The Legacy of the Unresolved Korean War
July 27, 2022
Posted in: Newsletters
Dear Friend,
Today marks the 69th anniversary of the signing of the Korean War armistice. It’s a painful reminder of the unresolved war and ongoing consequences, from the continued separation of families to the dangerous arms race. Today, we send love to all those who continue to be haunted by this war and redouble our commitment to achieving peace in Korea. We call on the Biden administration to negotiate a permanent settlement to the Korean War and take the risk of another devastating conflict off the table. Read our full statement here.
Upcoming Events
For those in Washington, DC, a reminder that we’re holding a vigil immediately following the Wall of Remembrance Dedication Ceremony today. Then join us for a free screening of Crossings by Emmy award-winning filmmaker Deann Borshay Liem (Geographies of Kinship, Memory of Forgotten War), followed by a moderated discussion, at Busboys and Poets (Brookland location) at 7pm. Click here to RSVP.
For those in New York, Crossings will screen in-person at the Asia Society on Thursday, August 4 as part of the 45th Asian American International Film Festival. Buy tickets here.
On Saturday, August 6, join us for “Peace Concert: Unified in Friendship and Harmony,” a special benefit concert for Women Cross DMZ hosted by the Los Angeles Korean-American Musicians’ Association (LAKMA) at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
The evening will feature performances by LAKMA Symphony Orchestra and Chorale, as well as a screening of exclusive clips from Crossings. Tickets can be purchased here. A portion of the proceeds will go to Women Cross DMZ. Use code “PEACECONCERT2OFF” for $2 off.
On Sunday, August 7, join Women Cross DMZ and GYOPO for a matinee screening of Crossings at Robinson S.P.A.C.E. in Los Angeles, followed by a conversation with me, filmmaker Deann Borshay Liem, and WCDMZ Board Chair Aiyoung Choi, moderated by activist/attorney Cathi Choi. Register here.
Listen + Read About the Korean War + US Militarism
As we reflect on the ongoing war, here are a few things to listen to and read:
The popular podcast Blowback has just released a new season all about the Korean War. (Previous seasons covered the Iraq War and the Cuban Revolution.) Elizabeth Beavers and I are featured in the final episode. Please check it out!
Women Cross DMZ Board Member Ji-Yeon Yuh has just published an op-ed in the Chicago Tribune about the importance of remembering not just Korean War veterans but survivors, too.
Finally, please read two more articles in our Feminist Peace Initiative series in Foreign Policy in Focus on the RIMPAC war games: YouKyoung Ko’s article on the urgent need to replace the Korean War armistice with a peace agreement to stop the US-China arms race, and Kim Compoc and Joy Lehuanai Enomoto’s article on why Hawai’i is a critical site to resist the endless U.S. quest for empire and war, especially against China.
Together, we can and will end this war. Thank you for your support,
Christine Ahn
EVENT CALENDAR
July 27, 11am ET: Vigil following Korean War Veterans Memorial Wall of Remembrance Dedication Ceremony (Korean War Veterans Memorial, 10 Daniel French Dr SW, Washington, DC)
July 27, 7pm ET: Crossings screening at Busboys and Poets, 625 Monroe St NE,
Washington, DC. RSVP here.
August 4, 6pm ET: Crossings screening at the Asia Society, 725 Park Ave, New York, NY, as part of the 45th Asian American International Film Festival. Buy tickets here.
August 6, 7pm PT: “Peace Concert: Unified in Friendship and Harmony” at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA. Buy tickets here.
August 7, 4pm PT: Crossings screening and conversation with Deann Borshay Liem, Christine Ahn, and Aiyoung Choi, co-presented by GYOPO and WCDMZ, at Robinson S.P.A.C.E., 104 Robinson St., Los Angeles, CA. Buy tickets here.