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Statement | Berlin, Germany | 13 December 2024

The International Peace Bureau (IPB) stands in unwavering solidarity with the people of South Korea, whose courage and resilience have risen as a powerful defense against the erosion of democratic principles and the unconstitutional declaration of martial law. Recent events highlight a grave misuse of power and blatant violations of constitutional law by the government and military leaders. We believe this is a reversal of the hard-won gains of the people-led democratic movement of South Korea and a setback to democracy in South Korea that took root after the people’s victory against authoritarianism in the 1980s.

Despite significant challenges, we commend the South Korean people for their swift and peaceful mobilization, which successfully led to the repeal of martial law. Their determination to safeguard democracy, resist authoritarianism, and hold leaders accountable is an inspiring example for the global community.

We are deeply concerned by reports of planned actions– whether through overt interventions or aggravating actions in South Korea– which may be interpreted as further provoking instability on the Korean Peninsula and posing broader risks to regional security. We call for a thorough and transparent investigation into these unconstitutional actions and support the protesters’ demands for justice, accountability, and the preservation of democratic governance.

To address this crisis effectively, the IPB calls for decisive action to address the ongoing democratic crisis in South Korea following the unconstitutional declaration of martial law:

1. Legal Accountability: Pursue impeachment proceedings and thorough investigations to hold those responsible for unconstitutional actions accountable.
2. Empowering Civil Society: Mobilize peaceful protests, led by youth, women, and civil organizations, and establish emergency coordination committees to guide actions effectively.
3. Global Solidarity and Advocacy: Engage international partners to apply diplomatic pressure and amplify support for democracy in South Korea.
4. Reforming Civil-Military Relations: Address the culture of military obedience to prevent future abuses of power.

The IPB supports the democratic forces that have already launched a struggle to retrieve democracy in South Korea and are resisting this top-down coup. We believe the forces of democracy will see the victory necessary to retain democratic and plural institutions. We stand with the South Korean people in their courageous fight for democracy, peace, and accountability. Their struggle is not just a national concern but a global imperative – a reminder that democracy must be protected against all forms of authoritarian backsliding.

Signatories:

International Peace Bureau (IPB)

Stop the War Coalition Philippines

10 December 2024

At a time of deep crisis in global cooperation and governance, the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Nihon Hidankyo, the organization representing survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (Hibakusha), is an essential reminder of what is at stake in the world today – and the strength and commitment of activists to ensure a peaceful future that respects the human rights of all.

You can sign the call and find the original call in Spanish here.

On this December 10th, marking the 76th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we, the individuals and organizations signing this statement, wish to express the following:

1. Our Deep Concern
   We are gravely concerned about the danger and possibility of a nuclear war, a threat that has escalated further following the recent decision by U.S. President Joe Biden to authorize Ukraine to use long-range missiles against Russia.
2. Call for a Ceasefire
   As we have stated before, we urge an immediate ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, where the United States and NATO countries are actively involved. We call on all parties, including the U.S. and NATO, to engage in peace negotiations aimed at definitively ending hostilities and establishing agreements that affirm the right of all countries to peace and collective security, distancing us from the threat of nuclear war.
3. Global Implications of Nuclear War
   The potential for nuclear war would not only affect Ukraine or Russia but could also devastate all of Europe and the United States. Moreover, it would have catastrophic global consequences, including “nuclear winter,” radioactive contamination, and severe impacts on the environment and public health.
4. Escalation Risks
   The risk of nuclear war is real as hostilities between the U.S., NATO, and Russia escalate. This has prompted governments in Norway, Sweden, and Finland to distribute brochures to their citizens, urging them to prepare for the worst—the possibility of a direct NATO-Russia conflict.
5. The Doomsday Clock Warning
   In 2024, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists stated, “Today, we have set the Doomsday Clock to 90 seconds to midnight because humanity continues to face an unprecedented level of danger. Our decision should not be interpreted as a sign that international security has improved. On the contrary, leaders and citizens worldwide should take this as a grave warning and respond urgently, as if this were the most dangerous moment in modern history—because it very well could be.” The Doomsday Clock is a symbolic measure of how close humanity is to total annihilation.
6. Nuclear Arms Race
   Over the past decade, we have witnessed a significant increase in nuclear weapons development and maintenance budgets, particularly by the United States, which has also withdrawn from key agreements like the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, the Open Skies Treaty, the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, and the Iran nuclear deal—all crucial pillars of nuclear arms control. These hostilities have also led countries like Russia, China, and North Korea to expand or upgrade their nuclear arsenals.
7. A Call to Action
   The danger is real, and we are all at risk. We, the signatories of this statement, demand that world leaders, the United Nations, and governments—particularly the United States—make sincere efforts to end the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East through peaceful negotiations. We also urge them to advance a disarmament agenda and work toward the prompt elimination of nuclear weapons.

Finally, in this perilous world, we commend the example set by the Japanese organization Nihon Hidankyo, survivors of the atomic bomb, which was awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons.

Click here to sign!