On May 3rd, 2012 the Unification Pledge Campaign was launched at the National Assembly Building in Seoul, Korea. The pledge places the question and responsibility of reunification into the hands of every Korean, North and South, with a simple question, “What are you willing to do for reunification?” This grassroots movement for Korean unity is propelled by a partnership of over 400 civic and faith-based organizations.

The Korea United campaign makes reunification a part of every Korean’s everyday life. It shows that reunification is not just a matter reserved just for high-level discussion, nor is a phenomenon that will to occur through protracted government and international policy. It is an issue that needs the voice and commitment of all Koreans, starting with the attitude of South Koreans towards North Koreans.

South Korea has been on the United Nations International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination’s watch list since 2003.  Progress has been made with key policies like the National Action Plan for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and the establishment of the Interpretation Support Center for Foreign Migrant Workers.

However, in his blog post, Mr. Kim, director of GPF Korea realizes that South Korean bias towards North Korean refugees is even more severe than their bias towards foreigners. He wonders if reunification feasible with such profound discrimination.

Korea United’s approach is based on a higher vision based on spiritual principles and values rooted in Korea’s own shared historic philosophy of living for the benefit of mankind. That is why Korea United is driving forward service initiatives like the Power of 1,000 Won, the Alllights Village Project, and the Global Leadership Exchange Program, to bring Korean back to it’s original culture of living for humanity. In this way, it is pulling down preconceived barriers between not just Korea and the world, but between North and South to realize we are, one family under God.

Read Mr. Park’s blog post.

http://blog.naver.com/moraeal21/100173083594

Monday, November 19, 2012

Good morning.

It is me, Director Park.^^

When I was driving on the freeway in the early hours of the morning, it began to snow.

At first, it was sleet, but it gradually slowed and became huge snowflakes.

It was still dark before dawn, but I was happy to see the first snow of this winter.

Last Saturday, I stopped by the office to do some work, and I noticed there were several people in the meeting room.

Who could they be?

I slowly opened the door.

The GPYC team members were having a meeting with a few guests.

I said hello. Director Dong Hoon Lee smiled and invited me to join them. So I did.

A few refugees, a couple of student winners from Unification-themed contest, and a North Korea expert were in the room.

We tasted North Korean style tofu rice and meatball rice, typical dishes sold in North Korea, and had a good talk.

The most striking part about this experience was my realization that South Koreans tend to discriminate against North Korean refugees more than foreign workers.

There is a lot of talk about reunification, but maybe it first needs to happen in our midst.

I realized, these refugees are one of the faces of reunification.

If we remain indifferent and biased to the issue of reunification that is right in front of us, how can we ever become one with our brethren in North Korea?

We need to change our perspective of reunification. That it is not just a word but an actual and ongoing process.

I thought I was conscious of reunification, but as I listened to what the refugees had to say, I realized that the division between North and South does not only lie at the DMZ, but is also deeply rooted in our minds and hearts.

It is Monday morning, and I sound so serious. -.-;

I think the grassroots Korea United Movement starts when we begin to dialogue with each other to close the gap between the hearts of North and South.

Have a good day. ^^

GPF Director Park

The post Uniting North and South Everyday appeared first on Hyun Jin Preston Moon.

Korea United brings new approaches to Korean unification.

• Up to now the discussion for unification has been among leaders. Mainly political and military representatives sat at the negotiating table.
  • Korea United is opening the discussion to every citizen.

• Up to now Korean unification has been a slow and distant process. Road maps use decades and call on mostly political and economic institutions.
  • Korea United believes that unification starts NOW and needs everyone’s effort.

• Up to now Korean division has been seen as a clash between communism and democracy.
  • Korea United sees the shared principles and values of Korea’s common history as the starting place of unification. For example, the ancient philosophy of Hongik ingan (living for the benefit of mankind) is honored in both North and South Korea.

400 civic organizations are partnering in activities like:

Activities like the Power of 1000 Won are giving opportunities for Koreans to make unification a part of their daily lives.

1. Unification Pledge Campaign: The goal is millions of signatures and awareness that unification is in everyone’s hands.
2. The Power of 1000 won : Collect 1000 won a day for a cause. The goal is to instill the culture of service into everyday life, particularly for young people. In one project, elementary school students raised funds for bakeries in North Korea so children their age could have fresh bread.
3. Unification Project Contest : The contest invites college students to submit their ideas on how they can contribute to unification. Winning ideas will be awarded cash prizes and shared to with the U-Generation (Unification Generation).

Everyone can contribute to unification. Everyone can start now.

The post Korea United Builds Grassroots Engagement for Unification appeared first on Hyun Jin Preston Moon.