This week, Nobel Laureate Mairead Corrigan Maguire helped celebrate the completion of the World Peace Bell Park in the demilitarized zone of Hwacheon County, Korea. The completion of the park follows recent steps towards peace between North and South Korea.  On October 4th, following landmark talks, North and South Korea signed a joint declaration formally ending the 1950-53 Korean war. Creators of the World Peace Park hope it will serve as a home for future peace talks and summits.

Learn more about the The Bell Park of World Peace Project

Mairead Corrigan Maguire's message to the Korean people at the opening of the World Peace Bell Park, DMZ, Hwacheon County, Korea

Dear Korean Brothers and Sisters,

Annyong hasimnikka,

It is a great honor for me to join with you all on this DMZ Peace Pilgrimage, and attend the Peace Bell Park Foundation Stone Ceremony.  I want to thank the Committee to create the World Peace Bell Park, Hwacheon County, Korea, for their wonderful work in creating this Bell Park, in the DMZ.  This Bell Park is indeed a wonderful symbol of peace for the Korean people and for all the people of the World.

This is a happy day, a day of celebration and rejoicing because it is a time when barriers and division which have kept the Korean people apart for so long are beginning to melt away and open up paths of peace and reconciliation between the people of North/South Korea.  I am sure the most wonderful fruits of this opening up of the DMZ division, is that families who have been unable to see each other for many years can now begin to be reunited, to renew old friendships and build new ones together.  It is also the beginning for us all, to set aside the bombs and the bullets and all the techniques of violence, and dedicating ourselves to working with our neighbors, North and South, and all around the World, to build a world of nonkilling, nonviolence and peace.

May this Bell sound out throughout the Sunshine country of Korea, and all around the World to call the Human Family into oneness and love.

Peace and happiness to you all,

Annyong hasimnikka,

Kamsa hamnida.

Thank you.

Mairead Maguire

Nobel Peace Laureate / Peace Councilor

October, 2007