World Youth Head to Battlegrounds... Honoring the 'Sacrifice for Peace'

South Korean and North Korean Defector Youths and University Students from 16 Countries
Marching Through 6.25 War Battlefields, Reflecting on International Solidarity
Park Seon-yeong: "Unification Possible Only with International Solidarity and Cooperation"

South Korean and North Korean defector youths, along with foreign university students from 16 countries, walk along the front lines to commemorate the victims. This event is expected to be an opportunity to honor the soldiers from around the world who sacrificed their lives to protect freedom and peace on the Korean Peninsula during the Korean War, while reflecting on the meaning of a 'unified Korea.'

The nonprofit organization Mulmangcho (Chairperson Park Sun-young) announced on the 12th that it will hold the 'DMZ Unification Steps' event from the 15th to the 19th, with about 70 participants including South Korean and North Korean defector youths and university students from 16 countries such as the United States, Turkey, the Philippines, and Colombia. The youths will walk an average of 20 km per day along the front lines, visiting battle sites such as Gapyeong, Chuncheon, Hwacheon, Yanggu, and Inje. The 'DMZ Unification Steps' event, held annually since 2013, specially gathered youths from participating countries last year to mark the 70th anniversary of the armistice.

The launch ceremony of the '2023 DMZ Unification Steps' with university students from the countries that participated in the Korean War, commemorating the 70th anniversary of the armistice, was held on the 17th at the War Memorial of Korea. Participating students and guests are singing the national anthem. Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

One of this year’s main tour sites is Baegamsan Mountain located in Hwacheon County, Gangwon Province. From the summit, where Imnam Dam can be seen to the north and the Peace Dam to the south, participants will have time to contemplate the pain of division, hopes for unification, and the role of the international community. In June and July of 1953, near the end of the Korean War, the Republic of Korea Army and United Nations forces clashed with the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army over the Geumseong salient. The fierce battle to defend Baegamsan is known as the 'Baegamsan Battle.'

The youths’ journey continues to the Haean-myeon area and Dutayeon region in Yanggu County, Gangwon Province, widely known as 'Punchbowl.' Many battles were fought here, with the 'Dosolsan Battle,' where the Republic of Korea Marine Corps played a key role, being particularly notable. Dosolsan, with its series of peaks rising to 1,000 meters above sea level, was a strategically important area, but also faced strong resistance from communist forces. However, the 1st Marine Regiment defeated two divisions under the Korean People's Army and recaptured all 24 hills after intense fighting.

The launch ceremony of the '2023 DMZ Unification Steps,' held with university students from countries that participated in the Korean War on the 70th anniversary of the armistice, took place on the 17th at the War Memorial of Korea. Participating students and guests are shouting "Fighting" while taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

For the youths experiencing the grueling 'tactical marches' on the main front lines, evening special lectures by notable figures are also prepared. The lectures will feature former Special Forces Commander Jeon In-beom, former Vice Minister of Unification Kim Cheon-sik (currently head of the Unification Research Institute), former Marine Corps Training Command Commander Cha Dong-gil (retired Marine Brigadier General), and Chairman of the Military Prisoner of War Repatriation Committee Jeong Su-han (retired Army Brigadier General). Governor of Gangwon Province Kim Jin-tae will also visit to offer encouragement.

Chairperson Park Sun-young said, "The reason for recruiting South Korean and North Korean defector youths along with university students from around the world is because we believe that unification is no longer a task that our nation alone can achieve, but one that requires solidarity and cooperation from the international community." She added, "I hope this will be a time for youths gathered from all over the world to reflect on how many countries fought to protect the Korean Peninsula and to consider their future roles."

The launch ceremony will be held on the morning of the 15th at the National Seoul National Cemetery. Attendees will include Han Ki-ho, a People Power Party lawmaker and former chairman of the National Assembly’s Defense Committee; former lawmakers Kim Young-woo and Kim Seok-woo; former Vice Minister of Unification Kim Seok-woo (currently chairman of the North Korean Human Rights Citizens’ Alliance); Kim Jong-chul, chairman of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies; and former Prosecutor General Han Sang-dae.