Former leaders push for peace in Korean Peninsula

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Bucharest, Romania, May 27, 2018

During the last century in Eastern Europe, divisions and conflicts caused by the confrontation of ideologies were overcome through the dedication of citizens and leaders at the time of change. Due the long-lasting conflict since the time of the Cold War, the Korean Peninsula has been one of the major determinants of international peace.

As the recent Korean events have been in the spotlight amongst the international society, the leaders of Eastern Europe who led their nations through peaceful transition gathered to discuss the peaceful reunification of Korea.

On May 19, a high level meeting of former political leaders in Europe was held in Bucharest, Romania, to spread the culture of peace and call for support for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea. The Conference theme was ‘Solidarity of Empathy for Peace.’

It was hosted at the Palace of the Parliament by Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), an international NGO under the UN ECOSOC in cooperation with the Institute for Advanced Studies for Culture and Civilization of the Levant led by Emil Constantinescu, the third President of Romania.

Crucial Point

Chairman Man Hee Lee said, “Currently our country is at the very crucial point. I confirm that achieving peace of the Korean Peninsula will bring peace to the world.”

“The wars will come to an end and peace will be achieved through the 10 Articles and 38 Clauses of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW),” he added.

Appealing for continuous support for Reunification of the Korean Peninsula and World Peace, Mr Lee said, “Please join us in leaving a legacy of a world without wars to our future generations.”

East European efforts

HWPL Chief Branch Manager Kim Byoung Seok said that the event sought to apply the efforts of Eastern European states in overcoming conflicts and creating peace during the post-Cold War period, to promote stability and peacebuilding on the Korean Peninsula.

“The significance of this discussion is that experts in different sectors including former presidents, former and present ambassadors, international law academics, women and youth representatives, and media, all participated and discussed plans regarding effective cooperation for peace,” he said.

Pravin H Parekh, Senior Counsel of the Supreme Court of India said, “Chairman Lee did whatever he could do for peace for the last 5 years. Since we gathered here to cease war and achieve peace, I believe each one of us will be able to influence the UN in adopting the DPCW.”

HWPL highlighted international cooperation and civic participation for peacebuilding in relation to the culture of peace defined by the UN, which is, education for a culture of peace, understanding, tolerance and solidarity, democratic participation, free flow of information, disarmament, human rights, sustainable development, and equality of women and men.

Cultural Diplomacy

Emil Constantinescu highlighted the role of the international community in the exchanging of ideas and ‘cultural diplomacy.’

He said, “The great conversation of humanity must now be encouraged so that larger and larger groups of people can develop free flocks of ideas and knowledge worldwide. This vision can be developed only if representatives are able to act as the plurality of the voices, questions and desires of billions of participants.

“Since 2014, an important milestone has been the cooperation with Chairman Lee of HWPL, associated with women and youth organizations, which gave extraordinary impetus to the universal peace movement. This global movement promotes a culture of peace,” he said.

HWPL Advocacy

Advocacy for peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula has been pursued by HWPL since 2014, when a group of former heads of state from Eastern Europe were appointed as HWPL Advisory Council members at the event for the 25th Anniversary of the Fall of Communism. Also, this month HWPL has opened a series of peace forums in Ukraine, Germany, Sweden and Norway in collaboration with government officials and civil society representatives.

In Germany and Sweden, members of the city council, youth leaders and citizens presented ‘Peace Letters’ to support reunification and peace in Korea.

According to HWPL, the peace letters of support collected around the world will be delivered to the leaders of the two Koreas.

New Declaration

HWPL has proposed global peacebuilding efforts through the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW). The DPCW addresses principles of conflict resolution and international cooperation for peacebuilding such as respect for international law, peaceful dispute settlement, and spreading a culture of peace. As part of these peace initiatives, 138 educational institutions around the world have been designated as HWPL Peace Academies to develop peace through education.

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