The Universal Peace Federation compiled the following account of the Federation for Peace and Unity initiatives to bring together Korean residents in Japan from pro-Seoul and pro-Pyongyang groups. Excerpts appear in the World & I Special Report entitled Korea at a Turning Point.

It is reported that there are about 600,000 Korean residents in Japan, but some say it is as many as two million. Unlike other Koreans living abroad, most of those residing in Japan did not choose to move there voluntarily to study or live. The history of Koreans forced to migrate to Japan dates back to the Japanese colonization of Korea. It is one of human rights violation, filled with discrimination, dishonor and oppression.

Moreover, the Korean people living in Japan are also divided among themselves, just as their mother nation has been divided. For 60 years, they have lived in confrontation and conflict, divided between the pro-South Federation of Korean Residents in Japan (Mindan) and the pro-North Korean Residents' League in Japan (pronounced "Chosen Soren" in Japanese and "Chochongryon" in South Korea; the Koreans in Japan abbreviate the name to "Chongryon"). These two groups differ in ideology and doctrine.

The division among Koreans living in Japan is a result of the division of the nation itself, and therefore harmony among them would be the model for the unification of the fatherland. The home nation is divided by a national boundary, but the Koreans in Japan are divided even though there is no boundary separating them. They are free to meet and hold dialogues if they choose to do so. That is why if they could come together in harmony they would show the possibility that their home nation could also break down the national boundary and unite. However, if the Federation of Korean Residents in Japan hosts an event, the pro-North Korean Residents' League in Japan refuses to cooperate, and vice versa, regardless of the reason. In this manner, they have pitted and struggled against each other through the 60 years of the Cold War era.

In order to bring them together in harmony, IIFWP began holding seminars in November 2003 to promote peace and unity between the two groups, and people from both sides attended the seminars. They shook hands with each other, ate together, held conversations, and even bathed together. Overall, this provided opportunities for them to become more united.

Rev. Yoo Jeong-ok [known in Japan as Yoo Dae-haeng], the sponsor of the seminar, gave lectures all day long and into the night, speaking from the bottom of his heart. His lips split open from giving such passionate lectures centered on the heart of God. All those present at the lectures could see true love in practice for themselves. They came to trust the sponsors, because they saw the sacrifices they made for the sake of the Korean residents.

As these leaders' seminars were held, Korean leaders in Japan came increasingly to hope for a national network through which everyone could unite. On July 4, 2004, the Federation for Peace and Unity was founded in Tokyo under the guidance of Dr. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon. They began working with the commitment to be in the vanguard of bringing about harmony among the Korean residents in Japan and ultimately the unification of the fatherland.

Korean residents in Japan traveled to Seoul to participate in peace and unification rallies, and Korean residents in Japan hosted 15 seminars for leaders from South Korea.

On November 8, 2004 representatives and leaders of Mindan and Chongryon attended the first Peace and Unification Rally for the Realm of the Homogenous Race of True Heart, at the Little Angels Performing Arts Center in Seoul, Korea. Approximately 2,000 people came to express their commitment to break the decades-long Cold War hostility and promote unity. The event was sponsored by IIFWP and the Federation for Peace and Unity, with the support of the Ministry of Unification.

At the meeting, approximately 1,000 ethnic Koreans from the two rival Korean organizations based in Japan gathered with 1,000 officials, religious leaders and representatives of Korea's Yeongnam and Honam regions (the southeast and southwest regions of Korea, which have traditionally been rivals) to seek reconciliation with each other as a step to promote a peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula.

Rev. Hwang Sun-jo, master of ceremonies, created a warm atmosphere throughout the event. In the main address, Rev. Kwak Chung-hwan expressed hope that this would be a milestone to end the era of division and open a new era of peace and unification. "We hope this meeting will help ease conflicts between the two ethnic Korean organizations in Japan and promote peaceful unification of the peninsula," he concluded.

Lee Bong-jo from the Department of Unification welcomed leaders from both Korea and abroad who had assembled for the sake of peace and expressed hope that the rally would help create an axis of unity for Korea, which has a central position in Northeast Asia. Congressman Lee Sang-deuk from the Yeongnam region and Congressman Han Hwa-gap from the Honam region welcomed the participants and expressed hope the overcoming differences between the regions on the East and West coast could contribute to the unification of South and North Korea.

Speaking on behalf of the Mindan participants, Hwang Chil-bok called upon people to go beyond ideological barriers and contribute to world peace through expressions of reconciliation and forgiveness. Park Sang-deuk, representing the Chongryon, acknowledged that Korean residents in Japan have a history of pain and separation, but the Federation for Peace and Unity offers a valuable foundation for unity based on true love.

In his address, Rev. Sun Myung Moon called upon leaders to work to bring about harmony and unification. A great leader, he said, is one brings about the original world under God, who is the absolute being of love and heart. He challenged people to cultivate their conscience, be willing to undergo difficulties for the sake of reconciliation, and develop the heart to reach out across barriers and embrace others as brothers and sisters. This was followed by a brotherhood/sisterhood ceremony among the participants.

The Second Peace and Unification Rally for the Realm of the Homogenous Race of True Heart was held on July 13, 2005 in Seoul. The 7,000 participants in the rally included representatives of the Grand National Party, the Democratic Party, the Ambassadors for Peace Association, the Seoul Peace Prize, the Cultural Foundation, a former Security commander, a former minister of National Unification, a former Minister of Agriculture and Fishing.

At this event, Rev. Moon described the vision for tunnel to link both sides of the Bering Strait, linking East and West, South and North. He said that separation and divisions are not the will of heaven. "The whole world can be connected if we take down the walls among races, cultures, religions and nations," he added. "Humanity has only one option for living in peace, and that is the ideal of true love and a true family."

"The unification between South Korea and North Korea should not be for the private advantage of any one regime or party, Rev. Kwak explained. "True unification is only possible through practicing true love and transcending the separation of ideas, regions, generations and sexes."

A representative of the Mindan, Hwang Chil-bok asked, "Is there something that can make unity between people from South and North, East and West? Why have we had conflict, and why have we hated each other for 60 years? Peace centering on true love is the best teaching on the earth to make harmony and unification." A representative of the Chongryon, Han Wook-su, said "The first time I saw the photo of Rev. Moon hugging President Kim Il-sung, I was shocked and tears came to my eyes. All the problems between South and North can be solved by the idea of true love which is taught and practiced by Rev. Moon."

Lee Kang-do, from the Yeongnam region, responded, "I was moved by the love that the people who live in Japan have for Korea. If we Koreans become one and transcend conflicts, Korea will have great power." Congressman Han Hwa-cap from the Honam region, added, "Since this rally is being held on the 60th anniversary of Korea's liberation, it has the potential to bind our nation, people and society into oneness."

Through a brotherhood/sisterhood ceremony, Korean residents in Japan and people from the Yeongnam and Honam regions established personal bonds with each other. Participants were invited to sign a joint commitment to build unity of heart and make efforts to bring about world peace. Kim Hae-young, a singer from North Korea, a famous Japanese singing group, and a dancing group delighted participants with their performances.

During their time in Korea, people attended the Peace Cup 2005 soccer tournament and visited Imjin-gak on the Demilitarized Zone. A third-generation Korean living in Hokkaido commented afterwards: "Since my mother's grandfather was a Korean and I abhorred my Korean lineage, I concealed my identity for a long time. However, since participating in this event, I was able to be proud of having a Korean lineage. At the event in Imjin-gak I could not stop my tears, because the heart of the people who were divided between North and South was conveyed to my heart. Also, I became strongly convinced that reunification must become a reality. I recognized how momentous the mission of reunification is and that it needs the cooperation from the Japanese people as well."

"I had an earnest feeling about the reunification of our country. I could not stop shedding tears when I saw a balloon floating away towards the north, even though the wind was blowing from the north to the south at that time. Thinking of the long years of separation, I shed tears while we were singing the Song of Unity. I am really appreciative to everyone for inviting me to this event. " - Nagoya

"I haven't visited South Korea for 60 years. My birthplace is now in the Northern area, and I became a naturalized citizen of Japan in 1951. Even after the naturalization, I suffered a lot of discrimination by the Japanese people. Because of that, I had a strong distrust and resentment toward them. However, through this event, such feelings inside my heart are dissipating." - Osaka

"I was full of gratitude because I believe that wishes alone would not result in this kind of event. During the rally my eyes were blinded with tears." - Sendai

"I decided to reflect seriously about what reunification means for our nation and for the Korean residents in Japan. My heart was so touched by the posture and attitude of this organization, which is investing everything for reunification." - Osaka

"The impact made by this event was as strong as the impression made by Chairman Kim Il-sung. This impact represents the heartfelt wishes of all people for reunification – Mindan and Chongryon. In such a heart there is no prejudice. The North-South problems as well as East-West problems can all be solved based on universal headwing thought. It is the living God who brings all this together." - Tokyo

"When we were approaching Imjin-gak, the place where North and South are divided, we saw endless circles of barbed wire along the line between the North and South. My two daughters and a grandchild are living in the North, in an area that I can hardly enter. I could not stop my tears when we were in the bus. Although my legs were dragging, I was able to participate in the three-day schedule. I have never felt this type of happiness before; everybody was so kindly and people were harmonious." - Yokoyama

"My heart trembled when I realized the heart and zeal everybody is investing for the reunification of North and South. There are still many Japanese people who discriminate against us because of our Korean nationality; nevertheless, I was astonished that the Japanese participants asked for our pardon. Also, I really appreciate the Japanese people who volunteered to help make this conference a success." - Nagoya

A Mindan participant from Saitam remarked: "I felt the historic suffering caused by the separation when we went to Imjin-gak; it was a very impressive event. While a number of my brethren expressed with tears their sincere wishes for reunification, I prayed that reunification will be achieved as soon as possible."

To order a copy of World & I Special Report on Korea at the Turning Point email thamasaka@peacefederation.org

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