The Korean Peace Memorial in Marpi, Saipan.
MVA photo
(MVA) — From the ashes of centuries marked by conflict and war not of its making, The Marianas archipelago has emerged to settle serenely in the western Pacific as a beacon of peace and healing for a torn world.
Settled nearly 4,000 years ago, The Marianas and the many peoples who have lived on its shores have endured hardships and death in many forms through the centuries. Yet, the islands have unexpectedly found themselves having gained a reputation as a destination offering peace, healing, and a message of peace and hope for future generations.
“One of the greatest qualities of the people of The Marianas has always been our resilience, whether that be through centuries of colonization, foreign diseases that decimated our indigenous population, forced relocations from our own islands, super typhoons, and most tragically in modern history — the ravages of World War II,” said Marianas Visitors Authority Managing Director Jamika R. Taijeron. “And yet, through the centuries and through it all, we have remained what we call today ‘Marianas Strong.’ Not only that, we have cultivated a spirit of peace and community that many people are struck by when they visit. Today The Marianas welcomes people from across the globe to work, live, and visit our beautiful islands. Over 20 ethnicities from around the world live here in harmony today, and we welcome anyone who is looking for the same…a sense of peace, the place to heal, and to an opportunity to regain strength and fortitude.”
This month The Marianas community commemorates two significant moments in World War II history tied to the islands — the Aug. 6 bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, by B-29 bombers launched from the island of Tinian and the Aug. 15 liberation of Korea and thousands of Korean citizens forcibly relocated to The Marianas by Japan — who had managed the islands under a League of Nations mandate — to serve as indentured servants.
From 1910 to 1945, Korea was under Japanese colonial rule.
A commemoration ceremony attended by international officials was held on Tinian on Aug. 6. On Saturday, Aug. 9, the South Korea KBS1’s documentary “Walking into the World” — supported by MVA — recounted the history of thousands of Koreans who were forcibly conscripted to perform labor, including the construction of military facilities, the transport of ammunition, and serving as comfort women. On Tinian alone, it is estimated that approximately 5,000 Koreans lost their lives.
“Americans, Japanese, Koreans, and our own indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian people — no one escaped the horrors of the war on our shores,” said Taijeron. “It’s important to remember the lessons of the past so we don’t repeat them. So every year we join together in numerous memorial ceremonies to pay our respects those who died during the war and to pray for world peace. This year we commemorate 80 years of peace in our islands, and we welcome all who wish to join with us in remembrance and healing.”
Individuals wishing to learn more about Korea’s historical presence Saipan and Tinian can do so through the new Korea history guidebook “Korean History Rediscovered Overseas (Saipan and Tinian)” by Professor Seo Kyung-duk of Sungshin Women’s University, also available for public viewing in the reception area of Saipan World Resort in Susupe, Saipan.
