Ministry of Unification Holds "Peace Comes to Dongtan: Dam" at Dongtan Lake Park... Expanding Peace Engagement in Daily Life

Ministry of Unification Hosts Peace and Reunification Cultural Event: "Peace Comes to Our Neighborhood"

Participatory Programs Centered Around Event Mascot "Kkukku" Receive Enthusiastic Response

A Variety of Events Including Kkukku Dam, Endangered Peace, Peace Mine, and Kkukku’s Ongdalsaem

On May 30, 2026, the Ministry of Unification held the "Peace Comes to Dongtan: Dam" cultural event for peace engagement with local residents at Undapwon in Dongtan Lake Park, Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province.

At the participatory mission booth "Kkukkus Ongdalsaem," planned by the Ministry of Unification's youth interns, local residents with their families are enjoying the event while waiting their turn to complete the missions. Provided by Hwaseong City

This event is part of the "Peace Empathy Culture Project," which was designed to allow residents in city and county-level communities—rather than just in large metropolitan centers—to naturally experience the meaning of peace and reunification in their daily lives. The name "Peace-On: Dam" carries the dual meaning of "delivering the warmth of peace" and "peace is coming."

The event featured a variety of hands-on programs and cultural performances that attracted the attention of family visitors.

In particular, participatory programs centered around the event mascot "Kkukku" received enthusiastic responses.

"Kkukku" is an imaginary bird living in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), said to grow by feeding on people's interest in and love for peace, and to deliver peace into everyday life. The venue featured a five-meter-tall inflatable sculpture, a mascot costume, and commemorative goods, all of which drew significant interest from visitors.

Participants first experienced the "Kkukku’s Peace Delivery Kit," which had been sent to each family in advance, and then took part in a variety of mission programs at the event. There were also programs for the whole family to enjoy together, including a Kkukku decoration workshop, a peace-themed picture book library, craft workshops, snack sharing, and family photo booths.

The stage was also filled with diverse events. Performances for children and cultural shows for family audiences provided opportunities for all generations to share and understand the meaning of peaceful reunification.

Notably, experience booths planned and operated directly by youth interns from the Ministry of Unification attracted attention. Participants expressed their interest in and love for peace through diverse programs such as "Kkukku Dam!," "Endangered Peace," "Peace Mine," and "Kkukku’s Ongdalsaem," and took on missions like hatching Kkukku’s eggs or searching for missing Kkukku.

Citizens visiting Undapwon at Dongtan Lake Park are relaxing under bean bags and parasols set up on the lawn, enjoying the leisurely atmosphere of the Peaceful Unification Cultural Event. Provided by Hwaseong City

A representative from the Ministry of Unification stated, "We hope this event will help local residents naturally encounter and expand their understanding of peace and reunification in everyday cultural spaces," adding, "We will continue to promote various peace engagement programs in locations close to the public."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.