[The Path of Peace - Ep. 3] Expanding Horizons: Summit Diplomacy and Solidarity for Peace in Africa

By December 2012, the World Peace Tour transitioned from civil gatherings to high-level summit diplomacy. Entering Ethiopia and South Africa for his 3rd Peace Tour, HWPL Chairman Man-hee Lee took the message of peace straight to presidential palaces, national parliaments, and major news networks across the African continent.

This 3-week journey marked a significant turning point—shifting from initial awareness-raising to strategic, state-level solidarity for global harmony.

A High-Level Summit in Ethiopia: Remembering History, Building the Future

On December 3, 2012, Chairman Lee met with Girma Wolde-Giorgis, President of Ethiopia, at the Presidential Palace in Addis Ababa.

During their private meeting, Chairman Lee shared a vision for resolving global conflict and sought international support for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. President Ethiopia Wolde-Giorgis expressed strong alignment with these goals, committing Ethiopia's support toward global peace initiatives.

During the visit, Chairman Lee also paid tribute to Ethiopian Korean War veterans, laying flowers at the memorial park and expressing deep gratitude to those who fought for freedom decades ago.

Engaging South Africa: Presidential Meetings and Legislative Prayer Breakfasts

Moving on to South Africa, Chairman Lee met with President Jacob Zuma at the Presidential Palace in Pretoria on December 14, discussing practical frameworks for conflict resolution and cessation of war.

Beyond head-of-state meetings, the tour engaged key social and religious leaders:

• Parliamentary Prayer Breakfast: Invited to address leaders at the South African National Assembly in Cape Town, delivering a message on global unity.

• Cape Town Town Hall Gathering: Over 700 pastors and leaders from South Africa and neighboring countries gathered for an assembly, with 225 participants enrolling in follow-up education programs.

Media Spotlight across the Continent

The African tour captured widespread attention from national and local media outlets:

• Ethiopian State TV: Broadcasted news of the presidential summit and closely covered the peace tour itinerary.

• South Africa’s SABC & Local Stations: Over 20 TV and radio stations requested interviews. On busy days, Chairman Lee conducted up to 10 live broadcasts a day, sharing how cultural exchange and mutual respect can form a lasting foundation for world peace.

A Growing Global Network

The 3rd Peace Tour demonstrated that the call for global peace resonates strongly across continents. By connecting with heads of state, parliamentarians, religious leaders, and national media in Africa, the foundation for a united global peace network grew even stronger.

Source: https://tinyurl.com/mvzcec6n