Karin Lee and John Feffer
East Asia Quaker International Affairs Program
American Friends Service Committee
Tokyo Friends Center
The American Friends Service Committee joins with the rest of the world in celebrating this historic moment.
One cannot help but feel great hope and joy watching Kim Jong Il and Kim Dae Jung shake hands, symbolically bridging the territorial divide that has existed for over five decades.
Both Kim Jong Il and Kim Dae Jung are to be commended for taking this giant step. It is a giant step, and yet it is just the beginning.
While expectations are indeed high, we must remember that there is over half a century of history to discuss, and many issues to resolve over the next three days ? and the weeks, months, and years that will follow.
We know that Kim Dae Jung and Kim Jong Il will show great patience, and keep a steady path through the difficult discussions that lie ahead.
The governments of China, Japan, Russia and the US have all expressed support for this seminal meeting. In the days ahead, we call on these governments to follow through on this conviction with actions that truly create an international arena supportive of Korean reconciliation.
May this great moment lead to a true and lasting peace, on the Korean peninsula, in East Asia, and in the world.
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