Korea Peace activists say no to Michelle Steel! May KPNGN Newsletter

Dear Friend,

Last month, President Trump nominated former Congresswoman Michelle Steel as U.S. Ambassador to South Korea. As Korea peace advocates, we strongly oppose the nomination of former U.S. Representative Steel as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, the highest ranking diplomatic representative of the United States to South Korea. Here’s why:

• Steel will undermine prospects for lasting peace in Korea. As Congresswoman, Steel took a staunchly conservative, hardline approach to China and North Korea, including by firmly opposing efforts to end the Korean War. Steel does not represent the interests of the majority of U.S. voters who want peace and dialogue with North Korea. Over 400 South Korean civic groups have already raised concerns about her appointment, while some far‑right fringe groups have been energized by it in part due to her prior support of the now-impeached and far-right former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
• Steel has promoted increased U.S. military spending for forever war. Steel has advocated for increased military funding and a more aggressive defense posture under the theme of “deterring North Korea” and “countering China.” Increasing military spending fuels arms races, deepens mistrust between countries, and further destabilizes international relations and diverts critical funds away from genuine peace-building initiatives.
• Steel has failed Korean American and Asian American communities. Steel has promoted divisive rhetoric and even used inflammatory “McCarthyist” imagery in campaign ads against political opponents of Asian descent, directly harming Asian American and immigrant communities.

Join our May National Meeting next Thursday, May 14 at 5pm PT/8pm ET! We’ll preview our upcoming Korea Peace Advocacy Summer and new, exciting ways to advocate for peace in Korea this year. We’ll also resume our 3-part Korea Peace Now! Grassroots Network orientation, where we’ll provide an overview of KPNGN’s structure and background. RSVP here.

📝 April Recap

Women Cross DMZ joined the Futures Beyond Militarism conference held at the University of Texas Austin, along with our Feminist Peace Initiative partners, Grassroots Global Justice Alliance and MADRE. This convening of scholars and activists examined global alternatives to militarism and ways communities envision and enact sustainable and interdependent futures. WCDMZ Executive Director Cathi Choi joined a panel with scholars Mark Tseng-Putterman and Kyle Kajihiro, moderated by Christine Ahn, WCDMZ Founder & Institute of Policy Studies Fellow on the opening panel, “U.S.-China Rivalry and the Militarization of the Pacific.” We were honored to join this collective and collectively imagine demilitarized futures. Read more here.

Women Cross DMZ joined the Korean Resource Center for “Saigu: What is Our Pain and What is Our Responsibility?”, a community dialogue in Los Angeles reflecting on the ‘92 LA Uprising for the Korean diaspora. WCDMZ Executive Director Cathi Choi shared a presentation highlighting critical connections between the Korean War, U.S. forever wars, and the increasing militarization of cities across the U.S. Read more here.

📆 Upcoming Events

May 7 at 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET | Care, Not Warfare | Virtual Event

The costs of everything from energy bills to groceries are rising, and crises from the economy to the climate are hitting our communities. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is moving hundreds of billions of dollars to war abroad and militarization in our neighborhoods at home, instead of the things our people need. This webinar will feature long-time human rights defenders, anti-war activists, policy experts, faith leaders, climate activists, labor leaders, and others who will help us understand how to shift from an economy and democracy built around warfare to one built on care. RSVP here.

May 8 at 5pm PT/8pm ET | Korea Peace Study Group: Extended Discussion with Professor Pae | Virtual EventKPNGN’s Korea Peace Study Group invites you to an extended discussion on Korean Christian Zionism with Dr. Keunjoo Christine Pae. Dr. Pae’s webinar last month provided definitions of Christian Zionism and connections to modern Korean history and global Christian nationalist political movements. There are many topics we can explore on the role Christian Zionism plays in the political and social landscape of Korea. In preparation, please view the webinar recording and bring your thoughts and questions for our discussion. Dr. Pae has generously shared some of her writings here, including her latest paper, “Political Economy of Christian Zionism and the Solidarity with Palestine Movement in South Korea.” RSVP here.

May 9 at 2-4pm ET | Boston K-Peace Culture Festival | Copley Square, Boston

Join our KPNGN Boston members this Saturday, May 9 from 2-4pm ET at Copley Square for a day of K-cultural and K-peace! For more information, contact nekoreapeacecampaign@gmail.com.

May 30 at 3pm ET | Crossings Screening | Ontario College of Art & Design University, Toronto

Join us for a free, in-person Crossings (2021) screening and Q&A discussion with award-winning director Deann Borshay Liem and Women Cross DMZ Organizing Director Echo on Saturday, May 30 at the Ontario College of Art & Design (OCAD) University! There are no advance ticket reservations, and seats are available first come first served.

Changing the Narrative: Grassroots Educational Impact

Camptown Justice: South Korea Women’s Lawsuit. This article discusses the U.S. military camptown system in Korea and the new lawsuit led by 117 women suing the South Korean government for gender-based human rights abuses inflicted by U.S. forces stationed in Korea (U.S.F.K.), citing research from Women Cross DMZ’s Women’s Rights Under the Division System in Korea report.

Protecting the Environment is a Korea Peace Issue: Earth Day Presentation. New KPNGN member Yeonjin shared her Earth Day presentation at Central Arizona College, on the impact of U.S. military pollution on Jeju island and Mae-hyang Ri village, focusing on the connections between fighting for environmental protection and Korea peace. Yeonjin is also on the Membership Committee.

📚 What We’re Reading

From the Korea Peace Now! Grassroots Network Education Committee:

1. Tales of Korean Victims of Atomic Bombing: From Victim to Guardian Angel — Making Meaning from Historical Suffering. 한국인 원자폭탄 피해자들, 유엔에서 증언: 피해자에서 미래의 수호자로 — 역사적 고통에서 의미를 만들어 가는 여정. This article reflects on the Korean atomic bomb war survivors who are currently touring the US to tell their stories.
2. UN Resolution on Human Rights in the DPRK: South Korea Participates. This article shares analysis on why the ROK co-sponsored a UN human rights resolution targeting the DPRK, despite previous calls for inter-Korean dialogue.
3. 군·한화시스템·제주도정 해상발사 중단 촉구…20개국 883 개인.단체 연명 모아지다. ThisOp-ed from activist Sung-hee Choi explains grassroots opposition to proposed maritime rocket launches at the Jeju Naval Base, which threaten wildlife and the environment and represent concerns over increasing militarization of the island.
4. Statement Opposing Michelle Park Steel as U.S. Ambassador to South Korea. This Seattle Evergreen Coalition petition outlines opposition to the nomination of Michelle Park Steel as the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea.

ICYMI:

Women and War: History of U.S. Militarism and Camptowns in Korea and more resourcesKPNGN Faith-Based Causes Presents Chosen Peoples Nationalism: Christian Zionism in South Korea Webinar

Take Further Action

• Sign on to the petition today tooppose the nomination of Michelle Steel as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea.
• Write to your representative today to challenge exorbitant U.S. military spending in Korea by advocating for changes to the NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act).
• Join us for 2026 Korea Peace Advocacy Summer! Sign up to organize with fellow grassroots community members and advocate for peace-focused policies through in-person rallies, educational events, as well as in-person and virtual meetings with representatives.
• Urge your Member of Congress to Support Peace in Korea and co-sponsor H.R.1841, the Peace on the Korean Peninsula Act (PKPA), which calls for a formal end to the Korean War through a binding peace agreement and a review on current travel restrictions to the DPRK.

✌️ Follow Women Cross DMZ and Korea Peace Now! on Instagram! Say hello and check out our accounts!

🛍 Support the Korea Peace Movement: Show your support for Korea peace with one of our tote bags, hats, baby onesies, and clothing, available here. All funds will support Korea Peace Now!, our U.S.-based movement for peace in Korea led by Women Cross DMZ. Art by Peter Holland and lazy blender.

In peace,

Korea Peace Now! Grassroots Network