The Korean Miracle

By Newt Gingrich

Opinion

USA – -(AmmoLand.com)- Callista and I spent last weekend in Seoul, South Korea on a whirlwind trip from Rome.

The experience reminded me what a miracle modern South Korea is.

I spoke to the Washington Times-sponsored Universal Peace Federation’s World Summit.

The conference itself was fascinating, having drawn more than 2,000 people including current and former heads of state. Former Vice President Dick Cheney and I talked at the opening plenary session. Former Congressman Dan Burton, who also attended, is playing a leadership role in developing an international parliamentary group dedicated to finding ways to improve the prospects for peace.

Even more impressive than the conference was the city of Seoul itself. The Seoul metropolitan area has more than 25,600,000 people – about half the population of South Korea. Based on GDP, it is the fourth largest urban economy in the world. It is also just over 35 miles from North Korea.

The modern skyscrapers, fancy cars, and world-class hotels and restaurants all exist within artillery range of the Korean People’s Army (what North Korea calls its military). This closeness makes it vitally important to avoid war on the Korean Peninsula. The human cost of the …Read the Rest

Source:: AmmoLand