Seoul skyline AFSC
Today, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol issued a declaration of martial law, undermining the fundamental rights of South Korean citizens and violating the principles of democratic governance. We stand in solidarity with the people of South Korea who are courageously defending their democracy, and we commend the South Korean National Assembly’s swift and united rejection of this unlawful measure. The protection of democratic institutions is critical to peace and justice.
AFSC has a long history of involvement on the Korean peninsula dating back to 1953. The first AFSC delegation to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK, or North Korea) was in 1980. Today we continue to promote engagement between the U.S. and North Korea and peace on the Korean Peninsula. We will continue to stand with those advocating for justice and peace in South Korea and around the world.
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The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) promotes a world free of violence, inequality, and oppression. Guided by the Quaker belief in the divine light within each person, we nurture the seeds of change and the respect for human life to fundamentally transform our societies and institutions. We work with people and partners worldwide, of all faiths and backgrounds, to meet urgent community needs, challenge injustice, and build peace.