Youth Explore the Path to Peaceful Unification Through History Lecture

On August 16, 2025, more than 120 participants gathered at the Independence Hall in Seoul’s Seodaemun Independence Park for a special lecture hosted by the International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), the Together Campaign, the Seoul–Gyeonggi Southern Peace Practice Committee, and the Peace Education and Culture Center.

The event, held under the theme “Connecting the Nation,” invited young people to rediscover forgotten history and seek ways to contribute to peace and unification on the Korean Peninsula.

Remembering History to Build the Future

Before the lecture, attendees watched a commemorative video reflecting on the meaning of Korea’s Liberation Day, revisiting the historic scenes of August 15, 1945.
Through this, participants were reminded that understanding the struggles of the past is essential for shaping a peaceful and unified future.

Key figures such as Lee Jin-mo, Director of HWPL Global Region 1, Lee Ju-han, IPYG Global Region 1 Team Leader, and Hong Ran-hee, Chair of the Together Campaign Seoul–Gyeonggi South Committee, offered encouragement alongside other civic and cultural leaders.

Learning From Forgotten History

The main lecture was delivered by Jo Byung-hyun, Deputy Director of the Peace Education and Culture Center’s Jongno Lifelong Learning Institute. For three hours, he guided the audience through topics of territorial sovereignty and the historical significance of the Gando region, drawing connections between forgotten history and the vision of a unified Korea.

Jo, who also serves as co-representative of the “Dreaming of Restoring King Sejong’s Birthplace” foundation and principal of Danjae Academy, emphasized that reclaiming historical awareness is a crucial step for young people to unite as a generation for peace and reunification.
His lecture, titled “A Generation United for Peaceful Unification Through Forgotten History,” sparked deep reflection among attendees.

Participants expressed both surprise and determination after learning new historical facts, pledging to contribute to peace and unification based on a correct understanding of history. The host venue, the Korea Association for Families of Patriotic Martyrs, reported that every seat was filled, underscoring the strong interest among youth.

A Regular Platform for Peace Education

Organizers announced plans to hold regular history lectures in the future, making Independence Hall a consistent platform for peace education and intergenerational dialogue.

The IPYG, a youth wing of HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light), was established in 2013 based on the spirit of the Declaration of World Peace. Today, over 1,000 youth organizations from 128 countries are working together under IPYG to end war and build peace.

The Together Campaign is a nationwide peace initiative promoting social harmony and sustainable development under four key goals: Connecting Generations, Connecting Cultures, Connecting the Future, and Connecting the Nation. By fostering intergenerational communication, multicultural understanding, climate action, and reunification efforts, the campaign is building a foundation for lasting peace.

Source: https://vo.la/SYHtZV