Exploring Measures to Revitalize Unification Education in Collaboration with Women's Organizations and Foster a Consensus on Unification
[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] The Women's Committee of the Korea Unification Education Council (Standing Chairman Hyunseok Park) (Chairman Junhee Ahn, President of the Korean Unification Women's Association) held a "Unification Special Lecture and Peace Tour with Citizens" on the 14th at Goseokjeong and the DMZ area in Cheorwon, Gangwon Province.
Under the theme "Unification Education Starts with Women," this event was organized to share the importance of unification, explore more effective ways to activate unification education in connection with women's organizations, and to raise interest and expand participation in peace and unification.
About 50 people participated, including Hyunseok Park, Standing Chairman of the Unification Education Council, Youngmo Koo, Chairman of the Citizens Committee, Gyu-il Lee, Chairman of the Youth Committee, distinguished guests, executives and members of organizations belonging to the Women's Committee, members of the Cheorwon Yerimhoe, and citizens.
The event began at 11 a.m. with a unification special lecture titled "Ways to Activate Unification Education in Connection with Women's Organizations" by Seungju Cha, a researcher at Gangwon University’s Gangwon Unification Education Institute, moderated by Susik Shin, secretary of the Women's Committee. From 1 p.m., participants visited the Cheorwon Labor Party Office, Soisan Observatory, and DMZ Ecological Peace Park, where experts provided explanations on the historical significance and value of the sites, fostering a deep understanding of the importance of inter-Korean peaceful unification and the necessity of unification education.
The significance of this event is greater because it was held in Cheorwon, a border area adjacent to North Korea rather than in an urban area, and because local women's organizations participated.
Chairman Junhee Ahn expressed gratitude in her greeting, saying, "Despite the prolonged COVID-19 situation and the spread of the Delta variant, I thank the Women's Committee member organizations, executives, members, and citizens who joined with a heart longing for unification." She also encouraged, "I especially appreciate the efforts of the Unification Education Council secretariat staff and the Korean Unification Women's Association Cheorwon branch officials who worked hard for this event."
Chairman Ahn continued, "Inter-Korean exchanges are currently suspended, and although the inter-Korean communication line, which had been cut off by North Korea, has been restored recently, there is still little room for optimism. Moreover, as the years of division lengthen, the desire for unification is fading, which is a regrettable reality. Let us use this event as an opportunity to further activate unification education linked with women's organizations in each region and gather wisdom and capabilities to spread it throughout our society."
Standing Chairman Hyunseok Park of the Unification Education Council explained the council’s main roles and past activities in his encouragement speech, saying, "I consider it very meaningful to hold the Women's Committee event in Cheorwon." He praised the efforts of those involved and stated, "The Unification Education Council will continue to work harder to spread peace and unification education together with member organizations."
Citizens, including Nanhui Kim, who participated in a unification event for the first time, expressed their feelings while looking toward the northern land from Soisan Observatory: "I felt the sorrow of those who cannot go to their hometown even though it is right in front of us and the sadness of division." They expressed their hope, saying, "I hope peaceful unification will be achieved soon so that we can freely travel to our hometowns, meet family and relatives, and that the Republic of Korea will become even more prosperous. Nothing more could be wished for."
The Korea Unification Education Council is a consultative body of non-profit private organizations conducting unification education, established in 2000 based on the "Unification Education Support Act" enacted in 1999 to promote unification education. The council and its approximately 80 member organizations provide unification education annually to about 150,000 people, including youth, university students, and the general public, for peace on the Korean Peninsula and a prepared unification. These efforts are expected to serve as nourishment for the divided Korean people to unite passionately and become the catalyst for blooming the flower of peaceful unification between North and South Korea.
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