In South Korea, the Normandy Region was the guest of honour at the Incheon International Peace and Security Forum, celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Incheon Landing.
On 15 September 1950, in the midst of the Korean War, the city of Incheon, then under North Korean control, was the scene of a major amphibious landing led by UN forces. This strategic operation aimed to open a second front, complementing the one in Busan, in order to launch a counter-offensive towards the north. It is in light of this historical link that relations between the city of Incheon and Normandy have been forged since 2017.
During the Incheon International Peace and Security Forum, a special session was devoted to the Normandy for Peace initiative and the Normandy Region's commitment to promoting the values of peace and freedom, particularly among young people.
This special session explored three main themes: highlighting Normandy's commitment to building peace for tomorrow, mobilising young people by learning from the past, and questioning the place of memory in France and Normandy, from history to contemporary issues.
A discussion moderated by Xavier Chemisseur (editor-in-chief of France 24), with François-Xavier Priollaud (Vice-President of the Normandy Region, responsible for European and international affairs), Frédérique Bedos (founder of the NGO Le Projet Imagine), and Kléber ARHOUL (Director of the Caen Memorial).
This international forum also included the official signing of the Incheon Declaration on Peace and Solidarity, which calls for the building of lasting peace. It is this joint ambition that the city of Incheon and the Normandy Region are pursuing together, with a shared desire to continue strengthening cooperation in the service of peace.
