Busting Myths About the Peace on the Korean Peninsula Act
September 27, 2023
Posted in: In the News
Last month, a giant ad ran in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser warning that H.R.1369, the Peace on the Korean Peninsula Act, is “dangerous.” The same ad ran back in Sept. 2021. They were paid for by an oligarch that is bankrolling right-wing organizations attacking our Korea peace movement. They’re threatened by us because of our growing power and visibility.
Let’s address the falsehoods being perpetuated about H.R.1369.
Myth #1: The US has tried to negotiate with North Korea but every attempt has failed because North Korea isn’t “serious about reform.” H.R.1369 will eliminate the need for US troops in Korea, which will lead to war.
FACT: The US has been the main obstacle to peace with North Korea. By insisting on denuclearization upfront, US administrations have failed to make progress on the security crisis and, in fact, have exacerbated the problem.
Myth #2: H.R.1369 will allow North Korea to get access to hard currency from Korean Americans that will be used to fund weapons development and the potential to use visitors as hostages.
FACT: North Korea has continued to develop nuclear weapons even though there has been a near-total ban on US citizens traveling to North Korea since 2017. The real issue is that we need to eliminate the state of war that is perpetuating extreme militarism in Korea. And the best way to do that is by replacing the armistice with a peace agreement.
Myth #3: H.R.1369 will “reward” North Korea with diplomatic recognition and signal that the US has finally “given in” and recognize the Kim regime.
FACT: Peace is a reward for everyone. Being in a state of peace with North Korea is not a gift or stamp of approval. It is meant to be the norm and keep the risk of catastrophic violence off the table. The US normalized relations with China. There’s no reason why we can’t normalize relations with North Korea.
TAKEAWAYS:
✅Maintaining the status quo is dangerous, immoral, and a recipe for failure.
✅Those who attack peace never offer solutions.
✅Ending the Korean War is in everyone’s interest.
What you can do:
✅Contact your Rep. and urge them to co-sponsor H.R.1369!
✅Join our Korea peace movement!
✅Donate!