IWPG Hosts ‘Only Peace Conferences’ in Busan & Gongju

From the Coast to the Heart of Korea—Women Leading the Way from Victimhood to Peacebuilding

A Nationwide Movement for "Only Peace"

During the final weeks of March 2026, the International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) ignited a powerful spark of peace across South Korea. Two major regional branches—Global District 4 (Busan) and Global District 10 (Gongju)—successfully hosted the "2026 Only Peace Conference."

While hundreds of miles apart, both events shared a singular, profound theme: "Peace Voices: How Women Have Protected Peace." The message was clear—peace is not a distant, high-level diplomatic term; it is a living value nurtured within our daily lives and local communities.

Busan: Turning Scars of Division into Hope for Unity

On March 21, at the Busan Eurasia Platform, over 100 citizens and activists gathered to discuss the practical application of peace. A deeply moving moment occurred when a member originally from North Korea shared her story.

"Having experienced the reality of division firsthand, I long for a peninsula where peace, not war, continues. I want our children to learn about division as a story from history books, not a current reality."

The Busan conference emphasized "Peace as a Legacy," concluding with participants drafting their own "Peace Declarations" and committing to IWPG's Women’s Peace Education.

Gongju: Cultivating the "Seeds of Peace" in Mid-Korea

A week later, on March 28, the movement shifted to Gongju, where 100 members from six districts in the Chungcheong region (including Daejeon, Cheongju, and Cheonan) gathered.

Ji-young Yu, Chairperson of the Seosan Branch, defined peace as a "friend" that anyone can practice through simple acts like community service or children's art programs. The event also featured a global perspective from Professor Yvonne of UJAT (Mexico), who emphasized that the core of peace lies in meaningful solidarity and organic cooperation between educational institutions and NGOs.

Interactive Peace: Beyond Lectures to Action

Both conferences broke the mold of traditional seminars by incorporating participatory programs:

• Busan: Facilitated group discussions on resolving daily conflicts and "Peace Membership" drives.

• Gongju: "Peace Talk" concerts and a creative "Peace Doll Making" workshop to visually represent the preciousness of harmony.

Hwa-jung Kim, IWPG Global Director, summarized the shift: "Women are moving beyond being mere 'beneficiaries' of peace. We are now the 'architects' who build and institutionalize it."

A United Front for a Sustainable Future

As an international NGO with UN ECOSOC and DGC status, IWPG continues to prove its grassroots power. Whether in the bustling port of Busan or the historic heart of Gongju, the "Only Peace Conference" series has shown that when women unite, the culture of peace spreads like wildfire.

The seeds have been sown. Now, through education and solidarity, IWPG is ensuring these seeds bloom into a sustainable global legacy.

Source: 

- https://vo.la/u3Kc3d5

- https://vo.la/6YSUsZo