hankyoreh

By JT Takagi, filmmaker at Third World Newsreel

I recently traveled through South Korea with some 50 scholars, artists and filmmakers on a Peace Study tour, titled “Korean War: Past and Present”, a first time collaboration between the Alliance of Scholars Concerned about Korea (ASCK.org) from the U.S., the Human Rights Foundation Saram, the Institute for Korean Historical Studies, the People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, and the May 18th Memorial Foundation, with the April 9th Unification and Peace Foundation. In particular, the Human Rights Foundation Saram Director Park Lae-kun, and Professor Kim Dong-choon and Mr. Yi Tae-ho of PSPD worked to make this all possible. ASCK the group I am affiliated with, helps scholars, students, policy-makers and others learn about Korea through accurate analyses, and has just completed a 3 year Teaching initiative to End the Korean War, to foster dialogue and engagement to help bring about the signing of a Peace treaty. The ASCK organizing team included Professors Henry Em, Suzy Kim and Jae Jung Suh.

This on-site Peace Study tour examined long hidden tragedies and war crimes - as well as the current legacies of the unended Korean War. Organized because 2013 is the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice, the tour aimed to focus attention on finally ending the Korean War, and bringing peace to Korea.

I’m a Japanese American filmmaker, who works with groups like the National Campaign to End the Korean War, which helps to build support for a Korean Peace treaty. With Third World Newsreel, co-producer Hye-Jung Park and others, I have made several films about the ongoing impact of the Korean War and the U.S. role in Korea, so I was eager to be part of this Peace Study tour.

On the tour, we went from the DMZ to Pyeongtaek, to the Nogun-ri and Geochang massacre sites, Guangju – and of course, Jeju Island and Gangjeong village, and learned a great deal, both factually and emotionally.

The Peace Study Tour ended with a trip to Jeju because it is so clearly part of the past and present of the national division and the ongoing Korean War – from the April 3rd Uprising and massacre to the current struggle to stop the construction of the naval base. As we all know, while the base is being built by the South Korean Navy, it’s clearly meant for use by the U.S., and its construction not only devastates a unique and beautiful ecosystem and way of life, but will contribute to increased military tensions and danger for all. As people from the U.S, it was our responsibility to witness and then act upon it on our return to the states.

Just as important, one of the reasons we wanted to be in Jeju at the end of our trip was also the inspiration and example that the Gangjeong villagers have provided to the rest of us. Despite the lengthy struggle, the painful and often demoralizing battles that the villagers have had to endure, the villagers still continue their efforts. As well, the incredibly kind and gracious hosting of our tour participants during our visit was a testament to their strength of heart.

My sense is that this Peace Study Tour – which I hope will continue in the future - inspired many of the tour participants. What we learned, as well as our interactions with our speakers, hosts and each other will enhance the work all of us are doing in the interests of truth, justice, reconciliation, democracy, and peace on the Korean peninsula.

The views presented in this column are the writer’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Hankyoreh.　

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