[Former German Chancellor Schröder visits Korea ①] Former Chancellor Schröder gives special 40-minute address to Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly on May 22

“A coalition government has two different roots, but they must grow towards achieving common success”

◇ On the morning of May 22, former German Chancellor Gerhard Fritz Kurt Schröder delivered an address on ‘the unification of Germany, experience in leading a coalition government, and some advice for Korea’ in the main chamber of the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Heo Seon-ryang

“I’ve heard that Gyeonggi Province has a coalition government that transcends political affiliation for the first time in Korean history. A coalition has two different roots, but they must grow towards achieving common success. Cooperation is possible when it is based on mutual respect and trust.”

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Fritz Kurt Schröder visited Gyeonggi Province and conveyed his message on leading a successful coalition government in Gyeonggi Province and the blueprint for Gyeonggi Province within a unified Korea.

To mark the first anniversary of Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil’s assumption of office as the 6^thdemocratically elected governor, former German Chancellor Schröder visited Gyeonggi Province and delivered a 40-minute address on the subject of ‘the unification of Germany, experience in leading a coalition government, and some advice for Korea’ in the main chamber of the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly on the morning of May 22.  

More than 300 people including Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil, Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly Chairman Kang Deuk-gu, Gyeonggi Province Education Superintendent Lee Jae-jeong, Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly members, opinion leaders, and public officials attended the session to hear former Chancellor Schröder’s address.

Former Chancellor Schröder said, “During the 1960s and 70s, countless nurses and miners were sent to Germany and helped the German economy a great deal. At present, 40,000 Koreans live in Germany, which means it has the largest Korean population in Europe.” He began his speech by emphasizing that: “Governor Nam Kyung-pil is known as a friend of Germany. He is well aware of German economics, politics, and social affairs, which helped him make significant contributions towards improving relations between Germany and Korea.” 

◇ Former Chancellor Schröder said, “I’ve heard that Gyeonggi Province has a coalition government that transcends political affiliation for the first time in Korean history. A coalition has two different roots, but they must grow towards achieving common success.”  ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Heo Seon-ryang

First, with regards to the unification of Korean peninsula he said, “North Korea cannot ask for economic aid while at the same time developing nuclear weapons that threaten South Korea and other neighboring countries.” Former Chancellor Schröder also gave some advice, stating that, “For the trust-building process on the Korean peninsula, South Korea cannot withdraw its hand just because North Korea doesn’t take its hand immediately.”

In addition he said, “Germany was unified after 40 years, but Korea remains divided and [the two Koreas] still live apart without being able to meet each other. The German people sincerely hope Korea achieves a peaceful and free unification.” Schröder added, “We expect Gyeonggi Province to take a leading role in reaching a unified Korea.”

Former Chancellor Schröder stressed that, “Enormous sums of money were spent striving for three objectives after unification: introducing a market economy, privatization of East German corporations, and creating better infrastructure in underdeveloped areas of East Germany. Growth was slowed down because structural reform did not take place.” He also said, “However, the expense is unimportant and it is bearable. The important thing is the people, people meeting one another, and families meeting each other.”

With regards to the coalition, Schröder used Germany as an example, saying, “You asked me to speak about Germany’s experience in cooperating with others regardless of political inclination, but I think you don’t need to hear about my experience. I heard that Gyeonggi Province has a coalition government that transcends political affiliation for the first time in Korean history. A coalition has two different roots, but they must grow towards achieving common success. I can only share with you what we experienced rather than give you advice.”

Former Chancellor Schröder also noted, “As for Germany, the first democratic government lasted until 1933. Although it failed because of the Nazis, this experience was a learning process which taught us that cooperation is necessary for the good of the country.” He then emphasized, “Political parties must compete with one another; however, the important thing is that political parties must have the trust of the people. Also, with regards to national interest and critical state affairs, we must not forget that the people are above the nation and the nation is above political parties.”

◇ More than 300 people including Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam Kyung-pil, Gyeonggi Province Education Superintendent Lee Jae-jeong, Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly members, opinion leaders, and public officials attended the session to hear former Chancellor Schröder’s address. ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Heo Seon-ryang

Former Chancellor Schröder evaluated himself, saying, “During my days as the Chancellor of Land Niedersachsen, the German Chancellor, I worked together with the Green Party and I’ve been successful in cooperating with others overall.” He added, “Cooperating with others sometimes leads to painful results, but all in all I believe coalition helps manage state affairs peacefully.” He also said, “Coalition has laid down roots as a political culture of finding common ground based on consent.”

Schröder continued, “Gyeonggi Province has also attempted cooperation that transcends political affiliation in Korea. As politicians, you will have a great many experiences that you can share between each other. Cooperation is only possible when it is based on mutual respect and trust.”

Former Chancellor Schröder concluded his speech by saying, “Germany and Korea are friends who have shared experiences and a common fate. At the ‘Korea-Germany Peaceful Unification Forum’ held in Berlin, Governor Nam Kyung-pil highlighted that investment in Gyeonggi Province was an investment in a unified Korea of the future. I wish a bright future for Gyeonggi Province and only good things to occur in your future.”

After former Chancellor Schröder’s address, Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly members Lee Jae-joon (New Politics Alliance for Democracy) and Lee Seung-cheol (Saenuri Party) asked his opinion on the instability of a coalition government based on political agreement rather than legal regulation, settling the history with Japan, and the functions of a coalition government as an alternative to improving issues in the presidential system.

Schröder said, “Democracy must acknowledge the opinions and differences of minorities. If you want a coalition in the provincial assembly, creating legislation based on a consensus rather than eliminating different opinions will strengthen the core of a coalition government.”

He added, “In Germany’s case, we remember our painful experience under the Nazis and the communist regime in East Germany was also something we had to settle. After the war, Germany strived to settle the past regarding the Holocaust, and has never hesitated to admit its war crimes. This has been clear internationally as well.” Schröder continued “This has not happened in Japan yet. In Korea, settling its history with Japan is so important. The Japanese people need the courage to face their own history.”

◇ Former Chancellor Schröder, Governor Nam Kyung-pil, Chairman Kang Deuk-gu, and representatives of both political parties ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News Heo Seon-ryang

ⓒ Gyeonggi G News | Cheon Kyung-nam ckn0403@kg21.net

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201505221640217055C048&s_code=C048