A Nationwide March for Peace: HWPL’s 12th Declaration of World Peace Anniversary Unites Korea

 On June 7, 2025, a powerful message resounded throughout South Korea—not just from Seoul, but from cities and towns across the nation. In celebration of the 12th Anniversary of the Declaration of World Peace, the international peace NGO HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light) held simultaneous commemorative events in 12 Korean regions and 94 locations in 61 countries.

This year’s theme, “The Future of Peace and Prosperity: Free Travel on the Korean Peninsula,” brought national attention to the urgent need for peaceful reunification—and how ordinary citizens can take part.

A United Call for Reunification

In Seoul, over 2,000 participants gathered along the Deoksugung Stone Wall Path, where civic leaders, cultural organizations, and peace volunteers joined together under HWPL’s “Connect Korea” campaign.

But what made this year truly stand out was its national scale. From Busan to Daejeon, and from Jeonju to Damyang, peace-themed programs unfolded with over 13,600 participants engaging in peace booths, parades, and forums.

Local Highlights Included:

• Traditional martial arts presentations and peace parade
• Photo exhibitions on divided families and the Korean War
• Interactive booths for youth, North Korean defectors, and marginalized groups
• Peace message writing corners and public education on unification

Speakers Who Inspired the Nation

Several influential voices helped shape the event's impact. Former Gwangju Mayor Eok-dong Cho declared:

“The first step to world peace is the peaceful reunification of Korea. And the first step to that is free travel between North and South.”

Myung-sook Kim, a second-generation separated family member, moved the crowd with her personal testimony. Her father, a Korean War veteran, longed for a son left behind in North Korea—a wound that never healed.

“This is not just a political issue. It is a present-day story we must still carry.”

War veteran Byung-chu Yoo added a sobering reminder:

“We stand at the door of our last chance for reunification. Let us not allow the tragedy of war to repeat.”

 

Recognition for Peace Leadership

In a symbolic moment during the event, the Namhansanseong Traditional Martial Arts Association presented HWPL Chairman Man Hee Lee with a certificate of appreciation and a ceremonial sword, recognizing his lifelong dedication to peace and reunification.

This act honored Chairman Lee’s consistent efforts to inspire civic participation, interfaith dialogue, and legislative peace initiatives on a global scale—beginning with the Declaration of World Peace first proclaimed on May 25, 2013.

From Citizens to Cities: A Peace Movement in Motion

The “Connect Korea” campaign was more than a slogan. It became a reality as civic groups, local governments, and citizens worked together to make peace visible—on the streets, in schools, and across community spaces.

HWPL’s local chapters emphasized the importance of creating real-world opportunities for dialogue and understanding—especially among youth and socially underrepresented groups.

Peace Starts at Home—And Spreads Across Borders

Twelve years after the Declaration of World Peace, HWPL’s message has not faded. It has grown into a movement that connects cities, cultures, and generations.

The Korean Peninsula may still be divided by politics, but through events like this, people are connecting—heart to heart, step by step.

Now is the time to walk together, write messages of hope, and prepare the way for a unified tomorrow.

Source: https://vo.la/BlPTdFM