New Committee Launched to Bridge Korean Peninsula Divide and Develop Legal Framework for Unification

By:Ali Khalil

• CHEONGJU, South Korea –  2025 –A major step towards t unification of the Korean Peninsula was taken at the 9th Annual Commemoration of the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW), hosted by HWPL in Cheongju, South Korea. During the event, the Preparatory Committee for Peaceful Unification on the Korean Peninsula was officially launched. Under the theme “Building Bridges for Korean Reunification: Establishing Legal and Practical Frameworks for Peace”, the event brought together around a thousand domestic and international leaders to outline a comprehensive nationwide peace and unification initiative.
  Spearheaded by HWPL, a UN ECOSOC-accredited international NGO, the Together: Connecting Korea campaign brings together approximately 170 civic organisations to foster communication and harmony across Korean society. The newly established committee will focus on enhancing socio-cultural exchanges between North and South Korea while laying a strong foundation for future unification.
  “HWPL’s tireless work demonstrates that peace is not just an ideal but an achievable goal when backed by commitment and action. From the Central American Parliament, we fully support all unification and integration initiatives that promote peace, including the dialogue for Korean reunification,” stated Hon. Carlos Rene Hernandez Castillo, President of the Central American Parliament.
  HWPL Chairman Lee Man-hee emphasised, “The fastest route to unification lies in enabling free movement. It is essential that we pursue unification through constructive dialogue, without the use of force. Our country must serve as a symbol of peace. By working together, we can ensure that future generations live in happiness and that our hopes become reality.”
  Ven. Seok Yeonhwa, Chairman of the Supreme Patriarch of the World Buddhist Sangha Council, outlined the committee’s future plans, stating: “We will unite people’s hearts through campaigns, enhance public awareness and support for unification through education, and conduct research into post-unification social and economic integration.”
  Kim Yeong-geun, the 32nd Rector of Sungkyunkwan, underscored the importance of civilian exchanges, calling for “a legal and institutional framework to guarantee their continuity, regardless of political changes.”
  A key highlight of the event was the presentation of a draft “Constitution for a Unified Korea”, developed by the HWPL International Law Peace Committee and introduced by Professor Ciarán Burke of Friedrich-Schiller University Jena. This draft sets out the legal foundations for a unified Korea, including denuclearisation goals and a peace framework designed to safeguard citizens’ rights and welfare. “This initiative will advance the cause of Korean unification, contribute to future stability, and help ensure that both the region and the wider world remain more peaceful,” said Professor Burke.
  As part of the Together campaign, the Connect Korea Challenge (https://togetherconnectkorea.kr/) is actively advocating for unification by promoting free movement and international support. In just ten days, participants from 243 cities across 72 countries submitted over 1,350 pieces of content, demonstrating global interest in a peaceful Korean unification.