"From Halla to Baekdu": Long March for Peaceful Unification

By Reporter Kim Hui-yeol, a 21st PUAC youth member (Andong-si Chapter, Gyeongsangbuk-do)

The PUAC Gyeongsangbuk-do Assembly (Vice-chairperson Kim Ha-yeong), together with women members, youth members, and North Korean defectors, organized the "Halla to Baekdu" peaceful unification long march from May to July in Jeju, Jeollanam-do, Ulleungdo and Dokdo, and the DMZ. The event consisted of programs that reflected the nature and people of each region and the desire for unification, and was a meaningful journey to broaden national consensus toward peaceful unification.

Desire for peaceful unification remains strong despite the strong winds of Jeju 

On May 8, the first leg of the long march kicked off with a departure ceremony and a unification prayer festival at Pan-Pacific Park in Jeju. Braving the rain and wind, PUAC members from Gyeongsangbuk-do and Jeju read the following statements praying for unification.

"Unification is the dream of all of us and the hope we will pass on to future generations."

"May harmony and communication, not war and conflict, be our path."

"We are one people, and we are each other's precious companions." 

"May the hearts of people gathered today make the first step on the path to unification." 

"May our hopes and prayers reach the heavens, and may the day of peaceful unification come soon."

The climb up Hallasan Mountain, which had been postponed due to rain, was rescheduled for May 10. The course had to be changed due to rain and fog, but the PUAC council members continued to walk silently the path of peaceful unification one step at a time. 

Gathering of hope in Jeollanam-do

On May 29-30, the second leg of the march took place in Mokpo and Sinan, Jeollanam-do Province. On the first day, women PUAC members from Gyeongsangbuk-do and Jeollanam-do met to discuss unification and harmony.

Gwon Ae-yeong, women’s vice-chairperson, said, "Each and every one of you here will lead to peaceful unification." Byun So-young, chair of the Gyeongbuk Women's Committee, said, "I hope the flower of unification will bloom from Halla to Baekdu." Jeong So-hyeon, chair of the Jeollanam-do Women's Committee, emphasized that "this is not just an exchange, but a time to walk together on the path to peace."

Next programs included making of LED unification lanterns. The participants expressed their feelings and hopes for a peaceful unification that should be as beautiful as a flower, and that they would like to convey a heart of peace to children.

On the second day, the Unification Prayer Choir Festival was held at Yudalsan Mountain in Mokpo. The participants sang together "Our Wish is Unification" and "Boat Song" with adapted lyrics to convey the message of peaceful unification to tourists and citizens. The event concluded with a climb to the top of Yudalsan Mountain and a visit to Purple Island in Sinan.

Ulleungdo and Dokdo expedition with youth

On June 13-14, the members of the youth committee led the Ulleungdo-Dokdo Expedition.

The expedition team entered Dokdo Island as its first program, where they stamped their hands wishing for peaceful unification and left messages of unification, and prayed for the success of the long march program.

Then, the Peace and Unification Busking and the Unification Golden Bell were held on Ulleungdo Island. Through the Peace and Unification Busking, the participants promoted activities of the PUAC and conveyed the desire for peaceful unification to the island citizens and tourists. The participants also raised the interest of local people in peaceful unification through various programs such as North Korea-related quizzes and dalgona and fan making.

The youth committee members concluded the long march by walking together on the Ulleung Nari Basin and reflected on the meaning of peace once again.

Mentor-mentee journey of peace in the DMZ

On July 5-6, the final leg of the long march was held at the DMZ. As the name of the event – DMZ Long March with Warm Neighbor Mentors and Mentees -- suggested, the event was especially meaningful that North Korean defectors and PUAC members got together. 

At the Dora Observatory, the North Korean defectors shared their longing for family and hometown in close proximity to North Korea. Visiting the Third Tunnel dug by North Korea, they reflected on the need for peace and unification.

They also took the Imjingak Gondola up to the Peace Lighthouse and wrote their wishes at the Wish Ribbon Zone.

The participants took part in a peaceful unification quiz contest where they could review what they had had in the long march. There was an award ceremony in which a symbolic crown was given to the quiz king.

In particular, the 'Manito Heart Sharing' time for mentors and mentees was a highlight of the program, and it was a touching time to share their feelings with each other. The mentees expressed their sincere wishes to "live harder under the help" and one said, "I hope this relationship will last for a long time." The Pohang-si Chapter added to the emotion by delivering homemade rose brooches and four-leaf clover brooches to wish them to spread their lives as beautifully as roses.

The final leg of the long march was a visit to the War Memorial of Korea in Seoul. It was a time to reflect on the pain of the war and reflect on the activities of the mentor-mentee program.

Walking together on the path to peaceful unification

The 'Halla to Baekdu' Peaceful Unification Long March started in Jeju and continued to Jeollanam-do, Ulleungdo, Dokdo, and the DMZ, uniting many people's desire for unification. The event concluded with the collection of soil and water from each area. 

Although the march to Baekdu has been postponed, every leg of the journey so far has been a robust step toward unification. We hope you will continue to have interest and support for the various peaceful unification activities of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Assembly of the PUAC.