Picture Report of the 2012 Global Peace Festival in Korea

The festival grounds open early after on August 19. Booths line the Yoido Park grounds. Everything fromface-painting offered by North Korean defectors to support for Koreans living abroad.

A feature booth "Unification Starts from a Table" inviting guests to experience food from both North andSouth Korea.

Photo display of bread factory in North Korea and the children who receive the support. The Power of1000 Won initiative works in partnership with this bread factory.

Signature booth calling all citizens of Korea and people of the world to join in and become part of the U-Generation (Unification Generation). Unification IS our concern and the nation that will emerge fromthis unification process depends greatly on what we do and how we live today.

Largest bicycle manufacturer Sam Chul Ri donates 100 bicycle to the Korea United Festival 2012.

The FINAL SHOWDOWN of the 2012 Unification Projects Contest took place at the festival. This projectwas organized by the Global Peace Youth Corps and sponsored by the Ministry of Unification, Action forKorea United, and GPFF Korea. College students were called to submit ideas on how they can supportthe unification process of Korea. This included a mission to develop their project ideas substantially andcompete to engage tens of thousands of people into their projects through social media.

The finalists had proposed and worked on a unification curriculum producing textbooks by subject.

Woo-Yea Hwang, Chairman of the ruling party - Saenuri Party - gives his message on the significance ofgathering together to advance efforts for Korea's unification.

Myung Chul Cho. This speaker was overcome with tears from the moment he began speaking, moved bywhat he saw taking place through the Korea United efforts. He is the first North Korean defector tobecome a political leader in South Korea. He formerly chaired the government-backed Institute forUnification Education.

Moon Sook Kim, one of the candidates for the presidential nominee for the Saenuri Party, greets theaudience.

Congressman Faleomavaega greets the audience and encourages Korea as the take on the issue ofKorean reunification. He calls the world to support and be engaged as well. Recalling his fond memoriesof all the years working with Korea, he sings a Korean folksong about longing for a loved one "Arirang".

Political leaders, sitting parliamentarians, local governors, and representatives of the various SouthKorean political parties attended the festival.

Byung Chan Kim, former KBS anchor and famous announcer in Korea, emcees the main festival.

Chairman of GPFF, Dr. Hyun Jin Moon, co-organizer of the Korea United Festival 2012, shares his deeplove for Korea. He outlines the heritage of the Korean people and how this could be the key to propose aframework for unification that North and South Korea can accept. He calls on the Korean people toengage in the discussion of what a unified Korea should look like and what principles and values shouldguide that nation. "This dream of a unified Korea must be fulfilled!"

Entertainment at the Korea United Festival 2012 — in Seoul, South Korea.

The rain started coming but enthusiastic singers and excited crowd stay engaged until the end.

The day had stayed clear until the ending of the Korea United Festival 2012.

When the rain did come near the end of the entertainment, it was a welcomed refreshing mist. — inSeoul, South Korea.

The entire audience releases balloons into the night sky as they send high their hopes for a unified Korea.

Engaged audience

Despite the rain…

Two thumbs up for an amazing festival.

The day was beautiful, the message was powerful, and the people gathered amazing.

Korea United Festival 2012!

Sponsors and partners include: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Ministry of Unification, TheCity of Seoul, Korea Tourism Organization, The Chosun Ilbo, TV Chosun, Action for a United Korea,Subaru, Central City, Ilsung Construction, Jinhak, Green Hana Tour, APEX, Grand Hilton Hotel

Note: All the pictures and content are from the GPFF Facebook pagehttps://www.facebook.com/globalpeacefestival