Friday, March 7, 2025
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
New York, Glow Cultural Center
[TPNW 3rd MSP] 'Meeting with Korean Atomic Bomb Victims' Korean American Roundtable
Participants of the 'Meeting with Korean Atomic Bomb Victims' Korean American Roundtable
In collaboration with the MinKwon Center for Community Action and the Korean American Peace Foundation (KAPF), a roundtable discussion was held to raise awareness about the issue of Korean atomic bomb victims and to encourage support and participation in the International People’s Tribunal. The primary focus was on Korean Americans residing in the U.S.
More than 50 participants attended the event, where testimonies from the plaintiffs in the International People’s Tribunal, including Jin-tae Shim, Jung-Soon Park, Jung-Soon Han, and Tae-jae Lee, were shared. Additionally, there were presentations from Junko Ichiba, representative of the 'Citizens’ Group to Help Korean Atomic Bomb Victims'; Gi-eun Lee from SPARK; and Brad Wolf, Co-Coordinator of the International Organizing Committee.
Jin-tae Shim, head of the Hapcheon branch of the Korean Atomic Bomb Victims Association, introduced the fact that it is estimated that over 70,000 Koreans were affected by the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the U.S., which accounts for approximately 10% of all victims. He explained that many Koreans, including his parents, were exposed to the bombs in Japan due to forced labor and exploitation during the Japanese colonial period.
Jin-tae Shim, Head of the Hapcheon Branch of the Korean Atomic Bomb Victims Association, speaking
He further shared his personal experiences, mentioning that the Korean government has been indifferent to the issue of Korean atomic bomb victims, failing to enact domestic legislation to support them or establish memorials for the victims.
Jin-tae Shim emphasized, "The U.S. atomic bombings in 1945 violated the laws of war, which prohibited the killing of civilians, and that’s why we must hold the U.S. accountable through the International People’s Tribunal and push for the complete abolition of nuclear weapons."
Jung-Soon Park, a first-generation Korean atomic bomb victim who was exposed to the bombing at the age of 12, vividly testified about her experience: "The events of that day remain in my mind like a panorama. No house was intact, and many children were among the dead." She shared the poverty and suffering her family endured upon returning to Korea, along with the ongoing health issues caused by radiation exposure.
Jung-Soon Park, a first-generation Korean Atomic Bomb victim, sharing her testimony
She stated, "The atomic bombings that killed hundreds of thousands were an act of brutality and barbarism. I am grateful to finally speak about the anger and grief that has been building for 80 years. I hope that the U.S. will finally offer an apology and compensation for the victims, and I believe that this will happen."
Tae-jae Lee, president of the Korean Atomic Bomb Victims Descendants Association, explained how, after persistent legal battles, the victims were finally able to receive non-discriminatory medical support from the Japanese government. However, he pointed out that the Japanese government still refuses to acknowledge the hereditary effects of radiation exposure, and the 2016 Special Law for Atomic Bomb Victims excludes support for the second and third generations, leaving the descendants still suffering.
Tae-jae Lee, President of the Korean Atomic Bomb Victim Descendants Association, speaking
He also mentioned that, along with the former president of the Korean Atomic Bomb Victims Association, he had participated in the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony of the Japanese Hibakusha group, the Nihon Hidankyo, and promised to continue working to raise awareness of the issue.
Jung-Soon Han, president of the Korean Atomic Bomb Victim Descendants Association, shared the hardships faced by second-generation victims. She spoke about her own health struggles and the suffering of her six siblings. She testified that, even though she experienced extreme leg pain starting in her twenties, no diagnosis was ever given. After giving birth, her first child was born with cerebral palsy due to genetic damage. Her condition worsened after childbirth to the point where she was unable to walk and had to crawl on the floor. However, she is now able to walk again.
Jung-Soon Han sharing her experience as a second-generation victim
Jung-Soon Han also testified to the suffering of other second-generation victims, noting that many were born with disabilities or suffered from mysterious illnesses throughout their lives.
She passionately declared, "Until now, I have never been able to speak about my pain properly, but now I want to raise my voice with the help of civil society. That is why I am participating in the International People’s Tribunal." She also appealed to the audience, urging them to continue supporting the cause and demand an apology and compensation from the United States.
Junko Ichiba, the representative of the Citizens’ Group to Help Korean Atomic Bomb Victims, shared the long struggle of Korean atomic bomb victims in demanding apologies and compensation from Japan and the United States. She highlighted the exclusion of Korean atomic bomb victims from the 1965 Korea-Japan Claims Settlement Agreement and their subsequent efforts to establish an association to demand accountability from Japan and the U.S. She also explained the process of obtaining non-discriminatory medical support for victims through legal action.
Junko Ichiba, Representative of the Citizens’ Group to Help Korean Atomic Bomb Victims, giving a presentation
She urged both the Korean and Japanese governments to quickly join the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) to provide support to atomic bomb victims and vowed to continue working towards cooperation between Korean and Japanese hibakusha.
Brad Wolf, Co-Coordinator of the International Organizing Committee, provided an overview of the International People’s Tribunal, its progress, goals, and plans. He explained that the tribunal's objective is to hold the U.S. accountable for the atomic bombings of 1945, demand apologies and compensation for the victims, and legally establish the illegality of nuclear weapons, contributing to denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and globally.
Brad Wolf, Co-Coordinator of the International Organizing Committee, presenting
Brad Wolf also explained the legal review team and the composition of the tribunal judges, detailing the future proceedings and requesting ongoing support and participation. He appealed to the audience, saying, "We look to our partners such as you here in the United States to help not only the Korean A-bomb victims find truth and reconciliation but to help the world find such truth and reconciliation so that we all may work and live in peace."
Gi-eun Lee, a youth representative from SPARK, spoke about how the U.S. policy of confrontation against the Soviet Union following the atomic bombings led to the division of the Korean Peninsula. She introduced a quote from Takashi Hiraoka, former mayor of Hiroshima and Co-Chair of the International People’s Tribunal, stating, "If we do not hold the U.S. accountable for these actions, the abolition of nuclear weapons will never advance." Gi-eun emphasized that the International People’s Tribunal will strengthen the movement to condemn the illegality of nuclear weapons and the use of nuclear threats.
Gi-eun Lee, a youth representative from SPARK, delivering her presentation
She also explained that as long as nuclear deterrence policies persist, the abolition of nuclear weapons and a nuclear-free world will remain impossible. She noted that the tribunal would help strengthen the legitimacy of denuclearization and contribute to closing the gaps in the global nuclear weapons ban norms.
Gi-eun Lee concluded by calling on the participants to engage actively in the tribunal’s efforts, encouraging the audience to join in the pursuit of justice and the abolition of nuclear weapons.
The event ran well beyond the scheduled time, with a high level of engagement and focus from the participants, especially during the victim testimonies. Many participants approached the victims and Gi-eun Lee after the event, expressing their deep appreciation for the powerful presentations.
Participants of the 'Meeting with Korean Atomic Bomb Victims' Korean American Roundtable
Friday, March 7, 2025
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
New York, Glow Cultural Center
[TPNW 3rd MSP] 'Meeting with Korean Atomic Bomb Victims' Korean American Roundtable
Participants of the 'Meeting with Korean Atomic Bomb Victims' Korean American Roundtable
In collaboration with the MinKwon Center for Community Action and the Korean American Peace Foundation (KAPF), a roundtable discussion was held to raise awareness about the issue of Korean atomic bomb victims and to encourage support and participation in the International People’s Tribunal. The primary focus was on Korean Americans residing in the U.S.
More than 50 participants attended the event, where testimonies from the plaintiffs in the International People’s Tribunal, including Jin-tae Shim, Jung-Soon Park, Jung-Soon Han, and Tae-jae Lee, were shared. Additionally, there were presentations from Junko Ichiba, representative of the 'Citizens’ Group to Help Korean Atomic Bomb Victims'; Gi-eun Lee from SPARK; and Brad Wolf, Co-Coordinator of the International Organizing Committee.
Jin-tae Shim, head of the Hapcheon branch of the Korean Atomic Bomb Victims Association, introduced the fact that it is estimated that over 70,000 Koreans were affected by the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the U.S., which accounts for approximately 10% of all victims. He explained that many Koreans, including his parents, were exposed to the bombs in Japan due to forced labor and exploitation during the Japanese colonial period.
Jin-tae Shim, Head of the Hapcheon Branch of the Korean Atomic Bomb Victims Association, speaking
He further shared his personal experiences, mentioning that the Korean government has been indifferent to the issue of Korean atomic bomb victims, failing to enact domestic legislation to support them or establish memorials for the victims.
Jin-tae Shim emphasized, "The U.S. atomic bombings in 1945 violated the laws of war, which prohibited the killing of civilians, and that’s why we must hold the U.S. accountable through the International People’s Tribunal and push for the complete abolition of nuclear weapons."
Jung-Soon Park, a first-generation Korean atomic bomb victim who was exposed to the bombing at the age of 12, vividly testified about her experience: "The events of that day remain in my mind like a panorama. No house was intact, and many children were among the dead." She shared the poverty and suffering her family endured upon returning to Korea, along with the ongoing health issues caused by radiation exposure.
Jung-Soon Park, a first-generation Korean Atomic Bomb victim, sharing her testimony
She stated, "The atomic bombings that killed hundreds of thousands were an act of brutality and barbarism. I am grateful to finally speak about the anger and grief that has been building for 80 years. I hope that the U.S. will finally offer an apology and compensation for the victims, and I believe that this will happen."
Tae-jae Lee, president of the Korean Atomic Bomb Victims Descendants Association, explained how, after persistent legal battles, the victims were finally able to receive non-discriminatory medical support from the Japanese government. However, he pointed out that the Japanese government still refuses to acknowledge the hereditary effects of radiation exposure, and the 2016 Special Law for Atomic Bomb Victims excludes support for the second and third generations, leaving the descendants still suffering.
Tae-jae Lee, President of the Korean Atomic Bomb Victim Descendants Association, speaking
He also mentioned that, along with the former president of the Korean Atomic Bomb Victims Association, he had participated in the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony of the Japanese Hibakusha group, the Nihon Hidankyo, and promised to continue working to raise awareness of the issue.
Jung-Soon Han, president of the Korean Atomic Bomb Victim Descendants Association, shared the hardships faced by second-generation victims. She spoke about her own health struggles and the suffering of her six siblings. She testified that, even though she experienced extreme leg pain starting in her twenties, no diagnosis was ever given. After giving birth, her first child was born with cerebral palsy due to genetic damage. Her condition worsened after childbirth to the point where she was unable to walk and had to crawl on the floor. However, she is now able to walk again.
Jung-Soon Han sharing her experience as a second-generation victim
Jung-Soon Han also testified to the suffering of other second-generation victims, noting that many were born with disabilities or suffered from mysterious illnesses throughout their lives.
She passionately declared, "Until now, I have never been able to speak about my pain properly, but now I want to raise my voice with the help of civil society. That is why I am participating in the International People’s Tribunal." She also appealed to the audience, urging them to continue supporting the cause and demand an apology and compensation from the United States.
Junko Ichiba, the representative of the Citizens’ Group to Help Korean Atomic Bomb Victims, shared the long struggle of Korean atomic bomb victims in demanding apologies and compensation from Japan and the United States. She highlighted the exclusion of Korean atomic bomb victims from the 1965 Korea-Japan Claims Settlement Agreement and their subsequent efforts to establish an association to demand accountability from Japan and the U.S. She also explained the process of obtaining non-discriminatory medical support for victims through legal action.
Junko Ichiba, Representative of the Citizens’ Group to Help Korean Atomic Bomb Victims, giving a presentation
She urged both the Korean and Japanese governments to quickly join the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) to provide support to atomic bomb victims and vowed to continue working towards cooperation between Korean and Japanese hibakusha.
Brad Wolf, Co-Coordinator of the International Organizing Committee, provided an overview of the International People’s Tribunal, its progress, goals, and plans. He explained that the tribunal's objective is to hold the U.S. accountable for the atomic bombings of 1945, demand apologies and compensation for the victims, and legally establish the illegality of nuclear weapons, contributing to denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and globally.
Brad Wolf, Co-Coordinator of the International Organizing Committee, presenting
Brad Wolf also explained the legal review team and the composition of the tribunal judges, detailing the future proceedings and requesting ongoing support and participation. He appealed to the audience, saying, "We look to our partners such as you here in the United States to help not only the Korean A-bomb victims find truth and reconciliation but to help the world find such truth and reconciliation so that we all may work and live in peace."
Gi-eun Lee, a youth representative from SPARK, spoke about how the U.S. policy of confrontation against the Soviet Union following the atomic bombings led to the division of the Korean Peninsula. She introduced a quote from Takashi Hiraoka, former mayor of Hiroshima and Co-Chair of the International People’s Tribunal, stating, "If we do not hold the U.S. accountable for these actions, the abolition of nuclear weapons will never advance." Gi-eun emphasized that the International People’s Tribunal will strengthen the movement to condemn the illegality of nuclear weapons and the use of nuclear threats.
Gi-eun Lee, a youth representative from SPARK, delivering her presentation
She also explained that as long as nuclear deterrence policies persist, the abolition of nuclear weapons and a nuclear-free world will remain impossible. She noted that the tribunal would help strengthen the legitimacy of denuclearization and contribute to closing the gaps in the global nuclear weapons ban norms.
Gi-eun Lee concluded by calling on the participants to engage actively in the tribunal’s efforts, encouraging the audience to join in the pursuit of justice and the abolition of nuclear weapons.
The event ran well beyond the scheduled time, with a high level of engagement and focus from the participants, especially during the victim testimonies. Many participants approached the victims and Gi-eun Lee after the event, expressing their deep appreciation for the powerful presentations.
Participants of the 'Meeting with Korean Atomic Bomb Victims' Korean American Roundtable