August holds a special place in the heart of our Global Peace Foundation (GPF) family. It not only marks International Youth Day but also marks the anniversary of Korea’s liberation and division—a moment of both hope and heartbreak. In 2025, we will observe the 80th year since Korea was divided along the 38th parallel into North and South. The division is a reality that still affects thousands of people today, with separated families, divided cultures, and human suffering.
For GPF, August is a time to celebrate the youth and reaffirm its unwavering commitment to a peaceful Korean unification. This dual significance matters to GPF, and therefore, we want to take this time to focus on youth all over the world who are supporting the global movement of One Korea.
Divided by the 38th parallel, the Korean peninsula remains a reminder of unresolved conflict, and since its division, the dream of a unified Korea has inspired countless efforts towards peace, reconciliation, and cooperation. This dream has lived on, and today, this dream has not just crossed over generations but across nations around the world.
Around the world, youth are raising their voices through art, digital media, and grassroots actions to reimagine a united Korea without the 38th parallel—one rooted in shared identity, freedom, and unity. One of the core peacebuilding initiatives by GPF is the One Korea Global Campaign—a youth-driven movement for a free and unified Korea. What began as a vision has turned into a global campaign, mobilizing young people across the globe to learn and advocate for peaceful unification. Over the years and across the globe, many initiatives have been launched to voice for One Korea.
One such initiative is the Japan Young Leaders Assembly (JYLA) by Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Japan and Global Peace Youth (GPY). Hosted in April 2025, the assembly brought together 200 youths from 25 countries committed to advancing peace, human rights, and Korean unification. Building bridges across divisions, the youths stood together under shared universal values of peace and human rights. As “Peace Creators,” these young leaders raised awareness using digital tools to craft and share impactful messages on North Korean human rights issues and advocated for peace.
Tanzanian youth participated in the One Korea, One Voice campaign, pledging their support for a united Korea. They rallied behind the Korean Dream 10 Million Signature Campaign, an initiative to collect signatures worldwide in solidarity with the goal of unification. Tanzanian youth also organized Instagram Live Sessions on the realities of Korea’s division and why unification is the solution for peace.
Likewise, in May 2025, young people in Indonesia engaged in the U-Gen Seminar and demonstrated their support and hope for a unified Korea. They stood in solidarity as advocates for the growing 10 Million Signature Campaign. The Indonesian youth, along with youth from Korea, organized peace rallies along Jalan Jenderal Sudirman for Korean unification and peace.
The Global Peace Leadership Corps is also advancing the cause. Launched in 2023, GPCorps is one of GPF’s flagship leadership programs. It has organized forums, cultural exchanges, and grassroots actions. Members of the GPCorps have been actively engaging in the One Korea Global Campaign.
Together, these stories of youth engagement represent a global chorus of youth from diverse backgrounds, countries, and faiths, united by one dream: a peaceful and free Korea. While it’s easy to think the Korean division is a regional issue, its impact is global, and Korean reunification offers a chance not just for healing in Korea but for advancing peace, freedom, and cooperation globally. “One Family Under God” has been the belief that has shaped the youth leadership throughout GPF’s initiatives, and young people are living that out.
As we look back on 80 years of division, we also look at efforts and hope for reunification. Youth are not waiting for a miracle to happen; they are owning it. The path toward a unified Korea is challenging, but it is illuminated by the passion and dedication of these young leaders. Whether it is hosting a webinar or organizing peace rallies, youth are owning the dream of One Korea.
So, this August, this is our message to you young leaders:
We are inspired by you, and we walk with you toward peace, unity, and the future.
We at GPF honor you and reaffirm our commitment to youth leadership development, peacebuilding, and Korean unification.
