2026 Korea Peace Advocacy Summer Begins! | June Newsletter

Dear Friend,

Every year, Korea Peace Advocacy Summer brings hundreds of people from across the country to meet with their members of Congress and advocate for legislation supporting peace in Korea. Participants join virtual and in-person meetings with members of Congress to share personal stories and urge members to support policies focused on Korea peace. In addition to the Peace on the Korean Peninsula Act, this year’s programming will include advocacy to challenge bloated U.S. military spending and justice for victims of militarized gender-based violence. Registration closes June 12. Register today!

This year marks 73 years since the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed, making the Korean War the United States’ longest running overseas conflict. We must call for serious, urgent diplomacy in pursuit of a binding peace agreement to formally end the Korean War today. Join peace advocates across the country to share and strategize for this year’s advocacy summer! 

Register ASAP to receive information about: 

  • Virtual Power Hour phone-banking session on Monday, June 22 at 12 pm ET Virtual Power Hour phone-banking sessions on Monday, June 22 at 8 pm ET
  • In-person and virtual district meetings

Finally, join our first KPNGN meeting of the summer this Thursday, June 11 at 5pm PT/8pm ET! We’ll discuss our Korea Peace Advocacy Summer and more! RSVP here. We will also resume our three-part Korea Peace Now! Grassroots Network Orientation. The June orientation will feature a Q&A session on the movement and political updates. Please stay from 9 pm ET to 10 pm ET after the June KPNGN meeting.

🎐 Upcoming Events

Power Hour for Korea Peace | Virtual Events | June 22 at 12 pm ET and 8 pm ET

Join our first program of 2026 Korea Peace Advocacy Summer! We’re hosting two Online Power Hour Phone-Banking Sessions on Monday, June 22 at 12 pm ET and Monday, June 22 at 8 pm ET. We will also organize in-person and virtual meetings with congressional offices according to constituents’ availability. Registration closes on June 12. Sign up to secure your spot today!

Expanding the Public Interest Toolbox: Litigation and Beyond at the Justice in Action Conference | Fordham Law School, New York City | June 17 at 1:45-3pm ET

Some of the most transformative victories for Asian American and immigrant communities never saw the inside of a courtroom-they came through transactional work, policy advocacy, and coalition-driven campaigns. Building on earlier sessions about partnerships between lawyers and community organizers, this session examines how lawyers can support community organizing using a range of legal strategies. WCDMZ Executive Director Cathi Choi and other speakers will draw on their own practice to discuss how and when to deploy each of these tools in service of community power. Through case studies and discussion, participants will leave with a broader and more flexible understanding of what community lawyering can look like. RSVP and learn more here.

Webinar: “America First” in the Asia Pacific: Debriefing Michelle Steel’s Nomination | Virtual Event | Wednesday, June 24 at 5pm PT/8pm ET (June 25 at 9am KST)

Join us for a webinar on the nomination of Michelle Park Steel for U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea. We’ll hear from speakers Sandy Shan (Justice Is Global), Mark Tseng-Putterman (New York University), Youngmi Cho (Sejong Cyber University), Goo Lee (Evergreen Coalition), and moderator Cathi Choi (Women Cross DMZ) on Steel’s political record and potential influence as next U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea on the prospects for Korea peace. RSVP here. 

As Congresswoman, Steel took a staunchly conservative, hardline approach to China and North Korea, including her firm opposition to efforts to end the Korean War. Additionally, in her reelection campaigns, Asian American and immigrant advocates criticized Steel for promoting divisive rhetoric and weaponizing inflammatory “McCarthyist” imagery. Speakers will discuss Steel’s nomination as Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, the implications of her track record on Korea peace and nomination in the context of current global events – including the May 2026 Xi-Trump summit.

July 26, 2026 at 5 pm | Armistice to Peace Rally | Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC

This year marks 73 years since the United States and North Korea signed the Korean Armistice Agreement, which temporarily halted but did not formally end the Korean War. This unresolved war has kept families separated and is the root cause of tensions on the peninsula. Rally with us at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC and join our call to end the Korean War! Everyone is welcome to join. 

📚 Recommended Readings

From the Korea Peace Now! Grassroots Network Education Committee:

  1. Why North Korean Denuclearization Is No Longer Possible. This article argues that pushing for DPRK denuclearization may be counterproductive and analyzes recent public commentary from North Korea on its nuclear status. 
  2. What would “peaceful coexistence” between the two Korean states require? The 2026 DPRK Constitutional Amendments. 대한민국과 조선민주주의인민공화국의 평화적 공존의 시대는 무엇을 필요로 하는가? This article argues that politicians and activists can no longer rely on previous assumptions about denuclearization or unification in Korea. 
  3. At the Korea–Japan Summit, Lee Jae Myung Refused to Follow Tokyo’s Anti-China Line and Emerged as the Leader of a Sensible Middle-Power Nation. 한일 정상회담에서 도쿄의 반중 노선을 거부한 이재명 대통령, 합리적 중견국 지도자로 부상하다. This article analyzes Lee’s diplomatic strategy following his reception of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in May. 
  4. Israel releases 2 Korean nationals seized on Gaza-bound humanitarian vessels. This article reports on the release of two Korean nationals illegally seized by the Israeli military on a humanitarian vessel bound for Gaza. 

80 Groups to Congress: Trump’s Astronomical Military Spending Requests Should Be Stopped in Committee. Women Cross DMZ joined Public Citizen, CODEPINK, and dozens of other organizations to demand that Congress reject increases to the Pentagon’s budget in the upcoming 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). 

✌️Follow Korea Peace Now! and Women Cross DMZ on Instagram! Say hello and check out our accounts!

🛍 Support the Korea Peace Movement: Show your support for Korea peace with one of our tote bags, hats, baby onesies, and clothing, available here. All funds will support Korea Peace Now!, our U.S.-based movement for peace in Korea led by Women Cross DMZ. Art by Peter Holland and lazy blender.

In peace,

Korea Peace Now! Grassroots Network

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