Korean peace school building celebrated

‘The day ended when Jung Ji-Sok, the school director, led a pilgrimage to the nearby “Peace Mountain”'

Quakers have taken part in celebrations to thank people for supporting a Quaker-inspired school on the edge of the demilitarised zone (DMZ) in South Korea.

The celebrations, at the Border Peace School in Cheorwon, followed the opening ceremony in May to inaugurate the new building. The celebration took place on South Korea’s annual Memorial Day, 6 June, which commemorates all Koreans who have contributed or died while serving the country.

Quaker George Penaluna told the Friend that the event was to ‘thank all the groups, churches and organisations that have helped finance or support the school. Almost 750 people attended, including a group of nine or ten Friends from Seoul and Daejon Meetings.

‘After the speeches, thank yous and presentations, and a simple but filling lunch, we were entertained by performances of traditional Korean music, Korean dancing, folk songs, children’s choirs and classical music.
‘The day ended when Jung Ji-Sok, the school director, led a pilgrimage to the nearby “Peace Mountain”, which until just a few years ago was still a military installation overlooking the demilitarised zone (DMZ) on the border with North Korea.’

Jung Ji-Sok was inspired to establish the Peace School by Ham Sok Heon (1901-1989), a Korean human rights and peace activist who later joined Friends and helped establish Seoul Meeting. After graduating in Korea, Jung went on to study at Woodbrooke and Pendle Hill.

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