Sad News, Peace Figure Peter Woods Passes Away

Peace-loving communities on the Korean Peninsula are in mourning. Peter Woods, one of the key figures behind it passed away after undergoing treatment at a hospital in Sydney on Thursday, 9 June 2022.

This sad news was conveyed for the first time by the Secretary of the Australia-Korea Friendship Society, Sydney Branch, Anne Conlon, in her email to other key APRCPRK figures.

"Dear Friends and Comrades of Peter Woods. I am so sorry to have to tell you that Peter Woods passed away yesterday. His condition took a turn for worse and he was returned to intensive care on life support," wrote Anne.

He added that Peter's family was by his side when he was gone for good.

"It is a shock for all of us and such a huge loss. A brilliant mind and an exceptional person taken from us far too soon. Let's all grieve and celebrate his life together," said Anne.

The sad news conveyed by Anne was welcomed by the Chair of the Indonesia-Korea Friendship Association and Cultural Exchange, Teguh Santosa, who expressed his deep condolences for Peter's passing.

"I am so sad receiving this email. May you rest in peace, Peter," said Teguh, who then shared the sad news with peace-loving friends.

For Teguh Santosa, this is the second major loss in one year. Almost a year ago, the founder of the Indonesia-Korea Friendship Association and Cultural Exchange, Rachmawati Soekarnoputri, also passed away.

At the time of his death, Peter Woods was a Co-Chairperson and Director of the Executive Bureau of the Asia Pacific Committee for Peaceful Reunification of Korea (APRCPRK). He is also listed as one of the Co-Chairpersons of the Organizing Committee of International Festival in Praise of Great Persons of Mt. Paektu (OCIFPGPP).

Peter Woods is also the National Patron of the Australia-DPRK Friendship and Cultural Society.

"Oh my God, this is so shocking. Please let's find a way to send our condolences to his family. Such a sad news. I'm short of words. Not sure where to start. May his soul rest in peace," said Damian Ogbona who is a co-chair of OCIFPGPP.

One of Peter Woods' close friends, Javed Ansari from Pakistan, said he was shocked by this sad news.

"His services as co-chairperson of OCIFPGPP and APRCPRK will illuminate to the generations to come," wrote Javed.

"As a man of devotion to the progressive movement and the sympathizer of the Have-nots, and to support and solidarity with the People's Korea, his services will ever be remembered and will ever remain alive in the hearts and minds of those who know him and were well aware of his dedicated services for the greater cause of independent and peaceful reunification of Korea and further more disscimination and propagation of the classical works of the Great Persons of Mt paektu furthering the noble aim of OCIFPGPP," he continued.

Peter Woods' last appearance was at the OCIFPGPP meeting which was held virtually from Jakarta.

At that time Peter Woods and Damian Ogbona led the meeting.

As usual, Peter Woods is a charismatic leader and has good communication skills between nations. He is able to control the course of the meeting so as to produce constructive decisions.

"He was indeed a very revered and renowned politician. His remarkable work for Peace, freedom and Justice and to support people's Korea are great assets for supporters and friends of DPRK. We share the grief of the family members and friends of late lemanted soul. We the friends of the great soul vow that we shall do our best to fulfill his mission to support the peaceful reunification of Korea more enthusiastically," said Javed.