[HWPL]

[HWPL] Certificate of Appreciation and Certificate of Appointment as Distinguished Guest of Guatemala City Conferred on Chairman Lee, and Laying of Wreath at the National Palace of Guatemala 

Chairman Man-Hee Lee lays a flower at the White Rose Laying Offering Ceremony at the Palm of Peace, National Palace in Guatemala City on April 7th 2014

Guatemala, which had been engulfed in a civil war for 36 years from 1960-1996, reached a dramatic agreement and welcomed the visit of the “messenger of peace.” In particular, the 32nd President of Guatemala Álvaro Enrique Arzú Yrigoyen (1946~2018), who devoted all his effort towards the reconstruction of Guatemala following the end of the civil war, praised the works of peace displayed through the peace tours of Chairman Man-hee Lee of HWPL and his peace delegation.

A certificate awarded by the National Palace (Palacio Nacional de la Cultura) in recognition of Chairman Lee's movement for peace

Peace Monument Award from National Palace of Guatemala

The meeting between Chairman Lee and former President Álvaro Arzú took place on November 5th 2013, during the 7th peace tour. Former President Álvaro Arzú signed a peace treaty with rebels during the first year of his presidency in December 1996, ending the 36-year-long Guatemalan civil war. Following his presidency, he served as Mayor of Guatemala City for 14 years (14th January 2004 - 27th April 2018) until he suffered a fatal cardiac arrest. He had previously been elected Mayor of Guatemala City (1981-1982) before assuming his presidency, and was subsequently re-elected (1986-1989).

In an interview with former President Álvaro Arzú, Chairman Lee said, “I think that if every president of the world signs a declaration in support of an end to wars, wars will not break out because of national interests, and there will be peace.” Explaining the purpose of the peace movement, Chairman Lee said, ''Religious leaders are responsible for instilling a culture of heaven into the world, yet so many wars occur because of religion."

Following the conversation with Chairman Lee, former President Álvaro Arzú agreed with the mission, saying, “I have read everything that Chairman Lee has done.” In response, Chairman Lee made the following request: “I hope that you will join us in making this world one of peace, a legacy for future generations, and a world that the Creator can come and rule over.”

Certificate of Appointment as Distinguished Guest of Guatemala City

That day, former President Alvaro Arzú appointed Chairman Lee a distinguished guest and awarded him a certificate of appointment. At the Mayor's Office of Guatemala City, where the interview was held, former President Alvaro Arzú called Chairman Lee a devoted "brother" in Korean. Due to their kinship, HWPL has been particularly active in Guatemala, having secured support for peace education in the form of an MOU, laying of a flower at the Palm of Peace, receiving a certificate of recognition, provision of relief in the Mayan region, and the hosting of a peace seminar.

During the 7th Peace Tour, an interview was held with Mayan village leaders in Guatemala. Chairman Lee visited the municipality of Chuarrancho, home to the Mayan community, where he attended a festival and where a peace agreement was signed. A Mayan leader introduced Chairman Lee to the Minister of Culture (Indigenous Council of Central America) who said, “It's not only Guatemala, but many countries in Latin America that long for peace. I want to work hard for peace with you.” Chairman Lee's peace movement was widely broadcast throughout Guatemala via interviews with TV Azteca Broadcasting Station, Guatevisión Studio and Channel (Canal) 7.

A commemorative photo taken of the then Mayor (and former president) of Guatemala Álvaro Enrique Arzú Yrigoyen after he delivered a Certificate of Appointment as Distinguished Guest of Guatemala City to Chairman Man-hee Lee on November 5th 2013

In April 2014 the following year, Chairman Lee returned to Guatemala. On the 7th, he received a letter of appreciation from the Guatemalan government in recognition of his achievements, including the 2013 peace agreement with the Mayan people. A Peace Monument was erected in the National Palace of Guatemala City where Chairman Lee received a peace monument wreath from the National Palace and laid flowers at the Palm of Peace monument.

This was meaningful in acknowledging that the peace treaty initiated by Chairman Lee was making a substantial contribution to peace within Guatemala. The only other Korean who had received the wreath prior to Chairman Lee was former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in 2011.

Following the wreath giving ceremony, the then Minister of Culture Carlos Enrique Batzin delivered a letter of thanks to Chairman Lee and introduced him to guests, saying, “The reason we are gathered at the Presidential Palace today is to give a letter of appreciation to Chairman Lee. He is a messenger of peace for the whole world.” Guatemala City's Telenoticias 23 reported live and extensively on the wreath-giving ceremony for Chairman Lee at the National Palace.

Chairman Man-hee Lee delivers greetings to the guests prior to the White Rose Laying Offering Ceremony at the Palm of Peace, National Palace in Guatemala City on April 7th 2014

Peace!