"Singing for Tomorrow": A Peace Concert Honoring War, Division, and the Hope for Reunification

On June 7, 2025, the White Wave Art Center in Seocho-gu, Seoul, became more than just a concert venue. It became a space of remembrance, healing, and hope. Under the theme “Embracing the Past, Singing for Tomorrow,” a special peace concert was held to reflect on the pain of war and the sorrow of separated families — and to dream together of a unified future.

Co-hosted by HWPL G08, the Korean War Veterans Association (Yeongdeungpo Branch), the Korean Association of Separated Families, and seven other civic organizations, the event brought together over 500 participants, including youth, veterans, artists, and community leaders.

Healing Wounds with Song and Solidarity

This peace concert was not merely a musical event — it was a collective act of remembering and recommitting. As speakers and performers took the stage, a common message was shared: division may be our history, but unity must be our future.

Ryu Jaebok, President of the Korean Association of Separated Families, shared in his opening remarks:

“May this music, born from the sorrow of war, bring comfort to separated families. As we mark the 75th anniversary of the Korean War, let our shared longing for reunification grow stronger.”

Other civic leaders echoed this theme.
Yang Youngdu, of the National Unification Movement Headquarters, emphasized that this was not just a concert, but a promise to remember and to act.

“The Korean War is an unfinished scar. The pain of separated families is a burden we all share. We must create a future where our children no longer speak of war and division.”

Voices of Hope from All Generations

One of the most powerful moments came when An Seungchun, a Vietnam War veteran, recited the poem "Geumgangsan Does Not Ask the Way.” His voice, filled with age and memory, stirred deep emotion among attendees.

In his keynote, Choi Jeongwook, President of the North Korean Defectors Association, noted:

“Music has the power to soften the pain of division and plant hope for peace and reunification.”

Youth also took the stage. Jeong Yunjae, from the HWPL-affiliated Donghaeng Campaign (G08), delivered a message full of clarity and urgency:

“Reunification is not about systems. It’s about breaking down the walls in our hearts. Youth must lead the way.”

The evening continued with performances from eight musical teams, blending traditional Korean music, choral pieces, and spoken word — all resonating with the spirit of reconciliation.

A Tribute That Echoes Forward

An HWPL G08 representative explained the heart behind the event:

“In this month of remembrance, we honored the spirit of those who sacrificed for this country. We hope everyone who attended was able to reflect on the true meaning of peace.”

From war veterans to youth leaders, from poetic verses to harmony-filled stages, the concert brought many voices together for one message:

Let us never forget. Let us sing peace into tomorrow.

Source: https://vo.la/ccfHtSn