
| On August 15th, 1970, the independence day, President Junghui Park of south Korea declared a Plan for a Peaceful Unification and urged a fair relationship between south and north Korea. Based on this declaration, south Korean Red Cross suggested a South-North Red Cross conference, and the real progresses were about to be made in the relationship of south and north Korea as the north Korea accepted it. |
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Red Cross Conference Korea (1971.8.20-1973.7.11) The First Official Communication between South and North Korea |
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In August of 1971, south Korean Red Cross suggested to north Korean Red Cross to hold a conference for separated families. The north Korean Red Cross agreed, and a preliminary conference was held at Panmunjeom. The first Red Cross Conference of south and north Korea was held in Pyongyang, on August 30th, 1971, and the second conference was held in Seoul, on September 13th. These conferences hold a very important meaning in the aspects that they initiated communication between south and north Korea, which was blocked for a long time, and they were based on Red Cross's humanitarianism and fraternity. However, the Red Conference was discontinued with the 7th conference in Pyongyang, in July of 1973, becoming the last conference. |
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7-4 Joint-declaration (1972.7.4) |
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This announcement was the first official announcement made under mutual agreement about peaceful unification. It was announced simultaneously in Seoul and Pyongyang. The announcement contains following agenda: First, we shall not depend on nor be affected by external influences. Second, We shall not depend on military forces to resolve any matters between us. Thirdly, we shall strive for unity as one nation above all the differences in ideologies, beliefs, and systems. These are the three principles of independence, peace, and unification of the people for the unification of the country. This dramatic progress was greatly affected by the international atmosphere of detent. This declaration had a limit that it was completed only through secret meetings of government officials without any consent of civilians. |
| However, it still holds a significant meaning that it set new principles of unification, and it was the first joint-declaration under mutual agreement of two governments since the division of the country. |
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