387 US, South Korean, and International Organizations Urge Biden Administration to Suspend US-South Korea Joint Military Exercises
Colonel Ann Wright, Veterans for Peace and Hyun Lee, Korea Peace Now
(January 27, 2021) — Today, a statement endorsed by 110 US, 197 South Korean, and 79 international civil society organizations was sent to the Biden administration urging the suspension of annual combined military exercises with South Korea in order to restart diplomacy with North Korea.
In the statement, the groups note these “costly and highly provocative war exercises” — which are based on operation plans that reportedly include pre-emptive strikes and “decapitation measures” against the North Korean leadership — heighten military and political tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
As such, they are a major obstacle to a peaceful resolution of the ongoing 70-year-old Korean War. Suspending these war drills will be a major confidence-building measure and create the conditions for genuine diplomacy with North Korea in order to finally resolve the security crisis on the Korean Peninsula.
“These war drills are expensive, provocative, and consistently provoke North Korea to take military actions in response,” said Retired US Army Reserve Colonel Ann Wright of the Korea Peace Campaign of Veterans for Peace. “If the United States’ goal is to reduce tensions, not increase them, then suspending these military exercises will be an important step forward.”
Hyun Lee of Women Cross DMZ and Korea Peace Now said, “The majority of citizens on the Korean Peninsula want peace talks, not war drills and military confrontation. It’s their lives that are at risk from the possibility of military exercises leading to mistakes and accidents that may cause disastrous military confrontation.”
Individuals can add their voices to the call for suspension of military exercises by signing this petition. [See full petition below.]
Organizing groups are Korea Peace Campaign of Veterans for Peace; Korea Peace Network; Korea Peace Now! Grassroots Network; Peace Treaty Now; Women Cross DMZ; Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom; Civil Peace Forum; Korean Women’s Movement for Peace; and South Korean Committee on June 15th Joint Declaration.
The Statement: January 26, 2021
We, the undersigned civil society organizations in the United States, South Korea, and around the world, call on President Biden to suspend the annual US-South Korea (ROK) combined military exercises. Suspending these costly and highly provocative war exercises will be a crucial step toward re-starting genuine diplomacy with North Korea (DPRK). It will remove a formidable obstacle to a peaceful resolution of the ongoing 70-year-old Korean War and allow all parties to focus on other intractable global issues facing our nations today, such as creating a nuclear weapons-free world and resolving the current COVID-19 pandemic.
In the mid-1950s, just after the Korean War, the US and ROK began combined military exercises in South Korea that prepare for war with North Korea. In the 1970s the drills developed into large-scale exercises that mobilize considerable weapons, equipment and the deployment of US troops stationed in both South Korea as well as US bases outside the Korean Peninsula.
Since the 2000s, they have been based on operation plans that reportedly include pre-emptive strikes and “decapitation measures” against the North Korean leadership. Due to their scale and provocative nature, the annual US-ROK combined exercises have long been a trigger point for heightened military and political tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
For years these combined military exercises have involved the use of B-2 bombers (which are designed to drop nuclear bombs), nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines, as well as the firing of long-range artillery and other weapons. They not only increased tensions on the Korean Peninsula, they have cost US taxpayers billions of dollars and have caused irreparable harm to local residents and the environment in South Korea.
At a time when the world is facing urgent humanitarian, environmental, and economic crises, these military exercises divert critically needed resources away from our capacity to provide true human security such as healthcare, a sustainable environment, and other priorities. Furthermore, they heighten geopolitical tensions and risk re-igniting a hot war on the Korean Peninsula, which would have catastrophic consequences for millions of people.
We want peace talks, not war drills and military confrontation. We urge the Biden Administration to resolve the root cause of the conflict between the United States and North Korea — the unresolved Korean War — which has driven a dangerous arms race, harmed the most vulnerable people through punishing sanctions, and enforced the tragic separation of hundreds of thousands of Korean families. Continuing to rely on isolation, pressure, and threats to force North Korea’s unilateral denuclearization is a recipe for failure.
Suspending the combined military exercises will be a major confidence-building measure toward renewing diplomacy to resolve the longstanding 70-year-old conflict with North Korea and, ultimately, achieve permanent peace and denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
Signed:
US Organizations (110)
Action One Korea
Alliance for Global Justice
American Friends Service Committee
ANSWER Coalition
Augusta Women in Black
Beyond War and Militarism
Campaign for Peace, Disarmament and Common Security
Center for Political Education
Channing and Popai Liem Education Foundation
Chicago Area Peace Action
Citizens Academy for Korean Americans
Coalition of Koreans in America
Code Pink
Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach
Community Organizing Center
Democratic Socialists of America, Los Angeles
Environmentalists Against War
Family Mediation Center, Inc.
Fellowship of Reconciliation
Franklin County Continuing Political Revolution
Georgia WAND Education Fund
Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space
Good Neighborhood Church
Granny Peace Brigade Philadelphia
Grassroots Global Justice Alliance
Greater Brunswick Peace Works
Ha:n Ministry of United Methodist Church
Hawai’i Peace and Justice
Heung Coalition
International Action Center
Jeannette Rankin Peace Center
Jewish Voice for Peace
June 15 US Committee for Reunification of Korea
Justice Is Global
Korea Peace Network
Korea Peace Now Grassroots Network
Korea Policy Institute
Korean American Civic Action
Korean American National Coordinating Council
Korean American Network for Democracy
Korean Americans for the Progressive Party of Korea Korean Peace Alliance
Kaua`i Alliance for Peace and Social Justice
Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
MADRE
Massachusetts Korea Peace Campaign
Massachusetts Peace Action
Maui Peace Action
Mennonite Central Committee US Washington Office
Military Poisons
Minjung Solidarity of New York
MLK Coalition Of Greater Los Angeles
Nabi USA – Los Angeles
Nabi USA – Washington DC
National Association of Korean Americans
National Institute of Hahmsokhon’s Philosophy
National Lawyers Guild at Northeastern University
New Jersey Peace Action
New York Association for Gender Rights Advocacy
New Hampshire Peace Action
Nodutdol for Korean Community Development
Nukewatch
Olympia Coalition to Abolish Nuclear Weapons
Pacific Asian Network Alliance
Pan Korean Alliance for Reunification USA
Parallax Perspectives
Peace Action USA
Peace Action Maine
Peace Action New York State
Peace Action of San Mateo County
Peace Action of Wisconsin
Peace and Freedom Party
Peace 21
People for Truth and Hope North Carolina
Philadelphia New Voice
Physicians for Social Responsibility
Popular Resistance
Presbyterian Peace Network for Korea
Sasase Chicago
Seattle Evergreen Coalition
Show Up! America
Solar Workers Union
Support Committee for Korean Prisoners of Conscience USA
Taos Environmental Film Festival
United Methodist Church Northern Illinois Conference
Through Design LLC
United for Peace and Justice
Union del Barrio
United Methodist Church General Board of Church and Society
United Methodist Women
US Campaign for Palestinian Rights
Veterans For Peace
Veterans For Peace New York City Chapter 34
Veterans For Peace Twin Cities Chapter 27
Veterans for Peace Hawai’i Chapter 113
Veterans For Peace Los Angeles
Veterans For Peace Phil Berrigan Memorial Chapter
War Prevention Initiative
Western New York Peace Center
Western States Legal Foundation
Win Without War
WNC 4 Peace
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom Maine
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom Greater Philadelphia Branch
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom US
Women Against War
Women Cross DMZ
Women for Genuine Security
Woorimadang Chicago
World BEYOND War
South Korean Organizations (197)
4.16 ERI
4.27 Era Research
South Korean Committee on June 15th Joint Declaration
South Korean Committee on June 15th Joint Declaration Gyeonggi Branch
South Korean Committee on June 15th Joint Declaration Gyeonggijoongboo Branch
South Korean Committee on June 15th Joint Declaration Seoul Branch
South Korean Committee on June 15th Joint Declaration Incheon Branch
South Korean Committee on June 15th Joint Declaration Jeonnam Branch
South Korean Committee on June 15th Joint Declaration Jeonbuk Branch
South Korean Committee on June 15th Joint Declaration Jinju Branch
South Korean Committee on June 15th Joint Declaration, Youth & Students Headquarters
615 Civic Chorus
Gangjeong International Team
Association of Gangjeong Villagers against the Jeju Navy Base
Gangjeong Peace Network
Kaesong Tourism Center
The Frontiers
Gyeonggi Women’s Associations United
The Human Rights Forum of Persons With Disabilities, Gyeonggi
Gyeonggi Christian Action for Justice and Peace
KNWG
Goyang Paju Young Korean Academy
Gwangju Jeonnam Professors and Researchers Association in Korea
KJUDA
Gwangju Jeonnam University Student Progressive Alliance
Gwangju Jeonnam Democratic Movement Association
Gwangju Cimin Action
Gwangju Alliance Progress Movement
Ulsan Parents’ Association Hope for Education
Gwangju Alliance Popular Sovereignty
National Sovereignty Coalition Cheju Headquarters
Gunsan Citizens’ Society to Reclaim the Land from US Forces in Korea
Korea Refarmer Association
Central Theatre Company
Solidarity for USFK Comfort Women’s Human Rights
Gimje Justice Peace Action
Let’s go
Hope Union
Green Party Korea
Green Korea United
Korea NGO Council for Cooperation with North Korea
Association of Dokdo Sarang
Association of Bereaved of Independence Merit
Donghak-Chondogyo Network for People
My Sister’s Place
The Academy of Mongyang
Media Christian Solidarity
Office for the Promotion of National Unity
The Center for Historical Truth and Justice Jeonbuk Regional Council
Minjok Jajoo Pyonghwa Tongil Gwangju Jeonnam Jiyeok Hoe-ui
Korea Democratic Street Venders Confederation
Minbyun Lawyers for a Democratic Society
Association of Professors and Researchers for Democracy and Equality
Gospel Senior Ministry
KBSM
People Making Jeju a Demilitarized Peace Island
Movement For One Korea
Movement For One Korea Gwangju and Jeonnam regional headquarters
Daegu Women’s Association
Okedongmu Children in Korea
Medical Aid for Children
Urinuri Peace Corp.
(Incheon Movement for One Korea
Jeonbuk Corporation Action for One Korea Inc., Assoc.
NGO for Prisoners of Justice Peace and Human Rights
Korea International Peace Forum
Unification Korea Leader Association
The Corea Peace 3000
Peace Railway
Corporation of Hope Plant for Labor
Networks for Green Transport
Hananuri
Work of Commemoration for the Righteous Army in Honam Region in the Late Period of Chosun
Jeonbuk EDU-Madang Inc., Assoc.
Anti-THAAD Gimcheon Civil Action Committee
April Revolution Association
Samsung Union
Tongil Euibyung
New One
Jeonbuk Christian Action for Life Peace & Justice
Life and Peace Forum
West Sea Five island Peace Movement Headquarters
Columban Mission Society Korea
Seongjugun Nongminhoe
No THAAD Seongju
Sejong People who make Reunification of Korea
Seongju Soseongri Villagers’ Association against THAAD
Suwon Women’s Association
Civil Peace Forum
Anarchist Eouyelldan
Friends Of Asia
Asia Citizen’s Network for Peace
Action One Korea
Yangsimsoo Huwonhwe
Martyre Yong Chan-Yang Memorial Association
Korean Women’s Movement for Peace
Civilian Military Watch
Living with Jesus
Osan Migrant Work’s Center
Ohsamo
Ulsan Women’s Association
Ulsan Alliance For Progressive Movement
The Won-Buddhist Emergency Committee to Guard the Sacred Site at Seongju
Lee Seok-gyu Democracy Labor Ardent Sprits Memorial Foundation
Human Rights Education Center – Deul
Incheon Nosamo
ICWA
Incheon Network for Peace & Welfare
The Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan
Korea Foundation for Free Press
Solidarity for Independent Peaceful Reunification of Korea
Order of Friars Minor
JPIC (OFM Korea JPIC
Korea Teachers’ Union
Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union Ansan
Korean Teachers and Education Workers Union Jeju
Korea Peasants League
Jeollabuk-Do League, Members of Korean Peasant League
Korean Confederation of Trade Unions
Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Gyeonggi Regional Council
Korean Confederation of Trade Unions Incheon Regional Council
Korean Congederation of Trade Unions Jeonbuk Regional Council
Korea Urban Poor Association
Korean Women Peasants Association
Korea Women’s Alliance
Korea Youth Movement Union Nalda
남 (Jeonnam Alliance For Progressive Movement
Jeonbuk Edu Madang
JBNCC
Jeonbuk Institute of Future Education
Jeonbuk People Movement
Korean People Early Childhood Education and Childcare Solidarity Meeting
JBUNIV One Korea
Jeonbuk Youth for One Korea
Solidarity for Peace and Human Rights
Jeonbuk Peace Council
Justice Party in Jeonbuk
Jeju Youth Group for Unification
Jeju Peace Human Rights Center
Power of Good Citizens
The Progressive Party
The Progressive Party Geoje-si Committee
The Progressive Party Gyeongnam Committee
The Progressive Party Gimhae-si Committee
The Progressive Party Boseong-gun Committee
The Progressive Party Sungnam-si Sujeong-gu regional committee
The Progressive Party Incheon Committee
The Progressive Party Jeonbuk Committee
The Progressive Party Jeju Committee
The Progressive Party Changwon-si Seongsan-gu Committee
Jinbo College Student Network
Chamsari Munhak
People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy
Changwon Jinbo
Changjak 21
Korean Catholic Federation for Justice
Candle Revolution Party
Booklight Solidarity for Completion Candlelight Revolution
One Korea Tree
The Council Democracy for Unification
Korean Reunification Society Research Institute
Unification and Peace
The Happy March For One Korea
Youth Group for Unification
Pax Christi Korea
People Who Protect Pyeongtaek Health and Life
Young Korean Academy Pyeongtaek
Pyeongtaek Youth Platform Pum
Pyeongtaek Peace Center
Pyeongtaek Peace Citizen Action
Pyeongtaek Cooperative Social Network Social Cooperative
Peace Network
Women Making Peace
Peace Ground
Peace Wind
Gyeonggi Solidarity for Statue of Peace
Peace Mothers of Korea
Prayer Meeting for Korea Peace and Reunification
Peace Treaty Movement
Peace Treaty Movement, Incheon
Franciscan Friary
Peace Momo
YMCA (YMCA 10,000 Committee for Korea Peace and Reunification, Jeonju
Reconciliation and Reunification Committee, the National Council of Churches in Korea
Korean Peace Network Against Military Bases
Federation of Korean Trade Unions
Korea University Advancement Association
Hankuk Theogical Semiary
Writers Association of Korea
Korea Alliance For Progressive Movement
Korea Youth Solidarity
YMCA (Nation Council of YMCAs of Korea
YWCA (National YWCA of Korea
YMCA (YMCA 10,000 Committee for Korea Peace and Reunification
Korea Vietnam Peace Foundation
Young Korean Academy
KT (KT Democratic Comrades
International Organizations (79)
6.15 Japan Committee
6.15 Overseas Committee
Aksi Lilin Jakarta, Indonesia
Alliance of Progressive Canadians
Article 9 Canada
Association of Roman Catholic Women Priests
ATTAC Hungary Association
Australian Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN)-Canada
Belgium Korea Friendship Association
Cameroon for a World Beyond War
Canada-Philippines Solidarity Organization
Catholic Council for Justice and Peace, Japan
Center for Peace Education, Philippines
Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, Cambodia
China Anti-Japanese History Memorial Association
Code Pink Canada
Coop-Anti-War-Café, World Beyond War, Germany
Democratic Congress of World Koreans Australia
Frente Anti-impèrialista Internacionalista, Spain
Friends of “Comfort Women,” Australia
Global Korean Democratic Association, Laos
Global Uchinanchu Alliance, Okinawa
I Hagan Famalao’an Guahan, Guam
Independent and Peaceful Australia Network
Independent Guåhan, Guam
June 15 Overseas Committee for Reunification of Korea, Canada
Just Peace Committee, Canada
KILUSAN Para sa Pambansang Demikrasya (Movement for National Democracy), Philippines
Korea Peace Now! Women Mobilizing to End the War
Korea Truth Commission Canada
Korean-Canberran Action, Australia
Korean Democratic Women’s Association, Japan
Korean Honam Association, Australia
Korean Peace Action Global Network
Korean Taekwondo Association, Brazil
Korean Youth & Student Council of 6.15 Japan Regional Committee
Le Mouvement de la Paix, France
Maison de Minjok, France
Marrickville Peace Group, Australia
Minju Forum, Canada
No Harbour For War, Canada
No to War – No to NATO Network
NPO Samcheonri Railway, Japan
Okinawa Women Act Against Military Violence
Osaka Minju Yonhap
Pacific Peace Network, Australia
Pagkakaisa ng Kababaihan para sa Kalayaan (Unity of Women for Freedom), Philippines
Pax Christi Aotearoa New Zealand
Pax Christi Asia Pacific
Pax Christi Australia
Pax Christi Philippines
Peace Action Wellington, New Zealand
Peace and Neutrality Alliance, Ireland
Peace Boat, Japan
Peace People, Northern Ireland
Peace Philosophy Centre, Canada
Peace Treaty Now!
Peace Women Partners, Philippines
Philippine Women Network on Peace and Security
Pivot2Peace, Canada
Prutehi Litekyan: Save Ritidian, Guam
Rochdale and Littleborough Peace Group, United Kingdom
SASASE Ottawa
Shannonwatch, Ireland
Solidarität der Korianer in Europa (Solidarity of Korean People in Europe
Stop the War Coalition Philippines
True Colors Coalition, Philippines
United Church of Canada
United Church Rural Ministry Network, Canada
Veteranos Por la Paz España (Veterans For Peace, Chapter #1005), Spain
Veterans for Peace ROCK, Okinawa
Victoria Peace Coalition, Canada
Women Against Nuclear Power, Finland
Women for Peace, Finland
Women for Peace, Sweden
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom
World Beyond War New Zealand
World Beyond War Spain Youth for Nationalism and Democracy, Philippines
