From 4 to 10 August, a delegation from Pax Christi Korea had the opportunity to visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki. During their stay, they took part in memorial ceremonies commemorating the victims of the atomic bombings, as well as a number of programmes and activities dedicated to peace and remembrance.

“Over those six days, we saw, heard, and experienced so much,” says Deborah Jang, a member of Pax Christi Korea and the Pax Christi Youth Forum. “In particular, confronting the devastation caused by war and the atomic bombings made us reflect once again on how important it is to speak about peace and raise our voices against war.”

The visit also provided an opportunity to learn about the stories of people, not only Japanese, but also Korean and Chinese, who experienced first-hand the terrible events of the Second World War and its tragic culmination in 1945.

“It was a deeply meaningful experience to share these conversations with Berta, Hye-joo, Sister Romana, and the many friends we met along the way, listening to one another’s thoughts and perspectives,” Deborah reflected.

During the memorial ceremony, the Mayor of Nagasaki encouraged the delegation to return home and share with others what they had seen and learned. The members of Pax Christi Korea returned home carrying with them a renewed commitment to continue remembering and bearing witness, recognising that it is essential to keep asking how we can prevent war and preserve peace, especially in our own time.