Mobilizing Women Globally for Peace in Korea
In May 2015, on the 70th anniversary of Korea’s division into two separate states by cold war powers, thirty international women peacemakers from around the world walked with thousands of Korean women, north and south, to call for an end to the Korean War, reunification of families and women’s leadership in the peace process. We held international peace symposiums in Pyongyang and Seoul where we listened to Korean women and shared our experiences and ideas of mobilizing women to bring an end to war and violent conflict. On May 24, International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament, we successfully crossed the 2-mile wide De-Militarized Zone (DMZ) that separates millions of Korean families as a symbolic act of peace.
Since our historic crossing, we have continued our journey to mobilize women globally for peace in Korea. We seek to do this by 1) Raising global awareness about the urgent need for peace in Korea; 2) Expanding and deepening relationships among women leaders and organizations in North and South Korea and globally; 3) Promoting women’s leadership in peace-building processes on the Korean peninsula and region; and 4) Building capacity and partnerships for greater impact and sustainability.
WHY WOMEN MUST ACT FOR PEACE IN KOREA NOW
After nearly 4 million people, mostly Korean civilians, were killed during the 1950–53 Korean War, fighting was halted when North Korea, China, and the United States representing the UN Command signed a ceasefire agreement. They promised within three months to sign a peace treaty; over 60 years later, we’re still waiting.
The unresolved Korean conflict gives all governments in the region justification to further militarize and prepare for war, depriving funds for schools, hospitals, and the welfare of the people and the environment. That’s why women are walking and will continue to work across boundaries to help reunite families and realize peace in Korea for world peace.
Facts
4 Million people died in the Korean War of 1950–53, most of them Korean civilians.
10 Million families are still separated by the DMZ.
70 Million Koreans live in a state of war due to unresolved conflict.
60+ Years after the war ended with a temporary cease-fire agreement, we’re still waiting for a peace treaty.
$1 Trillion is spent by USA, China, Russia, Japan, and South Korea on militarization, fueled by unresolved conflicts.
Events
Our next steps…
Since our DMZ crossing, our delegates have presented at high-profile panels in the U.S. Congress and at the United Nations. We have conducted over twenty reports back in every major city, from bookstores to community centers to college campuses…Learn more. . .
Korea Peace Network Conference
Off Ramps to War: Paths to Building Peace with North Korea
Tuesday June 13, 2017
George Washington University
Elliot School of International AffairsLearn more. . .
2017 Peace Walk and Symposium
May 24, 2017
Seoul, South Korea
2015 Peace Walk Commemoration
May 27, 2017Learn more. . .
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American peace activist denied entry to S. Korea
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From Christine Ahn:
"What we do know from three decades of experience is that a peace agreement is more likely with the active involvement of women's peace groups in the peacebuilding process. According to a major study covering 30 years of 40 peace processes in 35 countries, an agreement was reached in all but one case when women's groups directly influenced the peace process. Their participation also led to higher rates of implementation and durability of the agreements. From 1989-2011, of 182 signed peace agreements, an agreement was 35 percent more likely to last 15 years if women participated in its creation.
If there ever was a time when women's peace groups must work across boundaries, it is now, when multiple barriers -- language, culture and ideology -- make it that much easier for misunderstanding to prevail, and dangerous miscalculations to take place, paving the way for governments to declare war. At our July 27 meeting in Seoul, we hope to start outlining a regional peace mechanism or process whereby women's peace groups from South Korea, North Korea, China, Japan, Russia and the United States could actively contribute to the official governmental peace-building process." Truth-out.org
North and South Korea Want a Peace Treaty: The US Must Join Them
truth-out.org
The time is ripe for an end -- at last -- to the Korean War. The US is standing in the way.