Hyun Jin Preston Moon, founder and chairman of the Global Peace Foundation, gives a keynote speech during the Korean Dream Unification Action March in Imjingak, Paju, Gyeonggi Province, Saturday. Courtesy of Global Peace Foundation

Around 30,000 people, including North Korean defectors and international experts on Korean Peninsula affairs, participated in the Korean Dream Unification Action March near the Demilitarization Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas on Saturday.

The event, aiming to create a new nation that contributes not only to unification but also to global peace, was organized by the civic group Korean Dream 10 Million Campaign's citizen organizing committee, which includes the Committee for 10 Million Separated Families and People Practicing Unification. It was sponsored by the Ministry of Unification, the Paju city government and the Global Peace Foundation (GPF).

According to the organizers, the marching event aimed to highlight the vision of Korean unification as a grassroots movement rather than a political ideology.

As participants marched down the 2-kilometer route around Imjingak Peace Nuri Park, they chanted slogans such as "Unification through the power of citizens" and "Realizing free unification and world peace."

Notable participants included Hyun Jin Preston Moon, founder and chairman of the GPF, Edwin Feulner, chairman of the Asian Studies Center of the Heritage Foundation and Rep. Park Choong-kwon of the ruling People Power Party.

Edwin Feulner, chairman of the Asian Studies Center of the Heritage Foundation, gives a congratulatory speech during the Korean Dream Unification Action March in Imjingak, Paju, Gyeonggi Province, Saturday. Courtesy of Global Peace Foundation

In his congratulatory remarks, Feulner said, "The construction of a free, unified Korean Peninsula based on liberal democracy is an inalienable right granted by our Creator as part of the pursuit of happiness. Let us all move forward together for the unification of the Korean Peninsula."

The American scholar also expressed his support for the citizen-led unification movement under the vision of the Korean Dream, which unites a diverse global community including North Korean defectors, overseas Koreans and foreigners.

In his keynote speech, GPF Chairman Moon said, "Just as my father visited North Korea, I am also ready to visit North Korea. Let's cherish this opportunity and rise together to become the masters who reclaim the destiny of our Korean people and restore our national identity."

Moon is the third son of the late Rev. Moon Sun-myung (1920-2012), the founder of the Holy Spirit Association for the Unification of World Christianity, also known as the Unification Church. The older Moon visited North Korea in 1991.

The chairman further suggested that the unification ministry should be restructured as a non-partisan organization involving representatives from all sectors of society, rather than being merely a government ministry.

Rep. Park, a lawmaker who defected from North Korea, emphasized the significance of the march in light of Pyongyang's rising belligerence.

"The current international situation surrounding the Korean Peninsula is more urgent than ever, and the reckless provocations of North Korea and the oppressive tyranny of the Kim Jong-un regime are reaching their limit," he said.

"At such a critical time, the hosting of the Unification Action March, where all citizens have gathered to wish for the peaceful unification of a free, unified Korean Peninsula, holds significant meaning."

During the event, seven citizens representing different countries, including South Korea, the United States, Japan and India, read the Global Citizen Declaration for Unification in various languages, symbolizing the participation of global citizens in the Korean Dream Unification Movement.

"Korean unification is not solely the responsibility of governments and societies. Historically, monumental events have always been achieved through bottom-up changes driven by the voluntary interest and participation of the citizens themselves," said Shreya Sahey, an Indian national.

Japanese national Keiko Kobayashi said, "A unified Korea under the Korean Dream will resolve the various challenges we face today and build a truly global community. This will mark a great turning point, opening up a new world of international peace and prosperity unlike anything we have experienced before."

The event also included cultural performances such as singing by North Korean defectors, who sang a range of songs and music that both South and North Korean residents could enjoy together, as well as a taekwondo performance.

Hyun Jin Preston Moon, founder and chairman of the Global Peace Foundation, addresses the crowd during the Korean Dream Unification Action March in Imjingak, Paju, Gyeonggi Province, Saturday. Courtesy of Global Peace Foundation