Special Lecture Delivered by Song Young-kil, the Mayor of Incheon “A North-South economic community must be secured and young students must lead the 'era of the continent" Song Young-kil, the mayor of Incheon, delivered a special lecture titled ‘INCHEON, the road to peace in Korean Peninsula)’ on May 14th at the auditorium in Baekyang Hall. During the lecture, he emphasized communication and integration, passion and challenge, and leadership based on balance and harmony necessary to turn Incheon into an economic hub that will be a center of Northeast Asia and lead peace and prosperity on the Korean peninsula. Mayor Song said, "I wanted to be a diplomat in middle school. I was interested in North-South relations and diplomacy. Although I haven't become a diplomat and became a congressman and a mayor instead, my interest in international diplomacy is persistent." As a matter of fact, during his first congressional election in 2003 when the war between the United States and Iraq was unfolding, he criticized it, saying, "It's a violation of international law and a unilateral policy of the United States." He also visited Iraq upon the invitation by the Iraqi Chairman of Congress, even though the war was very imminent. In early 2000, he called for an injunction prohibiting Japan from selling textbooks. He attended a trial held in Tokyo, Japan because of this. “Korea is constantly threatened by the surrounding four powers. From the Korean War to the recent Cheonan warship sinking, Incheon was and has been under the influence of the state of affairs around the Korean peninsula.” Mayor Song always keeps in mind what the late President Kim Dae-joong once said―that good diplomacy is crucial and that while criticizing another country's policy is acceptable, hurting another country is not. Mayor Song has made various plans to improve the relationship between North and South Korea. He intends to strengthen the sports-based collaboration to alleviate tension between the two Koreas. "A soccer stadium will be made in Incheon to hold Incheon-Pyeongyang soccer games," the mayor said. Mayor Song has already built a playing field in Kunming, China to support the North Korean Women's Soccer Team. Mayor Song has also been at the forefront of strengthening economic cooperation. “The Gaeseong Industrial Complex is an excellent case of economic cooperation and tension alleviation between North and South Korea. It will be a model to follow when building a peace industrial complex in Incheon Gyodongdo. It will be a win-win opportunity for both North and South Korea." Once this happens, it will be possible to build a bridge at the Imjin River and North Koreans in Haeju can become a new workforce. Mayor Song said that "North Korea must become more open. If the North cuts off the South and cooperates economically with China, then the South will be threatened by China's Northeast project." He emphasized, "If the North and South come into contact, their sense of common identity will be recovered and tension will be alleviated."