Finding Peace in the "1%": Lessons from the 7th ‘Nam-buk Hanaro’ Dialogue

On March 21, 2026, a deeply moving dialogue took place at the South Gyeonggi office of the Peace Practice Committee. This wasn't just another formal seminar; it was the 7th edition of the ‘Nam-buk Hanaro’ event—a space designed to bridge the gap between South and North through the most human of languages: Gratitude.

Under the theme "The Accompanying Path to Peace through Gratitude," participants gathered to explore how small changes in perspective can lead to monumental shifts in the journey toward peace.

A Platform for Connection and Shared Growth

The event, co-hosted by the "Dong-haeng (Accompanying) Campaign" and the Peace Practice Committee, brought together a diverse group of peace advocates and community leaders:

• Kwon Hyo-jin, Chairman of the International PEN Center for North Korean Writers in Exile.

• Yang Si-yeon, Secretary General of the Solidarity for Gyeore-eol Unification.

• Moon Seong-mook, Education Division Member of the HWPL Peace Committee for the Korean Peninsula.

• The Heart of the Event: North Korean defectors An Geum-sil, Choi Hyeon-jo, and Lim Eun-hee, whose lived experiences provided the "DNA of wisdom" for the afternoon.

Hong Ran-hee, Chairperson of the Dong-haeng Campaign, set the tone by stating, "This is a platform where we truly listen to the voices of North Korean defectors. Every person here is a seed for a unified and peaceful future."

Peace as a Daily Choice

The dialogue reminded us that peace is not an abstract concept reserved for high-level diplomacy. As Moon Seong-mook aptly put it, "Peace becomes a reality only when it enters our daily lives and relationships." It is built in the small, honest moments of understanding between neighbors, regardless of where they were born.

The Power of the "1%": A New Perspective on Hardship

The most resonant part of the day was the keynote sharing by Kwon Hyo-jin. Drawing from his personal journey of defection and resettlement, he redefined gratitude as a "resilient life attitude" rather than a simple emotion.

"Gratitude isn't about waiting for special things to happen," Kwon explained. "It’s a perspective that arises when we truly acknowledge our present. When we view a difficult past as a source of energy rather than a weight of pessimism, gratitude becomes the strength to rise again."

He introduced a profound philosophy that stayed with many in the audience—the "1% Choice":

"Life is often a balance of 49% hardship and 49% hope. That final 1% is what determines our direction. Placing that 1% on optimism and gratitude—that is the true courage required to choose peace."

Walking Together Across Generations

Kwon also emphasized the beauty of intergenerational accompanying. He noted that while the youth provide the drive to overcome pain, the elders offer the wisdom to navigate life's complex turns. This synergy is what makes a peaceful community possible.

From Understanding to Peace

The event concluded with an open Q&A session where participants discussed the value of freedom and how individual gratitude can expand into collective peace. The gathering ended on a high note as everyone joined together to sing the song "Brush (But)," a symbolic moment of harmony.

The "Nam-buk Hanaro" project serves as a powerful reminder: when we listen to each other's stories with a heart of gratitude, the walls between us begin to crumble. As the organizers shared: "From gratitude to understanding, and from understanding to peace—the journey continues."

Source: https://vo.la/ftMatKS