Historical slip of the tongue

 Do you know how Germany achieve unification? Many people think that it is absorbing unification. But, there is funny story that you can't imagine.

 At the end of 1980, there were so many people who escape Eastern Germany via Austria. So government of Eastern Germany made new trip amendment which made going trip to Western Germany easily. This amendment was being planed to start next day at 4 Pm. But spokesman Günter Shaboski made a mistake. He told to press that the amendment starts from now. So all the reporter think that border becomes open. So at that night, many people in Eastern Germany went beyond the wall. Finally 3% of Eastern Germany people moved to Western Germany. After this incident, unification was achieved.

 Reading this incident, I think that unification can be achieved not that difficult like Germany. So, don't think peace is just a dream. It can be real by not only a big or special event but also small thing. Peace is near to us!

Man-Hee Lee, on a peace trip! -2-

As you all know in the previous blog about Man-Hee Lee’s first peace trip, this time, I will be writing about his second trip to Europe and US.

     Man-Hee Lee went on a second trip on July, 2012. Once again, he visited Europe. He first went to Belgium and held a seminar. Hundreds of people attended on the seminar and the attendees cheered him greatly with a palm tree branch in their hands. Then he went to Germany and headed to United States. 

    Man-Hee Lee decided to start his journey in US in the center of the world’s politic and economy-New York. When he arrived to New York, surprisingly, many newspaper, magazine, TV station including NBC broadcaster interviewed him in rows. Even 10 minute broadcast quantity was extended to 40minutes by the requests of audiences.

<Man Hee Lee on NBC broadcast>

     On July 14^th, Man-Hee Lee held a seminar in the New York Times center. The people who wanted to attend the seminar were in long line. They say it is a rare case for people standing in line in the midst of Manhattan. One of the attendees, Mr.B said, “astonished by his speech, and I thank Chairman Lee who came all the way to US and made a speech.”

<people lining in the New York Times center>

Man-Hee Lee, on a peace trip! -1-

     Man-Hee Lee, with full of hope of world peace, went on a peace trip to Europe in 2012. First, he visited Germany, Frankfurt, and attended a conference. Then he went to the broadcasting station and had an interview on the TV program. Next, he met the former prime minister of East Germany who had greatly influenced on reuniting Germany. He had a great interest of what Mr. Man-Hee Lee is doing and his vision of uniting North and South Korea. Probably, because Germany had the same history of division, the former prime minister showed empathy and encouraged Mr. Lee and the emissaries of peace. 

<meeting with former prime minister of East Germany>

     The rest of the days, he continued to have an interview from the TV station and newspaper, and on the last day of Europe, he visited father superior of the Gottweig monastery in Austria.

<visiting a father superior of the Gottweig monastery>

     Even though Mr. Man-Hee Lee is not a Korean president or government officer or getting a support from the government, he has done lots of things for Korea during the trip. Isn’t this the true figure of patriot and a peace leader? I think a leader who truly loves his nation must do what Mr. Man-Hee Lee did for his country.

Korea, a step forward towards Unification

Lately, I saw the news of Korean President Park Geun Hye is pushing for an end of South and North Korea’s division and she actually made her moves. She met Angela Merkel, a chancellor of Germany, and shared her vision of unifying Korean peninsula. President Park mentioned Germany as a role model for a peaceful reunification. 

I think the leader’s action is very significant in order to realize the ideal of unification. If the leader only makes a speech of peace and not put into action, the peace will never proceed. So, I think President Park’s move is a good start for proceeding and took one step forward towards Korea unification. If a leader takes an action, the rest of the citizens will follow eventually. Of course, it takes time; it might take longer or shorter than you think. You know that Germany took 45 years. Korea has been divided over 60 years and it is time to make a move! I, personally, want to see Korea unification while I’m in Korea. I always felt sorry for the separated families and the poor surroundings of the North. I hope all of this will be solved when Korea gets united. Korea fighting! :)

Reference:http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-03-25/park-looks-to-once-divided-germany-to-spur-korean-reunification.html

Photo Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/talking_point/788917.stm