One Dream One Korea Song Evokes Shared Dream for Peaceful Reunification of the Korean Peninsula

The Inter-Korea Summit ended almost as quick as it began. But what is unquestionable is its landmark significance filled with possibilities and hope. One such moment was a nod to the growing grassroots efforts to engage Korean reunification supporters spearheaded by the One Korea Global Campaign. During the Farewell Ceremony at the close of the summit, the familiar prelude to the One Dream One Korea song filled the air. Images of the historic meeting between Kim Jong-un and Moon Jae-in were projected on the walls of the Peace House in Panmunjeom, which only days before still stood as a heavily guarded Demilitarized Zone. Cameras from the live coverage zeroed in on Moon Jae-In and Kim Jong-un holding hands as Moon Jae-In’s own voice joined K-pop celebrities in the background singing, “Let’s remember once more, let’s sing our song once more.” The feed was broadcasted around world by major news outlets like AP, Reuters, CNN, Fox News, BBC, NHK Japan and the South China Post. The ballad continued to play as the Moon couple said goodbye to the Kim couple. The song was composed by Kim Hyung-suk in 2015 to launch the New Era of Unification Song Campaign organized by over one thousand civic Korean and international organizations, including Global Peace Foundation and Action for Korea United. The campaign has grown into the One Korea Global Campaign, serving as a platform to broaden civic engagement around the issue of Korean reunification using music and popular culture. At the close of the live broadcast, Arigang News’ reporter reflected, “It takes a lot more work to thaw the relations between two sides that are so closely linked with much similarities, basically the same root… This is something we should constantly remind ourselves, especially after this very breathtaking performance, reminding us that we are one.” Dr. Hyun Jin P. Moon has emphasized this very point in all his efforts to advance and prepare for reunification. It is imperative that reunification is guided by a unifying vision that affirms the shared heritage and destiny of the Korean people and that all Koreans around the world recognize that everyone has a part to play, big or small in the final effort to create One Dream and One Korea. Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon is founder and chairman of the Global Peace Foundation and author of the award winning book, “Korean Dream: A Vision for a Unified Korea.”