[Peace News] Paju City Council Passes 'The Korean Peninsula Peace City Ordinance'

[Peace News]

[Peace News] Paju City Council Passes 'The Korean Peninsula Peace City Ordinance'

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Visit World Peace Festival Homepage

Participate in Signature In Support Of The DPCW Address

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파주시 '한반도 평화수도 조례안' 시의회 통과 / Reporter Daejoon Park / Jan 21st 2020 / Paju, Korea / news1

It was declared in Paju city, Gyeonggi province, South Korea, that the 'Peace City Construction Ordinance of Paju City' was passed by Paju City Council on Jan 21st 2020. The ordinance was passed to legalize strategy and systems for the creation of Paju city as a peace city, and to accelerate the building blocks of peaceful unification of the Korean peninsula and realization of Paju as 'Peace City of the Korean Peninsula'.

The ordinance consists of :

1. Plans for establishment as a peace city and mayoral responsibilities
2. Establishment of Peace City Committee with a system and function
3. Limits to North-South Korean exchange initiatives and foundation of its fund
4. Establishment of Plan for Peace and Unification Education

Therefore, Paju city can now concretely implement a basic foundation to change Paju city into an international Peace City through the ordinance that enables :

1. Respect for the values of freedom, equality, life and cooperation
2. Various North-South Korean exchanges for peace
3. Peaceful utilization of DMZ and boundary area
4. Nurturing peaceful citizens through peace and unification education
5. Cooperation between Korean and international cities that collaborate for world peace

As a member of HWPL Supporters ONE, I wish Paju city becomes a good model with a culture of peace and also to work together with HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light) and its Chairman Man Hee Lee to fulfill a true culture of peace for world peace through the DPCW (Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War) :)

Peace!

Want to be informed and involved? Click Below!

HWPL official homepage : www.hwpl.kr

IWPG official homepage : http://www.iwpg.org/en/

IPYG official homepage : www.ipyg.kr

[IWPG] A World of Peace Drawn by Children: "2nd International Peace-Love Drawing Competition"

[IWPG]

[IWPG] A World of Peace Drawn by Children: "2nd International Peace-Love Drawing Competition"

On sunny October 10th, IWPG (International Women's Peace Group; Chairwoman Mrs. Hyunsook Yoon) hosted its "2nd International Peace-Love Drawing Competition" at the Nurikum Square Building in Seoul.

The competition was held to spread a culture of peace throughout the world for world peace. More than 6500 students from 41 cities in 30 countries participated in each city under the theme "Cessation of War, Handwritten Peace Letters, Love for Nation and Peace, and Eradication of Weapons."

In this article, I want to share quotes and pictures of participants including the chairwoman of IWPG and children.

VIPs and children who were awarded for their pictures

Mrs. Hyunsook Yoon. Chairwoman of IWPG : 

"There is a thing I find regrettable in this international event—that children and youth in North Korea were not able to join us. I am confident that if all youth across the globe have a great yearning for it, and our hope for peace touches heaven, we will be able to see the day when children and youth from the North take part in the event together with us. I promise that the IWPG will pour its efforts into realizing a world of peace on the drawing papers to ensure that they do not simply remain as drawings and also to make the event even better next year."

Mr. Soon-kyu Hwang. Vice-chair of Board of Directors of Korean Fine Arts Association :

"Young children and youth are the key players who will lead the achievement of world peace. That is why it is all the more crucial that we teach them a culture of peace via drawings. Education on the culture of peace that enlightens people worldwide and brings together religions and nations should be done under the slogan, ‘We are one!'"

Children who awarded for the prize

Ms. Ha-eun Yoon. Grand prize winner :

"I believe that we have a deep yearning for peace and consider it important because words like “war” and “conflict” exist. For wars to cease, what we need are peace and unification. Hence, I drew a pure white dove, able to fly freely to anywhere in the world, carrying a rainbow-colored hope and delivering a message of peace to all the people tormented by war."

Mr. Lee-hyang Chun. Director of Center for Hongik Filial Piety, Loyalty, Proprieties, and Culture : 

"I believe that the majority of the people dream of building a world free of wars and that the children have sown the seed to make it a reality through these drawings. I think that when the seed grows, blossoms, and bears fruit, that would be the time when the world becomes a peaceful place."


As a member of HWPL Supporters One, I wish for a peaceful world that children dream of to come true soon in the near future :)


Peace!

[HWPL] 5th Annual Commemoration of the September 18th World Peace Summit in Berlin, Germany

[HWPL]

[HWPL] 5th Annual Commemoration of the September 18th World Peace Summit in Berlin, Germany

Watch Official Homepage Broadcast

Visit World Peace Festival Homepage

Participate in Signature In Support Of The DPCW Address

Write Online Peace Letter

On September 9-10th 2019, HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light; Chairman Man Hee Lee) hosted their 5th Annual Commemoration of the September 18th World Peace Summit in Berlin, Germany with more than 100 participants including the former Prime Minister of East Germany, the Ambassador of South Sudan in Germany and delegates from the governments of Germany and Romania, legal experts, religious leaders and representatives from media, youth and civil society to discuss the work of peace for world peace.

HWPL presented the progress of its main world peace initiative entitled "Legislate Peace" that urges participants to support the DPCW and to spread peace culture throughout the world. One of the participants, H.E. Beatice Khamisa Wani Noah, Ambassador of South Sudan in Germany, said :

"I believe peace can be achieved if Africans, Europeans, Asians, and the people of the world work together for the 10 articles 38 clauses of Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW)” and the implementation of peace education and the culture of peace envisioned by HWPL will pave a way for the future generation to bring peace."

H.E. Hans Modrow, the former Prime Minister of East Germany

On September 10th, participants gathered to find concrete methods to achieve reunification of the Korean peninsula. All participants agreed that North and South Korea have to learn from and follow the model examples set by East and West Germany. They suggested the following for the reunification of the Korean Peninsula :

1) Presenting politicians' and officials' peace-keeping activities before and after and German unification

2) Introducing the desire and necessity of peaceful unification from the perspective of Korean reporters and youth

3) Taking a close look at the resulting problems and solutions post-unification of Germany in 1990

H.E. Hans Modrow, the former Prime Minister of East Germany said :

"Discussions should be focused on examining the current issues, consequences of the reunification in order to overcome the unresolved social and economic issues from the German Reunification."

Mr. Byeong Suk Kim, General Director of HWPL Berlin, introduced the work Chairman Man Hee Lee has been carrying out for world peace since founding HWPL.

VIP guests who joined in the event promised to work together with HWPL for world peace and for peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula.



Peace!

Want to be informed and involved? Click Below!

HWPL official homepage : www.hwpl.kr

IWPG official homepage : http://www.iwpg.org/en/

IPYG official homepage : www.ipyg.kr

DPCW information : http://www.hwpl.kr/en/initiative/lawForPeace

[Peace News] Korean Vice Minister of Unification Ministry Mr. Ho Suh Says "Let's Make DMZ the Center of Peace"

[Peace News]

[Peace News] Korean Vice Minister of Unification Ministry, Mr. Ho Suh, Says "Let's Make DMZ the Center of Peace"

서호 통일부차관 "DMZ를 평화의 중심지로" / Reporter Youngsin Jeon / BBS News / July 4th 2019 / South Korea

Mr. Ho Suh, Vice-Minister of Unification, said the government will develop the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone of Korea) into a center of peace that has historical, ecological and cultural contents with borderline municipal governments.

'DMZ Peace Operation Forum' was hosted at Cheorwon DMZ Peace Culture Square on July 4th, where the Vice-Minister announced key initiatives between the Koreas such as the meeting with the U.S, the withdrawal of General Border Post and an Excavation of Remains.

Korean Unification Monument in a borderline park

The remains of Taebong state found in Cheorwon 1100 years ago couldn't be excavated because it is in the middle of DMZ.

Mr. Ho Suh said: "Borderline cities will be centers of South-North Korean exchange and cooperation, and it will develop into 'Borderline Peace Prosperity Belt' which will be the foundation of the Korean peninsular's peaceful prosperous community."

Foreign Korean War veterans visiting the DMZ

Peace!

Want to be informed and involved? Click Below!

HWPL official homepage : www.hwpl.kr

IWPG official homepage : http://www.iwpg.org/en/

IPYG official homepage : www.ipyg.kr

DPCW information : http://www.hwpl.kr/en/initiative/lawForPeace

[Peace Quotes] Interview with Chairman Man Hee Lee of HWPL: Forward the World Peace

[Peace Quotes]

[Peace Quotes] Interview with Chairman Man Hee Lee of HWPL: Forward the World Peace

Original Article: [HWPL Special Edition: The Beginning of Change towards Peace]

HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light) recently published an interview with Chairman Man Hee Lee about the peace work of HWPL and world peace. Mr. Lee answered 5 questions about world peace but I'm only sharing a few of Mr. Lee's answers. I recommend you read the whole article via the link above :) It contains a very inspiring message for the world.

Mr. Man Hee Lee the Peace Advocate who has traveled around the world more than 30 times and visited more than 100 countries since 2012 for the world peace

"Peace is not just a matter of one individual or one country. It matters to all people of the world...."

Absolutely true. If we can't stop world conflicts, wars will come to everyone which will lead us to doom.

"All world religions must return to this original meaning of religion. They must not be the source of conflicts with one another..."

If most conflicts in the world are caused by religion, then they have to engage in dialogue with each other to resolve their problems. We want a peaceful end to all conflict.

"If heads of state truly love their citizens and their countries, they will not be able to ignore the will of the people.........Their (the youth) Peace Letters will certainly move the world."

I also think that a true politician must consider the future and happiness of all people. What good is politics if people are close to death and surviving miserably without peace?

As a proud member of HWPL Supporters One, my wish is that more and more people work together on HWPL's peace campaign with Chairman Man Hee Lee. Then we can achieve world peace soon for everyone.

Peace!

Want to be informed and involved? Click Below!

HWPL official homepage : www.hwpl.kr

IWPG official homepage : http://www.iwpg.org/en/

IPYG official homepage : www.ipyg.kr

DPCW information : http://www.hwpl.kr/en/initiative/lawForPeace

[Peace News] Hanguk Daily Reports Achievements of the 31st World Peace Tour of HWPL

[Peace News]

[Peace News] Hanguk Daily Reports Achievements of the 31st World Peace Tour of HWPL

HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light) and Chairman Man Hee Lee finished the 31st World Peace Tour with great results through events organised with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Romania, Institute for Advanced Studies in Levant Culture and Civilization (ISACCL) and Center for Baltic-Black Sea Studies (Center for BBS).

These organizations and HWPL co-hosted a conference entitled 'The Role of Cultural Diplomacy in Approaching the Protracted Conflicts - Culture of Peace through Understanding the Other' on the 30th anniversary of the collapse of dictatorship in Eastern Europe.

HWPL, 루마니아 순방, 동유럽 지도자들과 국제 평화 컨퍼런스 개최 / Hanguk Daily / April 4th 2019 / Korea

The news reported that a conference under the title 'The role of religion for world peace' was hosted and religious leaders from Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Islam, Sikhism, Hinduism, Romanian Orthodox Church, Bahaism etc. all participated in the event.

The news also reported that 5 former Eastern European presidents, peace and human rights activists from Europe and Asia, as well as journalists, participated in 'The Korean Peninsular Peace Reunification Forum' to discuss international support and co-operation for the peaceful reunification of the Korean peninsular.

VIPs who jointly worked with the organizations said that the Korean government has to learn lessons from the reunification of east and west Germany to prepare for the reunification of the Korean peninsular, and the global community has to take an interest in the Korean peninsular's peaceful reunification because it was divided through force by other countries. They added that the two Koreas’ decision must be respected fully and impartially.

HWPL, 루마니아 순방, 동유럽 지도자들과 국제 평화 컨퍼런스 개최 / Hanguk Daily / April 4th 2019 / Korea

At the conference, Chairman Man Hee Lee said :
"If you think we can cease war through the DPCW’s (Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War) 10 articles and 38 clauses then you have to support it. If you think it isn’t enough, then you have to ask yourself why. Everyday we send peace letters to world leaders urging them to support the DPCW. We will be held responsible in the future if we don't do anything when we hold the answer for the realization of world peace. We must not pass this on to someone else or expect future generations to do it. The problems in today’s generation must be resolved by us. Please keep it."

Hanguk Daily, which reported the event, reported that the DPCW was drafted by HWPL and international law experts. It deals with realistic principles that countries must keep to achieve peace such as 'Prohibition of the threat or use of force', 'Freedom of religion' and 'Spreading a culture of peace'. It is currently being supported by leaders and parliaments from many countries.

Want to be informed and involved? Click Below!

HWPL official homepage : www.hwpl.kr

IWPG official homepage : www.iwpg.org/en

IPYG official homepage : www.ipyg.kr

DPCW information : http://www.hwpl.kr/en/initiative/lawForPeace

Peace!

[IPYG] North and South, Let's Be "Us" Again! IPYG's Event for Reunification

[IPYG]

[IPYG] North and South, Let's Be "Us" Again! IPYG's Event for Reunification

On 9th February in Seoul, Korea, IPYG (International Peace Youth Group) hosted an event entitled "North and South, Let's Be "Us" Again!" to launch its civil and youth campaign for the peaceful reunification of the Korean peninsula. Today is the 1st day of the campaign and it will be carried out until the 23rd March.

That day, many VIPs participated by giving speeches and discussing the reunification issue. They were:

Mr. Man Hee Lee, the chairman of HWPL (Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light).
He has been carrying out the main initiatives of HWPL for world peace and also achieved a peace agreement in Mindanao Island between Islam and Catholicism

Prof. Hokwon Jang, Korean History expert

Dr. Chanil Ahn, North Korea expert. The Head of World North Korea Research Center. The chairman of World North Korean Assembly. 

Mr. Geunho Lee. The director of KBB Buddhist Broadcast Center

Reporter Suntaek Wang, Reunification and diplomacy correspondent from YTN (One of Korea's major press)

Invited speakers delivered speeches about :

1) How should we think about reunification? What understanding do we need to have?

2) How can we achieve peace among religions and ideologies?

3) The rapidly changing mood in North Korea and the Korean peninsula

4) The significance of reunification of Korea and its influence on world peace

Additionally, IPYG declared that the reunification campaign's main initiatives will be :

1) Language Exchange between North and South - Understanding languages and culture between North and South

2) North and South Historical Trip - Trip to historical spots in Korea to learn about the value of reunification

3) Reunification Concert - Concert with the theme of reunification

4) Reunification Discussion - Discuss and answer questions from Korean youth about reunification

So, will you celebrate with IPYG for reunification of the Korean peninsula and world peace? :)

I brought a video of the event to you here but it is only provided in Korean. However, if you want to feel the fever for reunification and world peace, please watch the video :)

North and South, Let's Be "Us" Again (Kor)



Peace!

[Food] Ramen (라면, Korean Style Instant Ramen)

[Food]

[Food] Ramen (라면, Korean Style Instant Ramen)

Maybe I have told you once before (or not :P), I love rainy days. It's always comfortable and cozy to have a hot spicy ramen and a bowl of rice for supper on such a day. Perhaps I could go out and find any fine Chinese restaurant for a bowl of Zzambbong (Spicy noodle soup that is sold in Chinese restaurants in Korea) instead of ramen, but I decided to make an instant ramen.

I slowly walked to my kitchen and looked for any ramen that might be in the cupboard. I love hot and spicy ramen soup. It fills my body with warm energy and you can feel it twice as much when eaten on a cold day...

I worked in the Korean Army for 5 years before becoming a freelancer. Well...being a soldier in Korea makes you hungry (it doesn't mean Korean soldiers are financially poor or deficient, you would understand what I mean if you joined the Korean Army). Whatever the weather (sunny, rainy, snowy, cloudy, day or night) you work in the Army - drills, training, exercise, office work, being on-guard, patrolling...I remember my colleagues and I were always tired and hungry. We understood we had to be on duty to protect and keep the peace of our country from any foreign threats. As a Korean male, we have to do it whether you like it or not, unless you are physically or mentally unhealthy.

Yeah....it snowed 3-4 meters. I was one of the 'snow-cleaners' too. I had never seen that much snow in my life until then.

I remember the heavy snowy winter season while I was in the Army. Korea experienced its heaviest snow on record in 95 years...and I was there, near the border of South and North Korea - the DMZ (De-Militarized Zone). I was a paramedic at the headquarters of one battalion near the DMZ and got one call from a platoon base which was a bit far away from the headquarters. 

Common instant noodle supply for the Korean Army. Any Korean man in the Army loves this cup-noodle, like I do :)

Ring ring....Ring ring....

"Hello, it's medical corps."

"Sir, it's 00 base, sir. We've got an injured soldier during snow removal, sir."

"Okay, tell me what happened, soldier."

"He accidentally hacked his right shin (bone of leg) with a pickax when he was trying to break frozen snow."

"....Oh..my....poor buddy.....how's his condition now? any bleeding and swelling? can he stand up?"

"No blood, but his leg is swelling so fast. He can't stand up by himself sir."
-Aarrgghhhh! Careful, guys!- (I could hear that poor guy was screaming via phone)

"Okay, lay him down on any stretcher and warm him with a blanket. Tell your platoon leader that we will be there as soon as possible."

I reported the patient to my army surgeon and the battalion commander quickly and picked our medical tool box with the medics on my team. But...

"Sir, how do we get there though? All roads in the area are out of access because of the snow," one soldier asked me. 

Hm...I know that it takes like 40 minutes with the military ambulance to the post...then....

"Then we have to walk on foot. Don't we? Take the sleigh-type stretcher? large splint and...."

My boss (army surgeon) snapped. So the four of us had to walk to the post where the patient was. I remember we took off from HQ at 2 pm and it was almost 4pm when we arrived. He was lucky that it was just a simple fracture, otherwise we would have to call for a medevac. It was a long and hard 'walk' on a snowy mountain on a snowy day carrying all the gear for him - a very unique experience if I weren't in the Army (Ahaha...). Anyway, we safely sent him to a military hospital for greater medical attention and had to walk back home....all the way again :(

A ramen with sliced rice cake and dumplings

After that 'journey' rescuing a soldier who accidentally hacked his leg, we were exhausted, but luckily one friendly staff sergeant who worked in the kitchen of the mess hall, cooked hot-spicy special ramen with dumplings, rice cakes, pork and kimchi, particularly for us.

Oh, we were like 'hallelujah praise the Lord' though we didn't practice any religion at all. Even 5 years later now, I can say that was the best ramen I had ever tasted.

Countless variety of Korean-style ramen

Today, I cook the same ramen with the same recipe that the sergeant cooked for us in the mess hall on that day, but I can't make the same ramen that I tasted. It's such a shame. I'm certain that the ramen on that snowy day was as good as the hardship we endured on that day.

It is now raining heavily (fortunately it doesn't heap up like snow does), so I opened the window a little to listen to the raindrops while I enjoy my ramen :) The sound of raindrops will soothe my lonely heart for sure as I reminisce on my Army days.

I just put this image of cup-noodle because it is one of my favorite ramen. LOL.

Bon appétit!