News

Publication[Youth Peace Academy] The People's Tribunal and a Nuclear-Free World

Friday, January 3, 2025, 4:00 PM

Seoul, Korea


[Youth Peace Academy] The International People's Tribunal
and a Nuclear-Free World with Youths from Around the World


Youth participants at the Academy


This year marks the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the United States. The International People's Tribunal, to be held in New York next year, aims to hold the U.S. accountable for the illegal atomic bombings of 1945, demand an apology, reparations, and guarantees to prevent further nuclear use, with Korean atomic bomb victims as plaintiffs.


On January 3rd, a Youth Peace Academy was held in Seoul to discuss the objectives and importance of the International People's Tribunal with youth from around the world. The academy also focused on how youth can play a role in ensuring the success of the tribunal and creating a world free of nuclear weapons.


Joo-Hyun Hwang, a SPARK youth member, who served as the MC for the academy


The first speaker, Ki-Hoon Lee, a youth member of SPARK (Solidarity for Peace and Reunification of Korea), explained that the demand for justice from the victims of the atomic bomb led to the formation of the International People's Tribunal on Nuclear Weapons. He shared the example of Hyung-Ryeol Kim, a second-generation Korean atomic bomb victim, who dedicated his life to advocating for the human rights of the victims. Hyung-Ryeol Kim emphasized that the historical root of the violation of the victims' rights lies in the mass civilian killings caused by the U.S. atomic bombings, which should be compensated by the U.S. government (National Human Rights Commission of Korea Petition, 2003). Additionally, Korean atomic bomb victim Jin-Tae Sim requested the U.S. apologize to the victims during the 9th NPT Review Conference in 2015.


Ki-Hoon emphasized that the reason youth must demand the recognition of the illegality of the 1945 bombings and seek an apology and reparations from the U.S. is because “we want a nuclear-free Korea and world.” In the same vein, Takashi Hiraoka, former mayor of Hiroshima and co-chair of the International Organizing Committee for the Tribunal, stated at the second international forum in Hiroshima (June 2024) that, “If the U.S. atomic bombings are seen as justified, we cannot condemn any future use of nuclear weapons by other countries. Therefore, pursuing accountability for the U.S. bombings is the first step in the abolition of nuclear weapons.”


Ki-Hoon Lee, a SPARK youth member, delivering the keynote presentation


Ki-Hoon proposed a joint international youth action for a world free of nuclear weapons: the “80 Years After the A-Bomb: International Youth Photo Campaign.” The campaign encourages youth to take photos holding signs with messages such as “We Remember Korean Atomic Bomb Victims,” “We Stand with the International People's Tribunal,” and “We Want a Nuclear-Free Korea and World,” and post them on social media and websites, calling on youth worldwide to join the Tribunal.


The youth participants in the academy actively expressed their support for the campaign and their intention to participate.


Following this, a panel discussion was held to explore the thoughts and participation methods of youth from different countries regarding the International People's Tribunal and a nuclear-free world.


Ga-On Mun, a youth member of SPARK, shared, “After learning about the Korean atomic bomb victims, I realized that the 1945 bombings are a matter that closely affects me. In the current situation where the Korean Peninsula is at high risk of nuclear war, if the Tribunal clarifies that the U.S. bombings were illegal, it could contribute to preventing nuclear weapons use and advancing nuclear disarmament.” Ga-On added, “As a youth who believes that nuclear weapons and peace cannot coexist, I will continue to work with SPARK to raise awareness about the Korean atomic bomb victims and do my best to hold the United States accountable for the atomic bombings.”


Ga-On Mun, a SPARK youth member, participating in the youth panel discussion


Miho Tanaka, a Japanese youth co-representative of the "Kakuwaka Hiroshima," said, “It is crucial to understand that the exposure of people from the Korean Peninsula and other Asian countries to the atomic bombings was a consequence of Japan’s colonial rule,” and emphasized, “I believe that initiatives like the International People’s Tribunal on the atomic bombings are crucial. They provide an opportunity to uncover the colonial structures underlying the nuclear weapons issue.” Miho also stated that “Highlighting past injustices not only fosters accountability but also validates our actions to build a better world.” She stressed, “It is our duty to challenge the status quo and firmly declare, ‘Enough is enough.’”


Miho Tanaka at Youth Peace Academy: Advocating for a Nuclear-Free World and the A-Bomb Tribunal


Gil Kim, a Korean-American youth member of SPARK, shared her personal experience of being taught that the atomic bombings were a necessary tactic to end the war. However, after learning about the Korean atomic bomb victims, Gil said, “As an American, I had a responsibility to hold the U.S. government accountable for the atrocities it committed against Korean people. I also have a responsibility as a Korean to seek justice for all of the Korean victims.” Gil also emphasized, “We have to be the ones to work toward a future that we want to exist in. And I, for one, do not want to exist in a future where there is any possibility of nuclear war.”


Gil Kim at Youth Peace Academy: Advocating for a Nuclear-Free World and the A-Bomb Tribunal


Margaret Engel, working for Peace Action New York State, began her remarks by stating, “I’m here to tell you that the time to move towards a more peaceful and just future is now.” Margaret said, “After learning the truth, which has been deliberately silenced in American education, I wanted to do what I could to spread the message and prepare for this tribunal.” She added, “The Tribunal will be a critical moment in the modern peace movement,” and urged youth to actively participate. “I wish everyone a great rest of your day and encourage you to not give up the fight for a peaceful future,” she concluded.


Margaret Engel at Youth Peace Academy: Advocating for a Nuclear-Free World and the A-Bomb Tribunal


The presentations by youth from different countries gave participants of the academy a strong sense of hope that a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and world are achievable. One participant shared, “Listening to the voices of youth from around the world gave me great strength, and I realized that this issue is something we must solve together.” Another participant said, “I’ve always believed that we need a world free of nuclear weapons, but I wasn’t sure how to make it possible. Now, with the Tribunal clarifying the U.S. actions as illegal and holding them accountable in court, I have hope that this can ignite a movement toward a nuclear-free world.” This participant also expressed their intention to join future meetings in preparation for the Tribunal.


Thanks to this academy, we expect to see even more active participation from youth in the International People's Tribunal and hope that they will play a central role in realizing a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and world. We also encourage many to take part in the “80 Years After the A-Bomb: International Youth Photo Campaign.”