” Overcome the Threat of War, Stop Hostility”
On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Armistice, peace activists organized a rally in Seoul city on Saturday, 22 July 2023, from the East of Seoul Plaza to Gwanghwamun Square.
The main programs were powerful peace marches demanding “70 years is enough, peace now”, speeches about the demands, signature campaigns, musical performances, and civic chorus. Her are some highlights:
The organizers’ website, https://www.endthekoreanwar.net/, stated that in this 70th anniversary year of the Korean War armistice, an unprecedented threat of war continues on the Korean Peninsula.
With an unstable ceasefire in place, tensions are rising again. With large-scale ROK-US military exercises and North Korean missile tests, it’s a tense situation where accidental armed conflict could break out at any moment. However, governments’ policies are geared toward preparing for war.
Efforts should focus on preventing armed conflict, not practicing war. We must take urgent steps to reduce military tensions and create conditions for dialogue again. 70 years is enough. We need potent people power to say ‘No to War’. The world will not get better on its own. If we do not speak peace, there will be no peace.
Marking 70 years of the Armistice, let’s unite all those who oppose war and want peace!
Here are more photos of the Peace Rally taken by Bereket Alemayehu: