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News Archive |
LAST UPDATE
December 13, 2005
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| December 8, 2005 |
Asia Beyond Borders – Account of Peace and Green Boat Voyage (August, 2005) Published in Korea |
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In August of 2005, the Peace Boat organization and the Green Foundation of Korea jointly organized an historic, civil-society based two-week voyage to build peace and friendship between the peoples and countries of East Asia. Details of the voyage were recorded and published by a Korean publishing company in a book entitled “Asia Beyond Borders.” In celebration of this milestone in the promotion of friendship between people in Japan, Korea and China, a symposium on East Asia relations was held at the Sejong Center in Seoul, Korea, and attended by Yoshioka Tatsuya, Kushibuchi Mari and Cho Jinhye, all representing the Peace Boat organization.
The Peace and Green Boat Voyage, the 50th organized by Peace Boat and first for the Green Foundation, departed Tokyo on August 13th, 2005, visiting ports of call in Korea (Busan and Incheon), China (Dandong and Shanghai) and Okinawa, before returning to Nagasaki, Japan on August 27th, 2005. Of the roughly 500 passengers, half were from Korea and half were from Japan.
60 years ago World War II ended with the defeat of Japan, and 60 years ago Korea was liberated from 35 years of tortuous occupation by the Japanese military. Programs onboard the ship and in ports of call were organized dealing directly and deeply with the many unresolved issues and unhealed scars of war between the three countries and their people. The programs focused on bringing people from different sides together to share perspectives, listen to each other, and visit places which still bear signs of war from 60 years ago. The uncertain future of peace and security in East Asia was also a central theme, with the stop in Okinawa focusing on the construction of a new US Military base at Henoko, which greatly threatens both the environment and regional security. Finally, the voyage finished in Nagasaki, revisiting the site and victims of the second atomic bombing which ended World War II 60 years ago.
The book “Asia Beyond Borders” is primarily a collection of essays written by both Japanese and Korean participants from the Peace and Green Boat Voyage, as well as 21 citizens from both countries. The Korean writer / editor of the book, Yungi Lee, was also a participant onboard the historic voyage. |
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