Thursday, March 13, 2025

[HWPL] HWPL's Georgia Branch's Local Volunteer Activities

                                                           

[HWPL]

[HWPL] HWPL's Georgia Branch's Local Volunteer Activities


Chairman ManHee Lee is the head representative of the global peace organization HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light), which is striving for the enactment and implementation of the international peace law 'Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW)'. The  DPCW is a legal instrument comprised of 10 articles and 38 clauses that can end wars and hostilities throughout the world. HWPL is also spreading a culture of peace and implementing peace education.

Chairman ManHee Lee experienced the cruelty and tragedy of war as a veteran of the Korean War. This is one of the reasons why he founded a global peace campaign as the head of HWPL. He has traveled the globe more than 35 times to meet and persuade politicians, legal experts, journalists, professors, peace activists, civil organization leaders, heads of tribes and others to unite them for the work of peace. The significant fruits borne out of his hard work are the World Alliance of Religions' Peace (WARP) Summit and HWPL Peace Committee. The DPCW was drafted and finalised by the HWPL Peace Committee.

How, you may wonder, do I know this? About 10 years ago, when I had just been discharged from military service, I came to know HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee while researching the topic of civil conflicts to satisfy my curiosity in ongoing global issues. At that time, the island of Mindanao in the Philippines was suffering from a major civil conflict that lasted more than 40 years, and Chairman ManHee Lee and HWPL resolved this conflict through non-violent means.

Chairman Lee brought an end to the conflict in Mindanao by holding a peace talk between the warring Catholic and Islamic groups. Before the talk, HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee held a Peace Walk to spread the culture of peace in Mindanao with the many locals who had gathered out of a desire for peace.

Chairman ManHee Lee's pressing appeal today is that humanity unites for sustainable peace in order to pass on the legacy of peace to future generations worldwide. He doesn't just talk peace, but has worked tirelessly for it through practical peace campaigns for over a decade.

I decided to become a supporter of HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee's peace initiatives because I also desire a world of peace for all posterity.

Today I'd like to introduce an article regarding HWPL's Georgia Branch's Local Volunteer Activities :)

HWPL Georgia Branch Resumed Local Volunteer Activities in the New Year

The HWPL Georgia Branch carried out volunteer activities in Clarkson several times throughout 2024. Clarkson is a preferred settlement area for many immigrants and refugees, and 50% of its residents are refugees who were not born in the United States. The HWPL Georgia Branch has been consistently donating hygiene products, food and clothing to those who have been forced to find new homes due to war or unforeseen circumstances.

The branch members decided to make a clothing drive their first activity of the year. They worked together with Georgia State University IPYG volunteers and chose the Christopher Woods Complex located in the heart of Clarkson as the location for the project. The Georgia State University IPYG club volunteers who were interested in volunteering helped with planning and preparation, and altogether, the figures, organizations, and members of HWPL collected about 1,200 pieces of clothing.

On the day of the clothing drive, HWPL volunteers set up a booth in the middle of the Christopher Woods Apartment Complex and distributed flyers to local residents to inform them about the donation activity. As a result, a total of 88 local residents received clothing donations. Children who participated in the event had a meaningful time enjoying sports activities with the volunteers.

The effort was completed much sooner than expected, with volunteers saying that the clothing was delivered quickly because the Christopher Woods Apartment Complex is home to more refugees than in other areas.

Local residents expressed their gratitude to HWPL for their efforts in carrying out the volunteer activity and said that they would continue to show interest in their future activities. Kimberly Mahmud, who also participated in the activity, praised HWPL’s efforts in meeting the needs of local residents and promised to participate in future volunteer work.

The HWPL Georgia Branch is planning to conduct more than 10 donation volunteer activities this year, and will carry them out with the help of partner organizations, individuals, and members.


Interested in HWPL's peace work for the world? Please visit following link :)

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

[HWPL] HWPL's YEPW Year-End Meeting in 2024

                                                          

[HWPL]

[HWPL] HWPL's YEPW Year-End Meeting in 2024


Chairman ManHee Lee is the head representative of the global peace organization HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light), which is striving for the enactment and implementation of the international peace law 'Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW)'. The  DPCW is a legal instrument comprised of 10 articles and 38 clauses that can end wars and hostilities throughout the world. HWPL is also spreading a culture of peace and implementing peace education.

Chairman ManHee Lee experienced the cruelty and tragedy of war as a veteran of the Korean War. This is one of the reasons why he founded a global peace campaign as the head of HWPL. He has traveled the globe more than 35 times to meet and persuade politicians, legal experts, journalists, professors, peace activists, civil organization leaders, heads of tribes and others to unite them for the work of peace. The significant fruits borne out of his hard work are the World Alliance of Religions' Peace (WARP) Summit and HWPL Peace Committee. The DPCW was drafted and finalised by the HWPL Peace Committee.

How, you may wonder, do I know this? About 10 years ago, when I had just been discharged from military service, I came to know HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee while researching the topic of civil conflicts to satisfy my curiosity in ongoing global issues. At that time, the island of Mindanao in the Philippines was suffering from a major civil conflict that lasted more than 40 years, and Chairman ManHee Lee and HWPL resolved this conflict through non-violent means.

Chairman Lee brought an end to the conflict in Mindanao by holding a peace talk between the warring Catholic and Islamic groups. Before the talk, HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee held a Peace Walk to spread the culture of peace in Mindanao with the many locals who had gathered out of a desire for peace.

Chairman ManHee Lee's pressing appeal today is that humanity unites for sustainable peace in order to pass on the legacy of peace to future generations worldwide. He doesn't just talk peace, but has worked tirelessly for it through practical peace campaigns for over a decade.

I decided to become a supporter of HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee's peace initiatives because I also desire a world of peace for all posterity.

Today I'd like to introduce an article regarding HWPL's Youth Engagement & Peacebuilding Working Group Year-End Meeting :)


2024 Youth Engagement & Peacebuilding Working Group(YEPW) Year-End Meeting

From November 23 to December 27 last year, the year-end meeting of the Youth Engagement & Peacebuilding Working Group (YEPW) was held online (ZOOM) in 50 regions across 56 countries.

YEPW is a global youth-led peace working group that practices peace activities in different regions around the world and seeks practical solutions to various social problems young people face. Additionally, to realize peace in the community, it collaborates with individual youth, organizations, civil society, and government agencies to carry out various activities. In this year-end meeting, participants shared the achievements of the year and discussed the direction for the future.

Over the past year, YEPW has expanded the scale of its peace initiatives while also growing in quality. In particular, IPYG signed MOUs with various government agencies and youth ministries from different countries, such as the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Republic of South Sudan, the National Youth Council of Côte d’Ivoire, and the Cameroon National Youth Council, to more systematically promote youth-led peace activities. As a result, the number of member organizations collaborating with IPYG has increased to 1,325, and regular YEPW meetings are being held in 50 regions across 56 countries, actively implementing regionally tailored peace projects.

▲ The Bayanghoshu Peace Library

In particular, YEPW in Mongolia, along with its 600 members, carried out tree planting and peace camp activities, making the community a more peaceful space and directly practicing the values of peace. Furthermore, in November of last year, they participated in establishing a peace library, providing a space for learning and peace for local youth. Youth of YEPW in Timor-Leste painted murals by hand on the theme of peace journalism, improving the city’s appearance. This process attracted the attention of local media, leading to a talk show and spreading the peace message widely. YEPW in Germany developed the European-customized peace education program “Youth Empowerment Peace Class (YEPC)” to emphasize the role of individuals in sustainable peace and encourage participation among European youth.

▲ YEPW in Germany, YEPW in Timor-Leste

Participants who directly witnessed the results of peace activities in their region realized the significant changes and impact brought about by youth. They had a meaningful time contemplating how to collaborate as YEPW members in 2025.

Those who attended the year-end meeting shared the following impressions.

“I’ve learned a lot during the the course of the year from YEPW. The material provided taught us how to value one’s life. I take that initiatives to explain members (from our organization) on how they can value one’s life. It was participatory and they enjoyed it. The training took place in a certain village , too. I was very happy for all the materials provided online to ensure that we are equipped and there can be everlasting peace. Thank you very much!”
– South Sudan / David Ajo

 

“So personally I feel like I’m this person who started the journey in 2024 as one of the aimless people looking at the things that I learned. I think I’m this person who has benefited a lot because I learned the things that I didn’t even know, and I thought as how someone can present and also just that the formal interaction or maybe networking we met quite a number of people that we achieved quite a lot in 2024.”
– Zambia / Salifyanji Silungwe

 

“I was happy to learn about the amazing achievements in Mongolia over the past year through today’s meeting. I was also very surprised to see how IPYG has expanded its projects and produced many outcomes through collaboration with various organizations. I was truly glad to know that IPYG organizes large-scale activities to empower many young people, and I was very inspired by your work. I hope that the children in our orphanage will also become such active and energetic youth, but since our children still lack diverse experiences, I thought it would be great if IPYG could have a positive influence on our orphanage’s social workers and collaborate with us through various activities.”
– Mongolia / Chimegkhishig Sodnomdarjaa

After the year-end meeting, the participants discussed specific cooperation plans to address various issues threatening peace in the community.

YEPW in Côte d’Ivoire plans to launch youth-led projects in major cities across the country with the support of the government Youth Committee and the Youth Ministry. In particular, in Yamoussoukro, they will collaborate with schools to run on school programs addressing drug addiction, early pregnancy, and mental health issues, aiming to help adolescent design healthy future.

YEPW in Netherlands is continuing its citizen-participation sticker painting project ‘PFP (Paint For Peace)’ in collaboration with local libraries, universities, and various youth organizations. Through this, they plan to raise awareness among citizens about the importance of inner peace and spread positive changes throughout society.

Also, YEPW in Mongolia is actively engaging in tree-planting activities to address desertification issues. In line with President Ukhnaa Kurelsukh’s announcement of the “One Billion Trees” campaign, YEPW in Mongolia plans to carry out continuous tree-planting activities to prevent climate refugees and gift a beautiful natural environment to future generations.

In this way, YEPW in each country is committed to achieving peace by collaborating with various organizations tailored to the regional circumstances. Just as small actions come together to create significant change, in 2025, youth will continue to take the lead in expanding YEPW activities even further.


Interested in HWPL's peace work for the world? Please visit following link :)

Sunday, March 9, 2025

[HWPL] HWPL Global 10 Branch New Year's Party

                                                         

[HWPL]

[HWPL] HWPL Global 10 Branch New Year's Party


Chairman ManHee Lee is the head representative of the global peace organization HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light), which is striving for the enactment and implementation of the international peace law 'Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW)'. The  DPCW is a legal instrument comprised of 10 articles and 38 clauses that can end wars and hostilities throughout the world. HWPL is also spreading a culture of peace and implementing peace education.

Chairman ManHee Lee experienced the cruelty and tragedy of war as a veteran of the Korean War. This is one of the reasons why he founded a global peace campaign as the head of HWPL. He has traveled the globe more than 35 times to meet and persuade politicians, legal experts, journalists, professors, peace activists, civil organization leaders, heads of tribes and others to unite them for the work of peace. The significant fruits borne out of his hard work are the World Alliance of Religions' Peace (WARP) Summit and HWPL Peace Committee. The DPCW was drafted and finalised by the HWPL Peace Committee.

How, you may wonder, do I know this? About 10 years ago, when I had just been discharged from military service, I came to know HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee while researching the topic of civil conflicts to satisfy my curiosity in ongoing global issues. At that time, the island of Mindanao in the Philippines was suffering from a major civil conflict that lasted more than 40 years, and Chairman ManHee Lee and HWPL resolved this conflict through non-violent means.

Chairman Lee brought an end to the conflict in Mindanao by holding a peace talk between the warring Catholic and Islamic groups. Before the talk, HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee held a Peace Walk to spread the culture of peace in Mindanao with the many locals who had gathered out of a desire for peace.

Chairman ManHee Lee's pressing appeal today is that humanity unites for sustainable peace in order to pass on the legacy of peace to future generations worldwide. He doesn't just talk peace, but has worked tirelessly for it through practical peace campaigns for over a decade.

I decided to become a supporter of HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee's peace initiatives because I also desire a world of peace for all posterity.

Today I'd like to introduce an article regarding HWPL's Global 10 Branch New Year's Party :)

HWPL Global 10 Branch New Year’s Party: “A Warmer Companion of Peace Together”

On January 14, HWPL Global Branch 10 held a New Year’s party with the theme, “A Warmer Companion of Peace Together.” A total of 101 people from all walks of life supporting peace, including HWPL public relations ambassadors, war veterans’ groups, religions, youth, media, and civil society, attended the event.

▲ HWPL Global 10 Branch New Year’s Party

The event was organized to discuss the practice of ‘peaceful unification of the Korean Peninsula’ and ‘peace culture’ based on mutual understanding and respect among people from all walks of life, together with HWPL Global 10 Branch, which aims to achieve the end of war and world peace in 2025. This New Year’s party, held under the theme of ‘peace’ and ‘companion,’ was a meaningful time for peace supporters from various fields to gather together, share their thoughts, and seek ways to practice peace together.

Attendees were touched by a traditional Korean music performance, a performance by an electric violinist, and a choir singing “Our Wish is Unification.”

▲ ‘Our Wish is Unification’ chorus

During the discussion and presentation time, peace activity ideas were shared that could be practiced in daily life to minimize social conflict and create a peaceful atmosphere under the theme of ‘Peaceful Unification of the Korean Peninsula, the Beginning of Peace.’ The young people who participated discussed various peace activity plans that could be practiced with people from various fields, wrote them on a board, and then had time to present them.

▲ Monk Manju giving a presentation on ‘Peaceful Unification of the Korean Peninsula, the Beginning of Peace’ and a young man writing on a board

The following are opinions presented through the discussion:

1. First, I must show myself as the right person.
2. Since our country is one people, the people must be of one mind and one heart.
3. We must actively participate in the movement for religious harmony and peaceful unification.
4. Religion and politics must be separated.
5. We need to be educated about peaceful unification from a young age.
6. We must create a place for communication between the older and younger generations.
7. We must be interested in and support communication and cultural exchange that respects ideology, religion, and thought.

At the HWPL Public Relations Ambassador Appointment Ceremony that followed, Monk Myung-an, the General Director of the Korean Buddhist Yeorae Order, and Imam Ehsan Mirza of the Daejeon Islamic Center were appointed as public relations ambassadors. After the appointment certificates and plaques of appreciation were presented, letters expressing gratitude were also read.

Monk Myeong-an said, “The reason I have been with HWPL for nine years is because I have consistently prayed for world peace and unification of South and North Korea according to the teachings of ‘coexistence, co-prosperity, and co-existence’ preached by Monk Inwang. After he passed away, I was thinking about how to preserve his will, and that is when I came into contact with HWPL Global 10 Branch, and nine years have passed since then. I also express my deep gratitude to the HWPL Chairman for allowing me to be here today by gathering the will of many religious leaders, including Buddhist and Islamic leaders, for world peace and unification of South and North Korea.”

He also said, “I would like to once again express my gratitude for the support of the HWPL Global 10 Branch’s volunteer work in restoring flooded temples during the great flood in Okcheon and Yeongdong, Chungcheongbuk-do in July 2024. Let us continue to work together to achieving world peace and the end of war, which HWPL pursues, Geoncheong (Inviting and welcoming the spirits of gods and Buddhas), and Haehyang (Attributing the merits and virtues of one’s own cultivation to other living beings or to oneself)” recalling his long relationship with HWPL and expressing his will to realize peace.

Imam Ehsan Mirza said, “Everyone, it is a great honor to be able to gather here under the theme of ‘A Warmer Companion of Peace Together.’ In a divided world, we are reminded of the importance of empathy, respect, and cooperation. Over the past year, we have come to realize how important the value of ‘unity’ is in overcoming various challenges. Now, we must move forward and walk even closer to peace.”

He continued, “Peace is not simply the absence of conflict. It is harmony in diversity. True integration is respecting each other’s differences and connecting with each other through dialogue, justice, and compassion. Small acts of kindness and understanding can bring about positive change in the world. Peace begins within us. If we work together, we can create a ‘future of integration’ in warmth and harmony.” He emphasized the importance of peace and integration.

▲ Commemorative photo at the appointment ceremony for public relations ambassadors, Monk Myeong-an, HWPL Global 10 Branch Director Kim Joo-heon, Imam Ehsan Mirza

Religious leaders participated as panelists in the ‘Scripture Comparison Discussion’ and ‘Religious Dialogue’ hosted by the religious office of the HWPL Global 10 Branch seeking to realize world peace through interreligious dialogue and cessation of war, setting an example of religious peace and harmony. In recognition of this, the panelists were awarded the ‘Peace Achievement Award’ with gratitude.

Monk Manju, the General Director of the Korean Buddhist Great Order who attended the event, said, “I sincerely hope that HWPL and various organizations can hold the ‘National Stability Prayer Service’ every year at the Unification Observatory or Panmunjom so that we can bring forward free and peaceful unification as soon as possible.”

The participants shared their pledge to stay together as a “family of peace” until peace is realized, and chanted “We Are One.” Under the theme of “A Warmer Companion of Peace Together,” this New Year’s party was a time to take a new leap forward toward the peaceful unification of the Korean Peninsula and the beginning of peace in 2025.


Interested in HWPL's peace work for the world? Please visit following link :)

Thursday, March 6, 2025

[HWPL] HWPL's Peace Educator's New Year's Gathering

                                                        

[HWPL]

[HWPL] HWPL's Peace Educator's New Year's Gathering


Chairman ManHee Lee is the head representative of the global peace organization HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light), which is striving for the enactment and implementation of the international peace law 'Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW)'. The  DPCW is a legal instrument comprised of 10 articles and 38 clauses that can end wars and hostilities throughout the world. HWPL is also spreading a culture of peace and implementing peace education.

Chairman ManHee Lee experienced the cruelty and tragedy of war as a veteran of the Korean War. This is one of the reasons why he founded a global peace campaign as the head of HWPL. He has traveled the globe more than 35 times to meet and persuade politicians, legal experts, journalists, professors, peace activists, civil organization leaders, heads of tribes and others to unite them for the work of peace. The significant fruits borne out of his hard work are the World Alliance of Religions' Peace (WARP) Summit and HWPL Peace Committee. The DPCW was drafted and finalised by the HWPL Peace Committee.

How, you may wonder, do I know this? About 10 years ago, when I had just been discharged from military service, I came to know HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee while researching the topic of civil conflicts to satisfy my curiosity in ongoing global issues. At that time, the island of Mindanao in the Philippines was suffering from a major civil conflict that lasted more than 40 years, and Chairman ManHee Lee and HWPL resolved this conflict through non-violent means.

Chairman Lee brought an end to the conflict in Mindanao by holding a peace talk between the warring Catholic and Islamic groups. Before the talk, HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee held a Peace Walk to spread the culture of peace in Mindanao with the many locals who had gathered out of a desire for peace.

Chairman ManHee Lee's pressing appeal today is that humanity unites for sustainable peace in order to pass on the legacy of peace to future generations worldwide. He doesn't just talk peace, but has worked tirelessly for it through practical peace campaigns for over a decade.

I decided to become a supporter of HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee's peace initiatives because I also desire a world of peace for all posterity.

Today I'd like to introduce an article regarding HWPL's Peace Educators' New Year's Gathering :)


‘Education United in Love’
– 2025 HWPL Peace Educators’ New Year’s Gathering –

On February 8th, HWPL hosted the 2025 HWPL Peace Educators’ New Year’s Gathering. Under the theme, “Love Conquers All,” the event highlighted the role of peace education and peace educators in establishing global peace. A total of 822 educators from 65 countries attended, sharing past achievements and discussing future directions.

Despite ongoing global efforts to end wars and resolve conflicts, new threats continue to emerge, increasing instability. Complex factors such as military and economic tensions, post-pandemic recovery, climate change, cybersecurity, ideological clashes, misinformation and propaganda, migration and refugee issues, and the decline of multilateralism make conflict resolution challenging.

HWPL identifies human greed as the root cause of these complex issues and emphasizes love-based peace education as the solution.

HWPL is particularly focused on training educators worldwide as peace educators, appointing those who complete the training to actively implement peace education. Currently, 2,424 educators across 77 countries are serving as peace educators.

An HWPL representative stated, “Love restrains human greed and serves as the driving force for realizing peace. The role of peace educators is a crucial factor determining the future of humanity, and their dedication and efforts will be eternally recorded in history.”

HWPL awarded peace educator certificates to 15 educators in appreciation of their dedication to peace education.

Sabina Zakir, director of Community, and Communications and Outreach The Millennium Education Group and recipient of the 2025 Most Outstanding Peace Educator Award, remarked, “The Millennium Education Group shares the same goals as HWPL and is working together to achieve peace in Pakistan. For the spirit of peace, its importance is immense with us and our philosophy for Pakistan and for our religion.”

Zakir added, “So we will work more diligently to ensure peace in Pakistan, and hence globally, to all our students and staff. We have already trained with HWPL Peace Educators, and hence we’ll make a larger impact from the classrooms and our students. I am honored to receive this award and thank Chairman Man Hee Lee of HWPL, the honorary directors, and everyone who has joined us.” She concluded her remarks by exclaiming, “The most important message is, “We are one!’”

The peace educators present at the event pledged to continue collaborating to spread peace education globally. In 2025, HWPL plans to actively promote the training of peace educators worldwide and strives to further spread a culture of peace through peace education.



Interested in HWPL's peace work for the world? Please visit following link :)

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

[HWPL] HWPL's Meeting with Veterans of the Korean War

                                                       

[HWPL]

[HWPL] HWPL's Meeting with Veterans of the Korean War


Chairman ManHee Lee is the head representative of the global peace organization HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light), which is striving for the enactment and implementation of the international peace law 'Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW)'. The  DPCW is a legal instrument comprised of 10 articles and 38 clauses that can end wars and hostilities throughout the world. HWPL is also spreading a culture of peace and implementing peace education.

Chairman ManHee Lee experienced the cruelty and tragedy of war as a veteran of the Korean War. This is one of the reasons why he founded a global peace campaign as the head of HWPL. He has traveled the globe more than 35 times to meet and persuade politicians, legal experts, journalists, professors, peace activists, civil organization leaders, heads of tribes and others to unite them for the work of peace. The significant fruits borne out of his hard work are the World Alliance of Religions' Peace (WARP) Summit and HWPL Peace Committee. The DPCW was drafted and finalised by the HWPL Peace Committee.

How, you may wonder, do I know this? About 10 years ago, when I had just been discharged from military service, I came to know HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee while researching the topic of civil conflicts to satisfy my curiosity in ongoing global issues. At that time, the island of Mindanao in the Philippines was suffering from a major civil conflict that lasted more than 40 years, and Chairman ManHee Lee and HWPL resolved this conflict through non-violent means.

Chairman Lee brought an end to the conflict in Mindanao by holding a peace talk between the warring Catholic and Islamic groups. Before the talk, HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee held a Peace Walk to spread the culture of peace in Mindanao with the many locals who had gathered out of a desire for peace.

Chairman ManHee Lee's pressing appeal today is that humanity unites for sustainable peace in order to pass on the legacy of peace to future generations worldwide. He doesn't just talk peace, but has worked tirelessly for it through practical peace campaigns for over a decade.

I decided to become a supporter of HWPL and Chairman ManHee Lee's peace initiatives because I also desire a world of peace for all posterity.

Today I'd like to introduce an article regarding HWPL's meeting with veterans of the Korean War :)


‘Together: Connecting Generations’
– A Generational Meeting with Veterans of the Korean War –

On January 23rd, HWPL Global 09 Branch and the Incheon Dong-gu Branch of the Korean War Veterans Association held a “Generational Meeting with Korean War Veterans” (hereinafter referred to as the meeting) at the Incheon Dong-gu Veterans Hall. This event was part of the “Together: Connecting Korea” campaign and served as an opportunity for veterans and young people to come together and promote understanding and communication between generations.

“Together: Connecting Korea” is a nationwide campaign organized by HWPL aimed at fostering sustainable development and social harmony in South Korea. It is conducted in four areas: “Connecting Generations,” “Connecting Cultures,” “Connecting the Future,” and “Connecting the People.” This meeting was organized under the theme “Connecting Generations” and provided Korean War veterans and young people with an opportunity to spend meaningful time together.

The meeting was attended by four veterans, including Ryu Seo-ho, the head of the Dong-gu Branch of the Incheon Chapter of the Korean War Veterans Association, as well as about 20 young people in Incheon.

The veterans shared their personal experiences and the pain they endured during the war, recalling its horrors. Some veterans got teary-eyed as they recounted their stories.

 

“At the age of nineteen, I lost my family due to the Korean War, and even after 75 years, I still don’t know if they are alive or dead.”

“During my time as a refugee, I enlisted in the military, fighting with guns during the day and combating with a bayonet at night.”

“In the pitch-black night, with no light at all, we couldn’t tell friend from foe. We fought just to survive.”

“As a guerrilla, without a rank or military number, I received rations and weapons from the U.S. military, taking part in combat. I only wanted to protect my hometown.”

The young people then had the opportunity to ask the veterans questions and listen to their thoughts and experiences.

One young attendee shared, “I deeply appreciate hearing the precious experiences directly from those who lived through the war. Until now, I had only learned about the war through media, but hearing it firsthand made it much more real. As our country remains in a state of ceasefire, I hope we can soon achieve a complete end to the war.” The veterans also expressed their gratitude: “It was a meaningful time to share the experiences of war that we’ve never been able to talk about easily with the younger generation. We are deeply thankful to HWPL Global 09 Branch for organizing such a meaningful event.”

The event concluded with a group photo to commemorate this meaningful intergenerational meeting. This intergenerational meeting served as a time to reflect on the sacrifices and dedication of the Korean War veterans and reaffirm South Korea’s commitment to peace and unity.



Interested in HWPL's peace work for the world? Please visit following link :)