In publishing a revised edition

Preface For Permanent Peace
Chapter 1: Preliminary Provisions for Permanent Peace Between Nations
Chapter 2: Definitive Articles for Permanent Peace Between Nations

Supplementary Article 1: On the Guarantee of Perpetual Peace
Supplementary Article 2: Secret Articles for Perpetual Peace

Appendix 1: On the Conflict Between Morality and Politics Regarding Perpetual Peace
Appendix 2: On the Harmony Between Politics and Morality According to the A priori Concept of Public Law

Translator's Note

Kant's "Perpetual Peace," which argues that only perpetual peace is the highest political good and a moral practice that humanity must continue to strive for as long as it possesses reason, has been published in a revised edition by Seogwangsa Publishing, a publishing company specializing in philosophy books.
Wars have occurred continuously in the past under the pretext of preserving individuals and species.
It was only in the modern Enlightenment, the age of reason, that people began to think that war should be avoided, and various ideas were put forward in response.


In this atmosphere, Kant's 『Perpetual Peace』, first published in 1795, explains 'how' peace, which means the end, rather than the ceasefire, of hostilities between nations, should be achieved through "preliminary provisions for perpetual peace between nations."
“Definitive Articles for Perpetual Peace among Nations” discusses the legal mechanisms for establishing a state of peace.
In particular, this provision argues that, contrary to the idea of ​​peace by the world's most powerful international state, each nation should maintain peace and guarantee its own rights under a republican system, which is reminiscent of today's United Nations.
Also in 1796, he added a "Secret Article for Perpetual Peace," which called on nations to take the advice of philosophers on principles of conduct.


The significance of Kant's theory of peace lies in the fact that it does not simply address current issues at the level of common sense, but rather discusses them academically from the perspectives of historical philosophy, moral philosophy, and political philosophy, and theoretically argues for the possibility of eternal peace.
Although "Perpetual Peace" does not provide specific guidelines for immediate peace, it is a classic work that must be read in that it suggests the direction and goals we must pursue to achieve true peace.
This will have significant implications, especially for the reality of the Korean Peninsula, which has suffered the devastation of war and still faces the risk of war.