"Not a Cult? Misunderstood as Well" 13 Years as a Self-Proclaimed 'Peace Evangelist' [Power K Woman]

Interview with Moon Ayoung, CEO of PeaceMomo
From Temporary Teacher to Leader of a Peace Education Organization
"Walk the Path to Discovering Your Own Unique Self"

When you enter the classroom at PeaceMomo, you might find yourself feeling "perplexed." There are no typical desks or pencils in sight. Only simple chairs arranged in a circle fill the room. Participants sit on these chairs and freely discuss a single topic. PeaceMomo's peace education begins with the process of discovering differing opinions and viewing them from a "defamiliarized" perspective.

Ironically, the importance of peace education is even more pronounced today than it was in 2012, when PeaceMomo was founded. This is because violence now lurks in much larger and more diverse forms, ranging from school bullying to international conflicts. This is also why Moon, who has called herself a "peace evangelist" for 13 years, continues to work tirelessly. We spoke with her about the true concept of peace and the kind of peace education needed in today's era.

Moon Ayoung, CEO of PeaceMomo, is being interviewed by Asia Economy at the office on Yeonhui-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun

-Please tell us what "peace" means according to PeaceMomo, and how peace education is conducted.

▲I see peace not as a state, but as a "process." This is because I believe peace is something that can never be fully achieved or reached. I would like to define it as the ongoing effort and struggle to create a "slightly less violent society." That is why we often use the term "becoming" to refer to peace as something in the process of being realized.

PeaceMomo focuses on creating such processes. Participants gather in a classroom, sitting in a circle, and discuss the same topic. There are moments of surprise and realization, such as "Wait, this person thinks like that?"?this is when people begin to view their differences in a new and objective way. Even if someone feels nothing on that particular day, there may come a moment later, while walking down the street, when an insight from that discussion suddenly resonates with them. When people repeat familiar routines, they tend to become entrenched in inertia. PeaceMomo encourages members to break out of this inertia and receive new stimulation from others through discussions and various activities. If we can learn from these differences, then I believe we can take a step closer to peace.

-What led you to become interested in peace education?

▲I majored in education at university and worked as a temporary elementary school teacher for three years. During this time, I realized the limitations of the school system. For children, school is like a "miniature society," but they learn nothing about how to deal with or resolve conflicts with their peers; instead, the focus is solely on filling them with knowledge. This experience made me think about doing work outside of school that could support the community.

After leaving the classroom, I traveled around Africa doing volunteer work. Through that experience, I met a professor teaching peace studies at the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding. When I first encountered "peace studies," it felt strange?almost like a pseudo-religion, or like "friendship studies" or "love studies." But the more I learned, the more I realized that if I combined my expertise in education with peace, there would be much I could do for society. Although peace education is still an unfamiliar concept in Korea, I thought that if we taught peace from childhood, we could reduce, at least to some extent, the many social losses caused by violence, such as school bullying, gender conflicts, and domestic violence.

Moon Ayoung, CEO of PeaceMomo, is being interviewed by Asia Economy at the office on Yeonhui-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun

-Given the deepening social, political, and cultural conflicts, I imagine there are many who are skeptical about peace education.

▲That's true. Many people question whether such education can really bring about a peaceful world. It would be a lie to say that PeaceMomo's education can instantly create a peaceful world. Nevertheless, I believe we must continue to attach, experience, and practice peace in our daily lives. Those who have received PeaceMomo's peace education may not immediately see the "seeds of peace" sprout. However, we never know when, how, or in what form our education might manifest in their lives. That is why we must continually encourage people to reflect on the topic of peace.

I like the words of Italian philosopher Antonio Gramsci: "Pessimism of the intellect, optimism of the will." I think this phrase describes peace education well. Rationally, it is likely that peace education will not bring about dramatic change. However, with willpower, I do not think it is entirely pessimistic. In the end, many changes in the world begin with one person and spread to others. If we exist within a dense network, it is extremely important to make endless efforts to bring about change in even one individual.

-I understand that you have also consistently shared your views on various social issues. Are there any recent events or topics that have particularly caught your attention?

▲This year, for the first time, a ceremony was held to commemorate "Defense Industry Day." Since PeaceMomo pays particular attention to the issue of war, I have been watching this closely. My impression is that terms like "arms industry," "war industry," or "military industry" are more appropriate than "defense industry." The term "defense industry" focuses on the act of protecting something, but it cleverly obscures the discussion and consideration of how much harm can be caused to others. As a result, it becomes difficult to highlight and seriously consider the ethical responsibilities of the government and society regarding the defense industry. In reality, the buying and selling of weapons makes it much easier for many people to lose their lives. When I say things like this, I am often criticized as an "idealist," but I believe these questions must be asked nonetheless.

Moon Ayoung, CEO of PeaceMomo, is being interviewed by Asia Economy at the office on Yeonhui-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun

-What kind of peace education do you think is needed to address international issues such as the recent escalation of conflicts in the Middle East and the Russia-Ukraine war?

▲I believe we need education that narrows the distance between international issues and "ourselves." In other words, we need to help people find the points of connection between themselves and those living in conflict regions, and to understand how they are affected by and influence each other. For example, we should continually reflect on how someone living in Korea is connected to someone living in a conflict zone, and whether we have contributed, even in a small way, to the outbreak of war.

If it is difficult to identify personal responsibility, we can broaden our perspective and ask, "Does the Korean community or government bear any responsibility?" When we think this way, we naturally begin to look for things we can do ourselves to improve the situation. If the government we have elected is not working to make the world less violent, we can willingly exercise our rights. If such actions accumulate one by one, I hope that even international conflicts can gradually improve.

-This year marks the 13th anniversary of PeaceMomo's founding. Have you faced any difficulties in introducing the relatively unfamiliar concept of peace education?

▲Because the concept of peace itself is so abstract, I have faced various misunderstandings. For example, some people thought we were a religious group or even a pseudo-religion. I have also faced challenges as a woman. Especially when discussing issues of security, war, or the military, I was often met with the attitude, "What do you know as a woman?" At that time, it was common for the older generation to think, "What can a young woman possibly do?" or "How can you be a leader?" Ironically, those words motivated me even more. Now, the situation has changed a lot. Many women who do not fit society's traditional "female image" have emerged and are making significant contributions, and I have benefited greatly from their efforts.

-Do you have any advice for younger women who see you as a role model?

▲Recently, I had the opportunity to meet some young women in their early twenties preparing for independence, and I was struck by the sparkle in their eyes. I saw the same purity and passion I had when I first started PeaceMomo. I hope they never lose that spirit and continue on the path to discovering their own unique selves. To avoid becoming exhausted along the way, it is important not to go alone, but to rely on and support one another. Personally, I am not very fond of the word "role model." Rather than following someone else, I hope everyone can live by discovering their own uniqueness.

Moon Ayoung, CEO of PeaceMomo, is being interviewed by Asia Economy at the office on Yeonhui-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun

▶About Moon Ayoung, CEO of PeaceMomo

She majored in German education and elementary education at Korea National University of Education. She then earned a master's degree in peace education from the UN University for Peace in Costa Rica and completed a doctoral program in peace studies. In 2012, she founded the peace education organization "PeaceMomo," where she continues to serve as CEO. She is currently an adjunct professor in the Department of Defense Convergence and International Cooperation/North Korea Studies at Seoul Cyber University and serves as an executive board member of the International Peace Bureau (IPB). Previously, she was an advisory member for curriculum reform at the Ministry of Education and a civilian advisory member for the 3rd National Action Plan at the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family. Drawing on her deep understanding of peace education, she has published works such as "Conditions for Coexistence" (2024), "Transcending the Division System: Peace Education Beyond Division" (2022), and "The Humanities of Peace and Solidarity" (2022).