The participants in the World March for Peace and Nonviolence (WMPN, www.theworldmarch.org) listen to testimonies of bereaved family members on the Yongsan tragedy at the prayer meeting for resolving the tragedy held in Yongsan on October 19.

On the same day, bereaved family members had sent a request to meet with Prime Minister Chung Un-chan, however, Chung refused the invitation by saying, “It is inappropriate for us to meet at this time since there has been no progress in the situation.”

WMPN consists of approximately 40 peace organizations, including World Without Wars, who initiated the march. About 20 participants began the march in New Zealand on Oct. 2. Prior to their visit to Yongsan, the delegation had visited the DMZ and they will leave South Korea on Oct. 21, and expect to conclude their journey on Jan. 2, 2010 in Chile after the group has traveled to sites in 100 countries.

Photo by Shin So-young/The Hankyoreh