hankyoreh

announcing plans for the Walk For Peace in Korea

North Korea has announced plans to support a walk across the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) by female peace activists from around the world.

The [North] Korean Central News Agency reported on May 2 that the “2015 international women’s march for the unification and peace of Korea will be held in May.”

“Various social groups are forming a preparatory committee in Pyongyang for efforts in connection with [the march],” the report added.

The agency also expressed hopes that the march would “contribute to inspiring the Korean people’s struggle to open a great passage for autonomous reunification for the 70th anniversary of the homeland’s liberation and encouraging the international community in its calls for unification and peace on the Korean Peninsula.”

Women Cross DMZ, an international women’s group for the reunification of Korea and peace on the Korean Peninsula, previously announced plans to hold the walk across the DMZ on May 24, which is both International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament and the fifth anniversary of sanctions imposed against North Korea in the wake of the ROKS Cheonan warship sinking. Around thirty global leaders are taking part, including 1976 Nobel Peace Prize winner Mairead Maguire from Northern Ireland, 2011 winner Leymah Gbowee from Liberia, and noted women’s activist Gloria Steinem.

For the march, they plan to walk south from the North Korean capital of Pyongyang and cross the DMZ into South Korea.

The Ministry of Unification previously said the South Korean government would “offer the necessary cooperation in light of precedent” once official approval from a “responsible North Korean authority” was confirmed.

By Son Won-je, staff reporter

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]