TOGETHER FOR A NEW START, TOGETHER FOR PEACE

TOGETHER FOR A NEW START, TOGETHER FOR PEACE

Recently, the Korean peninsula is facing new waves. In 2018, we've had 5th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace and peace walk to restore peace in the world. 5th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of World Peace is titled Resolving Conflicts and Spreading a Culture of Peace through the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW).

The Declaration of World Peace urged all members of society calling to work as peace messengers. It presents needs of a legal measure to be devised. Also, it needs to be recognized in the international community for peace and cessation of war. The importance of youth's role is also highlighted since youth is future leaders of society. The Declaration was later further developed into more concrete codes of the 10 articles and 38 clauses in the DPCW.

Recent developments are changes that heighten expectations for governments and nongovernmental organizations alike. These developments include the widening channels of discussion with neighboring countries, the hosting of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, and the reignition of inter-Korean interaction in the private sector. As part of current developments, HWPL planned a peace campaign with a slogan of 'Together for A New Start, Together for Peace'. The citizen-oriented peace campaign has focused on free travel, exchange and interaction between the two Koreas. The peace campaign has brought the progress in terms of World Peace and Restoration of Light as the NGO's name.

The foundation of the DPCW aims to build a world of peace. The current international order allows the rule of power (force). However, DPCW emphasizes on the universal values including coexistence and respect for one another. Article 5 Self-determination in the DPCW deals with an efficient approach to matters pertaining to state boundary related issues and peoples such as the independence, annexation of any territorial unit.

The legitimacy of the right to self-determination is in line. The DPCW stipulates the principle of the right to self-determination. I understand that it's hard to balance between respecting and limiting the rights of an individual. Also, the same applies to relations between states and peoples which means the right to self-determination and governance is applied to peoples and states. And the Article expresses the challenge of our times at the heart of building a harmonious and peaceful international order, upholding democracy and human rights.

The application of the right to self-determination for a peaceful world is incomplete at the current stage. For example, the Korean Peninsula was forcibly put under the rule of Japan. After surrender of Imperial Japan followed by closing of WWII, independence was “given”. The war on the Korean Peninsula has still not completely ended. Even though the Korean Peninsula is at a ceasefire, 800,000 young men and women are kept armed and guns pointed. Inevitably, the globe is faced with great risk.The lessons taught through history show that decisions that lack autonomy breeds conflict.

Based on DPCW Article 5 Self-Determination and Article 10 Spreading a Culture of Peace, HWPL will promote peace programs focusing on citizen participation in seeking free travel and vibrant inter-Korean exchange and laying the grounds for reducing the risk of conflict and establishing global peace. The events taking place in other locations around the globe will call for an active role taken by citizens to break away from the past of wars and build a future of peace and also discuss efficient applications of DPCW Articles 5 and 10.

Referebce: https://goo.gl/724W2B