Meetings
Unification, Biodiversity and North Korea
HSF and the Border Area
For more than 30 years, HSF Korea is dedicated to promote peace, democracy and development on the Korean Peninsula. Ever since there was a high focus on cooperation with partners in the border area between the two Koreas. Goseong County in the Gangwon Province is one of the longest partners. The district in divided through the inter-Korean border. Such a constellation, the division of districts and provinces has also been the case in Germany in the past. Therefore, the HSF as a German political foundation feels connected and supports environmental protection and the development of peace in the area.
Environmental Protection at Goseong County
The HSF Delegation visited Goseong County to talk the environment department of Goseong County. With the department, discussions were held about the potential for joint conservation efforts in the region. While HSF Korea also works in the northern part of Goseong County, located in North Korea, the border is sealed for regular travelers for many years. There is no direct cooperation possible between the northern and southern province. However, HSF Korea shares its experiences working in both parts of the border. In South Goseong County, the foundation supports the reforestation after devastating forest fires in 2019. International experts are visiting the area with HSF Korea to find out more about local challenges and opportunities. Moreover, representatives from the local administration in South Korea exchange ideas and experiences with the experts or visit Germany to learn from the German history as a divided country, with formerly divided provinces and districts.
Korean Division and German Unification
Another meeting took place at the Goseong DMZ Museum. HSF Korea supports projects at the facility for many years. Currently there the Museum hosts an exhibition about the German division and process of unification. The members of the HSF took a look at the exhibition and discussed further events, that could take place at the museum. The main topics for these events are the impact of division and unification, biodiversity and conservation in the border area and the current status of life and people on the other side of the border in North Korea. The DMZ Museum in Goseong and the HSF looking forward to further cooperation to raise the awareness about division and unification as well as biodiversity and environmental protection in both Koreas.