From August 26 to 30, 2024, Korean and Japanese youth gathered in Jeju to participate in the Korea-Japan Youth Peace Forum.
The 2024 Youth Forum aimed to: 1) Foster open communication between Japanese and Korean youth, imagining and discussing reconciliation and peace; 2) Visit significant sites to experience the different perspectives embedded in time and space; 3) Engage in actions that contribute to reconciliation and peace in East Asia. With these goals in mind, participants gathered in Jeju to reflect on the theme, "State Violence: How Should States Take Responsibility?“
One of the key activities was the 4.3 Dark Tour, which included visits to the Jeju 4.3 Peace Park, Moksimulgul Cave, Bukchon Village (Neobeunsungi Shrine), and the Japanese military bunker sites. The tour offered participants an opportunity to explore the relationship between Japanese colonial era and the Jeju 4·3 Uprising and Massacre, the continuing solidarity between Okinawa and Jeju, and the history of Zainichi(Korean-Japanese) residents who originated from Jeju.
In addition, the forum featured a discussion centered on the Sewol Ferry Disaster, including a visit to Jeju’s Sewol Memorial Space and had a discussion with local youth activists. This provided participants with a chance to reflect on how personal memories can be transformed into collective memory, and what narratives need to be shared to preserve these stories as part of our social consciousness.
A seminar connecting the islands of Okinawa and Jeju was also held, where participants examined how these two regions are interconnected. With the involvement of activists from both Okinawa and Jeju, the seminar explored how activism can be carried out in daily life, and how humans and non-humans can build relationships of care and solidarity.
Based on the insights gained from the seminars, discussions, and the dark tour, participants worked together to draft a joint statement of action for peace.
For the final event, participants visited Gangjeong Village, where they engaged directly with local activists and took part in collective action. By confronting the history of state violence, committing to its remembrance, and considering the actions they could take, both Korean and Japanese youth found the four-day forum to be a profoundly meaningful experience.
From August 26 to 30, 2024, Korean and Japanese youth gathered in Jeju to participate in the Korea-Japan Youth Peace Forum.
The 2024 Youth Forum aimed to: 1) Foster open communication between Japanese and Korean youth, imagining and discussing reconciliation and peace; 2) Visit significant sites to experience the different perspectives embedded in time and space; 3) Engage in actions that contribute to reconciliation and peace in East Asia. With these goals in mind, participants gathered in Jeju to reflect on the theme, "State Violence: How Should States Take Responsibility?“
One of the key activities was the 4.3 Dark Tour, which included visits to the Jeju 4.3 Peace Park, Moksimulgul Cave, Bukchon Village (Neobeunsungi Shrine), and the Japanese military bunker sites. The tour offered participants an opportunity to explore the relationship between Japanese colonial era and the Jeju 4·3 Uprising and Massacre, the continuing solidarity between Okinawa and Jeju, and the history of Zainichi(Korean-Japanese) residents who originated from Jeju.
In addition, the forum featured a discussion centered on the Sewol Ferry Disaster, including a visit to Jeju’s Sewol Memorial Space and had a discussion with local youth activists. This provided participants with a chance to reflect on how personal memories can be transformed into collective memory, and what narratives need to be shared to preserve these stories as part of our social consciousness.
A seminar connecting the islands of Okinawa and Jeju was also held, where participants examined how these two regions are interconnected. With the involvement of activists from both Okinawa and Jeju, the seminar explored how activism can be carried out in daily life, and how humans and non-humans can build relationships of care and solidarity.
Based on the insights gained from the seminars, discussions, and the dark tour, participants worked together to draft a joint statement of action for peace.
For the final event, participants visited Gangjeong Village, where they engaged directly with local activists and took part in collective action. By confronting the history of state violence, committing to its remembrance, and considering the actions they could take, both Korean and Japanese youth found the four-day forum to be a profoundly meaningful experience.