It is indeed my great pleasure and honor to congratulate the occasion of the first Sunhak Peace Prize Awards Ceremony. I would like to pay my tribute to the laureates of the inaugural Sunhak Peace Prize, His Excellency Anote Tong, President of the Republic of Kiribati, and Dr. Modadugu Gupta of India.

We are gathered here today to honor the heroes of our time who have acted on their compassion for humanity to build a world of harmonious co-existence. I would like to thank Chairman Dr. Hong Il-Sik and the officials of the Sunhak Peace Prize Committee for inviting me to this meaningful occasion.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Ⅱ. While mankind has overcome the tragic crisis of potential global destruction, we have yet to write the history of hope as pledged after the end of the war.

Conflicts between nations, regions, races and religions have persisted, while new challenges, including extremist terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, have emerged. At the same time, we are facing other forms of global challenges, such as the economic crisis and climate change.

  Now, it is time for mankind to accurately define the current crisis and develop a new solution that will help us build a more livable earth. And I believe that the answer to making a better world lies in the strength of civilization.

In the past, countries competed to accumulate wealth to develop weapons, so that they could become a hegemon at the expense of other nations. That old era is over. The 21st century should be “an era of civilization,” where every country thrives based on a flourishing culture, while working together with other nations.

Furthermore, a country’s competitive pursuit of economic development should be to enable its people to lead a decent life and to allow both the environment and humans to stay healthy and flourish. I believe that it is only then that the global village will be able to continue with a harmonious and continuous development.

President Anote Tong, with the people of Kiribati, has taken the initiative in protecting the marine ecosystem even though his country has been directly affected by rising sea levels induced by climate change. Practicing his remarkable love for mankind, President Anote Tong is truly a guardian of humanity defending our future generations against the climate crisis.

Dr. Modadugu Gupta has devoted his lifetime to developing and spreading aquaculture technology to help feed the poor in Southeast Asia and Africa. Dr. Gupta’s dream and endeavors to build a world without poverty and hunger have already produced miracles in many parts of the world.

We, as humans, have common values, such as the spirit of sharing, consideration and inclusion, that help us build a beautiful and just society. Through the lives of these two men, we find hope that we can restore these intrinsic values in ourselves. I have every confidence that in pursuit of that hope, all humankind will soon move forward toward a life of true co-existence and co-prosperity.

Once again, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the laureates of the Sunhak Peace Prize, and I wish all of you and your families good health and happiness.

Thank you.