The Civil Society Organization of Korea hosted their year-end awards ceremony on December 10 at the Grand Convention Center. The Global Peace Foundation – Korea, represented by President In Taek Seo, was recognized with this year’s Grand Prize, the NGO Collaboration Award. The foundation’s Southern Seoul branch (서울남부지회) was awarded the best NGO award.

The Global Peace Foundation – Korea, represented by President In Teck Seo, was recognized with this year’s Grand Prize, the NGO Collaboration Award

It was a meaningful opportunity for the Civil Society Organization and the Global Peace Foundation – Korea to look back on the past year’s accomplishments and prepare for the upcoming year.

More than 300 civil society organization leaders and local and national government officials attended the celebratory event. Politicians from all parties were present, including parliamentarians Kim Moo-Sung (democratic party), Won Hye Young (Republican), Won Yoo Chul (Democrat), Yoon Sang Hyun (democrat), Ahn Hyo Dae (democratic), Kim Jong Hoon (democrat), Park Dae Chool (democrat), Lee Lee Jeh (democrat), Yang Chang Young (democrat), Seo Young Kyo (republican)) and Yoo Jung Bok, the Incheon city mayor.

In his acceptance speech, Global Peace Foundation – Korea President Seo In Taek said the unification movement of yesterday and tomorrow has not and will not be sparked by discussions of economic progress. Unification, he said, can only come when those seeking unification pursue a vision and values grounded on the founding principles of Korea’s ancient philosophy of “hongik ingan” that can move even the opposition to join in unification. He called for a participatory movement that brings unification into the daily lives of every citizen, stressing the leading role of civil society.