I.C.E.Y. - H.O.P.E. in North Korea!

13 Year Old U.S. Boy to Visit North Korea to Suggest Peace to Chairman Kim Jong Il

Hopes to Suggest a Peace Forest in the DMZ

BEIJING, CHINA. Jonathan Lee, a 13 year old youth environmental activist from the United States, is entering the reclusive North on a humanitarian environmental mission – to suggest peace. A bold move, particularly with the strains between the DPRK, its southern neighbor (South Korea) and the United States. In spite of the concern and warnings of others, Jonathan is determined to at least try. After all, he has no political agenda. No nefarious motive. He just wants there to be peace for the sake of the children, the innocents in this 60 year conflict.

How does he propose for a peaceful coexistence? Through the creation of a peace forest in the most dangerous part of Korea – the DMZ. What is the DMZ? It is short for “Demilitarized Zone” and is the place where North meets South and South meets North with barbed wires and military personnel. A peace forest in this area would be a stark contrast to the surrounding area. But, Jonathan has in mind a “Children's Peace Forest,” one in which fruit and chestnut trees would be planted and where children can play.

While Jonathan knows many think this is a crazy idea, he feels it's worth a try. After all, he has nothing to lose. Not really. The fact he is going is a huge obstacle that's been overcome – being of Korean heritage, he had almost no chance of being approved for entry. But, he will be in the North with special approval from the DPRK UN Ambassador, so there should be no problems with his entry. If his suggestion is met with disapproval, then nothing is lost. But, with the remote chance that the reclusive leader of the North should decide to go along with it, then everything can be gained.

The proposed motto of the Children's Peace Forest is as bold as the idea of entering the North to speak to the government – Above politics; Above conflicts; Above borders; Above ideology; It's all about giving hope to people and children around the world.

Jonathan's travels begin with his entry into China on the 10^thof August. On the 12^th, he is scheduled to fly into the DPRK on Air Koryo, the official airlines of North Korea. At some point in the duration of his stay, he is to meet with officials to discuss his ideas of creating a peace forest. Jonathan is scheduled to return to China from North Korea on the 19^th of August at which point he will fly back to South Korea to share the need for a Children's Peace Forest in Panmunjom. He plans to speak at the IUFRO World Congress in Seoul and also hopes to share his peace message with the G-20 leaders while they are in Seoul.

For more information about his visit please go to www.iceyhope.org or www.gogreenman.com. To see his video letter, please go to www.iceyhope.org/intro/asiatrip.html.

Contact:

Jonathan Lee

gogreenman@gogreenman.com

iceyhope@iceyhope.org

제안서 Proposal

제목 : 어린이평화의숲(동산) 조성사업

Title: Children's (Youth) Peace Forest

목적: 미국 및 남북한의 청소년(어린이)들과 함께 어린이평화의숲을 조성하여 한반도에 환경 보존 및 평화 구축에 기여함.

Objective: American, North and South Korean youth work together to reforest North Korea (DPRK) in an effort to protect the environment and help bring peace to the region.

어린이평화의숲(동산)설립 정신 : 정치를 넘어, 분쟁을 넘어, 국경을 넘어, 이데올로기를 넘어,

전 세계인과 어린이들에게 희망을 심어준다.

The motto of this Children's Peace Forest: Above politics, Above conflicts, Above borders, Above ideology , It's all about giving hope to people and children around the world.

我的想法为这个儿童和平森林的座右铭：超越政治, 超越冲突, 超越国界, 超越思想

所有这些都是关于给世界各地人民和儿童带来希望。

장소: 판문점(DMZ)

주요 사업 방향: Major project direction:

판문점어린이평화의숲(동산) 조성

북한 삼림 복구에 필요한 유실수(밤나무 등)지원.

Provide food bearing trees (i.e., chestnut) to reforest North Korea (DPRK) - Children's (Youth) Peace Forest

북한에 세계청소년환경연대 구성 및 추진 지원.

Create a branch of I.C.E.Y. (International Cooperation of Environmental Youth) in North Korea (DPRK) and then continue to support their efforts.

북한 청소년들의 환경교육에 필요한 자료와 물자지원.

Cooperate together in making environmental educational materials for the North Korean (DPRK) youth.

August 9, 2010

His Excellency, Hu Jintao

President of the People's Republic of China

9 Xinhuang-Chenggen Beijie

Beijing, People's Republic of China

尊敬的胡锦涛主席，

我叫Jonathan，是一个13岁的美国男孩。我还是一个人道主义的环境组织I.C.E.Y. - H.O.P.E. （国际青年环境合作组织）的创始人。我将去朝鲜建议主席金正日在板门店（非军事区）创建一个儿童和平森林。

你也许会奇怪，为什么在当前这种局势下一个13岁美国男孩想去朝鲜。在过去3年里我一直在倡导在朝鲜种植板栗树，原因是我想帮助改善环境，同时也帮助大家。现在时机成熟，因为朝鲜半岛的人民都渴望和平。
　

我是半个韩国人，但是直到我遇到了诺贝尔和平奖得主，去年去世的韩国前总统金大中，才对朝鲜有所了解。金大中先生留给我最深刻的印象是他对韩国和朝鲜之间实现和平的希望。由于当前的局势，我一直在学习有关朝鲜战争和日本占领朝鲜半岛的历史。

朝鲜半岛已经分裂了60年，这期间双方一直处于对峙状态。两国的儿童从未谋面或者互动。我个人认为这是不正常的。所以，我想建议，朝鲜金正日主席，韩国李明博总统，美国总统奥巴马和您--胡锦涛主席，支持在板门店的非军事区创建一个儿童和平森林。

我的想法为这个儿童和平森林的座右铭：

（超越政治）

（超越冲突）

（超越国界）

（超越思想）

所有这些都是关于给世界各地人民和儿童带来希望。

对我来说中国是一个很特殊的地方，因为那是我的父母相遇的地方，我的生命也从那里开始。你的支持对我十分重要。我知道中国一直是朝鲜和韩国的强大支持者。

很多人可能会说，这没有希望，要做到这一点有太多的冲突。但是，我看到了朝鲜半岛的希望，你呢？

真诚的

国际青年环境合作组织创始人

Jonathan Lee

Founder of I.C.E.Y. - H.O.P.E

www.iceyhope.org

August 9, 2010

His Excellency, Hu Jintao

President of People's Republic of China

9 Xihuang-Chenggen Beijie

Beijing, People's Republic of China

Dear President Hu Jintao,

My name is Jonathan and I'm a thirteen year old boy from the United States. I'm the founder of a humanitarian environmental group named I.C.E.Y. - H.O.P.E. (International Cooperation of Environmental Youth). I am going to North Korea to suggest that Chairman Kim Jung Il create a Children's Peace Forest in Panmunjom (DMZ).

You may be wondering why a thirteen year old boy wants to go into North Korea, especially right now when there are a lot of problems. Well, I've been talking about planting chestnut trees in North Korea for the past three years. The reason I have is because I want to help the environment and help the people at the same time. Now is the right time because everyone wants peace right now on the Korean peninsula.

I am half-Korean, but I didn't know much about North Korea until I met the Nobel Peace Laureate, former President Kim Dae Jung, who passed away last year. He impressed me about his want for peace between the two Koreas. Because of the current situation, I've been studying about the Korean War and the Japanese occupation of Korea for a while now.

Korea has been divided for 60 years and has been officially at war during this time. The children of these countries have never met or interacted with each other. Personally, I don't think this is right. So, I'd like to suggest that leaders from both Koreas (President Lee Myung Bak and Chairman Kim Jung Il) along with the U.S. President Barack Obama, you, Mr. President Hu Jintao and G-20, to support the creation of a Children's Peace Forest in Panmunjom in the DMZ as a sign of peace for the children.

My idea for the motto of this Children's Peace Forest:

Above politics
Above conflicts
Above borders
Above ideology
It's all about giving hope to people and children around the world.

China is a special place for me because it's where my parents met and where my life began. It would mean a lot to me if you would support this effort. I know China is a strong supporter of both North and South Korea.

Many people may say that there's no hope and there's too much conflict for this to happen. But, I see hope on the Korean peninsula and I ask for your help and support. May God bless you!

Sincerely,

Jonathan Lee

Founder of I.C.E.Y. - H.O.P.E

www.iceyhope.org

August 9, 2010

President Barack Obama

The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Obama,

My name is Jonathan and I'm a thirteen year old boy from Mississippi. I'm the founder of a humanitarian environmental group named I.C.E.Y. - H.O.P.E. (International Cooperation of Environmental Youth). The reason for this letter is because I am going to North Korea to suggest that Chairman Kim Jung Il create a Children's Peace Forest in Panmunjom (DMZ).

I am a half-Korean American, but I didn't know much about North Korea until I met the Nobel Peace Laureate, former President Kim Dae Jung, who passed away last year. He impressed me about his want for peace between the two Koreas. Because of the current situation, I've been studying about the Korean War and the Japanese occupation of Korea for a while now.

Korea has been divided for 60 years and has been officially at war during this time. The children of these countries have never met or interacted with each other. Personally, I don't think this is right. So, I'd like to suggest that leaders from both Koreas (President Lee Myung Bak and Chairman Kim Jung Il) along with you, Mr. President, China's President Hu Jintao and G-20, to support the creation of a Children's Peace Forest in Panmunjom in the DMZ as a sign of peace for the children.

My idea for the motto of this Children's Peace Forest:

Above politics
Above conflicts
Above borders
Above ideology
It's all about giving hope to people and children around the world.

I am proud to be American because historically, America is for freedom. President Lincoln fought for the freedom of all Americans and tried to bring peace to the North and the South during the Civil War.

Many people may say that there's no hope and there's too much conflict for this to happen. But, I see hope on the Korean peninsula and I ask for your help and support. May God bless you!

Sincerely,

Jonathan Lee

Founder of I.C.E.Y. - H.O.P.E.

www.iceyhope.org

August 9, 2010

Dear President Lee,

My name is Jonathan and I met you last year in August on Korean Independence Day. As you may know, I'm the founder of a humanitarian environmental group named I.C.E.Y. - H.O.P.E. (International Cooperation of Environmental Youth). The reason for this letter is because I am going to North Korea to suggest that Chairman Kim Jung Il create a Children's Peace Forest in Panmunjom (DMZ).

You may be wondering why a thirteen year old boy from the U.S. wants to go into North Korea, especially right now when there are a lot of problems. Well, I've been talking about planting chestnut trees in North Korea for the past three years. The reason I have is because I want to help the environment and help the people at the same time. Now is the right time because everyone wants peace right now on the Korean peninsula.

Because of the current situation, I've been studying about the Korean War and the Japanese occupation of Korea for a while now. Korea has been divided for 60 years and has been officially at war during this time. The children of these countries have never met or interacted with each other. Personally, I don't think this is right. So, I'd like to suggest that leaders from both Koreas (you, Mr. President and Chairman Kim Jung Il) along with U.S. President Barack Obama, China's President Hu Jintao and G-20, to support the creation of a Children's Peace Forest in Panmunjom in the DMZ as a sign of peace for the children.

My idea for the motto of this Children's Peace Forest:

Above politics
Above conflicts
Above borders
Above ideology
It's all about giving hope to people and children around the world.

I'm proud to have Korean heritage and I hope for peace between the two countries. Peace for the people of Korea, but also for the children, the innocent ones. Many people may say that there's no hope and there's too much conflict for this to happen. But, I see hope on the Korean peninsula and I ask for your help and support. May God bless you!

Sincerely,

Jonathan Lee

Founder of I.C.E.Y. - H.O.P.E.

www.iceyhope.org

Dear Leader Kim,

My name is Jonathan Lee and I am a 13 year old Korean-American. I'm the founder of a humanitarian

environmental group named I.C.E.Y. - H.O.P.E. (International Cooperation of Environmental Youth). The reason for this letter is because I am going to the DPRK to suggest my wish of a Children's Peace Forest in Panmunjom (DMZ).

You may be wondering why a thirteen year old boy from the U.S. wants to go into your country, especially right now when there are a lot of problems. Well, I've been talking about planting chestnut trees in DPRK for the past three years. The reason I have is because I want to help the environment and help the people at the same time. Now is the right time because everyone wants peace right now on the Korean peninsula.

I am half-Korean, but I didn't know much about the problems on the Korean peninsula until I met the Nobel Peace Laureate, former President Kim Dae Jung. He impressed me about his want for peace between the two Koreas. He told me about the June 15 agreement and his Sunshine Policy. He gave me a Sunshine Policy pen that I use when I sign important papers, like this letter. He promised he would take me with him the next time he went to the DPRK, but sadly he passed away last year. I'd like to carry on his dream.

Because of the current situation, I've been studying about the Korean War and especially the Japanese occupation of the Korean peninsula for a while now. As you know, Korea has been divided for 60 years and has been officially at war during this time. The children of these countries have never met or interacted with each other. I think this is sad. So, I'd like to suggest that leaders from both Koreas (you, Dear Leader Kim and President Lee Myung Bak) along with U.S. President Barack Obama, China's President Hu Jintao and G-20, to support the creation of a Children's Peace Forest in Panmunjom in the DMZ as a sign of peace for the children.

My idea for the motto of this Children's Peace Forest:

Above politics
Above conflicts
Above borders
Above ideology
It's all about giving hope to people and children around the world.

I'm proud of my Chosun (Korean) heritage and I hope for peace between the two countries. Peace for the people of Korea, but also for the children. Many people may say that there's no hope and there's too much conflict for this to happen. But, I see hope on the Korean peninsula and I ask for your help and support. May God bless you!

Sincerely,

Jonathan Lee

Founder of I.C.E.Y. - H.O.P.E.