[HWPL]

[HWPL] HWPL Peace Tours of Man-hee Lee (13): “Chairman Man-hee Lee encourages leaders in every country to join the peace movement - it's great work”

Chairman Man-hee Lee meets with the then mayor of Guatemala City Álvaro Arzú (later President of Guatemala) at Guatemala City Hall on November 5, 2013

During the 7th peace tour, meetings were held with dignitaries, including the 32nd President of Guatemala Álvaro Enrique Arzú Yrigoyen, 46th President of Costa Rica Laura Chinchilla Miranda, 53rd President of Nicaragua Enrique Bolaños, and 56th President of Colombia Ernesto Samper Pizano. Meetings were held with four former and incumbent presidents.

On November 5, 2013, a meeting was held between Chairman Lee and Álvaro Enrique Arzú Yrigoyen (1946–2018), the then Mayor of Guatemala City who later became President of Guatemala.

In December 1996, during the first year of his presidency, Arzú signed a peace accord with the rebel forces, ending the 36-year Guatemalan civil war. Following his presidency, he served as mayor of Guatemala City for 14 years from 2003 to April 27, 2018, until his death following a heart attack.

In a meeting with former President Arzú, Chairman Lee said, "I think that if the presidents of each country sign this Declaration in support of the cessation of war and attainment of peace, wars rooted in national interest will not erupt".

Former President of Guatemala Álvaro Arzú poses for a commemorative photo after meeting with Chairman Lee, on whom was conferred the title of 'distinguished guest'

Appointment letter as a distinguished guest delivered to Chairman Lee by former President of Guatemala Álvaro Arzú

After the meeting with Chairman Lee, former President Arzú, who was of one accord with Chairman Lee's peace mission, responded, “I have read everything that Chairman Lee has done.” In response, Chairman Lee said, “I hope you will join us in making this world a world of peace to be left as a legacy for future generations, and a world which the Creator can come and rule over.”

On that same day, former President Arzú made Chairman Lee a guest of the state and delivered to him a letter of appointment. In the mayoral office of Guatemala City, where the meeting was held, the then Mayor Arzú called Chairman Lee "brother" in the Korean language. Due to this relationship with Mayor Arzú, HWPL has been involved in many activities in Guatemala, including the establishment of an MOU for peace education, the White Rose floral dedication ceremony at a peace monument, conferral of a certificate of appreciation, provision of economic relief in the Mayan region, and participation in a peace seminar.

Chairman Lee and the peace delegation also met with the former president of Nicaragua in the very heart of Central America.

On the 7th November, 2013, Chairman Lee visited the residence of former President Enrique Bolaños (1928-2021) in Santander, Nicaragua. Former President Bolaños, who served as the 53rd President of Nicaragua, is known for his contribution to democracy in Nicaragua. Upon hearing news of Chairman Lee's moves for peace, he welcomed Chairman Lee's visit with open arms and expressed his respect, saying, "It is a great honor to meet Chairman Lee, who is doing such great work, in person."

Chairman Lee is in dialogue with the former President of Nicaragua Enrique Bolaños on the topic of world peace on November 7, 2013

In addition, he said, "If I had met Chairman Lee while I was in office, we would have been able to do more work together. It is a pity." He first asked, "How can I work for world peace with Chairman Lee?" In response, Chairman Lee proposed an on-the-spot peace agreement, which was immediately signed.

On the 12th, Chairman Lee had a meeting with the former 29th President of Colombia Ernesto Samper Pizano. Ernesto Pizano was President from 1994 to 1998. He was praised for having opened a new chapter in the domestic political landscape that had been dominated by a minority elite. On October 24, 1996, he visited South Korea and negotiated to promote friendly Colombia-South Korea relations.

Following a meeting with former President of Colombia Ernesto Samper Pizano, Chairman Lee signs the peace agreement and poses for a commemorative photo on November 12, 2013

In Costa Rica, Chairman Lee met with Laura Chinchilla, the 46th President of Costa Rica. President Chinchilla was elected Costa Rica's first female president in 2010. She has served as Vice Minister of Public Security, deputy of the National Assembly, and Minister of Justice. She is the fifth female president in Latin America. In August 2012, Seoul Metropolitan Government awarded honorary citizenship to President Chinchilla during her visit to Korea. Her Seoul Honorary Citizenship Card was given to her to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Costa Rica and Korea.

President Chinchilla, who had a meeting with Chairman Lee on the 13th, said, “I think it is tremendous that Chairman Lee travels around the world and gathers many leaders and people to join the peace movement. We need to strengthen the international system to establish a peaceful way to end wars.” She said, "I think Chairman Lee is fully qualified to speak to many people about peace." After her meeting, President Chinchilla signed the HWPL Peace Agreement, and she also joined IWPG (International Women's Peace Group).

The HWPL peace delegation visits Costa Rica, where Chairman Lee speaks with the former President of Costa Rica Laura Chinchilla, on November 13, 2013

As media reports in Costa Rica continued, some individuals came to visit Chairman Lee, including Estrella Zeledón Lizano, First Lady of the 38th President, Thomas Klompmaker, Dean for Finance UPEACE, and Dulce Umanzor, Ministry of Justice in Costa Rica. They also decided to join the peace movement and registered as HWPL members.

On the other hand, there were people waiting for Chairman Lee upon his return to LA after completing the last stop of the 7th peace tour. Prime Minister Dean Barrow, who is in charge of the government of Belize, a Caribbean country, heard the news of Chairman Lee's arrival and sent Special Adviser Glenn Stewart.

“One of the things that surprised me is that IWPG embraces the world, like a mother holding her child, and moves it forward,” said Special Adviser Stewart. “This is really important,” he said. “The next is the youth. When mothers and young people move together as one, the rest have no choice but to follow.” He vowed, "I will ensure that all the activities and teachings of Chairman Lee are made known in Belize."

Peace!!