Have you seen Bong Joon-ho’s parasite movie? I first knew when Professor Parasitology introduced me that there was a movie about parasites. At that time, there were hairworms, roundworms and pinworms on the screen. When the Horsehair (Gordian worm) enters the body of a praying mantis, it jumps into the water and kills itself. The reason is that the parasite becomes an adult, lives and lays eggs in the water. So I thought it might be a disaster movie where people all become zombies like Resident Evil.
And I was even more excited to hear that it won the PALME D’OR at the 72ndCannes FilmFestival. It is the first Korean movie to win in Cannes. According to a local report from the Cannes Film Festival, “Parasite” received two rounds of applause comparable to a standing ovation from the audience during its official screening. The first round of applause broke when Song Kang-ho picked up something from the trash can, and the second round of applause when a figure in the movie struck with feet. After the screening, a standing ovation followed the custom of the Cannes Film Festival, which extended unexpectedly for Eight minutes.
losing my mind over bong joon-ho's jolliness/comments in korean during PARASITE's standing ovation at #Cannes2019 and also that the first thing he said on-mic was "i'm very awkward" #BongHivepic.twitter.com/ZDOXpCO5ZP
Song Kang-ho: “How long do I need to keep clapping?” Bong Joon-ho: “Yeah, I’m hungry.”
This conversation came out in the middle of applause, and it’s so funny to me. It was also a big talk on social media. Also, it was the 22nd unanimous award of the jury in Cannes history. “It’s such a unique experience. It’s so unexpected,” Iñárritu raved about “Parasite.”
He said “It took all of us sharing our experiences. We shared the mystery of the unexpected way this film took us through different genres and mixed them and spoke in a funny, humorous, tender way with no judgment of something so irreverent and urgent. It’s so global but in such a local film. We were all fascinated by it since we saw it. It kept growing and growing. It was a unanimous decision.”
In the late 2010s, the Cannes Film Festival’s propensity is found to be paying attention to “the story of families belonging to the socially vulnerable.” It is also analyzed that this tendency led to the award of parasites. In fact, this is what I want to talk about.
In order to meet the upper class in the film, you have to keep going up, the lower class lives under the radius, and the camera keeps coming down. Many of the devices with messages in the movie hurt more. One is a “smell” that reveals a lower class. Can’t get away and stimulate the upper class. Also, “plan” also throws a message. In the movie, Kitaek claims that “No plan is the plan.” Eventually, with a wild plan, the movie ends like that. The reality is still a mess.
After the movie, I felt very depressed. It was more sad because it was often around us. The gap between the haves and have-nots will be greater across the globe. The world’s richest 1 percent, those with more than $1 million, own 45 percent of the world’s wealth. Adults with less than $10,000 in wealth make up 64 percent of the world’s population but hold less than 2 percent of global wealth. (more info) How close are you to this?
“Where does peace flow?”
But I know that I’ll soon forget these facts. What is peace? It’s really hard to practice and try. But there are still people who try to make peace on their feet. One of them, one of them, got together, became a small stream, became a river, and became a big waterfall. No one can stop it now. This huge flow will soon transform the whole world. Those who risk their lives for peace, they are HWPL.
“Where does peace flow?” Peace certainly flows from bottom to top. If citizens all over the world were to become one voice, who could stop it? The president will also have to listen to the voices of citizens. That’s what HWPL is doing now, and it’s doing great. Someday that one powerful force will be known to all over the world, and you will be surprised. If you want to know more about HWPL, look at the other posts.
According to Yonhap News Agency on 21st of April, Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo, and its surrounding areas have seen eight explosions since the morning of that day. In particular, Catholic churches and hotels frequented by foreigners during Easter worship were attacked in downtown Colombo or nearby. Police said at least two explosions were believed to have been caused by a suicide bomb, but no group claiming to be behind the attack has emerged.
Sri Lanka has a painful history of losing more than 100,000 lives by the end of 2009, 26 years after the civil war between the Sinhalese (74.9%) and Tamils (11.2%).
Religious Reason > Ethnic Reason
NEGOMBO. the scene before the bomb went off / Ronald Saunders / flickr
However, there is a strong possibility that the attack was caused by religious reasons rather than by ethnic conflict. This is because Catholics, who account for more than 6 percent of Sri Lanka’s population, often served as mediators when it comes to ethnic conflict, as they are a mixture of Sinhalese and Tamils. It is also more persuasive to this argument that the timing of the outbreak was timed to coincide with Easter worship, the Catholic anniversary.
The majority (70.2 percent) of Sri Lanka’s residents believe in Buddhism, with Hindus and Muslims accounting for 12.6 percent and 9.7 percent, respectively.
Sri Lanka’s Buddhists, Hindus and Muslims are said to be antagonistic toward each other, but they are said to have shown common hostility to Christianity due to their experiences of being oppressed during colonial rule of Portugal, the Netherlands and Britain since the 16th century.
In addition, during the civil war, Tamil massacred Muslim civilians, saying that Batacaloa belonged to them, and the number of ultra-rightist Buddhists cracking down on minority religions has increased recently. There is a possibility that it could be the ISIS, an international terrorist organization.
Of the global wars so far, 80 percent are caused by religion and ideology. This alone shows how many people have suffered. Besides, when eight bombs go off, who can compensate for the casualties(258)? What are you going to do with that trauma and anxiety? What if my family died? Whatever the circumstances, the result is a terrible tragedy.
So… What is religion? Is teaching in religion a war? Not at all. Everyone teaches peace, how to live well. They want to live morally. But why does religion have this effect? So religious leaders got together to fix it. It is the HWPL WARP Office.
Leaders of each religion gather to talk about what the religion should do and peace. It is shocking to see different religions come together. However, since there are differences of opinion, don’t you think they can fight? Here comes the most innovative way of HWPL. It is a comparison of the “scriptures of each religion”.
HWPL WARP Office
Recently, on June 15, “The 6th Inter-Continental World Alliance of Religions’ Peace Office Meeting” was held to discuss religious teachings on human life written in scriptures through YouTube by religious representatives from Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism and Zoroastrianism.
This interfaith dialogue was based on the study on religious scriptures by religious leaders from Portugal, India, South Korea, Sri Lanka, the United States and Yemen. It would be much better for you to see for yourself. Below are some of their conversation.
“Hurray for the independence of Korea! Hurray! Hurray! Hurray!”
March 1st Movement Day in Korea
100th Anniversary of the March 1st Movement in Gwangju, Korea
Every year on 1st of March, the Flag of South Korea (Hangul: 태극기) is placed everywhere in Korea. The March 1st Movement Day, also known as Sam Il Jeol (Hangul: 삼일절), can be seen as a symbol of the Korean Independence Movement. Korea was a colony of Japan from 1910 into 1945. The pain and sorrow of being a colony are beyond description.
At 2 p.m. on 1st of March, 1919, 33 ethnic representatives read out loud the Korean Declaration of Independence. The declaration, which begins with the following words, is truly touching. “We herewith proclaim the independence of Korea and the liberty of the Korean people.” What kind of feelings did people have at that time?
“The March 1st Independence Movement was the declaration and the act by which the Korean people spoke out about the value of independence, peace, democracy and human rights.”
President Moon Jae-in
For more information
Massive crowds assembled in Pagoda Park to hear the declaration that a student, Jae-yong Chung, read publicly. He shouted “No power in this world can obstruct or suppress it!” Approximately 2,000,000 Koreans had participated in the more than 1,500 demonstrations. Were there no suppressors? No. 7,509 people killed, 15,849 wounded, and 46,303 arrested by the Japanese police force and army. As punishment, some of the arrested demonstrators were executed in public.
100th Anniversary of the March 1st Movement in Gwangju, Korea
On Friday, all people of the Koreas commemorate the 100th anniversary of the March 1st Movement. President Moon Jae-in visited the graves of several key figures in the fight for Korean independence, and the government decided this week to honor freedom fighter Yu Gwan-sun with the country’s highest medal of honor, the Republic of Korea Medal.
Yu was only 16 when she attended the main March 1 gathering in Seoul, and she was arrested and died in prison at the age of 17. If you want to know more info here
The theme of the anniversary ceremony is “Let’s Open Another 100 Years Together,” a clear reference to South Korean Moon’s work to engage with the North. What does it mean? President Moon said “We are no longer in the periphery of history. I hope we will open a new era with pride and confidence that the strength to decide and open the next 100 years rests in us.”
Trump and Kim Jong Un & Moon Jae-in
100th Anniversary of the March 1st Movement in Gwangju, Korea
How did the Trump-Kim summit go in Hanoi, Vietnam? On February 28, Trump and Kim left Hanoi abruptly without signing any sort of agreement. People are in shock. What happened? Many expected that one of the most likely things to come out of Hanoi would be an agreement to end the Korean War, which has been on pause for more than 60 years. It led many experts and lawmakers to heave sighs of relief, even as the summit’s abrupt finale raises questions about What’s Next?
But Moon Jae-in didn’t stop to hope. Because he love peace. He want to end the Korean War. Countless people do not want war, they want PEACE. If he truly love the people, he will strive for peace. He said “On April 27, both Chairman Kim Jong Un and I discussed joint projects to mark the 100th anniversary of the March First Independence Movement and to mark the founding of the provisional government, and our initiative was contained in the Panmunjeom Declaration.”
“If the South and North can share together the history of Korean independence, both will become much closer in their hearts,” he added.
What will happen in the future? I want to remember lives and spirits of each of those who sacrificed and devoted their lives to the independence of our country.
The next posting will cover the stories of people who work for them and work for peace.
Cambodia is located in Southeast Asia, bordering Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. Cambodia is famous for the Angkor Wat temple, that have built for Hindu religion during Khmer Empire. (officially the Angkor Empire) Now, the temple is part of Angkor World Heritage Site and is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the world. At its peak, the Khmer empire (802-1431) covered much of what today is Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, and southern Vietnam.
However, there was a great tragedy in this flourishing culture. The Cambodian Killing Fields (Khmer: វាលពិឃាត) are a number of sites in Cambodia where collectively more than a million people were killed and buried by the Khmer Rouge regime, during its rule of the country from 1975 to 1979, immediately after the end of the Cambodian Civil War.
The killing fields document death. From 1975 to 1979, Pol Pot and his Khmer Rouge soldiers killed 1.7 million Cambodians, or 21 percent of the population, according to Yale University’s Cambodia Genocide Program. Maybe, it is the reason why the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS)signed a MoU with HWPL to introduce Peace education nationwide and develop relevant policies and programs.
Toby Simkin / flickr.com / CC BY-SA
How did Cambodian Genocide end?
The Fall of the Republic of Democratic Kampuchea. On December 25, 1978, Vietnam launched a full-scale invasion of Cambodia and on January 7, 1979, Phnom Penh fell and Pol Pot was deposed.
What was the purpose of the Cambodian Genocide?
Ideology. Ideology played an important role in the genocide. Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge aimed to bring Cambodia back to its “mythic past” of the Powerful Khmer Empire, to stop corrupting influences like foreign aid and western culture, and to restore the country to an agrarian society.
HWPL Cambodia Peacebuilding
Original article / KhmeRead
Ideology can be solved through education. It is the reason why Cambodia wants to cooperate with HWPL.
Phnom Penh – The Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport together with International Peace Organization and the inauguration of the HWPL Peace Building Department on February 14, 2019 RUPP. H.E. Hang Chuon Naron, Minister of Education, Youth and Sport, said “Peace education of HWPL was also considered and included in the curriculum of schools in Cambodia.”
As a result, 164 schools in 12 countries have signed MOUs with HWPL.
4th WARP Summit 2019 / HWPL PHOTO
H.E. Rachana Khun, Under Secretary of State of Ministry of Education of Youth and Sport of the Kingdom of Cambodia addressed, “After signing MOA with HWPL today, the Ministry will expand its implementation of peace education in educational institutions nationwide more broadly. Particularly, the Ministry would like to request HWPL’s assistance in the writing of books on peace education, its teaching methodology, the training of peace educators, and activities to spread a culture of peace in education sector in Cambodia. There was also a presentation of successful cases from teachers and education experts who were first in recognizing the excellence of HWPL’s peace education and have been at the forefront in implementing peace education for children and the youth.”
Particularly, Mr.Man Hee Lee, the Chairman of HWPL, a peace activist, came to Cambodia to seek peace with the bishops of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Justice and the state-run broadcasting station, and called on all people to become peace messengers for world peace.
HWPL is currently moving forward with a worldwide influence to bring DPCW, a new international law, to the United Nations. DPCW is a definte answer to peace that can end the war. Created by 21 international law experts, it is recognized not only sophisticated, but also it is aligned with UN Charter and SDGs.
The news of peace will continue to be heard. 🙂 I’m really looking forward to the 30th world peace tour. Because the 29th world peace tour has achieved tremendous results. You can see other postings.
The United States and North Korea will hold further talks next week to prepare for a second summit between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un later this month, Seoul said Sunday (Feb 10).
“North Korea and the US have agreed to continue negotiations in a third country in Asia during the week of Feb 17,” South Korean presidential spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom told reporters.
Mr Trump and Mr Kim are due to meet in Hanoi, Vietnam, on Feb 27 and 28, following their landmark first summit in Singapore last June. The US-North Korea talks is expected to provide an important turning point for economic and security on the Korean peninsula. As the dialogue of inter-Korea continued since 2018, the issue of peace and unification is attracting international attention.
So, peace-loving 1,000 Korean youths gathered for the unification of the two Koreas. The event is held under the theme of “Youth pictures the peaceful future for the Korean peninsula”. In search of the role of civil society to create a unified Korea with peaceful means, “North And South, Let’s Be “Us” Again” was held with 1,000 participants at the Grand Hilton Hotel in Seoul, South Korea on February 9th.
At a congratulatory speech, Prof. Chang Ho-Kwon, invited professor at Hanshin University, said, “By showing public support for unification of Korea through collaborative efforts of civil society and subsequent government capabilities, the gate of unification will be closer. There is no chance for a nation without history and culture. We take the lead in unification issues to leave a legacy for future generations, which can be attained by participation in IPYG peace projects.”
Why do 1.6 billion young people support the IPYG?
IPYG PHOTO / North and South, Let’s Be “Us” Again
The host organization, International Peace Youth Group (IPYG), is a member organization of HWPL, an international peace NGO under the UN ECOSOC. IPYG initiated its peace activities with the aim of realizing world peace by the voice of youth themselves, the victims of the war, and has been carrying out various peace campaign around the world in cooperation with 851 youth organizations in 111 countries.
Regarding this youth campaign, IPYG explains that the youth of the Korean peninsula will voice to solve the problem of division and unification because the war threats on the Korean peninsula, which has been continuing since the division, can no longer be overlooked.
In particular, the young man is the most persuasive messenger of peace. Because the people who go to war are politicians? Who is it? That’s because they’re themselves. Who in the world will pay for that life? Do you think money can pay for it? Nope. Is the War far from us? You’ll understand by looking at the posting below.
Because there is Mr.Man hee Lee, messenger of peace, who is supported by 1.6 billion Youth and 3.6 billion Women. His biography has impressed many people all over the world, and former and incumbent presidents, chief justice and journalists are working with him for peace. (evidence)
Chairman Man Hee Lee of HWPL delivered the message encouraging the youth’s willingness on a long-awaited reunion by saying “The desire for unification is the same voice of peace. There should have no more wars in our globe. Rather than pointing each other with guns, youth should be the front to lead the way to peace.”
This is a youth-led campaign where the youth gather to advance ideas into practical action plans, and further nationwide reunification movement by collaborating with the civil societies. Starting with the inauguration ceremony on February 9th, it will be continued for 4 weeks with 2 commemorative events and the reunification campaign across the country.
On February 8th, a grand peace festival entitled “We are one for Peace to attain Sustainable Development” will be held at the Philippine Sports Stadium, Bulacan. Its purpose is to launch nationwide peace movement throughout the country’s State Universities and Colleges.
This Philippine Peacebuilding event is expected to have 30,000 participants including social representatives in the Philippines and international peace activists. The hosts are Volunteer Individuals for Peace (VIP) by Dr. Ronald Adamat, CHED’s Commissioner and Mr. Man Hee Lee, Chairman of HWPL.
The Capital of Philippines is Manila. POPULATION is 104,918,090 (US news) The Republic of the Philippines claimed independence from Japan after World War II in 1946 with assistance from the United States. With more than 100 million people, the Philippines is the 13th-most populous nation in the world. Thousands of islands and land of beautiful beaches are famous place in the Philippines.
But political instability is high. Statistically, the percentage of Filipinos that couldn’t meet the basic food needs stood at 7.5%. The number of poor families remained steady at 1.61 Million. As of 2016, there were a total of 101.57 million Filipinos. 25.2% of the population lived below the national poverty line.
The Philippines is among the lowest-ranked countries in terms of peace. According to the Institute of Economics and Peace’s Global Peace Index (GPI), the Philippines is ranked 138th out of 163 countries, with a score of 2.512. The Philippines, China, Thailand, Myanmar and North Korea are among the least peaceful countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
“The Philippines suffered particularly badly as President Duterte continued his assault on alleged drug dealers and from the five-month battle between government forces and Islamic militants who took over the city of Marawi, resulting in almost 1,200 militants, government forces and civilians killed,” the report said.
In this difficult situation, it is unusual for 30,000 people to get together for peace. This is possible because of Commission on Higher Education(CHED) of the Philippine government‘s many efforts. On January 23, 2018, The CHED signed a MOA on peace education with an international peace organization, HWPL affiliated with the UN ECOSOC. The CHED is planning to integrate peace education in the curriculum of state universities and colleges (SUCs). As a result, 164 schools in 12 countries have signed MOUs with HWPL.
Commissioner Ronald L. Adamat of the CHED, who proposed MOA to HWPL, expressed hope for HWPL peace education by saying “Children easily imitate war through toys like war weapons, but they don’t know how to play and imitate peace. Promoting peace education through the CHED will affect many Philippine educational institutions and play a crucial role in promoting peace in the Philippines.”
Also, Philippine Mindanao Peacebuilding Story is an unforgettable historical event in 2014. It also marks the 14th of March as the ‘HWPL Day’. On January 24, 2016, the second HWPL peace monument was established at the heart of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) base camp. From this point of view, HWPL’s contributions to Peacebuilding in the Philippines are enormous.
CHED and HWPL Promote Spreading a Culture of Peace in the Philippines and Globe
Back to a grand peace festival on February 8th. With the Philippines’ referendum, this event will be expected to serve as a stepping stone for solving the remaining challenges.
“The highlight of this peace event is to give inspiration of citizen participation in peacebuilding. Cultural performances will represent harmony under peace beyond differences in ethnicity, religion or nationality. Also, the principles of HWPL Philippine Peacebuilding with civic participation and national support will be introduced – the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW),” said Mr. Ian Seo, General Director, Department of Public Relations, HWPL.
One student of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines participating in a peace lecture, said “It was very impressive that we, students, could also be a part of the peace movement. Chairman Lee has already shown that many students around the world are working for peace. I want to take part in the peace activities of HWPL.”
I’m really looking forward to the 30th world peace tour. I am even more excited when I consider the great achievements of the 29th world peace tour of HWPL. Everything is up to you! Please become the messengers of peace.
On January 21, 2019, the historic referendum was held. It was expected this BOL plebiscite could see peace come to the island group after 50 years of unrest. This vote asks the residents whether creating a new self-administered region known as Bangsamoro (BARMM) or not. The government thinks it could bring a peaceful resolution to the Mindanao conflict, which has claimed more than 150,000 lives since the 1970s.
President Rodrigo Duterte, who was mayor of the Mindanao city of Davao before he took office, formally signed the Bangsamoro Organic Law in July 2018. That is why a referendum is being held. Now, President Rodrigo R. Duterte considers Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari as someone who can help in resolving the conflict in Mindanao.
Once the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) takes effect, the island of Mindanao will have an autonomous Muslim government with legislation, administrative and fiscal power. However, the power of national defense, foreign affairs, and monetary policies is left to the central government. The Philippines government expects the establishment of a Bangsamoro self-governing region to maintain a peace regime while suppressing the expansion of Islamic extremists.
A total of 2.8 million registered for the Bangsamoro plebiscite, with 2.17 million in the provinces and cities covered by the January 21 polls. If the “yes” vote wins, then a second plebiscite is set on February 6 in six Lanao del Norte towns and in 67 villages in North Cotabato, where more than 600,000 voters registered.
Road to Peacebuilding in Philippine Mindanao : Past 4 years
On January 24, 2014, civilian peace agreement with HWPL
Despite the opposition of one governor of the Sulu Islands, the BOL has been praised by the United Nations, the European Union, the U.S. and Japan as “welcome” and “groundbreaking.”
The BOL’s momentum was created in March 2014 when the government and MILF signed the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB), which serves as the basis of the draft BOL.
The MILF officially said “The BOL has been the fruit of peace negotiations for 17 years, and it is the result of efforts by various people and outstanding legal experts in the four-year term.”
It was signed by the President Rodrigo Duterte on 26 July 2018.
“Korean Peace Leader,” the hidden hero of peace in Mindanao
As the news of the end of the civil war spread, the Korean peace leader, Man hee Lee, who visited the scene of a dispute at the age of 84 four years ago, is drawing attention again.
On January 24, 2014, at the request of the Philippines` archbishop, Mr. Man hee Lee was visiting Mindanao to end the civil war. The Chairman Lee found that the cause of the Mindanao conflict was a religious conflict between Catholic and Islamic nations, and led a civilian peace agreement. This scene was reported through the Philippines’ state-run PTV and private media.
On June 25, the day after this peacebuilding news of HWPL was delivered to the Philippine government and the Islamic military. On this day, the Philippine government and the Mori-Slam Liberation Front have signed an annex document to recognize the Islamic autonomy of the Bangsamoro and to disarm up to 10,000 people. Accordingly, the two sides prepared detailed bills and signed an official peace agreement in March that year. In June 2015, the actual arms return of the MILF was carried out.
On 24 January 2016, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) held an unveiling ceremony for the Monument to the Declaration of World Peace located in Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao Province. To commemorate the historical Mindanao Peace Agreement mediated by Chairman Lee of HWPL, Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim of MILF also decided to designate January 24th of every year as ‘HWPL Day’.
Over 10,000 people from communities in Sultan Kudarat participated in the ceremony. Hon. Al haj Murad Ebrahim, Chairman of MILF said “Today, where people are suffering from wars and conflicts, all leaders of diverse sectors including politics and religions, are taking part in the peace movements of HWPL by implementing an international law on cessation of wars and world peace, and establishing the HWPL World Alliance of Religions’ Peace (WARP) Office, as a follow-up on the pledges they made before God and all people.
Peace is not a matter confined to a single person but to every individual. Therefore anyone who is part of this global family must all become messengers of peace. Let us all participate and become the messengers of peace to pass on peace as an eternal legacy for the future generations!”
Also, the 30th World Peace Tour of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light or HWPL, will be held in Philippine Sports Stadium in Bocaue, Bulacan on February 15, 2019. The 30,000 participants in Region 3 including social representatives in the Philippines and international peace activists will going to attend the peace summit.
To support Peace Building, the 30th World Peace Tour are organized by the Volunteer Individuals for Peace (VIP) by Dr. Ronald Adamat, CHED’s Commissioner and Mr. Man Hee Lee, Chairman of HWPL.
Chairman Man Hee Lee of HWPL, signed the MOA on peace education with 127 schools in 9 countries including the Philippines, etc. The Commissioner Ronald L. Adamat of the CHED, who proposed MOA to HWPL, expressed hope for HWPL peace education by saying “Children easily imitate war through toys like war weapons, but they don’t know how to play and imitate peace. Promoting peace education through the CHED will affect many Philippine educational institutions and play a crucial role in promoting peace in the Philippines.”
Even if the BOL passes the referendum, there are many challenges facing the path toward a peaceful settlement of Mindanao. For example, disarmament of rebels following the end of the civil war is a controversial issue. A representative case of rebels being incorporated into the government at the end of the civil war is found in Nepal. Nepal suffered greatly due to strong opposition from the previous government and political circles in the process.
How does the Philippines cope with this crisis? I don’t know well, but I think this controversial issue will be expected to be discussed at the peace summit of the 30th World Peace Tour. This is because the Article 1, 2 of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) details the disarmament. Also, through Peace Education of HWPL, the wind of peace will blow in all Mindanao, Philippines.
DPCW Article 1 – Prohibition of the threat or use of force
2. States should refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of military force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations Charter or international law in general.
DPCW Article 2 – War potential
3. States should take measures to ensure that existing weapons of mass destruction, weapons capable of causing widespread and unnecessary suffering and weapons incompatible with international humanitarian law are gradually dismantled or destroyed. States should cooperate in disarmament and the reduction of arms stockpiles, ideally under international supervision. Decommissioned weapons manufacturing facilities should be repurposed, so that they may serve purposes that are beneficial to humanity in general.
4. States should strive to reduce excessive standing armies and military bases.
On 14th January, 2019, New York times Human rights advertisement
On 28th November, the ad about ‘coercive conversion’ was put in the New York Times. This is the second time the advertisement was put following last time. As I said last time, it was just something that happened in Korea at first. And why could it be quieter? Because there was a force to shut this case down. As I said before, this power is the Christian Council of Korea (CCK). Pastors? You can think that ‘Why would a pastor do this? Is it real?’
Because their crimes are revealed. If you think about what is already happening (ex Religious Me Too movement), you can feel it.
New York Times ad #StandUp4HumanRights
But her friends told and told her story all over the world. They didn’t give up for anything. Even when the presidential petition with more than 100,000 people suddenly disappeared, even when the government and the Korean press don’t respond, they don’t give up. Because there are 1,000 victims like her and she’ll be watching from the sky. That means there are more than 1,000 people like her who suffocated by coercive conversion.
Human rights activists and foreign media around the world stand up for human rights
Chicago, U.S. / 1st Memorial
From January to March 2018, there were demonstrations in memory of her around the world. However, the government and the Korean media remained silent. Nothing has changed in a year. If she was watching the situation now, she would have shed tears of blood.
Under these sorrowful circumstances, the New York Times started to help her. When the New York Times, one of the most influential media in the United States, put the ad, so many people stand up for human rights. Human rights activists and foreign media around the world have really helped.
Did you know that there is a sad story here? After hearing this unfortunate news, Ms. Jenifer (New York) began a fund-raising campaign through the GoFundMe. The sad news is that Ms. Jennifer, who started the fundraiser, died of cancer and the Jennifer’s family took the money to run an ad in the New York Times. Because it is her wish.
The 1st Memorial Ceremony for the victim of Coercive Conversion Programs, Ji-in Gu
The 1st Memorial Ceremony for the victim of Coercive Conversion Programs, Ji-in Gu, ‘Remember Gu Ji In, Bloom as a flower of peace’ was held on 6th of Jan. 2019. (Sun) Noon. (UTC +9)
Korea / 1st Memorial
Gwangju, Korea / 1st Memorial
Midtown Manhattan, New York City / 1st MemorialBerlin, Germany / 1st Memorial Central Germany / 1st Memorial Frankfurt, Germany / 1st MemorialChicago, U.S. / 1st MemorialWashington D.C, U.S. / 1st MemorialSan Francisco, U.S. / 1st MemorialOsaka, Japan / 1st MemorialMalaysia / 1st MemorialPhilippines / 1st MemorialUganda / 1st MemorialIndonesia / 1st Memorial
Countless people around the world are mourning her and representing her voice. If you want to know more, my other postings will help you. It will continue until the Korean government and the media admit their mistakes and enact the law against coercive conversion programs! This means that the Christian Council of Korea (CCK) will collapse.
Please help the victims like her. We need your help. Share it on your SNS and join the #Remember_Gu campaign.
The International Women’s Peace Group (IWPG) held several memorial services across the world in honour of the late Ji-In Gu – a young South Korean woman who passed away while being forced conversion. The memorial service took place 49 days after Gu’s death (December 2017) which is a Korean tradition and was held in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, Harare, Zimbabwe, as well as in Windhoek, Namibia. On January 28, 120,000 South Koreans also protested in major cities against coercive conversion program by the Christian Council of Korea. (More info) Not only in South Africa, the memorial service has been held in the LA, United Kingdom, and other parts of the world for a year.
Especially during November and December this year, New York Times and other leading press reported with the headlines “Ban Coercive Conversion,” and shared the events of the late Ji-in Gu.
As we celebrate the first anniversary of memorial, why is it reported by the leading foreign press? Why is the memorial continuing? That’s because nothing has changed in a year and the government hasn’t responded. Why?
First, the Coercive Conversion Program is still underway.
Sometimes religious suppression occurs in war and emerging countries, but no one would think that Murder by coercive conversion occurred in the South Korea, K-pop’s home country. So far, the number of victims is over 1,000. 52 percent of them claimed they were imprisoned. (The AVCCP statistics) In addition, 42 percent of the victims were taken to coercive religious conversion program by kidnapping. After this anti-humanitarian act, one conversion pastor of the CCK even received up to $894,425 USD. How can this illegal thing still happen?
Second, Conversion pastors cowardly evade the law by using the excuse of ‘counseling’.
They claim that these consultations on “cult issues” are carried out voluntarily at the request of the family members of the victims and with the consent of the victims. However, victims report that the “conversion education agreements” are written by force while they are under confinement. So Human rights activists and IWPG members around the world have continued to petition for the Korean government to enact a special law against coercive conversion program.
In a similar case, 1,000 Pakistani girls are kidnapped and forced to change religion every year. Muslims only just said “It was to encourage cults to accept the Islam.”Many human rights activists spoke out, and in the end the government made a anti-conversion law.
In November 2016, the Sindh province passed a law criminalizing forced conversions to, according to the law, ‘provide protection for those who are victims of this abhorrent practice.’ Under the law, those convicted of forcibly converting others receive a punishment from five years’ imprisonment to a life sentence.
Because the Christian Council of Korea (CCK) is trying to hide the truth, not only by neglecting the law and looking the other way, but by supporting its affiliated pastors’ illegal activities. Politics and religion have the cozy relations, which violates Article 20-2 of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, “Religion and politics are separated.” Who will console the pain that 1,000 victims of coercive conversion in Korea have experienced? Who can compensate for Ji-in’s death?
Furthermore, HWPL has already vehemently protested against the CCK, which has abandoned its function as a religious organization, and its affiliated pastors for conducting anti-nation, anti-society, and anti-peace acts that violate human rights. The CCK must to be disbanded for throwing the Korean people, as well as the international community, into chaos, and the pastors who took part in coercive conversion must receive the proper punishment for their actions.
Reverend Thamsanqa Mvambo, President of the NICSA, said, “This is a terrible outrage that such people who claim to be believers in Jesus Christ would act in this way using the weapons of the devil against fellow Christians. The CCK and Conversion Pastors should repent immediately.”
He added,“I ask the CCK and pastors who practice and profit from the conversion programmes to immediately and permanently cease such activities. We also call on the lawmakers in the Republic of Korea to make a law prohibiting the coercive conversion programmes and holding pastors who profit from this unaccountable action.”
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is a milestone document in the history of human rights. You already know. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which marks the 70th anniversary of this year, still holds great significance for us all over the world. Especially this year, the UDHR is asking us, ‘The UDHR don’t have a separate article on ‘Right to Peace’ yet, what does “The Right to Peace” mean to you? I wrote a posting.
Today, we are going to find out more questions about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and what UDHR and DPCW have in common. I was really curious, too. “Is the UDHR legally binding?” It’s a globally recognized document and a declaration cited everywhere. It’s so natural to see it. What is the correct answer?
The Universal Declaration is not a treaty, so it does not directly create legal obligations for countries. However, it is an expression of the fundamental values which are shared by all members of the international community. And it has had a profound influence on the development of international human rights law. (Thanks, google)
So what is the exact meaning of being legally binding? Legally binding treaty. This means that states which ratify the treaty are legally bound by it, while states that do not are neither bound by the treaty obligations or entitled to invoke those obligations against other state parties. The HWPL’s DPCW is just walking down this road. The international law so far allowed war in part. So HWPL will make the DPCW a legally binding law to bring it to the United Nations to make a world without war.
What do the UDHR and the DPCW have in common?
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and The DPCW
DPCW Article 1 – Prohibition of the threat or use of force
2. States should refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of military force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations Charter or international law in general.
DPCW Article 3 – Friendly relations and the prohibition of acts of aggression
1. In accordance with United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2625 (XXV), States should develop friendly relations based upon respect for the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples, and should take appropriate measures to strengthen universal peace.
DPCW Article 4 – State boundaries
1. In accordance with United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2625 (XXV), every State has the duty to refrain in its international relations from military, political, economic, or any other form of coercion aimed against the territorial integrity or political independence of any State, or in any other manner inconsistent with the purposes of the United Nations. This is without prejudice to instances when such forms of coercion may be lawfully applied, inter alia, to induce states to cease internationally wrongful acts, or when sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council.
DPCW Article 7 – Right to self-defence
2. Measures taken by states in the exercise of their right to self-defence should be immediately reported to the Security Council and should not in any way affect the authority and responsibility of the Security Council under the United Nations Charter to take, at any time, such action as it deems necessary in order to maintain or restore international peace and security.
DPCW Article 10 – Spreading a culture of peace
1. States should recognize and engage with groups and organizations that seek to further the cause of peace as a global movement. States should facilitate such groups in their awareness-raising activities, including providing tuition in human rights and peace studies, as provided for, inter alia, in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 1999 UN Declaration on a Culture of Peace.
4. States should promote a culture of peace including ensuring conditions in which- (d) the right to development of peoples, including the achievement of the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs), can be realized; and
We found out more questions about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and what the UDHR and the DPCW have in common. As much as the UDHR, the DPCW is a milestone document in the history of human rights.
