HWPL Global Branch 07 Hosts “Mentor Theater” Episode 4: A Firsthand Voice on Division and Peace

In Seoul’s Eunpyeong District, citizens gathered to hear not a news report, but a personal testimony shaped by the history of Korea’s division.

Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) Global Branch 07 recently held the fourth episode of its “Mentor Theater” program under the campaign title “Companionship: Connecting the Republic of Korea.” The event took place at the branch office in Eunpyeong and was attended by approximately 30 participants. The Seoul–Northern Gyeonggi Peace Action Committee provided support for the event.

A Dialogue-Based Program on Division and Peace

“Mentor Theater” is a monthly interactive program that invites individuals from diverse backgrounds who have lived with dedication in their respective fields. Unlike lecture-style events, the format encourages direct dialogue, allowing participants to ask questions and engage in open discussion.

The fourth session included an opening segment, program introduction, ice-breaking activities, a talk show discussion, a gift presentation, remarks from a peace committee representative, and a group photo session.

A Life Shaped by Division

The featured mentor was Kim In-cheol, President of the Saemaeul Movement Pyeonganbuk-do Association. He introduced himself as someone who has worked for 45 years addressing North Korean affairs and separated family issues through the Committee for the Five Northern Provinces.

Born in North Korea in 1950, Kim experienced the outbreak of the Korean War firsthand and fled south during the war and the entry of Chinese forces. He described how his life began amid the realities of national division, explaining the historical background behind the term “10 million separated families” and the increasing urgency of reunion issues as time passes.

Participants noted that his personal narrative closely reflected key moments in Korea’s modern division history, adding emotional depth to the discussion.

Why Talk About Reunification?

Kim emphasized that reunification should not remain a distant political slogan. Instead, he framed it as a practical solution to reducing instability and long-standing discomfort affecting daily life, the economy, and diplomacy.

He explained that reunification would mean restoring a divided land into unity and strengthening Korea’s position globally. Through an extended question-and-answer session, participants explored topics including North Korea’s current situation, inter-Korean relations, and the challenges facing separated families.

Some attendees remarked that they had previously encountered such issues only through fragmented media coverage, and that the session offered new insights and detailed perspectives. One participant shared that while reunification had not previously felt personally relevant, the discussion helped clarify its importance.

A Message Across Generations

Following the mentor session, Park Gi-geun, a Peace Action Committee member, delivered remarks reflecting on his own youth. He encouraged younger generations not to take present-day stability for granted.

Recalling memories of economic hardship, military training, and labor-intensive daily life, he stressed the importance of gratitude while continuing to pursue learning and self-development. Even in his nineties, he said, he remains committed to participating in lectures and gatherings, underscoring lifelong learning as part of responsible citizenship.

Continuing Civic Dialogue on Peace and Unity

The event concluded with a gift presentation and commemorative photo session. Organizers stated their intention to continue creating spaces where citizens can openly discuss division and reunification in accessible language, encouraging reflection, empathy, and civic engagement.

Through programs like “Mentor Theater,” HWPL Global Branch 07 is fostering dialogue that connects historical experience with present-day peace discussions. By emphasizing personal testimony and citizen participation, the initiative contributes to broader conversations about division, reconciliation, and sustainable peace within Korean society.

Source: https://vo.la/yJB3WkK