An international group of women activists crossed the DMZ between North and South Korea today, in a controversial attempt to kick-start peace talks between the two countries.
The group originally intended to make the crossing on foot at the Panmunjom “Truce Village,” but eventually were bussed most of the way to a customs and immigration area at Paju.
The group included two Nobel Peace Prize laureates and renowned American feminist Gloria Steinem.
“We feel very celebratory and positive that we have created a voyage across the DMZ in peace and reconciliation,” Steinem said at a press conference after the crossing.
The WomenCrossDMZ activists spent several days in Pyongyang prior to the crossing, saying they were “able to be citizen diplomats.”
The event has attracted some controversy, with critics claiming the activists are glossing over North Korea’s human rights record.
“Obviously a breach of human rights here is a breach everywhere. We made a statement of purpose, we were told if we put human rights on the agenda it would not be approved, but it was approved. I think that is an enormous triumph,” Steinem continued.
“You can get human rights when you don’t have a country at war,” Nobel laureate Mairead Maguire added.
One of the WomenCrossDMZ’s principal organizers has been at the center of further controversy. Christine Ahn has drawn some negative attention over past statements, leading some to label her pro-North Korea.
During the group’s time in Pyongyang, DPRK state newspaper Rodong Sinmun claimed Ahn praised the North Korean leadership, saying Kim Il Sung had devoted his life to the liberation of the North Korean people.
According to the article published on Thursday, Maguire was also “touched” upon hearing about the life of North Korea’s first leader.
The group were quick to deny the reports in North Korean media, claiming Ahn was misquoted.
“Those statements attributed to Christine Ahn are unequivocally not true,” Steinem told assembled reporters.
After the crossing the group moved to a pavilion south of the DMZ for a rally with a larger group of South Korean activists.
Both the press conference and the rally attracted groups of conservative protesters, who said the crossing mislead the general public about North Korea’s intentions.
“[It is] harmful, it is creating a measure of confusion, not only among the people of Korea, but also in the context of international public opinion. They are creating the false image that North Korea is favorably disposed to peace,” Lee Dong-bok, President of the North Korean Democratization forum told NK News.
“These women are all fakes … The South Korean government was not favorably disposed to allow this visit,” he added.
Featured image: Leo Byrne
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