2012 the Statement of Purpose『Hapcheon Anti-Nuclear & Peace Festival 2012』

[대회사무국]

The earthquake that shook the North East region of Japan in March 2011 and the following nuclear disaster in Fukushima was not a tragedy Japan suffered alone. It brought shock to people all over the world, shaking the so-called myth of nuclear safety to its core.

Many locals were exposed to immense amounts of radiation, which is almost certain to bring about long-term health issues in the region. Such aftermaths seem endless for the time being, due to the fact that after a nuclear disaster, complete recovery is almost impossible.

The tragic accident in Chernobyl, Russia, continues to threaten the livelihood of man and nature alike in nearby areas, with the amount of toxic radiation produced still too high for human access. Thus, civilization built on nuclear energy and radiation is destroying the lives of the next generation.

In response to such crisis, the basic principles of national policy on energy and national growth are undergoing reeval‎uation. Along with Germany, with its decision to phase out all domestic nuclear power by 2022, is one of many to seek a better future for mankind. Many are acknowledging that nuclear energy can threaten the livelihood of not just a particular region, but the world as a whole and possibly the survival of mankind.

Some have lost their lives to nuclear damages and radiation exposure. The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on August 6 and 8, 1945 killed not only the Japanese but numerous Korean residents who were forced to relocate under the Japanese colonial rule.

Those who survived the bombings returned home, but many suffered from fatal diseases, discrimination and poverty from which the second and third generation also suffer from today.

The 2012 Seoul Nuclear Security Summit will be held in March 26 to 27, 2012 in Seoul. Head of states and international organizations from over 50 countries will gather under the overall theme to ‘predict nuclear terrorist attacks’ and discuss issues on international cooperation, the ban on transactions on nuclear materials and safety of nuclear plants. The summit also aims to endorse the safety of nuclear energy to develop the international nuclear industry.

Nuclear facilities and materials must not reach the hands of terrorists, but actual national security lies in protecting the people from all possibilities of nuclear damages.

Despite numerous occurrences of nuclear accidents, many nuclear victims have not been acknowledged nor have they been compensated for their loss. These are nuclear victims from Fukushima, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Chernobyl and Bikini Atoll, Marshall Islands in Pacific Islands. These victims and their offspring have fought lonely battles of diseases and sufferings in a international reality where information and compensation is scarce.

Efforts to utilize dangerous nuclear materials merely as to avoid accidents alone are not enough. Evident in the nuclear accident in Fukushima, dangers that lie in the use of nuclear energy are underestimated.

   Next year will mark the first anniversary of the Fukushima nuclear disaster. While the Korean government attempts to reverse international trends by hosting a Nuclear Security Summit to expand nuclear facilities and the nuclear industry, nongovernmental efforts must be directed at guaranteeing the lives, security and peace of the global community. 

Nuclear victims around the world, citizens and artists will gather in efforts to build a peaceful world free from nuclear damages. The Hapcheon Anti-Nuclear & Peace Festival 2012 will be hosted by Hapcheon, the ‘city of peace’ and home to most of the nations’ nuclear victims and their offspring.

The event will consist of testimonies from nuclear victims at home and abroad, the adoption of a declaration on the anti-nuclear and peace movement, lectures, on-the-scene reports, photo and exhibitions, a peace concert and the Youth Peace Camp. The program aims to raise awareness on the movement towards a nuclear-free world and will build a platform for communication and mutual understanding.

We ask for the support from those at home and abroad to help build a peaceful world free from nuclear damages. Say no to nuclear damages and despair! Help us build a nuclear-free world of hope.

October 17, 2011

Organization Committee for『Hapcheon Anti-Nuclear & Peace Festival 2012』