Military conflicts are intensifying around the world. As evident in Ukraine today, peace is becoming a more treasured commodity. For Americans, most international conflicts occur off U.S. soil, and so, it is hard for Americans to relate to the constant stress and tension of living underneath the threat of war. But this is the reality for millions of people living around the world, including those on the Korean Peninsula.

As a result, for Korea Peace Advocacy Week from June 13th to 17th, 170 individuals across the United States participated in a nationally coordinated action by Korea Peace Now!. Virtual lobby visits were organized with 139 Congressional offices in 28 states to advocate for the Peace on the Korean Peninsula Act H.R.3446, for the Enhancing North Korean Humanitarian Assistance Act H.R.1504/S.690, and for the Korean War Divided Families Reunification Act S.2688.

Most of the participants were Korean Americans as issues on the Korean Peninsula hit home for most Koreans. But the fact is that this issue should be pertinent to all Americans. The truth is that the Korean War has never ended, and it remains the longest standing conflict in American history.

Exactly 72 years ago, the Korean War broke out on June 25, 1950. However, the conflict between the North and the South began years prior to the war as the peninsula was arbitrarily divided at the 38th Parallel by the U.S.S.R. and the U.S.A in August 1945.

At the conclusion of World War II as Korea was liberated from Japanese occupation, U.S.S.R. troops came in from the north and U.S. troops entered from the south. They met in the middle of the peninsula at the 38th Parallel. The outcome was the division of the Korean nation and her people between a northern country and a southern country. Regardless of this geographic division, the actual conflict in Korea was not a geographic barrier but an ideological divide.

With both countries establishing stark opposite governments and systems on either side, that is one a communist/socialist system and the other a democratic/capitalistic system, the newly formed countries quickly collided with each other. Both sides insisted on a unified country, but it was impossible to reconcile their differences. As a result, the Korean War broke out and cost the lives of nearly 5 million people, which included 40,000 U.S. troops. 

Now over seventy years after the onset of war, the main problem is not just continuing conflict and tension but also misunderstanding and apathy. Legislation sits in both Congress and the Senate to help alleviate the conflict between not just North and South Korea but also the tension between North Korea and the United States.

The Peace on the Korean Peninsula Act calls for a serious, urgent diplomatic approach for pursuing a peace agreement and formally ending the Korean War, and the Enhancing North Korean Humanitarian Assistance Act aims to ease the impact of sanctions on the common people of North Korea and provide much-needed humanitarian aid. Finally, the Korean War Divided Families Reunification Act facilitates the reunion of Korean Americans and their family members in North Korea, many of whom are quickly aging out. Ongoing coordinated advocacy for peace on the Korean Peninsula has been active for the past seventy years, and recently due to the pandemic, the last three years have been online. Yet, the Korean War still remains the longest standing unresolved conflict in American history.

Why is this? One reason is simply because most American citizens are unaware of the fact that America is still at war. It is too far removed for the current generation of Americans. And even though an Armistice Agreement was signed in 1953, there still remains no peace agreement between the United States and North Korea. It is this lack of peace that directly impacts the international relationship and is the root cause for North Korea’s nuclear weapons development.

In addition, whether we realize it or not, the ideological conflict of the Cold War Era still continues today. Instead of focusing on how our decisions impact the lives of everyday people, oftentimes the focus is on politics and the opposition of governmental systems different from our own. Unfortunately, instead of trying to make the world a better place for all parties involved, each country’s priority is primarily to protect and preserve themselves.

What should be done, then? Obviously advocating for peace is a critical and essential component. However, the real issue is one of the heart. If we do not seek to understand each other’s differences, then inevitably what will result is conflict. It takes time for a relationship between two different world-views to unpack all misunderstandings, as well as acknowledge past hurts and take necessary steps to meet each other’s expectations. The important thing is that we have the heart and willingness to continue working together towards positive progress. Instead of having a combative posture, we need to display a posture of embrace.