[The A-Bomb Tribunal] Newsletter for the first week of January ⚖️

First week of January

The International People’s Tribunal on 1945 US Atomic Bombings

'Suffering that never ends'👥 Do you know Korean Atomic Bomb Victims?

Source: SisaIN

According to the Korea Atomic Bomb Victims Association, the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki resulted in the exposure of an estimated 70,000 to 100,000 Koreans, many of whom were forcibly mobilized by the Japanese Empire. However, to this day, the U.S. and Japanese governments have not acknowledged responsibility, apologized, or offered compensation to Korean atomic bomb victims. Approximately 43,000 victims returned home shortly after the bombing, but the Korean government's response has been one of indifference and neglect.

As such, Koreans were threefold victims : Koreans were an oppressed ethnic group under Japan imperialism; they suffered in one of the most horrific events of the 20th century, the U.S. atomic bombing; and the Korean government neglected and left them unattended.

🔗Current Situation of Korean Atomic Bomb Victims

First-generation victims registered with the Korea Atomic Bomb Victims Association (as of December 2021): 1,992 (average age 87)
Second-generation victims: more than 15,000 (Korean Red Cross estimate)

🎬Video: History of Korean Atomic Bomb Victims

Created by: SPARK

About 'The International People’s Tribunal on 1945 US Atomic Bombings'🚪

Background

The efforts to hold the accountability for the 1945 U.S. atomic bombings began with the appeal from the victims during the 9th NPT Review Conference in April 2015. Shim Jin-tae and Kim Bong-dae (Kim Hyeong-ryul's father), the first generation of Korean atomic bomb victims, jointly appealed to representatives of peace organizations from various countries to join in holding the U.S. government responsible for the atomic bombings.

Dedicating his life to raising awareness of the suffering of second-generation atomic bomb survivors, Kim Hyeong-ryul played a significant role in advocating for the importance of holding the U.S. accountable, thereby inspiring the first-generation victims to take action in seeking accountability from the U.S. government

Purpose

The International People's Tribunal, scheduled for 2026 in New York, aims to hold the U.S. accountable for the dropping of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Its objective is to provide solace for the suffering of atomic bomb victims and contribute to the realization of a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula and a world free from the threat and use of nuclear weapons.

As part of the preparation process, we held our first international forum in June 2023 in Hapcheon, South Korea, and will hold our second international forum in June of this year in Hiroshima, Japan. The significance of these forums lies in securing international legal grounds in the People's Tribunal to condemn the U.S. atomic bombings as illegal and to establish the illegality of present and future nuclear threats and use by nuclear-weapon states.

Preparation

From 2020 to the present, victims participating as plaintiffs, scholars, researchers, and activists have conducted approximately 37 seminars. Currently, 141 individuals and Korean organizations are participating as members of the International People's Tribunal Preparation Committee. As part of the People's Tribunal preparations, promotional activities have been carried out to raise awareness of the voices of Korean A-bomb victims, including international forum, testimonial sessions and other events.

Photo: The first international forum in Hapcheon, South Korea, June 2023

Join us👋 - Partner Organizations

The International People’s Tribunal on 1945 US Atomic Bombings is a significant endeavor to hold the United States accountable for the dropping of atomic bombs. To ensure the success of the A-Bomb Tribunal, collaboration from various organizations is essential. By joining as a partner organization, you will play a role in the public education initiatives and more. There is no financial burden associated with joining as a partner organization.

Our current partner organizations (as of January 2024)

International Association Of Lawyers Against Nuclear Arms(IALANA), International Fellowship of Reconciliation(IFOR), Japan Association of Lawyers Against Nuclear Arms(JALANA), Merchants of Death War Crimes Tribunal, Veterans For Peace, World BEYOND War ... (to be added)

Become a Partner

Hiroshima 2nd International Forum (June 8, 2024)🙌

SPARK(Solidarity for Peace and Reunification of Korea) is a grassroots movement organization established in 1994, during a time of heightened tension on the Korean Peninsula, following the spirit of the Korean peace movement. SPARK, which leads the A-Bomb Tribunal alongside Korean atomic bomb victims, is committed to five core values: sovereignty, peace, reunification, denuclearization, and disarmament.