On Sunday, August 16th, US President Donald Trump announced that he had ordered the Department of War to reduce the joint military exercises (between the US and South Korean militaries) on the Korean Peninsula. I’d like to give some nuance to this situation, because whatever Trump’s motives, this public statement creates a small window of opportunity to open peace talks to end the Korean War.

The unended Korean War persists because of fear and the fact that our leaders (in the USA, South Korea, and the DPRK) have so far been unable to sustain a de-escalatory spiral, but that can change. Here are some ideas for US actions and how you can advocate for them.

We must cultivate political will among American leaders to end the “forgotten” Korean war. It is long past time for the Korean people to have the peace and sovereignty they need to determine their own future. Here are some ways you can learn about the ongoing war and advocate for peace.

The South Korean President declared martial law on December 4th, 2024. The world watched with amazement as the Korean people rallied to their National Assembly in the middle of the night. Lawmakers pushed through police and soldiers to gain access to their parliament and voted to overturn martial law within six hours. What lies underneath this strong reaction? What's happening in the aftermath? And what can we learn from it?

We all encounter circumstances, people, and conversations that scare us. It is natural for our defenses to automatically kick into gear, preparing us to fight or escape at any cost. This is why I am amazed whenever I meet people who instead manage to pause their defense reactions long enough to engage their curiosity and seek to better understand their partner in conflict. This kind of dialogue is truly courageous.