The National YWCA of Korea organized the YWCA Women’s Peace Pilgrimage at Imjingak Peace Nuri Park as part of its centennial commemorative project.
The YWCA Korea initiated the Women’s Peace Pilgrimage, titled ‘Women’s Peace Pilgrimage – From Halla Mountain to Baekdu Mountain’ during its 95th anniversary in 2017. Starting from Halla Mountain in the first year, the pilgrimage continued to hike Mt. Jiri in 2018, Baekdu Mountain in 2019, and conducted a ‘Solo Peace Pilgrimage’ in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 restrictions. The pilgrimage, which began with 95 participants, increased by the number corresponding to the anniversary each year, totaling 585 participants over the past six years. Participants, including North Korean defectors, ethnic Koreans in China, ethnic Koreans in Central Asia, and oversea Koreans, shared sisterhood across borders, confirming the vision of a unified Korean Peninsula. They expressed their commitment to promoting peace in their respective lives, sharing the mission and aspirations of peace, and resolving to take collective action.
The final course of the pilgrimage marking the 100th anniversary took place at Imjingak Peace-Nuri Park in Paju, where participants could see the North Korean land. A total of 100 peace pilgrims from 32 regions participated, and the event was led by Director Soo-sanna Choi. During the opening ceremony, President of the National YWCA of Korea Young-hee Won delivered a message, expressing hope that despite the challenging situation of closed inter-Korean doors as well as the DMZ, the women’s footsteps, like a strong wind, would bring hope to war-ravaged areas. Following this, staffs from Gwangju YWCA, Seoul YWCA, and the National YWCA of Korea, all celebrating their 100th anniversary this year, recited a Women’s Peace Prayer and proclaimed the 2022 YWCA Women’s Peace Declaration.
The 2022 Women’s Peace Declaration acknowledged the diaspora of the Korean people, including North Korean defectors, ethnic Koreans in China and ethnic Koreans in Central Asia, sharing sisterhood beyond borders and confirming the vision of a unified Korean Peninsula. Participants reflected on the pilgrimage as a true journey, hearing the call of God and experiencing a time of grace to continue walking towards the purpose. The declaration emphasized the necessity for Korean women to collaborate with women from other countries, creating songs of peace in their respective regions amid a world plagued by invasion, terrorism, colonial rule, oppression, division, and hatred. Peace was described not as a static state but as a journey breaking injustice and moving towards justice. Participants pledged to walk beyond the boundaries of homes, hometowns, and countries, following the path of pilgrims walking in the footsteps of Jesus.
The Peace Pilgrimage course consisted of four posts: ‘Encountering Peace, Gazing at Peace, Dreaming of Peace, and Shouting for Peace.’ Participants, in groups, sequentially engaged in reciting Women’s Peace Declarations from 2017 to 2022, taking photos to deliver messages of peace to acquaintances and engaging in prayer pilgrimages.
In the final order, a large Korean Peninsula flag was unfurled, and the ‘100 Women’s Peace Pilgrimage Team’ performed an umbrella dance. Colorful fragments symbolizing reconciliation and peace were attached to the umbrellas, representing the Korean Peninsula. Yellow and blue umbrellas were then used to express support and solidarity for the end of war and recovery in Ukraine.
The National YWCA of Korea, along with the 100 peace pilgrims, reaffirmed their commitment to embark on a new 100 years, continuing the journey towards a righteous and peaceful path. They pledged to persist in their footsteps as peace pilgrims in everyday life, working towards justice, peace, and life.
