Our September KPNGN meeting will take place next Thursday, September 11 at 5pm PT/8pm ET! We will debrief our summer mobilizations, including the People’s Summit for Korea, share committee reports, and discuss upcoming regional events and political updates. Immediately after, on the same zoom link, we will also resume our three-part Korea Peace Now! Grassroots Network Orientation this month! In Part 1, we’ll be covering the history of the Korean War 101. RSVP here.

 Upcoming Events

TODAY! Deals, Dilemmas, and Diplomacy: Analyzing the Lee-Trump Summit at 5pm PT/8pm ET

Join us today at 5pm PT/8pm ET (Sept. 3 at 9am KST) for a webinar debriefing South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s first meeting with U.S. President Trump. We’ll hear from speakers Youngmi Cho (PEACEMOMO), Paul Liem (Korea Policy Institute), and Dae-Han Song (International Strategy Center), moderated by Cathi Choi (Women Cross DMZ). View the recording here.

September 15-19, 2025 | Commemorating 80 Years of Liberation and 60 Years of Korea–Japan Relations “East Asia–North America Peace Workshop & Campaign: Ending the Korean War and Colonial Legacy”

Women Cross DMZ and Korea Peace Now! are sponsoring “East Asia–North America Peace Workshop & Campaign: Ending the Korean War and Colonial Legacy,” a collaborative multi-workshop campaign taking place from September 15-19 in Pennsylvania and Washington D.C. Objectives of the campaign include strengthening the role of civil society and academia in advancing peace on the Korean Peninsula and in East Asia and building networks of cooperation between U.S. and East Asian organizations. Some of the workshops and events will be open to the public. Learn more about the campaign and partners here. Please contact Echo at echo@womencrossdmz.org if you are interested in joining us in Washington D.C.

Community Report-Back

8.15 National Liberation Day Rallies

From Washington D.C. to Philly to Los Angeles, KPNGN members joined rallies for National Liberation Day on Friday, August 15. On the 80th anniversary of division, we called for an end to the ongoing Korean War alongside dozens of partner organizations. We also called to halt Ulchi Freedom Shield war drills. These massive war drills escalate tensions, renew the threat of war, and exact serious tolls on civilian lives. Thank you to Sheen Kim, a Nodutdol and KPNGN member, for co-organizing the DC rally.

Ongoing Advocacy

On August 28, KPNGN Members and allied peace activists met with Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s office to advocate for new language in the National Defense Authorization Act, the national military spending bill. In July, the Senate Armed Services Committee passed a version of the bill that would prohibit military spending on withdrawing U.S. troops from South Korea; this is the first time in five years that the NDAA includes this ban. The bill also contains a new ban for the first time prohibiting the transfer of wartime operational control (OPCON) over troops in South Korea unless in U.S. national security interest. Some highlights from constituents and local peace leaders below:

“South Korea is one of the only nations over which America has operational control (OPCON). South Korea has been at war for over 70 years. It is utterly incomprehensible that a nation as developed as South Korea, with the economic standing that it has, that over the decades has accomplished what it has, doesn’t have operational control over its own military. And it’s high time to start to treat South Korea as an actual ally, not a vassal.”

“We have the military exercises going on now. And were the Senate version to be adopted ultimately, this sends a really hard message to North Korea. . . . How would we feel if France or Korea could control our troops? I mean, it’s ridiculous.”

“Why does this have to be an endless confrontation? And I think Senator Warren is there in her thinking and we’d love to hear her take an initiative on this.”

We celebrate the constituents who advocated for peace!

Recommended Viewings

From the Education Committee:

1. U.S. threats against Korea in a changing world: Remarks from the People’s Summit for Korea. Save the date for a Korea Peace Study Group report-back on October 10th at 8 pm ET!
2. Disfigured, shamed and forgotten: BBC visits the Korean survivors of the Hiroshima bomb discusses issues facing ethnic Korean survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and perspectives on peace, reparation, and apology.
3. Why North Korea Is Coming Clean on Its Role in the Russia-Ukraine War provides analysis on recent public acknowledgement of North Korean troops in the Russia-Ukraine War by North Korean leadership and what it means for regional alliances and joint military operations.
4. North Korea slams South’s president over denuclearisation remarks reports on the critical response from North Korea towards Lee Jae-myung’s recent remarks on the U.S.-ROK alliance and denuclearization.
5. Lee-Trump summit highlights risk posed by far right’s growing international network analyzes concerning developments in and connections between the U.S. and Korea’s far-right movements, including conspiracy theories and the recent travels of far-right figures in the U.S. to Korea.

Follow Korea Peace Now! on Bluesky! Say hello and check out our account!

Support the Korea Peace Movement: Show your support for Korea peace with one of our tote bags, hats, baby onesies, and clothing, available here. All funds will support Korea Peace Now!, our U.S.-based movement for peace in Korea led by Women Cross DMZ. Art by Peter Holland and lazy blender.

Sincerely,

Korea Peace Now! Grassroots Network

The post Grassroots Updates and Post-Summer Reflections | September KPNGN Newsletter appeared first on Korea Peace Now!.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our 2025 Korea Peace Advocacy Week! We successfully registered 152 constituents from 29 states and requested 152 meetings with congressional leaders. Many participated for the first time, including 84-year-old Myung Ja Yoon.

Myung Ja met with the offices of her congressional representatives, Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD-8) to share her personal story and why she advocates for peace: “I have visited all 50 states of America and traveled to almost 100 countries, crossing many borders on foot all over the world. Yet I cannot go to North Korea because we are at war. I am almost 84 years old. I don’t have many more years left. I want to go and see the other half of my origin and heritage. I want to talk with the people there and share food with them. Sponsoring H.R.1841 will put you on this honored path with peacemakers.” Read more about Myung Ja’s story here, and read our full Advocacy Week recap here.

Join our monthly KPNGN Meeting this Thursday, July 10 at 5pm PT/8pm ET! We will provide updates on the July NYC People’s Summit for Korea and discuss upcoming regional and committee events. RSVP at bit.ly/julykpn.

 Upcoming Event

July 25-27 | People’s Summit for Korea

The People’s Summit for Korea is taking place July 25-27 in New York! The People’s Summit will be a three-day convening featuring plenaries, panels, workshops, breakout sessions, and cultural performances led by key figures in the Korean liberation movement and the global anti-imperialist struggle. Learn more and register here.

Recommended Viewings:

ICYMI:

Can South Korea Achieve Peace in a Chaotic World? | By Ji-Yeon Yuh, Northwestern University Associate Professor & Women Cross DMZ Board Chair

A Recap of Women Cross DMZ’s 10-Year Anniversary Solidarity Trek to Korea

Asian American Heritage Month Brings Somberness and Solidarity | By Deepa Iyer

From the Education Committee:

1. The Moral Distortions of the Official Korean War Narrative explores the distorted narrative about the Korean War and the hidden atrocities and war crimes that took place with the support of the U.S. government.
2. Film and the forgotten war: The Korean War on the silver screen discusses how films can be used as tools for ideological control and how Hollywood’s story of the Korean War was shaped by a “humanitarian Orientalism” trend which “presented white Americans as benevolent saviors while reducing Koreans as infantile objects in need of rescue and moral guidance from the West.”
3. Lee Jae-myung’s ‘Pragmatic Diplomacy’ Stands at the Start of a Difficult Journey takes a look at President Lee’s “Pragmatic Diplomacy” approach and what this could mean for South Korea’s relationship with the U.S. and neighboring East Asian countries.

Follow Korea Peace Now! on Bluesky! Say hello and check out our account!

Support the Korea Peace Movement: Show your support for Korea peace with one of our tote bags, hats, baby onesies, and clothing, available here. All funds will support Korea Peace Now!, our U.S.-based movement for peace in Korea led by Women Cross DMZ. Art by Peter Holland and lazy blender.

Sincerely,

Cathi Choi & Echo

The post 🌼 Summer Mobilizing for Peace | July KPNGN Newsletter appeared first on Korea Peace Now!.

Like many of you, we are alarmed by the escalation of militarized crackdowns against protestors in Los Angeles and across the U.S. this week. The Trump Administration’s decision to deploy the National Guard and the Marines to Los Angeles reminds us: No democracy can thrive under toxic patriarchy and militarism.

Korean feminists understood this when they led calls to impeach Yoon Suk-yeol after his surprise martial law declaration last December. Last week, South Koreans successfully held a snap presidential election, marking a hopeful new dawn. The new president Lee Jae-myung has pushed for a different approach to North Korea, calling for diplomacy and peace.

But, as I argue in a recent op-ed, the election revealed South Korea’s ongoing stark gender divide. This is why, in the week leading up to the presidential election, and on the 10-year anniversary of Women Cross DMZ’s founding crossing, we brought a delegation of feminist leaders to Korea to meet with leading peace activists and organizers.

Our resistance to militarism resonates: On the trip, we engaged hundreds of people in person, and our daily reels on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube racked up over 60,000 views online!

In addition to our historic peace march in Pyeongtaek, we:

• Met with progressive South Korean National Assembly members in Seoul to discuss democracy and women’s peacebuilding in Korea, and the U.S. travel ban on North Korea;
• Spoke with organizers at Pyeongtaek Peace Center about the legacy of villagers and farmers impacted by the expansion of the largest overseas U.S. military base, Camp Humphreys;
• Visited organizers staging an encampment at Dongducheon’s “Monkey House” to prevent the destruction of this historic site, where the U.S. military and South Korean government forcibly detained and subjected thousands of Korean women to STD treatment in the 1960s and ‘70s;
• Participated in a memorial at Jeju Island’s 4.3 Peace Park, recognizing the mass killings of over 30,000 Jeju civilians by U.S.-backed Korean forces in 1948-49;
• Met with organizers resisting the South Korean naval base in Jeju Island’s Gangjeong Village due to its human and environmental impacts;
• Joined BDS Korea at the “42nd Urgent Action by Korean Civil Society Condemning Israel’s Genocide in Gaza”; and
• Met with organizers from Scarlet Cha Cha and Birch Tree Association in Yongjugol fighting for the basic social rights and livelihoods of sex workers resisting eviction, criminalization, and marginalization.

We saw glimmers of hope for what our future can look like. At every site, we learned how everyday people — especially women — are working to end the Korean War and reverse decades of harmful militarism. We met with leading organizers and communities caring for each other, investing in each others’ health, education, and well being. Our international delegation drew connections to their own struggles against U.S. militarism and forever wars in their respective homelands, from Afghanistan to Turtle Island.

We know that militarism and policing are not our only options; we deserve more from life.

Join Us

Join our monthly KPNGN meeting for analysis on South Korea’s presidential election with Daehan Song from the International Strategy Center. Afterwards, we’ll conclude the final chapter in our New Member Orientation series led by the Membership Committee! Thursday, June 12, 5pm PT/8pm ET. RSVP at bit.ly/junekpn.

Take Action

Do your part to end the Korean War! Our tenth annual Advocacy Week is now underway and we have already gained a new congressional co-sponsor, Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV)! While it’s too late to register, you can still contact your member of Congress to ask them to support H.R.1841, the Peace on the Korean Peninsula Act. Please take action today!

For Further Learning

• Under a New South Korean President, Can Peace Activists Push US Troops Out? WCDMZ Founder Christine Ahn’s latest op-ed in Truthout.
• Global Trade at Gunpoint: WCDMZ Executive Director Cathi Choi is quoted on Trump’s tariff policy in In These Times.
• It’s time for the US to end the Korean War: Cathi Choi and Dae-Han Song on this podcast with No Cold War.
• Gaza Flotilla Sailboat with 12 Onboard Will Reach the “Danger Zone” and The Next 48-140 Hours Are Critical for the Movement to End the Gaza Genocide by WCDMZ Board member Ann Wright, just before the aid vessel and the activists aboard were illegally seized.

KPNGN Education Committee Recommends

• A Pivotal Moment for U.S. Foreign Policy: Why South Korea’s Democratic Uprising Demands a Rethink on the rise of far-right forces in East Asia and the opportunity the U.S. has to change its foreign policy in South Korea.
• Brain Rot in the Blue House sheds light on the disturbing rise of far-right YouTube influencers in South Korea who continue to command a huge following and influence public opinion, even after Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment.

Support

Sign up to become a monthly donor or make a single gift of $10, $100, or $1,000 to celebrate our 10-year anniversary — and ensure that our important work continues for another ten years. Did you know that leaving as little as 1 percent in your will would make a huge difference for our organization? If you are interested, please get in touch by emailing info@womencrossdmz.org.

In peace,

Cathi Choi

The post No democracy can thrive under militarism | June KPNGN Newsletter appeared first on Korea Peace Now!.

Running from June 9-13, 2025, Korea Peace Advocacy Week will consist of virtual and in-person lobby visits with Congressional Representatives, Senators, and staff to advocate for H.R.1841, the Peace on the Korean Peninsula Act, which calls for serious, urgent diplomacy in pursuit of a binding peace agreement to formally end the Korean War. The bill — which currently has 39 co-sponsors, including bipartisan support — also calls for a review of the U.S. travel ban on North Korea, which prevents Korean Americans from visiting their families in North Korea and can impede the work of humanitarian aid groups.

This is an especially timely moment to support peace efforts, as tensions on the Korean Peninsula continue to run dangerously high with the United States and South Korea continuing to hold larger and more frequent joint war drills, which have proven to raise tensions in the region, and North Korea conducting increased missile tests. In the aftermath of Yoon Suk Yeol’s illegal declaration of martial law, which included an alleged failed plot to provoke North Korea with drones, and his subsequent impeachment, there have been renewed calls for an end to the Korean War amidst the massive pro-democracy movement in South Korea. Moreover, a new public opinion poll shows that a majority of the U.S. supports diplomatic engagement with North Korea and China to reduce rising tensions and pursue peacebuilding efforts.

Although it is known in the U.S. as “the Forgotten War,” the Korean War never ended but was merely halted by an armistice in 1953, which was supposed to be temporary. This unresolved state of war is the root cause of ongoing tensions between the U.S. and North Korea, has driven the extreme militarization of the Korean Peninsula, and has kept Korean families separated for decades. Furthermore, the U.S. approach of pressure and isolation has failed to improve the security crisis in Korea or the situation of human rights in North Korea. A peace-first approach would be a more realistic and effective method for improving the safety and well-being of Koreans and Americans.

“The election of South Korea’s  new president creates a historic opening for lasting peace on the Korean peninsula. But democracy cannot thrive under militarism and forever war. As U.S.-based peace activists, we must do our part to continue to build the political will for  a peace agreement to finally end the 75-year-old Korean War.” — Cathi Choi, Executive Director, Women Cross DMZ

“Advocacy Week is an important moment for supporters of a peaceful and stable Korean Peninsula to come together and speak with one voice to Congress. As we have seen in recent public opinion polling, a significant majority of the U.S. public supports engagement between the U.S. and DPRK on many issues. Advocacy Week is an opportunity for these polling statistics to come off the page and come to life through the stories and voices of constituents from across the country. At a moment when tensions are high and trust is low, we need to let our members of Congress know that we want to see courageous legislative action towards peace and diplomatic engagement.” — Austin Headrick, American Friends Service Committee

“The United Methodist Church stands in firm commitment with the Christians of Korea, both North and South, and around the world in faithful actions to work towards peace, healing, and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula. Especially as tensions continue to escalate, Korea Peace Advocacy Week is an opportunity for faith in action to advocate to Congress to pursue peace.” — Colleen Moore, Director of Peace With Justice at the General Board of Church and Society, the social justice agency of the United Methodist Church.

“Walking with the Korean people for over a century, Maryknoll missioners have felt first-hand the pain of war and separation on the Korean Peninsula. Demilitarization, reduction of nuclear risk, delivery of humanitarian aid, reuniting separated families – everything that constitutes just and enduring peace for all Koreans begins with negotiating a peace agreement to officially end the Korean War. The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns is so grateful to join our partners and Korea peace champions from around the United States in advocating for Congress to pursue peace now.” — Susan Gunn, Director, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns

“As Korean Americans, we carry the enduring legacy of a war that has divided families and nations for over seven decades. The Korean American Peace Fund proudly joins this year’s Korea Peace Advocacy Week to call for an end to the Korean War through dialogue and diplomacy. Peace is not only a moral imperative — it is a necessary step toward justice, reconciliation, and a future in which all Koreans, on both sides of the DMZ, can live without fear of war.”— Yu Soung Mun, President, Korean American Peace Fund

This will be a record tenth year of coordinated advocacy days for the cause of peace in Korea, and the fifth year of advocacy days being held virtually to accommodate interested constituents from across the country. When the initiative first started in 2015, only 12 people participated; the effort has now grown to include more than 200 people.

This year’s Korea Peace Advocacy Week is being organized by the American Friends Service Committee, Korea Peace Now! Grassroots Network, Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), Church & Society and Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church, Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns, Korean American Peace Fund, and Women Cross DMZ.

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The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) promotes a world free of violence, inequality, and oppression. Guided by the Quaker belief in the divine light within each person, we nurture the seeds of change and the respect for human life to fundamentally transform our societies and institutions. We work with people and partners worldwide, of all faiths and backgrounds, to meet urgent community needs, challenge injustice, and build peace.

MCC U.S. is a non-profit organization that strives to share God’s love and compassion through relief, development and peacebuilding. In addition to supporting MCC’s international work, our national and regional staff lead programs across the U.S.

General Board of Church and Society is a social justice agency of The United Methodist Church, dedicated to the work of living faith, seeking justice, and pursuing peace. Addressing more than 30 social issues on which The United Methodist Church has claimed a position, Church and Society communicates with policymakers and leaders around the world with the mission of transforming the world.

As the mission and humanitarian assistance agency of The United Methodist Church, Global Ministries leads The United Methodist Church in equipping, strengthening and transforming people and communities for God’s mission around the world. In its work of making disciples of Jesus Christ, Global Ministries envisions and facilitates mission so that churches and faith communities grow and flourish; justice, freedom, peace, health and well-being prevail across racial, cultural, national and political boundaries; and people of all faiths live in dignity and security, even when they face humanitarian disasters and their aftermath.

The Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns (MOGC) represents Maryknoll missioners, who are Catholic men and women serving in impoverished communities around the world. The MOGC provides analysis and advocacy on issues of justice, peace and the integrity of creation that affect the countries and communities where Maryknoll missioners serve.

The Korean American Peace Fund (KAPF) is a community-driven initiative dedicated to advocating for peace and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula. Rooted in the Korean American community’s long history of activism, KAPF mobilizes resources, raises awareness, and supports legislative efforts to end the unresolved Korean War. Through grassroots organizing, public education, and strategic advocacy, the fund empowers Korean Americans and allies to take action for a lasting peace that prioritizes diplomacy and human rights. KAPF is committed to fostering a future where Korea is no longer divided by war but united in peace and justice. 

Women Cross DMZ is the leading feminist voice in the movement to bring lasting peace to the Korean Peninsula.

The post With the Election of the New South Korean President, US Advocates Organize for Korea Peace appeared first on Korea Peace Now!.

Dear Friend,

This month marks ten years since the historic crossing of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) by 30 women peace activists, led by Women Cross DMZ founder Christine Ahn. Together with thousands of Korean women on both sides of the DMZ, these women called for an end to the Korean War, the reunion of separated families, and women’s involvement in the peacebuilding process. Since then, Women Cross DMZ has co-launched the global campaign Korea Peace Now! Women Mobilizing to End the War in 2019 and established the Korea Peace Now! Grassroots Network.

For this month’s national grassroots meeting, Thursday, May 8 at 5pm PT/8pm ET, we will hear from participants of the 2015 crossing and watch clips from Deann Borshay Liem’s 2021 film, Crossings, which documented this momentous journey for Korea peace. Register here.

Following the meeting, at 6pm PT/9pm ET, join our KPNGN New Member Orientation series on the same Zoom link. The Membership Committee will host Part 2 of this ongoing series, presenting an overview of the Korea Peace Now! Grassroots Network, followed by a small group discussion.

 Register for Korea Peace Advocacy Week 2025!

Register to participate in this year’s Korea Peace Advocacy Week, June 6-13, 2025! For ten years, Korea Peace Advocacy Week has brought hundreds of people around the country to advocate for their members of Congress to support Korea peace legislation. This nationally coordinated action is particularly timely as tensions on the Korean Peninsula run dangerously high. We must urgently advocate for diplomacy in pursuit of a binding peace agreement to formally end the Korean War. Participants will join 30-minute virtual meetings with their congressional representatives, share personal stories, and urge members to support legislation focused on Korean peace. We will also offer an online training session for participants over Zoom in advance of these meetings. Register to receive details.

RSVP: Upcoming Events

May 6 | Feminist Playbook Launch in D.C.

On Tuesday, May 6 at 10am ET, the Feminist Peace Initiative will launch The Feminist Peace Playbook and share a first look at a press conference at the House Triangle in Washington D.C. The Feminist Peace Initiative is led by Grassroots Global Justice Alliance, MADRE, and Women Cross DMZ. Our coalition includes veterans, academics, and Nobel Peace-awarded human rights activists and members of diaspora communities impacted by U.S. foreign policy in Palestine, Israel, Afghanistan, Korea, Vietnam, and Latin America—all bringing unique perspectives to stories on U.S. militarism at home and abroad. RSVP here.

May 10 |  WARmerica’s Fate 2 Movie – Washington DC Screening

On May 10, Korea Peace Now! and Metro DC DSA’s Internationalism Working Group are hosting an in-person screening and discussion of WARMerica’s Fate 2, a South Korean documentary by filmmaker Kim Cheol-min. Please join us as we learn about US economic and military dominance in a quickly changing, multi-polar world! Snacks will be provided! RSVP here.

May 24 |  Crossings 10-Year Anniversary Screening

On Saturday, May 24, Women Cross DMZ (WCDMZ) and International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament will host a joint screening of Crossings online. In 2015 — on the 70th anniversary of Korea’s tragic division by the United States and the former Soviet Union — 30 women peacemakers from around the world crossed the Korean Demilitarized Zone, the most militarized border in the world from North Korea to South Korea, calling for an end to the war that has divided the two Koreas. WCDMZ’s delegation included two Nobel Peace laureates, feminist icon Gloria Steinem, Abigail Disney, retired U.S. Army Colonel Ann Wright, academics, humanitarian aid workers, faith leaders, and others from a dozen countries, including several nations that fought in the 1950-53 Korean War, and led by WCDMZ founder Christine Ahn. RSVP here.

RECOMMENDED VIEWINGS:

From the Education Committee:

1. U.S. military considering permanent deployment of F-35 fighter jets to S. Korea provides information about U.S. plans to escalate militarization on the Korean Peninsula. The US is considering permanent deployment of F-35s to Gunsan in South Korea, where base expansion would threaten the habitat of migratory birds. Join the Korea Peace study group in June for more information about migratory birds and their habitats in Northeast Asia.
2. Diplomacy or Deception? Trump’s N. Korea Strategy provides analysis on how Trump claims that he wants to engage in diplomacy with N. Korea, yet he has allowed the provocative and dangerous U.S./ROK war drills to escalate in frequency, scale, and scope.

ICYMI:

• Esther Kim, Korea Times, Which Korea are you from? Interview with Cathi Choi
• NK News Podcast, Cathi Choi: How inter-Korean conflict harms women’s rights
• Webinar: How to Prevent a Coup: Lessons from Korea Webinar with Cathi Choi, Daehan Song, and Hwang Jeong-eun
• Webinar: Apology & Reparation: The Jeju 4 3 Retrials and the Japanese American coram nobis Cases
• Webinar: Women’s Rights Under the Division System in Korea Report Launch Webinar | IWD 2025
• Webinar: The Stories We Bring to Bear: Flipping the Script on Adoption | A KPN X GYOPO Gathering

Follow Korea Peace Now! on Bluesky! Say hello and check out our new account!

Support the Korea Peace Movement: Show your support for Korea peace with one of our tote bags, hats, baby onesies, and clothing, available here. All funds will support Korea Peace Now!, our U.S.-based movement for peace in Korea led by Women Cross DMZ. Art by Peter Holland and lazy blender.

Sincerely,

Cathi Choi & Echo

The post ✌️ Celebrating 10 Years of Korea Peace | May KPNGN Newsletter appeared first on Korea Peace Now!.

In New York, we launched the Women’s Rights Under the Division System in Korea report at the United Nations’ 69th Commission on the Status of Women to a packed house! Released to coincide with International Women’s Day and the 80th year of Korea’s division, the report highlights the profound and persistent impact of division and militarism on Korean women’s lives and the urgency of developing a comprehensive approach to human rights. Read the full report here.

In Philadelphia, we met with Korea peace grassroots activists and joined University of Pennsylvania’s Asian American Across Disciplines with Mark Tseng-Putterman to present on “The Far Right and the New Cold War: Transnational Organizing from Korea to the US,” co-sponsored by Koreans 4 Decolonization at Penn and James Joo-Kim Center for Korean Studies.

In Philadelphia, we met with Korea peace grassroots activists and joined University of Pennsylvania’s Asian American Across Disciplines with Mark Tseng-Putterman to present on “The Far Right and the New Cold War: Transnational Organizing from Korea to the US,” co-sponsored by Koreans 4 Decolonization at Penn and James Joo-Kim Center for Korean Studies.

Organize

Join our April national grassroots meeting on Thursday, April 10 at 5pm PT/8pm ET! Members of Resist U.S.-Led War Movement will provide an overview of their movement and together, we will brainstorm ways to collaborate. Register here.

Following the national meeting, join our ongoing KPNGN New Member Orientation series on the same Zoom link, starting at 6pm PT/9pm ET. The Education Committee will host Part 1 of this ongoing series on the history of the Korean War.

Events

April 3 at 1pm HST/4pm PT/7pm ET | APOLOGY & REPARATION: The Jeju 4.3 Retrials and the Japanese American coram nobis Cases: The United States, South Korea, and the Jeju 4.3 Tragedy

The post April KPNGN Newsletter 🌷 Join our Webinar with Legal Experts on Jeju 4.3 Retrials appeared first on Korea Peace Now!.

The report — the result of years of research and collaboration among Korean women across borders — exposes the profound and persistent impact of the division system and ongoing militarization on women’s human rights.

Released to coincide with International Women’s Day, the 69th Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations, and the 80th year of Korea’s division, the report highlights key issues — including the presence of U.S. military bases, the gendered consequences of landmines and unexploded ordnance, and the enduring trauma of family separation — through personal narratives and expert analysis.

Among the key findings:

• Human rights issues exacerbated by the 80-year division: Landmines and unexploded ordnance remnants in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) continue to cause significant harm to civilians, particularly women.
• Militarization’s gendered impact: The ongoing U.S. military presence in South Korea and the expansion of military bases have significant human rights implications, particularly for women living in military camptowns, where they experience systemic sexual violence and exploitation. Furthermore, the expansion of U.S. military bases has displaced local farming communities.
• The ongoing trauma of family separation: Millions of Korean families remain divided by the Korean War, with opportunities for reunification dwindling as separated family members age. The ongoing division has a particular impact on women who have borne the brunt of the emotional, social, and economic burdens of separation.

The report calls for a more comprehensive approach to human rights that prioritizes the needs and agency of the Korean people, and women in particular, and urges the two Koreas and the international community to take immediate action to address the gendered impacts of Korea’s ongoing division and to work toward sustainable peace on the peninsula.

Read the report here!

Join our report launch webinar on Wednesday, March 5, at 5pm PT / 8 pm ET (Thursday, March 6, at 10 am KST). The event will offer Korean language interpretation and will feature report contributors and Korean women leaders:

• Youngmi Cho, Executive Committee Member, Christian Conference of Asia; Former Executive Director, Korean Women’s Movement for Peace
• Lee Jung Ah, Standing Representative, Gyeonggi Women’s Association United
• Lee Jae Jung, National Assembly member, ROK
• Cathi Choi, Executive Director, Women Cross DMZ (moderator)

Join us in New York at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women!

Women Cross DMZ will be at CSW! Join us for two key events:

March 12 | | Wednesday at 8:30am ET | 10th Floor of the Church Center of the United Nations, 777 UN Plaza, New York NY 10017

This joint session with Women Cross DMZ and the Education for Social Justice Foundation highlights the urgent need for accountability and global adoption of key Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) mechanisms, including UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and the U.S. WPS Act. WCDMZ will also share  research and analysis from the newly released Women’s Rights Under the Division System in Korea report. This event is free and open to the public. Register to attend here.

March 13 | Launching the Feminist Peace Playbook: A Guide for Transforming U.S. Foreign Policy | Thursday at 2:30-4:00 pm ET | UN Church Center, 2nd Floor 777 UN Plaza East (44th St. & 1st Ave), New York City, NY

Just us for the launch of the Feminist Peace Playbook, a comprehensive guide for movements, researchers, policymakers, philanthropists, and journalists, released by the Feminist Peace Initiative — led by MADRE, Women Cross DMZ, and Grassroots Global Justice Alliance — and the Inclusive Global Leadership Initiative at the University of Denver.

Women Cross DMZ on the Hill

Peace on the Korean Peninsula Act is Reintroduced!

On Wednesday, Rep. Brad Sherman and dozens of other co-sponsors reintroduced the Peace on the Korean Peninsula Act. There’s no bill number yet, but in the meantime, check out the list of cosponsors and urge your Congressional representative to become a Korea Peace Champion here. Stay tuned for updates about our annual Korea Peace Advocacy Week!

Stop Politicians Profiting From War Act

Women Cross DMZ endorsed the Stop Politicians Profiting From War Act, introduced by Congresswomen Rashida Tlaib to prohibit Members of Congress, their spouses, and their dependent children from having any financial interests in any company that does business with the Department of Defense and banning them from trading defense stocks. Sign on to become a grassroots supporter here.

Upcoming Events

March 6 | KPNGN’s March National Meeting | This Thursday at 5pm PT/8pm ET

We will debrief the official reintroduction of the Peace on the Korean Peninsula Act (PKPA) and share advocacy efforts to push the bill forward. RSVP here.

March 8 | International Women’s Day: How Secure Aren’t We? | Saturday at 1pm ET

WCDMZ Executive Director Cathi Choi will join Ploughshares Fund alongside Elena Sokova, Executive Director of the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation, and Dr. Emma Belcher, President of Ploughshares for a virtual webinar. RSVP here.

March 19 | The Far Right and the New Cold War: Transnational Organizing from Korea to the US | Wednesday at 2pm ET

University of Pennsylvania’s Asian American Across the Disciplines presents: The Far Right and the New Cold War: Transnational Organizing from Korea to the US in conversation with Cathi Choi, Executive Director of Women Cross DMZ. Hosted by Professor Mark Tseng-Putterman, Panda Express Postdoctoral Fellow in Asian American Studies in his course Yellow Peril, Red Scare: Cold War Asia in America. Please RSVP here to join us in person or register here to join by Zoom!

March 24 | New Hampshire Peace Action (NHPA) Peace & Justice Conversations: The Feminist Path to Peace in Korea | Monday at 7pm ET

How have women been leading the movement calling for a formal end to the Korean War? What does feminist leadership in peace movements look like? NHPA will hear from WCDMZ’s Echo and Solby on recent Korea Peace Now! Grassroots Network activities and how Women Cross DMZ continues to advocate for peace in Korea and in the region, women’s leadership in the Korea peace process, and a feminist approach to U.S. foreign policy in this virtual presentation. RSVP here.

 READ: From the Education Committee:

• Preparations for US-North Korea talks ‘well underway’ in Washington: lawmaker considers the prospect of diplomatic talks between the new Trump administration and North Korea, with perspectives from South Korean lawmakers.
• Final witness examination cements case against Yoon reflects on Yoon Suk-yeol’s testimony at his impeachment trial and recommends that he be removed from office.
• Gender is, once again, determining the contours of South Korea’s most recent political upheaval. Why young South Korean men are at the forefront of the far right protests defending martial law and justifying authoritarianism, while leading the “national-flag brigade.”

Follow Korea Peace Now! on Bluesky! Say hello and check out our new account

Support the Korea Peace Movement: Show your support for Korea peace with one of our new tote bags, hats, baby onesies, and clothing, available here. All money raised will support Korea Peace Now!, our U.S.-based movement for peace in Korea led by Women Cross DMZ. Art by Peter Holland and lazy blender.

Sincerely,

Cathi Choi

The post Just Released! Report on Women’s Rights in Korea | March KPNGN Newsletter appeared first on Korea Peace Now!.

발신: Echo (echo@womencrossdmz.org)
제목: [보도자료] 분단체재 하에서의 여성의 권리 보고서 발간
날짜: 2025년 3월 3일

분단체재 하에서의 여성의 권리 보고서

국제 여성의 날, 유엔 여성지위위원회 제68차 회의에 맞춰 한반도 여성 조명

한반도 평화를 위한 세계적 운동의 선도적 조직인 Women Cross DMZ는 새로운 보고서인 ‘분단체재 하의 여성의 권리 보고서’를 발간하여 한반도의 분단이 여성들에게 미치는 시급하고 종종 간과되는 결과에 대해 조명하였다.

이 보고서는 국제 여성의 날과 여성지위위원회 제68차 회의 및 한반도 분단 80주년에 맞춰 발표되었으며, 한반도의 지속적인 군사화에서 남북 여성이 겪는 인권 침해에 이르기까지 분단 체제의 깊고 지속적인 영향을 폭로한다. 이 보고서는 역사적 및 현대적 분석을 바탕으로 미군 기지의 존재, 지뢰와 불발탄의 부족한 성인지적 접근, 이산가족의 지속적인 트라우마와 같은 주요 문제를 강조하였다.

주요 결과:

80년 분단으로 인해 악화된 인권 문제: 비무장 지대(DMZ)의 지뢰와 불발탄(UXO) 잔해는 민간인, 특히 여성에게 여전히 심각한 피해를 입히고 있다. 지뢰 피해 여성들은 여전히 소외되어 있으며, 지뢰 제거 작업에 있어서도 성인지적 접근이 부족하다.

군사화의 성별적 영향: 한국에서 계속되는 미군의 존재와 군사 기지의 확장은 특히 체계적인 성폭력과 착취를 경험하는 기지촌에 사는 여성에게 중대한 인권적 영향을 미치고 있다. 더욱이 미군 기지의 확장으로 지역 농업 공동체가 이주하였고, 여성 농민들의 고통은 더욱 가중되고 있다.

이산가족의 지속적인 트라우마: 수백만의 가족들은 전쟁으로 인해 여전히 갈라져 있으며, 이산가족들의 고령화로 인해 재결합의 기회가 줄어들고 있다. 2000년대 초반 진행 되었던 국가 주도의 이산가족 상봉 프로그램은 중단되어 가족들은 사랑하는 사람들을 찾기 위해 민간 중개인이나 제한된 정부의 프로그램에 의존할 수 밖에 없다. 북한에 대한 미국인의 여행 금지 조치로 인해 한국계 미국인은 사랑하는 사람과 재결합할 수 없다.

위민크로스디엠지Women Cross DMZ의 캐시 최(Cathi Choi) 사무총장은

“이 보고서는 분단 체제가 단순히 지정학적 문제가 아니라 여성의 삶에 실질적이고 파괴적인 영향을 미치는 인권 위기라는 점을 분명히 한다, 한반도 평화를 위한 모든 노력은 여성의 목소리와 경험을 중심으로 해야 한다” 라고 밝혔다.

Women Cross DMZ는 두 한국 정부와 국제 사회가 한국의 지속적인 분단의 성별적 영향을 해결하고 한반도에서 지속 가능한 평화를 향해 노력하기 위한 즉각적인 조치를 취할 것을 촉구하였다.
분단체재 하에서의 여성의 권리 보고서 전체는 아래 링크에서 다운로드할 수 있습니다.
https://www.womencrossdmz.org/report-womens-rights-under-the-division-system-in-korea

한글 요약은 아래 링크에서 다운로드 할 수 있습니다.
분단체재 하에서의 여성의 권리 보고서 요약

위민크로스디엠지 소개 (Women Cross DMZ)

위민크로스디엠지는 한반도 전쟁 종식과 정책 참여를 위해 활동하는 여성들의 글로벌 운동입니다. 이 단체는 풀뿌리 옹호, 국제 연대, 정책 참여를 통해 한반도의 평화, 여성 인권, 한반도의 비무장화를 진전시키기 위해 노력하고 있습니다.

The post 국제 여성의 날, 유엔 여성지위위원회 제68차 회의에 맞춰 한반도 여성 조명 appeared first on Korea Peace Now!.

Contact:
Solby Lim, Communications Associate
solby@womencrossdmz.org

Women Cross DMZ, a leading organization in the global movement for peace on the Korean Peninsula, has released a new report, Women’s Rights Under the Division System in Korea, shedding light on the urgent and often overlooked consequences of Korea’s division on women’s lives.

The report — which is being released to coincide with International Women’s Day, the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, and the 80th year of Korea’s division — exposes the profound and persistent impact of the division system, from the ongoing militarization of the peninsula to human rights violations suffered by women in both Koreas. Drawing from historical and contemporary analysis, the report highlights key issues such as the presence of U.S. military bases, the gendered consequences of landmines and unexploded ordnance, and the enduring trauma of family separation.

Among the key findings:

• Human rights issues exacerbated by the 80-year division: Landmines and unexploded ordnance remnants in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) continue to cause significant harm to civilians, particularly women. Women victims of landmines remain underserved, and gender-responsive measures are lacking in demining operations.
• Militarization’s gendered impact: The ongoing U.S. military presence in South Korea and the expansion of military bases have significant human rights implications, particularly for women living in military camptowns, where they experience systemic sexual violence and exploitation. Furthermore, the expansion of U.S. military bases has displaced local farming communities, further exacerbating the plight of women farmers.
• The ongoing trauma of family separation: Millions of Korean families remain divided by the Korean War, with opportunities for reunification dwindling as separated family members age. Reunions have stalled since the early 2000s, leaving families to rely on private brokers or limited government programs to locate loved ones. The U.S. travel ban on North Korea has also prevented Korean Americans from reuniting with their loved ones.

“This report makes clear that the division system is not just a geopolitical issue; it’s a human rights crisis with real and devastating impacts on women’s lives,” said Cathi Choi, Executive Director of Women Cross DMZ. “Any effort toward peace on the Korean Peninsula must center women’s voices and experiences.”

“South Korea’s women’s rights groups have long highlighted how Korea’s division system harms women’s rights and gender equality,” said Youngmi Cho, former Executive Director of the Korean Women’s Movement for Peace, Executive Committee Member of the Christian Conference of Asia, and contributor to the report. “Women’s Rights Under the Division System in Korea reinforces why women’s leadership is crucial to ending the Korean War.”

“Women have been at the forefront of protesting U.S. military base expansion in South Korea, showing how militarism has particular impacts on women’s human rights,” said YouKyoung Ko, Policy Director of Pyeongtaek Peace Center and a contributor to the report. “It’s time we took a more holistic view of human rights, and what is being sacrificed in the name of ‘national security.’”

“Human rights have been weaponized ever since the Cold War. Addressing the gendered impacts of Korea’s division system requires a holistic approach that centers the people, building transnational partnerships to amplify women’s demands for peace,” said Suzy Kim, a professor of Korean history at Rutgers University and contributor to the report. “Only through solidarity across borders can we end war and militarism on the Korean Peninsula.”

“Women in Korea have been living in the shadow of unresolved war for more than 70 years, bearing the burdens of militarization, division, and separation,” said Jung-ah Lee, Standing Representative of Gyeonggi Women’s Association United and a contributor to the report. “Their voices must be heard if we are to create a sustainable and lasting peace.”

The report provides a set of recommendations for governments and intergovernmental bodies to address these human rights concerns. It calls for a more comprehensive approach to human rights that prioritizes the needs and agency of the Korean people, and women in particular, including accountability for militarized sexual violence, legislation that addresses the gendered impact of landmines, the inclusion of women in peace and security initiatives, and renewed diplomatic efforts to reunite separated families.

Women Cross DMZ is urging the two Korean governments and the international community to take immediate action to address the gendered impacts of Korea’s ongoing division and to work toward sustainable peace on the peninsula.

The full report, Women’s Rights Under the Division System in Korea, is available for download here.

REPORT LAUNCH EVENTS:

Webinar
Date: Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Time: 5 pm PST / 8 pm EST / 10 am Korea (Thursday, March 6)
Location: Online (Zoom)
Registration: bit.ly/dskreport

Join Women Cross DMZ for a webinar discussing the key findings of the newly released report, “Women’s Rights Under the Division System in Korea.” The report sheds light on the often overlooked consequences of Korea’s division, exposing the militarization, human rights violations, and family separations that continue to impact women’s lives today. This webinar is a must-attend for policymakers, activists, scholars, journalists, and anyone passionate about human rights, peace, and gender justice.

Speakers:

• Cathi Choi, Executive Director, Women Cross DMZ
• ​​Youngmi Cho, Executive Committee Member, Christian Conference of Asia, Former Executive Director, Korean Women’s Movement for Peace
• Lee Jung Ah, Standing Representative, Gyeonggi Women’s Association United
• Lee Jae Jung, National Assembly member, ROK

CSW Panel [Open to the public]

Date: Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Time: 8:30-10:00am EST
Location: New York City, UN Church Center, 10th Floor (777 UN Plaza, New York NY 10017)
Registration: https://ngocsw69forum.events.whova.com/registration/

Description

This ESJF and WCDMZ session highlights the urgent need for accountability and global adoption of key Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) mechanisms, including UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and the U.S. WPS Act. Drawing on cases like “comfort women” in Asia, Sepur Zarco, and South Korean landmine survivors, panelists will discuss the role of WPS mechanisms in addressing the devastating impact of war, militarism, and post-conflict realities on women and families. WCDMZ will also share the report, Women’s Rights Under the Division System, with groundbreaking analysis and research from Korean women.

Speakers:

• Cathi Choi, Women Cross DMZ
• Sung Sohn, Education for Social Justice Foundation
• Mimi Han, World YWCA
• Renee Copock, Crowley Fleck PLLP
• Marie Berry, Director of the Sié Chéou-Kang Center for International Security and Diplomacy (moderator)

About Women Cross DMZ

Women Cross DMZ is a global movement of women mobilizing to end the Korean War and. Through grassroots advocacy, international solidarity, and policy engagement, the organization works to advance peace, women’s rights, and demilitarization on the Korean Peninsula.

The post New Report Highlights How Women’s Rights Have Suffered Under Korea’s Division System appeared first on Korea Peace Now!.

All committees (Advocacy, Education, Coalition Building, and Membership) are accepting new members! Please email Echo at echo@womencrossdmz.org to join a committee. And if you haven’t already, please sign up for our Korea Peace Now! Grassroots Network here.

KPNGN Orientation Part II: Immediately after the national meeting, at 6pm PT/9pm ET, we’ll continue with Part II of our New Member Orientation. In Part II, our Education Committee will present a brief history of the Korean War, followed by a small group discussion. RSVP at bit.ly/febkpngn.

RSVP for Intergenerational Healing and Learning

KPN X GYOPO | The Stories We Bring to Bear: Flipping the Scripts on Adoption | Thursday, February 6 from 5-6:30pm PT/8-9:30pm ET | RSVP

What exists beyond, around, and throughout the lives of adopted people and their various families and communities? How can we uplift a multitude of narratives in addition to the oft-told “reunion” stories? Individuals adopted from Korea and their first families bring especially critical stories to bear on the topic of ending the Korean War and “tongil” (통일, “reunification of the Korean peninsula”). Join us to hear from award-winning filmmaker Deann Borshay Liem and aspiring director and community organizer Meejin Seol, in a conversation moderated by journalist Anna Kook. Speakers will talk about their work, families, the geopolitics of adoption, and why we cannot hope to understand the history of the Korean War, militarism, or division without understanding the history of transnational adoption. We will also discuss legacies of the ongoing Korean War and the present-day political landscape in South Korea, including impeachment and ongoing resistance by Korean civil society. ASL interpretation will be provided.

Deann Borshay Liem is an Emmy Award-winning documentarian known for exploring war, memory, family and identity. Her work on the Korean War, including Memory of Forgotten War, Crossings, and the oral history project Legacies of the Korean War, explores divided families and women’s role in peacemaking.

Meejin Seol is a queer Korean adoptee, aspiring documentary filmmaker, and dog mom. She currently lives in Seoul and plays with Solidarity Poongmul Pae Jangpoong (소수자연대풍물패 장풍). She moved to Korea with the goals of learning language, deepening her knowledge and practice of poongmul nori, spending time with family, and making a documentary film that pushes beyond traditional ideas about reunion, family and home.

Anna Kook is a multilingual, award-winning reporter who seeks to bring Asian faces and voices to mainstream media. She is currently a correspondent & producer at AJ+. Recently, a story from a series Anna produced and edited, “It’s Bisan from Gaza and I’m Still Alive,” won a Peabody and national Emmy award.

For your reading

NEW! How MAGA Made Its Way to South Korea | Cathi Choi writes for In These Times about the influence of Trump’s MAGA in South Korea. “It would be easy to identify these apparent similarities and not interrogate further. But the connections between U.S. and South Korean far-right forces are both old and new, rooted in decades of U.S. and South Korean militarism, the ongoing Korean War, and the oligarchs who profit,” Cathi writes. “The ongoing events in South Korea should not just be a distant news item for U.S. readers with abstract lessons for “democracy.” We must understand that the United States has been involved with the Korean Peninsula for decades, and U.S. militarism has profoundly shaped South Korea’s political landscape.”

How Right-Wing Forces are Attempting to Undermine Democracy and Peace Activists | This recent political education thread explains the rising transnational, far-right campaign to smear pro-democracy and pro-peace activists, and how intergenerational Koreans (including KPNGN members) are pushing back.

Korea Peace Priorities Coalition Letter to the Trump Administration |The Korea Peace Now! Grassroots Network joined over 40 national organizations in signing a letter urging the Trump administration to pursue a diplomatic, peace-first approach with North Korea focused on improving relations, ending the Korean War, and reducing nuclear risk. Several Korean news outlets covered the letter, including OhmyNews and Daum.

 READ: From the Education Committee:

1. How Memories of Struggle Spurred the Defense of South Korea’s Democracy | Journalist Yejin Gim draws connections between the struggles and lessons learned from the Gwangju Uprising in 1980 and the timely and powerful response of the Korean people to Yoon Suk Yeol’s imposition of martial law in S. Korea.
2. TO DRIVE FORWARD AT HIGH SPEED LOOK BACKWARDS | Peter Hayes and Leon Sigal provide thoughtful analysis of the political fallout from Yoon Suk Yeol’s attempted coup and consider the prospects for diplomatic engagement with the DPRK by the new Trump administration.
3. Behind the explosion of Korea’s far right, catalyzed by Yoon | Ji-hye Lee writes for Hankyoreh about the disturbing rise of the far right in South Korea, which strongly embraces Yoon, anti-communism, and anti-Chinese sentiments. Although Yoon failed in his attempt to establish martial rule, he has been successful in rallying his far-right supporters, which has contributed to the current state of political turmoil in the country.

Follow Korea Peace Now! on Bluesky! Say hello and check out our new account

Support the Korea Peace Movement: Show your support for Korea peace with one of our new tote bags, hats, baby onesies, and clothing, available here. All money raised will support Korea Peace Now!, our U.S.-based movement for peace in Korea led by Women Cross DMZ. Art by Peter Holland and lazy blender.

Looking forward to seeing you at these upcoming gatherings!

Sincerely,

Cathi Choi and Echo

The post February KPNGN Newsletter appeared first on Korea Peace Now!.