Commemorating the Nobel Peace Prize: Voices of Atomic Bomb Victims💬

Do you remember that Korean atomic bomb victims participated in the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony alongside the Japanese atomic bomb victims' association?

To commemorate this, an advertisement has been placed on the front page of a major Korean newspaper under the joint names of SPARK and the IPT Organizing Committee. This ad aims to raise awareness of the plight of Korean atomic bomb victims and introduce the IPT initiative.

The main content of the advertisement celebrates the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the Japanese victims' association, urges both domestic and international attention to the issue of Korean atomic bomb victims, and informs the public about the progress of the IPT initiative. The text of the advertisement is as follows:

Do you know about the Korean atomic bomb victims?

We extend our sincere congratulations to the Japan Confederation of A-and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Nihon Hidankyo) on being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. It is a profound relief, albeit long overdue, that the Korean atomic bomb victims were able to attend the ceremony and have the opportunity to speak out about their suffering and the harsh realities of their lives before the international community.

It is estimated that around 70,000 Koreans were directly impacted by the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, with nearly 40,000 losing their lives. Of the 30,000 survivors, about 23,000 returned to their liberated homeland, only to face a life of unrelenting hardship, with the triple struggles of government neglect, social ostracism, and crushing poverty.

Today, only 1,650 first-generation survivors are registered with the Korean Atomic Bomb Victims Association. Now, it is time for the government and society to listen to the cries of these victims and actively work toward restoring their human rights and pursuing justice. Urgent tasks include a comprehensive investigation into the status of Korean atomic bomb victims, a revision of the Special Law on Support for Atomic Bomb Victims, recognition of second and third-generation victims, and the creation of a memorial park for atomic bomb victims (a nuclear-free peace park).

Korean and global nuclear victims stand as powerful symbols of peace, bearing the heavy cross of the nuclear age. They are committed to realizing a Korean Peninsula and a world free of nuclear weapons, striving to save both the Korean people and humanity from the brink of annihilation.

Several first and second-generation victims are planning to hold the International People's Tribunal on the 1945 Atomic Bombings, scheduled for the first half of 2026. Their aim is to hold the United States legally accountable, demanding compensation and a legal apology.

Advertisement placed on the bottom of the front page of Kyunghyang Shinmun, December 11, 2024.
(Source: Kyunghyang Shinmun)

Professor Oh Eunjeong's Insight
on Nobel Peace Prize and Atomic Bomb Victims 📑

We are excited to share that Professor Oh Eunjeong, a speaker at the 2nd International Forum, has written an insightful article for a prestigious Korean magazine on the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the Japanese atomic bomb victims' association. The article also highlights the plight of Korean atomic bomb victims and discusses the ongoing progress of the IPT initiative.

Click here to read the full article.

Interview with Brad Wolf on Talk World Radio Regarding the IPT🏛️

An insightful interview with Brad Wolf, Co-Coordinator of the International People's Tribunal (IPT), was recently featured on Talk World Radio, hosted by David Swanson from World Beyond War. In this interview, Brad discusses the significant work of the IPT and its vital role in creating a world without nuclear weapons.

Click here to watch the full video.

Join us as a Partner Organization!

We are SPARK, a peace organization based in South Korea. Collaborating with Korean atomic bomb victims, we are currently undertaking a project to organize the International People's Tribunal on 1945 US Atomic Bombings (scheduled in 2026). We are reaching out to request your organization's participation as a partner.

The International People’s Tribunal 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.

Any non-governmental organization is eligible to become a partner organization for the International People's Tribunal. No joining fee or annual subscription is required, although financial and other relevant contributions are welcome.

Partners

Environmentalists Against War, International Association Of Lawyers Against Nuclear Arms (IALANA), International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR), International Peace Bureau (IPB), Japan Association of Lawyers Against Nuclear Arms (JALANA), Japan Council against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs (Gensuikyo), Korean American Peace Fund, Merchants of Death War Crimes Tribunal, Peace Action, Peace Action New York State, STOP the War Coalition Philippines, The International League of Peoples’ Struggle (ILPS), The Olerai Lab, The United Methodist Church — General Board of Church and Society, Veterans For Peace, World BEYOND War - To be added

Become a Partner

Solidarity for Peace and Reunification of Korea (SPARK) is a grassroots movement organization established in 1994, committing to five core values: sovereignty, peace, reunification, denuclearization, and disarmament. SPARK has been organizing the A-Bomb Tribunal together with Korean atomic bomb victims.