An impassioned call for Korean unification

Seo In-teck, co-chair of the Alliance for Korea United, delivers a keynote speech at the 2025 Capitol Forum held on Saturday in Washington, D.C., to discuss the free and peaceful unification of the Koreas in the 80th year of Korean liberation. Courtesy of organizers

Speaker Seo In-teck, co-chair of Action for Korea United, delivered an impassioned and rousing speech for attendees at the 2025 Capitol Forum held Saturday in Washington, D.C.

The audience was comprised of Korean Americans who work on North Korean human rights, speakers who have long careers dealing with North Korean human rights issues and several North Korean defectors. Directly addressing the crowd in Korean to reach the hearts of the Korean diaspora, Seo spoke on how the upcoming 80th anniversary of Korean liberation commands us to think of new vision for Koreans — the Korean Dream. The Korean Dream seeks a free and peaceful unified Korea by working on human rights issues based on Korea's founding principle of "hongik ingan," which is about benefitting all humankind.

"I received a lot of positive feedback. There were some parents who appreciated the review of the American founding values and how those values have served as pillars in times of division in the United States. Korea's founding principle of 'hongik ingan' can serve us through times of division toward unity," Seo said.

The Korean Dream is brainchild of the Global Peace Foundation, which supports grassroots activities such as those undertaken by Alliance for Korea United, which in turn works with some 1,000 like-minded groups toward the goal of promoting and upholding the Korean Dream. To mark the 80th anniversary of liberation, an event is planned for this August in Seoul.

"On Aug. 15, we will be holding the '2025 Korean Dream Han River Festa,' at the Han River Park to mark how the completion of Korea's liberation leads to national integration and peaceful unification of the Koreas," Seo said.

The festival will feature a broad array of different events including a ceremony for the 80th anniversary of liberation, a "One K" concert and a massive drone art show to bring together all generations.

"I hope all of you can participate," Seo said.