The Grand March for Life and Peace concluded last night with a rousing rally in Jeju City along the sea wall (that reminds one of the Malecón in Havana).As our east team met the west team in the center of the city each side carried one of two large banners depicting wooden totems that now stand in front of the peace center in Gangjeong village. The two banners were brought into the busy traffic clogged intersection and symbolically joined. From there the two merged teams walked the last few miles to the rally site. The totem banners were erected onto the large stage and as dark came, and the stage lights hit the banners, the beautiful colors came alive in a brilliant display. I was very moved to stand on that stage and deliver the message representing the international guests.
As you can see in the short video above, taken of the west team during a storm, not even a down pour bothered the walkers. Very few pulled out umbrellas or raincoats – most just keep moving along to the music coming from the sound trucks.
There is so much to say about this walk including the many things I learned and about the Korean people that we had the great fortune to meet during these days. I will likely write a series of posts, with many more photos, in the coming days as time and the words make themselves available to me.
In the meantime I must say thank you to all our new friends and co-walkers for this incredible experience. Despite the fun and the excitement of the walk what must come first is the reminder that the people in South Korea are witnessing their democracy being dismantledeach day by the right-wing Park government. They are seeing their country, already long a US military colony, become even more so as Washington rushes to prepare for war with China and Russia.
People here, like in Okinawa and Guam, know they are a prime target in a conflict because of the US bases on their islands. They are doing all they can NOW while they still can. They wonder why people in the US and in Europe are largely so silent and inactive when it comes to the massive expansion of the US-NATO war machine into the Asia-Pacific (including new NATO partnership agreements with South Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand).
In my short talk last night I told the hundreds who were assembled at the final rally the story of our protest in Bath, Maine last June when 12 of us (Zumwalt 12) were arrested at the Bath Iron Works shipyard for blocking the road and gate into the ‘christening’ ceremony for a new warship. I said that warship was likely to visit Gangjeong village at some point. I told the people that they inspired us in Maine to act – in fact five of the 12 of us who were arrested have been to Gangjeong village over the past few years. I said we’d continue to support them into the future.
The only way we can prevent WW III is to become bolder during this dangerous time of military expansion and the drowning of democracy. The people of Korea who have come to Jeju Island in large numbers (union members, human rights activists, peaceniks, parents of the Sewol ferry students killed in that terrible accident, Korea Green Party members, priests & nuns, environmentalists, and community leaders) are showing that it is possible to build effective coalitions in order to protect democracy, peace and our Mother Earth.
We all have much to learn from the biggest little village on the planet called Gangjeong.Bruce
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See Bruce K. Gagnon’s records on the march (Click the words)
VFP members Ken Jones (left), Bruce Gagnon (center) and Will Griffin (right) remembering the two Korean-American women who were to lead our trip to Korea but were denied entry into the country due to their work against US deployments of the THAAD ‘missile defense’ system here that will be aimed at China and Russia.
We gathered at the new Navy base front gate this morning just after 8:00 am in order to get registered for the six-day peace walk around Jeju Island, South Korea. Many in the crowd walked down an entry road to the main gate that of course was blocked off with higher than normal security standing guard while military music blasted out for all to hear.
It was sad to see the new base housing for military personnel and their families and to get a glimpse of the warship docks. I was imagining very soon that US Navy destroyers, nuclear submarines, and aircraft carriers will be ported there. Gangjeong village has a population of 2,000 people and there are expected to be anywhere from 3,000-7,000 navy personnel based here at some point. And then figure in the many hundreds of sailors on visiting warships. This once quiet fishing and farming community will be torn asunder even more than it already has been.
Gangjeong villagers though have proven to be determined and resilient during this 10-year non-violent struggle to oppose the Navy base. Before we began walking this morning a news conference was held right in front of the main gate and the village Mayor Cho Kyung Cheol said that “People in the village have been treated like dogs and pigs” by the Navy and the government. He spoke of even more lawsuits being filed by the government and Samsung (the lead base construction contractor) seeking $3 million in ‘damages’ against the village and 116 persons in the village (and their supporters) because they allegedly impeded the construction process. One activist called the fines “A new form of oppression” against the village.
Former Mayor Kang reminded the walkers of the “dignity of nature” and said, “We will continue to work to stop the Navy base. We remember the people all over the country, and around the world, who have helped us. The Navy base will help lead to war.”
Six hundred people registered for the peace walk with two teams evenly divided – one heading East and the other West. The international guests (from Taiwan, New Zealand, US, Japan, Philippines and Ireland) were split between the two teams. Our Veterans For Peace delegation is with the east team.
We walked 11.5 miles today in the high heat and the hot top (what Boston folks call the asphalt) only made it worse – sort of like walking for six hours through a steam room. Everyone was sweating but it was remarkable to see our large group stay together the whole way – especially so because many families came from the Korean mainland and brought their small children and they walked the entire way.
The food was prepared by teams of volunteers back in Gangjeong village and trucked out to us for lunch and dinner. During breaks and lunch the iconic Catholic priest Fr. Mun joined us hobbling around with his cane but still inspiring people as he as done in virtually every progressive movement in South Korea for many, many years.
Legendary Catholic priest Fr. Mun
A van with a sound system (which included three speakers on top and two big ones in the back of the van) led the walk with its back door open blasting music to keep us singing and dancing to popular movement songs – many of which I recognized from previous trips to Korea. Now and then people were handed the microphone as we walked and asked to speak. I got a turn and told the story about the recent arrests in Bath, Maine when the Zumwalt 12 blocked the road and a gate at the June ‘christening’ of another Navy destroyer at the Bath Iron Works shipyard. I told people that before we did our action we read a statement of solidarity from Gangjeong village. (The Zumwalt 12 will go through arraignment on August 2 in the West Bath court, I obviously won’t be there. Our lawyer will offer my ‘not guilty’ plea on my behalf.)
Jeju is a tourist haven during the summer so the traffic was heavy while we walked today. We walked along the beautiful ocean, through small villages, and through a densely populated city – even spending at least an hour taking up one lane in a very busy four-lane highway. So we are being seen – it’s really quite a sight to see a couple hundred people singing and dancing with their yellow shirts and flags flapping in the breeze.
I am glad to be here – sun burnt, sore feet, but soaring heart. There is only one way that we might be able to stop the crazy US imperial war machine and that is by organizing global protests and taking the war and peace issue directly to the people. It’s an honor to be part of this peace walk.
Bruce
Walking for Peace on Jeju Island
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See Bruce K. Gagnon’s records on the march (Click the words)
For 2016 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace ‘Peace,’ go to here.
This is the summary translation from the Korean site, here. Thanks so much, Tom and Nanch’o for translations.
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2016 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace ‘Peace, ‘ East route’
Seogwipo Cathedral
The 1st Annual International Peace Film Festival in Gangjeong (April 24-28, 2016) held its festival opening in this cathedral. In fact, Seogwipo Art Hall had been originally planned as the location for those opening events. However, due to the influence of conservative political bias, Seogwipo City officials suddenly reneged on their agreement to allow the festival to use that public venue, creating a last-minute controversy that not only jeopardized the opening but also for several screenings. It was thanks to the swift response of Bishop Kang Woo-il and others in the Jeju Catholic Diocese that the location was quickly moved, allowing the festival to proceed as planned. An estimated 1,000 people attended the film festival, which was widely praised for its innovative and politically courageous programming.
Wimi
Proposed site for the Jeju Naval Base before the irregular and undemocratic measures that resulted in the change of the base’s location to Gangjeong
Sinsan-ri, Onpyeong-ri, Seongsan-eup
Sites related to the ongoing protest movement opposing the construction of a second Jeju airport in Seongsan
Gwangchgi beach, Seongsan
Massacre site where roughly 400 island residents were killed by conservative paramilitary forces, during the suppression of the April 3rd Uprising that began in 1948. This location is associated with both the trauma of civilian massacres and also with its erasure in public memory during subsequent years through censorship and touristic development.
Cheju Haenyeo anti-Japanese movement
Cheju Haenyeo anti-Japanese movement of the early 1930s, which is regarded as an embodiment of the strength and independence of Jeju women, as the haenyeo were the only women in Korea to lead a resistance movement against Japanese domination during the period of colonial occupation (1910-1945)
Hado Migratory Birds Habitat
A shelter for thousands of migratory birds – including the endangered Black-faced spoonbill; this estuary region was designated by the Ministry of Enivornment as an ecological reserve where biodiversity has been undergoing restoration as the habitat for falcons, hawks and even eagles.
Woljeongni Beach
Woljeongni Beach: This is one of Jeju’s beautiful beaches, which are famed for aquamarine waters and white sands. However, the charm surrounding such places of natural beauty in Jeju are steadily being lost due to reckless overdevelopment on the island. Although the local economy should be supported, development must be sustainable so as not to risk the natural environment which allows all life to thrive.
Neobunsungi ~ Bukchon
Surrounded by pine trees, this 4.3 massacre site is where government forces massacred Bukchon villagers, after hauling them off to the Bukchon elementary school before their execution. A total of 412 villagers were unjustly killed and forgotten until the tragedy was finally brought to public attention through the historical novel “Aunt Suni,” written by Hyun, Ki-young and first published in 1979.
2016 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace ‘Peace, ‘ West route
Gangjeong Stream
A stream to the east of Gangjeong Village is a stream which, unlike Jeju’s regular streams, has clear water flowing all year round. 70% of Seogwipo City’s drinking water is sourced from this stream. It stretches a total of 16km and includes 7 ponds, 6 bridges and 13 waterfalls, and is surrounded by rugged cliffs and pine trees. It is home to the in other regions rare to see sweetfish and sometimes you can catch a glimpse of flocks of the flying Mandarin duck, natural monument no. 327. It is a place where beautiful natural scenery and clear water come together to provide relief in summer to countless vacationers who seek relief from the heat.
Jungmun Tourist Resort
Sedal-dong, Jungmin-dong and Depo-dong in Seogwipo City were constructed from 1978 according to the Comprehensive Development Plan for Jeju. It spans a total of 3.562 square km and mainly consists of accommodation facilities (tourist hotels, condominiums, etc), business facilities, leisure/sports facilities, tourist gardens, golf courses and the like.
Most businesses in this area were farmlands for the local villagers, but in the 1970s the military government pushed through by development by forcing owners to sell their land at dirt-cheap prices. There is still controversy even today over development which is pushed through with detrimental effect to the environment and landscape.
Hwasun Town Coast
The first place where controversy over the construction of naval base Jeju erupted was in Hwasun in Andeok township. The Korean Navy announced its plan to build a base there in 2002. In response to this, Hwasun residents organized alongside the Hwasun Naval Base Opposition Committee to oppose the Navy’s plans. Because of the strong opposition, the Navy deferred its decision.
Cemetery of Unnamed Victims of the Korean War
This cemetery is located in a wide 벌 in Sagye Village, Andeok Township. Where the suppression of the April 3 Uprising came to an end on 20 August 1952 when 132 villagers from across the island were rounded up in the name of preventative detention of impure element and massacred in nearby Seotal Oreum in Dejeongeup, Songaksan, a former Japanese military munitions dump.
Alddeureu Airfield & Japanese Military Hangars
Located in Moseulpo and used by the military of Japanese occupation and was constructed by the forced labor of Jeju islanders, control tower, anti-aircraft battery, airplane hangars and fortified caves still remain. First constructed at a size of 594,000㎡ in 1935 to launch attacks against the Chinese mainland, it was expanded to 1,320,000㎡ in 1945.
Geumneung Euteumwon Beach
White sand beach in Geummeung Village, Hallim Town. Even children can enjoy this beach as the water is not deep, and you can see a magnificent view of the sun setting with Biyang Island in the backdrop. So it is a famous place for families and vacationers to visit all year round.
Tamla Offshore Windpark Development Area
Jeju has always been an island of plentiful wind. Of course this has also problems for those working on the sea or farms. These days the wind the made life harder for the people of Jeju is being harnessed as a new source of energy and a lot of capital is being invested in its development. Of course it is also controversial due to the impact it is having on the environment and scenery and so there is opposition to its development from the local people.
Weoldae Stream
Also known as Waedo Stream, this stream flows from Waedo-2-dong located on the northwestern coast of Jeju Island and into the ocean. Surrounded by more than 500-year-old nettle trees and more than 250-year-old pine trees, on moonlight nights you can see the beautiful sight of the sparkle of moonlight on the water.
Photo by Oum Mun-hee
# A more peaceful way of marching for peace! Shall we try to stick to this? #
Don’tlet people know that you have slept in gymnasiums!
– After you wake, we hope everyone will clean up their personal belongings, the floor, and our sleeping areas together.
Find a tap! Refill your water bottle!
– Make sure you don’t throw away your water bottle as we’ll distribute one bottle per person each day! Make sure you fill up your water bottle. Jeju tap water is fine to drink.
Please make sure not to have left-over food on your plate
– In order not to let any food go to waste, take only as much as you can eat! (If any food is left over, we encourage you to help eat it up.)
The safety team is not a scary police line, but our lifeline
– So that there are no accidents during the march, please follow the leadership of the safety team. (If an accident occurs, it could not only be a major problem but could cause a lot of pain :’-()
NO Smoking! Especially NO intoxicated dancing and singing!
– The accommodation and rest areas we’ll be staying at are mostly schools, village gymnasiums and the like.
– Please be careful not to damage any public facilities and we ask you not to smoke or consume alcohol inside these facilities.
The medical support team is closer than your lover or your friend at only one-minute away
– A heat wave has been forecast for the period of the march. The medical support team will always be by your side.
