The 'One Korea Youth Solidarity' (Youth Solidarity for One Korea), formed by youth organizations from South Korea, North Korea, and abroad, has officially launched.
On August 12, the '2026 One Korea Youth Forum' was held at the Seoul Startup Hub in Gongdeok, organized by the Korea Global Peace Foundation (GPF Korea) and led by domestic and international youth organizations.
This event was part of the '2026 Seoul Project for Social Integration and Awareness Improvement for North Korean Defectors,' sponsored by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
With the slogan 'Startup for Peace: Global Youth for Building a Sustainable Korean Peninsula,' the forum focused on transforming the concept of unification from an abstract discourse into a future project designed and implemented by youth.
During the opening ceremony, GPF Korea Chairman Seo In-taek delivered a welcoming address, followed by congratulatory remarks from Jeong Young-soon, President of the Korean Association of North Korean Defectors, and a keynote speech by Yoo Nam-sik, co-representative of the American Unification Alliance.
Chairman Seo stated, "The fact that youth from 34 countries, each with different languages, cultures, and histories, have gathered under the theme of 'One Korea' is significant. The unification of the Korean Peninsula is not just about the reunification of the Korean people; it is a journey to realize universal values of freedom, human rights, and peace. History shows that it is always the visionaries among the youth who have changed the world."
In her congratulatory remarks, Jeong Young-soon emphasized, "For me, the division of the Korean Peninsula is not just a historical event or a political issue; it is a continuing family history. The 'One Korea' initiative can begin when youth with different backgrounds and stories come together to listen to and understand each other's histories." She added, "I hope we can create a future where the next generation inherits the courage to overcome division rather than the same division."
In his keynote address, Yoo Nam-sik remarked, "Youth respond more to hope than cynicism. When we present a vision that youth can understand, believe in, and lead, they will organize, create, and take action. Unification of the Korean Peninsula should not be seen as distant or impossible; it must become a future that youth can imagine and create themselves."
During Session 1, a panel discussion featured representatives from South Korea, North Korean defectors, ethnic Koreans, and youth from abroad, who shared their experiences and visions for contributing to a unified Korea.
The panelists discussed the future of the Korean Peninsula and the meanings of freedom, peace, and social integration from their diverse backgrounds and experiences, particularly focusing on their dreams for a unified Korea and the roles that the youth can play starting now.
In the afternoon, the 'Peace Innovation Challenge' saw participants form 20 teams of 5-6 members each to develop social startup ideas for a sustainable future on the Korean Peninsula based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The top prize was awarded to the team proposing the 'DMZ National Park' project, which aims to designate the well-preserved DMZ as a national park and have it recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site to promote both environmental conservation and international interest in unification.
The excellence award went to the team focused on Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG 9), which proposed connecting a unified Korean Peninsula to the Asian Highway and promoting cultural, tourism, innovation, and youth exchanges. The sustainable cities and communities team (SDG 11) received an award for their 'One Peninsula Green Cities Initiative,' which aims to connect cities and communities in the North and South through eco-friendly, transportation, and digital networks based on the Korean Dream and the Hongik Ingan spirit.
Earlier on August 11, the 'Gwangbok 81 One Korea Unification Advancement Conference' was held, supporting national solidarity for unification, with over 500 participants from civil society, religious groups, displaced persons, and political and academic circles.
Song Seok-jun, Chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, along with the One Korea National Alliance, held the conference at the National Assembly Hall in Yeouido, Seoul, voicing their support for a peaceful unification based on constitutional principles.
Jeong Dae-cheol, Chairman of the Republic of Korea Constitutional Association, emphasized, "Unification is a national task that must be prepared for the future of our people, national competitiveness, sustainable development on the Korean Peninsula, and the prevention of war." Baek Seung-joo, an advisor to the One Korea National Alliance, echoed this sentiment, stating that national leaders must have a clear philosophy and will regarding democracy and unification as they prepare for the future.
Regarding the 'two-state theory,' Jang Man-soon, chair of the 10 million displaced families committee, pointed out that recognizing North Korea as a separate state conflicts with the constitution and could affect the identity and rights of displaced persons and defectors. He added, "True peace begins with restoring the freedom and human rights of North Korean residents," proposing a nationwide movement to promote the value of freedom.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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