Save Jeju Now

No War Base on the Island of Peace

  • Statement Opposing U.S.-South Korea Joint Military Exercises Key Resolve Foal Eagle: Stop War Games, Start Peace Talks

    Stop Key Exercise
    Source: SPARK/ The large size annual US-ROK war exercise started on March 1. The SPARK (Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea) said.
    “The biggest problem of the Key Resolve/ Foal Eagle this time is that it could bring the Korean peninsula being at the risk of war. The war exercise this time is more aggressive than ever…After the North Korea conducted nuclear test, the ROK-US ministries of defense made an agreement that the ROK-US war excise could be an actual pressure against North Korea by expanding and strengthening it.. All the aggressive arms are mobilized; such as the George Washington, US nuclear aircraft carrier, F-22, B-52 that were not mobilized last year… President Obama declared on strengthening MD against North Korea and the Ministry of National Defense said it would establish ‘Kill Chain,’ a preemptive attack strategy. That shows the military exercise is to openly become an aggressive military strategy… The Korean peninsula was laid at the risk of war crisis even in days after a new President, Park Geun-Hye was inaugurated. If she wants peace, she should stop the Key Resolve war exercise and start dialogue.”
    See more photos here.
    # About Key Resolve/ Foal Eagle War exercise
    The Foal Eagle exercises are scheduled to continue until Apr. 30. The Key Resolve command post exercises (CPX) are also scheduled to take place over a two-week period from Mar. 11 to 21. (Source)
    The Foal Eagle exercise is composed of 20 coalition and joint outdoor training such as large size landing training and ROK-US munitions support, air, maritime, special operation training. About 200,000 South Korean personnel from the army corps, fleet command headquarter, flight units and 10,000 US military personnel from the army, navy, air, marine units mostly reinforced from the overseas could join. (Source)

     

     

    The below is a re-post from the War Is Crime

     

    Statement Opposing U.S.-South Korea Joint Military Exercises Key Resolve Foal Eagle

    Stop War Games, Start Peace Talks

    The Korean War, known in the United States as “The Forgotten War,” has never ended.  Every year, the United States stages a series of massive joint war games with its ally, South Korea (ROK).  These coordinated exercises are both virtual and real.  Among other things, they practice live fire drills and simulate the invasion of North Korea—including first-strike options.

    While we – peace, human rights, faith-based, environmental, and Korean solidarity activists– are deeply concerned about North Korea’s third nuclear weapons test, we also oppose the U.S.-ROK joint war games as adding to the dangerous cycle of escalation of tensions on the Korean peninsula.  North Korea views these war games as an act of provocation and threat of invasion like that which we have witnessed in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Libya and routinely condemns these maneuvers as aimed at “bring[ing] down the DPRK by force” and forcing it to“bolster up the war deterrent physically.”  South Korean activists also decry the role of these war games in the hostile perpetuation of the division of the Korean peninsula and are often persecuted for their protests under South Korea’s draconian National Security Law.

    The U.S.-ROK “Key Resolve” and “Foal Eagle” annual war games, usually staged in March, and “Ulchi Freedom Guardian” in August, typically last for months and involve tens of thousands of U.S. troops stationed in South Korea and deployed from the United States, as well as hundreds of thousands of their ROK counterparts.  U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, and Space Command forces will participate in these exercises and practice scenarios including the removal of North Korea’s leadership, occupation of Pyeongyang, and reunification of the peninsula under U.S. and South Korean control.

    In South Korea, peace and reunification groups have long opposed these war games. They have called for peninsula-wide demilitarization entailing the eventual removal of U.S. troops. As one organization puts it, “Unless and until US forces are completely and permanently withdrawn from South Korea, it will be impossible to establish peace on the Korean peninsula.”

    We call upon the U.S. and South Korean governments to stop the costly and provocative war games and take proactive steps to deescalate the current tensions on the Korean peninsula.

    The Perils of the U.S. Pivot

    In the past five years, hard-won efforts by the Korean people to ease North-South tensions have been reversed. Through its massive military buildup across the region, the United States has amplified regional tensions.  Recent years have been witness to North Korea’s nuclear and missile tests, increasing nationalism and militarism in Japan (the world’s sixth greatest military spender), and a host of increasingly militarized territorial disputes.  The global Cold War may have ended 20 years ago, but as the recent round of U.S.-led sanctions on the DPRK and threat of a third DPRK nuclear weapons “test” illustrate, the anachronism remains alive and well on the Korean peninsula.

    Crisis on the Korean peninsula furnishes a rationale for U.S. militarization of the region, and the Pentagon has committed to deploy 60% of its air and naval forces to Asia and the Pacific to reinforce its air sea battle doctrine.  Announced as the “pivot” of U.S. military resources to Asia and the Pacific, President Obama’s policy, which necessitates more training areas, runways, ports of call, and barracks for the massive shift of U.S. military forces, disregards the impact of militarization on the lives of ordinary people in the region.

    The disastrous ecological and human costs of this “pivot” are acutely apparent in the current construction of a naval base on Jeju, an “island of peace” in South Korea known for having the planet’s densest concentration of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Once celebrated for its pristine beauty and sea-based culture, Gangjeong, a 450-year-old fishing and farming village is being torn to shreds by the South Korean government in collaboration with the United States, which can freely use any ROK military installation.  Base construction crews are dredging acres of world-class, bio-diverse coral habitats and covering them with concrete.  The obliteration of these coastal ecosystems also destroys the millennia-old livelihoods of the villagers, 94% of whom voted against the base in a local referendum.  Gangjeong villagers are watching their heritage, economy, vibrant local culture, spiritual center, and very core of their identity collapse into rubble.

    This same multi-facted people’s struggle is being played out in many places across the Asia-Pacific. Within President Obama’s “pivot” policy, U.S. bases in South Korea, Japan, Okinawa, Hawaii, and Guam are ever more important.  Moreover, his administration has been pressing hard to open up previously closed U.S. bases in geostrategically vital nations such as Vietnam and the Philippines.

    This year marks the 60th anniversary of the July 27, 1953 Armistice Agreement that brought the combat phase of the Korean War to a temporary halt but did not end the war.  The Armistice Agreement stipulated that a peace agreement be realized within three months and that negotiations take place for the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Korea.  Over the past several decades, North Korea, often portrayed in mainstream media as an irrational rogue state, has repeatedly requested peace negotiations with the United States.  Yet today, we station nearly 30,000 military personnel and operate over 40 military bases on the Korean peninsula.  We have spent the past 60 years living not in a post-war era, but under a ceasefire whose consequences are borne most acutely by the Korean people.  On this anniversary of the irresolution of the Korean War, the longest conflict the United States has been involved in, we as human rights, Korean solidarity, faith-based, peace, and environmental organizations call for attention to the human and ecological costs of permanent war as the modus vivendi of U.S.-Korean relations.  Efforts that promote increased militarization and conflict and the destruction of the rich biodiversity in Korea are immoral and go against universally shared values of building peace, caring for Earth, and respecting the human dignity and worth of every person.

    Resolution for Peace

    We, the undersigned peace, human rights, faith-based, environmental, and Korean solidarity activists, call upon the U.S.-ROK governments to cancel their dangerous and costly war games against North Korea.

    We strongly urge the United States to turn to diplomacy for common and human security rather than militarization, which will only undermine regional and U.S. security.  We further request that the Obama administration focus its strategic shift to the Asia region on finding diplomatic and peaceful solutions to conflict, and building cooperation with all nations in the region, including China, DPRK, and Russia.

    On this anniversary of the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice Agreement, which several decades ago called for a peaceful resolution to the Korean War, we join with our peace-minded brothers and sisters in Korea and call on the Obama administration to deescalate the current tensions and do its part in realizing “Year One of Peace” on the Korean Peninsula.

    Working Group for Peace and Demilitarization in Asia and the Pacific

     

    Christine Ahn, Gretchen Alther, Rev. Levi Bautista, Jackie Cabasso, Herbert Docena, John Feffer, Bruce Gagnon, Joseph Gerson, Subrata Goshoroy, Mark Harrison, Christine Hong, Kyle Kajihiro, Peter Kuznick, Hyun Lee, Ramsay Liem, Andrew Lichterman, John Lindsay-Poland, Ngo Vinh Long, Stephen McNeil, Nguyet Nguyen, Satoko Norimatsu, Koohan Paik, Mike Prokosh, Juyeon JC Rhee, Arnie Sakai, Tim Shorrock, Alice Slater, David Vine, Sofia Wolman, Kevin Martin, Amy Woolam Echeverria

     

    Additional Signers:

     

    – Paki Wieland, Committee to Stop War(s), Western Mass CodePink, Northampton, Massachusetts

    – Lindis Percy, Laila Packer, Christine Dean, Anni Rainbow of Campaign for the Accountability of American Bases, Yorkshire, England

    – Jill Gough, National Secretary, CND Cymru (Wales), UK

    – Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists Social Justice Committee, California

    – Pax Christi Florida

    – Alice Leney, Coromandel, New Zealand

    – Georgiann Cooper, PeaceWorks, Freeport, Maine

    – Nodutdol for Korean Community Development, New York, New York

    – Philip Gilligan, Chair, Greater Manchester Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament

    – Susan V. Walker, Lake Arrowhead, California

    – H. J. Camet, Jr., Seattle, Washington

    – Helen Travis, Denver, Colorado

    – David Swanson, WarIsACrime.org, Charlottesville, Virginia

    – Jane Sanford, Belfast, Maine

    – Christine Roane, Springfield, Massachusetts

    – Natasha Mayers, Union of Maine Visual Artists, Whitefield, Maine

    – Lee Loe, Houston, Texas

    – Amy Harlib, New York, New York

    – Roger Leisner, Radio Free Maine, Augusta, Maine

    – Joyce Smith, Tucson, Arizona

    – Christine Ahn, Korea Policy Institute and Global Fund for Women, Oakland, California

    – Angie Zelter, Trident Ploughshares, UK

    – Tim Rinne, State Coordinator, Nebraskans for Peace

    – Ellen Murphy, Veterans for Peace Ch. 111, Bellingham, Washington

    – Jerry Mander, Founder & Distinguished Fellow, International Forum on Globalization,

    San Francisco, California

    – JT Takagi, New York, New York

    – David Smith, Belfast, Maine

    – Jon Olsen, Jefferson, Maine

    – Ernest Goitein and Claire Feder, Atherton, California

    – Roger Dittmann, Ph.D., Scientists without Borders, Fullerton, California

    – Jenny Maxwell, Secretary, Hereford Peace Council, UK

    – Anita Coolidge, Americans for Department of Peace, Cardiff, California

    – David Diamond, Dover, New Hampshire

    – Jennifer Kwon Dobbs, St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota

    – Jack & Felice Cohen-Joppa, The Nuclear Resister, Tucson, Arizona

    – Jacques Boucher, Chambly, Canada

    – Pax Christi Long Island, New York

    – Robert Dale, Veterans For Peace, Brunswick, Maine

    – Stephanie Son, Livermore, California

    – Kevin and Maggie Hall, Dunedin, Florida

    – Betty McElhill, Tucson, Arizona

    – Don Richardson, Brevard, North Carolina

    – Filson H. Glanz, Professor Emeritus of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of NH, Durham, New Hampshire

    – Sasha Davis, Hilo, Hawaii

    – Leah R. Karpen, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Asheville, North Carolina

    – Sung-Hee Choi, Gangjeong Village International team, Jeju Island, Korea

    – Wil Van Natta, Riviera Beach, Florida

    – Luis Gutierrez-Esparza, President Latin American Circle of International Studies, Barrio San Lucas Coyoacan,  Mexico

    – Harry van der Linden, Indianapolis, Indiana

    – Lydia Garvey, Public Health Nurse, Clinton, Oklahoma

    – Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space

    – Joan Costello, Omaha, Nebraska

    – Maine Campaign to Bring Our War $$ Home

    – Tony Henderson, Lantau, Hong Kong

    – Herbert J. Hoffman, Veterans For Peace, Ogunquit, Maine

    – Gladys Schmitz, SSND, Mankato. Minnesota

    – Loyal C. Park, President Nebraska Peace Foundation, Lincoln, Nebraska

    – Jane Milliken, Riverside, Connecticut

    – Peter Woodruff, Arrowsic, Maine

    – Jeanne Green, CodePink Taos, El Prado, New Mexico

    – Maine Green Party

    – Peace Action Maine

    – Jacqui Deveneau, Old Orchard Beach, Maine

    – James Deutsch, M.D., Ph.D., Toronto, Canada

    – Judith Deutsch, M.S.W., Toronto, Canada

    – Gene Keyes, Berwick, Nova Scotia, Canada

    – Norma J F Harrison, Central Committee Member, Peace & Freedom Party, Berkeley, California

    – Sandy Herndon, Kauai, Hawaii

    – Lillia Langreck, SSND, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

    – Gerson and Debbie Lesser, Bronx, New York

    – Patricia J. Patterson, United Methodist Asia Executive retired, Claremont, California

    – George and Dorothy Ogle, Lafayette, Colorado

    – Jewel Payne, Davis, California

    – Alice Slater, New York, New York

    – Harold J. Suderman, Registry of World Citizens-Canada, Guelph, Ontario, Canada

    – John Stewart, Pax Christi Tampa Bay, St. Petersburg, Florida

    – Ronald and Caterina Swanson-Bosch, RN, MPH, Mt Snow, Vermont

    – Sarah Lasenby, Oxford, UK

    – CODEPINK State of Maine

    – Lisa Savage, Solon, Maine

    – Hye-Jung Park, La Paz, Bolivia

    – Fred Jakobcic, Marquette, Michigan

    – Makiko Sato, Oita, Japan

    – Sister Valerie Heinonen, o.s.u., Ursuline Sisters of Tildonk for Justice and Peace, New York, New York

    – Terao Terumi, Yashio, Saitama, Japan

    – Ken Ashe, Veterans for Peace, Marshall, North Carolina

    – Kathy Ging, Eugene, Oregon

    – Benjamin Monnet, No war base on Jeju Island, France

    – Penny Oyama, Burnaby, B. C., Canada

    – Tarak Kauff, Board member, Veterans For Peace, Woodstock, New York

    – Sergio Monteiro, Los Angeles, California

    – Paul Cunningham and Jen Joaquin, South Portland, Maine

    – Mary Beth Sullivan, Social Worker, Bath, Maine

    – Glen Anderson, Lacey, Washington

    – Ron Engel, Professor Emeritus, Meadville/Lombard Theological School, Chicago, Illinois

    – Occupy Damsels in Distress, Palm Springs, California

    – Nikohl Vandel, Palm Springs, California

    – Katherine Muzik, Kauai, Hawaii

    – Carolyn S. Scarr, Program Coordinator Ecumenical Peace Institute/CALC, Berkeley, California

    – Don Lathrop, Canaan, New York

    – Karen Boyer, CodePink Portland, Oregon

    – Joan McCoy, Home for Peace and Justice, Saginaw, Michigan

    – Douglas Hong, Stony Brook, New York

    – Alice Zachmann, SSND, Mankato, Minnesota

    – Sandra Frank, Toledo, Ohio

    – Jeanne Gallo, North Shore Coalition for Peace and Justice, Gloucester, Massachusetts

    – Martha Shelley, CodePink, Portland, Oregon

    – Kevin Zeese, October2011.org, Baltimore, Maryland

    – Margaret Flowers, October2011.org, Baltimore, Maryland

    – Alfred L. Marder, President, US Peace Council, New Haven, Connecticut

    – Charlotte Koons, CODEPINK Long Island, Northport, New York

    – Jodi Kim, Associate Professor, University of California-Riverside

    – Granny Peace Brigade, New York, New York

    – Art Laffin, Dorothy Day Catholic Worker, Washington DC

    – Jean Sommer, Performers and Artists for Nuclear Disarmament, Cleveland, Ohio

    – Lee Siu Hin, national coordinator of National Immigrant Solidarity Network, South Pasadena, California

    – Robert  Palmer, Rosemount, Minnesota

    – Yoshiko Ikuta, Cleveland, Ohio

    – Dr Kate Hudson, General Secretary, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, UK

    – Professor Dave Webb, Chair, Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, UK

    – Helen Caldicott, the Helen Caldicott Foundation, Australia

    – Coleen Rowley, Women Against Military Madness, Apple Valley, Minnesota

    – Marylia Kelley, Tri-Valley CAREs, Livermore, California

    – Rebecca Barker, Los Angeles, California

    – Rosalie Riegle, author of Crossing the Line: Nonviolent Resisters Speak out for Peace, Evanston, Illinois

    – Amy Chung, Diamond Bar, California

    – Theodore Chung, Diamond Bar, California

    – Dale Nesbitt, Berkeley, California

    – Sally-Alice Thompson, Veterans For Peace, Albuquerque, New Mexico

    – Cynthia Howard, Biddeford Pool, Maine

    – Paul Liem, Berkeley, California

    – Dr. Bill Warrick, Veterans For Peace, Gainesville, Florida

    – Kil Sang Yoon, Claremont, California

    – Marcia Halligan, Kickapoo Peace Circle, Viroqua, Wisconsin

    – Anne Shirley, Mouvement pour la Paix, France

    – International Peace Bureau, Geneva, Switzerland

    – Anne Emerman, Gray Panthers, NYC Network, New York

    – Betty Wolfson, New England Peace Pagoda Community, Florence, Massachusetts

    – Green Earth Organization, Ghana

    – Dignity International
    – Community Action Network, Malaysia

    – William Nicholas Gomes, Human Rights Ambassador, Salem-News.com, Bangladesh

    – Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Peninsula Chapter, California

    – Roy Birchard, Fellowship of Reconciliation, San Francisco, California

    – Ichiyo Muto, People’s Plan Study Group, Japan

    – Rosalie Tyler Paul, Maine Green Independent Party, Georgetown, Maine

    – Dr Tomasz Pierscionek, Academic Clinical Fellow in Psychiatry, Editor of the London Progressive Journal, England

    – David Marcial, Tampa, Florida

    – Bill Sulzman, Citizens for Peace in Space, Colorado Springs, Colorado

    – Rick Rozoff, Stop NATO, Chicago, Illinois

    – Peter Shaw, Veterans For Peace (Korean War Veteran), State College, Pennsylvania
    – Marcia Slatkin, Shoreham, New York

    – Richard Hutchinson, Kennesaw, Georgia

    – Dud Hendrick, Island Peace & Justice, VFP, Deer Isle, Maine

    – Paul Stein, Ph.D. Analytical Psychologist, New York, New York

    – Suzanne Pearce, Mass. Peace Action, Cambridge, Massachusetts

    – Rosalie Yelen, CODEPINK Long Island, Huntington Station, New York

    – Joan Nicholson, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

    – Ava DeLorenzo, Harpswell, Maine

    – Ardeshir Ommani, Pres. American Iranian Friendship Committee, Armonk, New York

    – Eleanor Ommani, Co-founder, American Iranian Friendship Committee, Armonk, New York

    – Andre Brochu, Swedish Peace Committee, Malmo, Sweden

    – David McReynolds, former Chair, War Resisters International, New York, New York

    – Dr. Lewis E. Patrie, Western North Carolina Physicians for Social Responsibility, Asheville, N. C

    – Norma Athearn, Rockland, Maine

    – Miki Soko, Kyoto, Japan

    – Chris Buchanan, Belgrade, Maine

    – Natalie Kempner, Quaker, Woolwich, Maine

    – Marcus Atkinson, Footprints for Peace, Cincinnati, Ohio

    – Peggy Akers, Nurse practitioner & VFP, Portland, Maine

    – Bill Stansbery, Ellensburg, Washington

    – Sue Chase, Associate member Veterans For Peace, Batesville, Virginia

    – Bob Hoffman, Veterans for Peace, Batesville, Virginia

    – Christine A. DeTroy, Women’s Int’l League for Peace & Freedom, Brunswick, Maine

    – Montrose Peace Vigil, Montrose, California

    – Roberta Medford, Montrose, California

    – Beverley Walter, Riverside, Illinois

    – Dennis Apel, Guadalupe Catholic Worker, Guadalupe, California

    – Tensie Hernandez, Guadalupe Catholic Worker, Guadalupe, California

    – Pierre Villard, Le Mouvement de la Paix, France

    – Women Against Military Madness, Minneapolis, Minnesota

    – Russell Wray, Citizens Opposing Active Sonar Threats, Hancock, Maine

    – Peggy Lyons, UU Central Nassau Social Justice Committee & MoveOn Council Nassau County, Long Island, New York

    – Charles K Brown III, Brunswick Religious Society of Friends, Brunswick, Maine

    – Doug Allen, The University of Maine, Orono, Maine

    – Scott Camil, President VFP Chapter 14, Gainesville, Florida

    – Rev. William Coop, Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, Brunswick, Maine

    – Sheena Poole, Worthing, Sussex, UK

    – Karen Wainberg, Occupy Maine Bath-Brunswick, Bath, Maine

    – Darlene Coffman, Rochester, Minnesota

    – Will Shapira, Roseville, Minnesota

    – Paul Busch, St. Paul, Minnesota

    – Greg & Sue Skog, Eagan, Minnesota

    – Oxford CND, Oxford, UK

    – Mary Beaudoin, St. Paul, Minnesota

    – Judy Collins, Vine & Fig Tree Community, Grandmother for Peace, Lanett, Alabama

    – Judy Miner, past director Wisconsin Network for Peace and Justice, Madison, Wisconsin

    – Polly Mann, Minneapolis, Minnesota

    – Tim Nolan Saint Paul, Minnesota

    – Robin Hensel, Little Falls Occupy, Minnesota

    – Suzanne Hedrick, Noble, Maine

    – Marguerite Warner, Peace Alliance Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

    – Mike Madden, St. Paul, Minnesota

    – Denis Doherty, Australian Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition, Sydney, Australia

    – Rev. Catherine Christie, Seoul, South Korea

    – Sushila Cherian, Punta Gorda, Florida

    – Atsushi Fujioka, professor of Economics, Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto, Japan

    – Ariel Ky, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    – Morgen D’Arc, Co-Founder Green Party National Women’s Caucus, Portland, Maine

    – Ruth Sheridan, Alaskans for Peace and Justice, Anchorage, Alaska

    – Will Thomas, NH Veterans For Peace, Auburn, New Hampshire

    – John B. Cobb, Jr., Center for Process Studies, Claremont, California

    – Rich Van Dellen, Rochester, Minnesota

    – Pete Sirois, producer “Maine Social Justice”, Madison, Maine

    – Will Travers, Lokashakti, New York, New York

    – Judith Lee, Columbus, Ohio

    – Ann Suellentrop, MSRN, Physicians for Social Responsibility, Kansas City, Kansas

    – Judith E. Hicks, Retired R.N, Public Health Nurse, Howard, Colorado

    – Fred Dente, Kaua`i Alliance for Peace & Social Justice, Kapa`a, Hawai`I

    – Patricia Chappell, SNDdeN, Executive Director, Pax Christi USA, Washington, DC

    – Jean & Joe Gump, Bloomingdale, Michigan

    – Michael J. Germain, Apple Valley, Minnesota

    – Han Hee Song, New York, New York

    – Maud Easter, Women Against War, Delmar, New York

    – Shirley Johnson, Saint Paul, Minnesota

    – Carol Reilley Urner, Whittier, California

    – Tina Phillips, Brunswick, Maine

    – Bev Rice, New York, New York

    – Ronald P. Matonti, Medford, New York

    – Virginia Baron, Guilford Peace Alliance, Guilford, Connecticut

    – Linda Eastwood, Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, Chicago, Illinois

    – Mel Thoresen, Deer River, Minnesota

    – Gerard Ange, President CEO, G.A.P. International Satellite Broadcasting Inc., Healdsburg, California

    – Kip Goodwin, Kaua`i Alliance for Peace & Social Justice, Kapaa, Hawaii

    – Michael Canney, Alachua, Florida

    – Connie Canney, Alachua, Florida

    – Carol Thomas, Alachua, Florida

    – Shawna Doran, Alachua, Florida

    – Melinda Thompson, Silver Spring, Maryland

    – Dr. John V. Walsh, Professor of Physiology, UMass Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts

    – Bernie Meyer, American Gandhi, Fellowship of Reconciliation, Ground Zero Center for Nonviolent Action, Olympia Washington

    – Gladys Tiffany, Director, OMNI Center for Peace, Justice & Ecology, Fayetteville, Arkansas

    – Fernando Garcia, President, OMNI Center for Peace, Justice & Ecology, Fayetteville, Arkansas

    – Stop War Machine, Albuquerque, New Mexico

    – Leah Bolger, CDR, USN (Ret), Veterans For Peace, Corvallis, Oregon

    – Janet Essley, White Salmon, Washington

    – Ellen Thomas, Proposition One Campaign, Tryon, North Carolina

    – Elaine Johnson, Presbyterian Peace Fellowship National Committee Member, Rochester, New York

    – Carol Gilbert & Ardeth Platte, Sacred Earth and Space Plowshares II, Baltimore, Maryland

    – Ellen E Barfield, Veterans For Peace, Baltimore, Maryland

    – Cecile Pineda, Berkeley, California

    – Hitosada Yoshitake, Kyoto, Japan

    – Buffy Sainte-Marie, Kauai, Hawaii

    – Jerry Provencher, Bath, Maine

    – Ann Wright, retired US Army colonel & diplomat, Honolulu, Hawaii

    – Starr C. Gilmartin, Trenton, Maine

    – Janice Ward, Marcell, Minnesota

    – David Evenhouse, Marcell, Minnesota

    – Heidi Uppgaard, Minneapolis, Minnesota

    – Tom Rissi, Minneapolis, Minnesota

    – Larry Johnson, President, Veterans For Peace Ch. 27, Minneapolis, Minnesota

    – Helen Sunkenberg, Huletts Landing, New York

    – Centre for Human Rights and Development, Mongolia

    – Food Coalition, Mongolia

    – Swedish Peace Council

    – Dan  La Vigne, NEMP, Shoreview, Minnesota

    – Marc Pilisuk, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, The University of California, Berkeley, California

    – Ted Tan, Think Centre, Singapore

    – Mary Beaudoin, St. Paul, Minnesota

    – Seung-Hee Jeon, Research Associate, Korea Institute, Harvard University, Massachusetts

    – Betsy Mulligan-Dague, Executive Director, Jeannette Rankin Peace Center, Missoula, Montana

    – Bob & Joy Johnson, Southeastern Minnesota Alliance of Peacemakers, Harmony, Minnesota

    – William J. Rood, Rochester, Minnesota

    – Lutgardo “Boyette” Jurcales Jr, Coordinator, BAN THE BASES!, Philippines

    – Dr. Carolina Pagaduan-Araullo, Chairperson, BAYAN-Philippines

    – Margaret Maier, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

    – Sally Breen, Windham, Maine

    – James M Nordlund, Fargo, North Dakota

    – Phoebe Sorgen, Berkeley Commissioner of Disaster and Fire Safety, California

    – Lynn Shoemaker, Whitewater, Wisconsin

    – Simone Chun, Boston, Massachusetts

    – Dr. Shoji Sawada, Emeritus Professor Nagoya University & Representative Director of – Japan Council against A & H Bombs, Nagoya City, Japan

    – Rev. Edwin E. Kang, D.Min, Owego, New York

    – Anne Richter, Clearwater, Florida

    – Amber Garlan, St. Paul, Minnesota

    – Len & Judy Bjorkman, Owego, New York

    – Jan Passion, Dunedin, New Zealand

    – Dennis Gallie, Kansas City, Missouri

    – Diane Nahas, Sands Point, New York

    – Max M. de Mesa, Chairperson, The Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates

    – Haruko Moritaki, Hiroshima Alliance for Nuclear Weapons Abolition, Hiroshima, Japan

    – Molly Johanna Culligan, Associate member Veterans For Peace, Red Wing, Minnesota

    – Todd E. Dennis, former participant in these war games while on the USS Santa Fe (SSN-763), Madison, Wisconsin

    – Holly Gwinn Graham, Olympia, Washington

    – S. Brian Willson, author/activist, Portland, Oregon

    – Terry Irish, Women Against Military Madness, Minneapolis, Minnesota

    – David Hartsough, PEACEWORKERS, San Francisco, California

    – Louis Vitale, OFM, Pace e Bene, Oakland, California

    – Sherri Maurin, Occupy Be the Change, San Francisco, California

    – Nancy & David W. Hall, West Bath, Maine

    – Nancy Tate, LEPOCO Peace Center, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

    – Donald Saunders, North Wales, UK

    – Dr. Robert Hanson, Past Chair, Mt. Diablo Peace and Justice Center, Walnut Creek, California

    – Rev. John R. Long, First Presbyterian Church, Buffalo, New York

    – Lon & Natalia Ball, Biorice ‘OOO’, Ussurisk, Primorskii Krai, Russian Federation

    – Dominic Linley, Yorkshire CND, Leeds, UK

    – Carolyn Harrington, Vassalboro Friends Meeting, Brunswick Maine

    – Bishop Thomas J. Gumbleton, Archdiocese of Detroit, Michigan

    – Vincent Hunter, Dublin, Ireland

    – David W. Culver, Veterans For Peace Chapter 27, Minneapolis, Minnesota

    – Sarah Martin, Women Against Military Madness, Minneapolis, Minnesota

    – Georgia Pinkel, Portland WILPF branch, Oregon

    – Celeste McCollough Howard, Hillsboro, Oregon

    – John Spira, Australia

    – Retha Dooley, Sauk Centre, Minnesota

    – Michael Sergent, Wollongong NSW, Australia

    – Diana Covell, Wollongong, NSW, Australia

    – Church & Society Ministry of Davis Community Church, Tom Haller, chair, Davis California

    – M. Brinton Lykes, PhD, Center for Human Rights & International Justice, Boston College, Massachusetts

    – Margaret Fernald, Orland, Maine

    – John Landgraf, St. Paul, Minnesota

    – Clement T.S. Hiemstra, Japan

    – Alan Clemence, Charleston, Maine

    – Minoru Suda, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

    – Rev. Dr. Syngman Rhee, Union Presbyterian Seminary, Richmond, Virginia

    – Peasant’s Pharmacy, South Korea

    – Support Committee for Prisoners of Conscience [prisoners of conscience refers to political prisoners], South Korea

    – Central Committee for National Autonomy, Peace, and Reunification, South Korea

    – National Committee of Democratic Workers, South Korea

    – Minkahyup [Families of formerly or currently imprisoned democratization political prisoners], South Korea

    – Buddhist Peace Solidarity, South Korea

    – Korean Peasant’s League, South Korea

    – Korean Poor People’s Alliance, South Korea

    – Korea Woman’s Peasants Association, South Korea

    – Korean Youth Solidarity, South Korea

    – Korea Alliance of Progressive Movements, South Korea

    – 21st Century Korean University Students Alliance, South Korea

    – Southern Headquarters of the Pan Korean Alliance for Reunification, South Korea

    – Reunification Agora, South Korea

    – Woori Madang [Madang refers to a place where Korean people gather for community activities], South Korea

    – Network of Politicized Adoptees, United States

    – John Junkerman, Professor, Waseda University, Tokyo, Japan

    – Ellen Bepp, Oakland, California

    – Renie Wong Lindley, Religious Society of Friends, Haleiwa, North Shore O’ahu, Hawai’I

    – Alliance of Scholars Concerned about Korea (ASCK)

    – Interfaith Peacemakers of Edina, Minnesota

    – SooJin Pate, Macalester College, St. Paul, Minnesota

    – Jack Herbert, Metanoia Peace Community & Portland WILPF, Oregon

    – Richard McDonald, Silver City, New Mexico

    – Presentation Sisters Social Justice Team, Aberdeen, South Dakota

    – Sisters Kay O’Neil & Michelle Meyers, LeSueur, Minnesota

    – Amy Echeverria, Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach, Silver Spring, Maryland

    – Carolyn Hannah, Springfield, Oregon

    – Miriam Welly Elliott & Mark Lee, Gainesville, Florida

    – Grandmothers for Peace-Twin Cities, Minnesota

    – Lydia Garvey, Public health nurse, Clinton, Oklahoma

    – Mark Solomon, West Newton, Massachusetts

    – Hawai’i Peace and Justice, Honolulu, Hawai’i

    – DMZ-Hawai’i, Aloha Aina, Honolulu, Hawai’I

    – Tamara Lorincz, Halifax Peace Coalition, Canada

    – Canadian Voice of Women for Peace, Canada

    – Dante C. Simbulan, Ph.D., Retired  Professor & Human Rights Activist, Burke, Virginia

    – Peace Action, Silver Spring, Maryland

    – National Campaign to End the Korean War, United States

    – Regina Pyon, SPARK, Seoul, Korea

    – Hye-Ran Oh, SPARK, Seoul, Korea

    – SPARK (Solidarity for Peace and Reunification of Korea)

    – Women’s Global Solidarity Action Network, South Korea

    – Lee Jung Hee (3rd party candidate in 2012 presidential election), Unified Progressive Party Representative, South Korea

    – Dong Sup An, Unified Progressive Party Supreme Council, South Korea

    – Seung Gyo Kim, Unified Progressive Party Supreme Council, South Korea

    – Jung Hee Lee, Unified Progressive Party Supreme Council, South Korea

    – Byung Ryul Min, Unified Progressive Party Supreme Council, South Korea

    – Sun Hee Yo, Unified Progressive Party Supreme Council, South Korea

    – Byung Yoon Oh, Unified Progressive Party National Assembly Floor Representative, South Korea

    – Kuroki Mariko, Cosmopolitan Network, Japan

    – Veterans For Peace, Korea Peace Campaign, United States

    – Larry Kerschner, Veterans For Peace, Washington

    – Koichiro Toyoshima, Osaka, Japan

    – Tsuyoshi Matsu-ura, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Etsuko Urashima, Okinawa, Japan

    – Masako Tahira, Kyoto, Japan

    – Sasaki Masaaki, Tokyo,Japan

    – Kazue Tanaka, Chiba, Japan

    – Keiko Tanaka, Chiba, Japan

    – Noriko Kyogoku, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Akemi Ishi-i, Chiba, Japan

    – Tsuneaki Gunjima, Fukuoka, Japan

    – Jirou Isogai, Aichi , Japan

    – Hiromitus Masuda, Chiba, Japan

    – Akiko Kawano, Saitama, Japan

    – Taro Abe, Aichi , Japan

    – Noriyuki Matsumura, Osaka  , Japan

    – Toshio Takahashi, Okinawa, Japan

    – Mitsumasa Ohta, Chiba, Japan

    – Setsuko Yasuda, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Yasuhisa Iwakawa, Chiba, Japan

    – Ayako Nakanishi, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Koji Sugihara, Tokyo, Japan

    – Mihagi Yamamoto, Aichi, Japan

    – Hidenori Takahashi, Hyogo, Japan

    – Chiharu Yamaguchi, Chiba, Japan

    – Ryohei Hirayama, Aichi, Japan

    – Mari Hoshikawa, Tokyo, Japan

    – Ikuko Hishikawa, Saitama, Japan

    – Toyo Washio, Germany

    – Tamio Nomura, Nagano, Japan

    – Masamichi Yumiyama, Ehime, Japan

    – Hideaki Kuno, Aichi, Japan

    – Sachiyo Tsukamoto, Saitama, Japan

    – Tadahiro Umeda, Osaka, Japan

    – Yasuaki Matsumoto, Hokkaido, Japan

    – Yoko Kawasaki, Oita, Japan

    – Tsutomu Matsuo , Tokyo, Japan

    – Yoko Oh-hara, Oita, Japan

    – Akira Asada, Hyogo, Japan

    – Syuichi Sato, Hiroshima, Japan

    – Yoshiko Okada, Tokyo, Japan

    – Toru Suenaga, Saitama, Japan

    – Michiko Adachi, Chiba, Japan

    – Koichi Toyoshima, Fukuoka, Japan

    – Yozo Ouchi, Tokyo, Japan

    – Kazuko Yamano, Yamagata, Japan

    – Naoko Tanaka, Osaka, Japan

    – Junko Matsu-ura, Tokyo, Japan

    – Hideo Itoh, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Yukio Yokohara, Hiroshima, Japan

    – Miyako Masuda, Chiba, Japan

    – Hideo Araki, Hyogo, Japan

    – Akiko Yoshizawa, Osaka, Japan

    – Teruko Hatakeyama,Tokyo, Japan

    – Katsuo Watanabe, Chiba, Japan

    – Chiho Saito, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Shin Sato, Tokyo, Japan

    – Yoshio Hirose, Chiba, Japan

    – Sei-ichi Takamoto, Japan

    – Taisaku Obata, Yamaguchi, Japan

    – Toshimasa Sakakura, Chiba, Japan

    – Miyoko Nagase, Aichi, Japan

    – Yoshiyuki Kajiwara, Hyogo, Japan

    – Keiji Kondo, Aichi, Japan

    – Hiromi Fujioka, Fukuoka, Japan

    – Mitsuko Fuji, Kyoto, Japan

    – Kazuyo Kishimoto, Hokkaido, Japan

    – Meiko Sato, Tokyo, Japan

    – Tatsuo Sato, Tokyo, Japan

    – Tamio Sato, Tokyo, Japan

    – Shingo Sato, Tokyo, Japan

    – Yoko Sato, Tokyo, Japan

    – Yu-uko Katsuren, Kumamoto, Japan

    – Totu Miyahara, Hiroshima, Japan

    – Kyoko Tawara, Kumamoto, Japan

    – Natsuko Matsuda, Tokyo, Japan

    – Midori Aizawa, Tokyo, Japan

    – Yoshihiro Ikeda, Hyogo, Japan

    – Kyoko Ohno, Ehime, Japan

    – Kuniko Ozawa, Tokyo, Japan

    – Kazunari Fujioka, Tokyo, Japan

    – Miho Kawashima, Osaka, Japan

    – Toshimi Masuda, Shizuoka, Japan

    – Yoko Umeda, Osaka, Japan

    – Etsuko Umeda, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Ｋang Yongchol, Tokyo, Japan

    – Hiroshi Obara, Chiba, Japan

    – Mineo Noda, Tokyo, Japan

    – Makoto Shindoh, Kagawa, Japan

    – Tamaki Tokuyama, Kyoto, Japan

    – Hiroshi Matsubara, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Hideo Iwasa, Kyoto, Japan

    – Noriaki Nishio, Saitama,  Japan

    – Keiko Kise, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Fusako Kamiya, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Jun-ichi Nishigata, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Toyomi Kawada, Tokyo, Japan

    – Kim Seong-il, Hyogo, Japan

    – Akiko Sato, Tokyo, Japan

    – Nakayama, Tokushima, Japan

    – Kazuo Nagayoshi, Kumamoto, Japan

    – Pak Namin, Saitama, Japan

    – Yasuko Ishikawa, Tokyo, Japan

    – Ryu-ichi Tohno, Chiba, Japan

    – Junko Higuchi, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Yayoi Ni-i, Chiba, Japan

    – Ikuko Inoue, Osaka, Japan

    – Akiko Terasaki, Saitama, Japan

    – Etsuko Fujii, Kyoto, Japan

    – Keiko Yamada, Tokyo, Japan

    – Yumiko Saitoh, Tokyo, Japan

    – Morio Kumano, Ishikawa, Japan

    – Shin-ichiro Tanaka, Tokyo, Japan

    – Michiko Ishige, Tokyo, Japan

    – Atsuko Minemoto, Shiga, Japan

    – Shinji Ohashi, Shizuoka, Japan

    – Jyoji Ichikawa, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Yumiko Mashino, Tokyo, Japan

    – Ryuji Yagi, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Pak chong fa, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Kohko Hakoda, Tokyo, Japan

    – Hideo Suzuki, Tokyo, Japan

    – Michiko Yamada, Hyogo, Japan

    – Yume Fuse, Tokyo, Japan

    – Yoko Yamaguchi, Okinawa, Japan

    – Sachiko Taba, Tokyo, Japan

    – Hirokazu Taba, Tokyo, Japan

    – Hiemstra Clement & Theodoor Sixtus, Nagasaki, Japan

    – Keiko Shibukawa, Tokyo, Japan

    – Susumu Kanegae, Japan

    – Takashi Matsunami, Osaka, Japan

    – Yoshimi Hashimoto, Yamaguchi, Japan

    – Yuki-ichiro Miyakawa, Tokyo, Japan

    – Terumi Ogasa, Osaka, Japan

    – Yoshio Motono, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Mariko Asada, Ishikawa, Japan

    – Masufumi Asada, Ishikawa, Japan

    – Katsuhisa Itoh, Aichi, Japan

    – Isao Sakamoto, Tokyo, Japan

    – Shigeki Kon-no, Tokyo, Japan

    – Jumpei Kawakami, Aomori, Japan

    – Osami Nomura, Tokyo, Japan

    – Tadao Miura, Hokkaido, Japan

    – Yukari Miura, Hokkaido, Japan

    – Ryushou Araki, Fukuoka, Japan

    – Hiroshi Murakawa, Yamaguchi, Japan

    – Yoshio Iwamura, Hyogo, Japan

    – Mutsumi Tanaka, Okinawa, Japan

    – Hiroko Yoneyama, Ghana

    – Kwangho Che, Kyoto, Japan

    – Michiko Fukuda, Phillippines

    – Tani Toshio, Saitama, Japan

    – Daiko Sakurai, Tokyo, Japan

    – Kim Boongang, Tokyo, Japan

    – Saki Ohkawara, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Fumio Tamada, Tochigi, Japan

    – Maki Kumagai, Tokyo, Japan

    – Chieko Noguchi, Fukuoka, Japan

    – Nobuko Kobayashi, Tokyo, Japan

    – Yuko Inoue, Fukuoka, Japan

    – Marie Nagajima, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Takako Nobuhara, Osaka, Japan

    – Miki Shinjo, Hyogo, Japan

    – Yumiko Kato, Tokyo, Japan

    – Mariko Takeuchi, Saitama, Japan

    – Akio Handa, Osaka, Japan

    – Shoji Nakamura, Kagawa, Japan

    – Kazuko Matsuo, Osaka, Japan

    – Yoko Yoshizawa, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Kiyoharu Yoshizawa, Kanagawa, Japan

     

     

    (Fwd by Bruce Gagnon)

  • Paco Booyah, the 1st international who stood in the Jeju Court in person got the court decision of ‘probation.’

     

    P

    In the  morning of Feb. 8, Paco Booyah got the court decision of probation, meaning postponement of sentence. we are so pleased to inform this and thank a lawyer Paik Shinok. we also congratulate, Silver, his significant other!

    Paco has been investigated by the police including the coast guard for four cases and the prosecutors have indicted him for the charge of ‘obstruction of business.’ regarding the incident during last summer.

    He was just sitting in a catholic mass while taking photos in front of the naval base project building complex. It was only 8 min.

    On Dec. 21, he became the 1st international who stood in the Jeju court in person regarding the naval base issue.

    At the rime, the prosecutors suggested six month imprisonment against him.

    Today, the judge Kim Kyungsun told that ‘ even though he is guilty, the court made a decision on probation on him since he has no crime career before; it happened during the NGO activities; the time of obstruction of business was short therefore it was not great damage.

    We had worried about him especially after the case of Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo but now feel relieved.

    We are happy to see him who would have some precious lunar holidays with his family ! we are also happy to be able to keep him with us for the life here and many important works!

    However, unless the vicious Korean immigration law is revised, we cannot stop all the hardships that our grateful international friends had to get through.

    We are so sorry bout that and hope we can have some common measure about it. we are not forgetting Benjamin Monnet, Angie Zelter and all the friends who were arrested or entry- denied for the support of struggles.

    Thanks, everyone!

  • Summary on the matter of entry denial against internationals, Regarding the issue of the Jeju naval base project: : Report as of Oct. 3, 2012

    Re-post from here

    Toshio
    Photo sent by Toshio Takahashi (For more photos, click here)
    ‘In the afternoon on the 5th of September 2012, I and two of my friends, Mr. Masahiro Tomiyama and Mr. Eiji Tomita, were prohibited entry into Republic of Korea (ROK) at the Incheon International Airport.’ (source)

     

    Update:  April 24, 2013, Wang Yu-Hsuan (Taiwan), 21st subject to be denied entry to Korea, in relation to the Jeju naval base project. Since the inauguration of Park Geun-Hye government, she is the 2nd human rights defender to be deported after Ban Hideyuki, Citizens’ Nuclear Information Center, Japan, on April 19, 2013.(see here)

    Update: [Korea Times, Feb. 22] Greenpeace Seoul director denied entry for nearly one year

    Update: Dec. 12, 2012 Greenpeace nuclear activists sue South Korean government on Dec. 10

    Update: [IUCN letter to Dr. Imok Cha, Nov. 13, 2012] IUCN so regrets the decision for The ROK governmentnot not to allow Dr. Imok Cha (Fwd) : CLICK HERE

    Update: A Japanese peace activist has been denied entry at the Gimpo Airport, Seoul, on Oct. 16, 2012 when he was to visit his sick friend. Mr. Koto Shoji has visited Gangjeong last year and has written an article on it in the magazine named “Power of People’.With his forcefully denied entry, the total numbers of people who have been denied entry, related to the Jeju naval base project have become at least 20. 3 of them have been repeatedly denied entries.

     

    ………………………………………………………………

    The below summary is primarily based on the Korean summaries here and here. Please come by later for any fix, revision or update. ( See the original post here)

     

    Summary on the matter of entry denial against internationals,
    Regarding the issue of the Jeju naval base project

    : Report as of Oct. 3, 2012

     

    (1) Preface

    On Sept. 25, 2012, PSPD (People’s Solidarity for Peace and Democracy) issued a press release that the ROK government denied to make public the reasons of entry denial against the targeted internationals. See the Korean document here and summary of it in No. (2).

    The numbers of international activists who were denied entry to Korea, related to the Jeju naval base project have been at least 15 from Aug. 26, 2011 to June 29, 2012. See the Korean document here.

    However, it was not precedent that as many as 9 people were denied entry to Korea and deported during the WCC period (Sept. 6 to 15, 2012), beginning with Dr. Cha Imok on Sept. 3. Therefore the numbers of entry denial related to the Jeju naval base project have become at least 24. See the Korean document here.

    Please see No. (5) for the details of list of the internationals who were denied entry from Aug. 26, 2011 to Sept. 6, 2012.

    Among 24, it is still uncertain whether two Nigerians who were denied entry on Sept. 6 had the will against the naval base. 3 of 9 people had to go through repeated entry denials (Yagi Ryuji, a Japanese peace activist, Tomiyama Masahiro, an Okinawa peace activist and Umisedo Yutaka, an Okinawa musician)

    During the period of the WCC co-sponsored by the IUCN, at least two people were official IUCN nation representative or member and four people carried the invitation letters and identity certification letter from a ROK National Assembly woman.

    Even though excluded of two Nigerians and repeated entry denial numbers, the international personnel who have been denied entry to Korea then deported, related to the Jeju naval base project currently enforced in the Gangjeong village, despite the opposition by the majority of villagers, have become at least 19 from Aug. 26, 2011 to Sept. 6, 2012 (One Korean American, three from the United States and 15 from Japan and Okinawa)

    It should be noted that it is a matter of serious human rights violation internationally committed by the current Lee Myung-Bak government, Republic of Korea, which disrespects the UN human rights chapter and other international agreements, as well as domestic laws and regulations. Above all, it was confirmed that the government has made and is operating a black list against some internationals. The suspicion on the police’s illegal information collection on the foreigners in the Gangjeong village is also being raised. (See (4)-14).

    Further international investigation should be earnestly looked for regarding this matter so that constructive and positive measures should come out.

    This report is merely a summary and we hope any concerned Korean associated groups or international institutes pay attention to this matter and work on it.

    Any corrections and added facts will be updated here.

    Gangjeong village international team

    ……………………………………………………………………………

     

    (2) PSPD Press Release on Sept. 25, 2012

    According to the PSPD press release on Sept. 25, titled, the “Government being consistent not to make public the reasons of entry denial on international activists,” the Ministry of Justice has sent one page reply on Sept. 18 to the 7 page open inquiry letter by the PSPD on the entry denial of international activists on Sept. 6. See here.

    In summary, the PSPD press release reads that: 1.The basis of information collection to prohibit the entry of overseas activists for the reasoning of “past works” is opaque, 2. The ambiguous basis to prohibit the entry of the overseas activists does not fit to the international human rights standard.

    The Ministry of National Justice saying that “the foreigners who have been denied entry to Korea were judged to ‘deem likely to commit any act detrimental to national interests of the Republic of Korea or public safety, in the reflection of their past works,” totally refused replies to the inquires. It said “The entry denial measure to specific foreigners is the nation’s sovereign discretionary act and in case when its detailed contents are to be known, there is concern that there might occur foreign diplomatic matter or trouble in the government institutes’ activities to protect the national interest.”

    The PSPD Press release reads that:

    “To prohibit the entry of overseas activists without clear basis is a violation of the UN Human Rights statement that states that ‘everyone has the right individually or in association with others, to promote and to strive for the protection and realization of human rights and fundamental freedoms at the national and international levels’ ( *article 1 of the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups, and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, UN) and of the agreement on the civic political rights that prohibits dealing with citizens as potential criminals.

    Claiming that the Lee Myung Bak government is infringing the freedom on the peaceful rally and assembly by the international human rights defenders who take opposing opinion against the government, the PSPD says it will make public opinion on the issue of oppression on the international activists through the examination on the Universal Periodic Review on human rights in coming October.
    ……………………………………………………………………………

     

    (3) Noticeable points of the human rights violation by the South Korean immigration office

     

    1. The Korean Immigration Office’s entry denial of some internationals regarding the Jeju naval base project has been earnestly practiced since August, 2011.

    Case: On Aug. 26, 2011, when an entry-denied Japanese peace activist asked when she has become the subject of entry denial to Korea, a Korean immigration office replied her it was since August, [2011]. See AWC (Asian Wide Campagn)_Japan statement on Aug. 28, here.

    2. Internationals are denied entries merely for the fact that they have visited the Gangjeong village ‘for tour,’ in the past or merely for the Immigration Office’s ‘presumption’ that they might visit the village.

    Case 1: Nakamura Sugae who was denied entry along with her college student daughter on March 26, 2012, says, “Regarding my visit to the Gangjeong village, Jeju, I have dropped by a village and talked with villagers for a short time on my way of group tour last August, which was guided by my daughter who was an exchange student in a Korean traditional medical college in Daeku then. That was all. I haven’t joined protest but wanted to learn one another there. [The entry denial] is totally nonsense. [..] Further the visit this time was to drop by the Daejeon-Choongchung nam-do province, nothing to do with the Jeju.” She has applied the visa to the Korean Consulate in Japan again on July 31 to visit the Independence Museum, Cheonan in Choongchung nam-do on Aug. 22. However, despite her appeal to cancel the entry prohibition measure against her, she saying that she ‘would never visit the Jeju Island, she did not receive any reply from the Consulate even after 9 days. It was found later that she had been labeled as the ‘[Korea]-entry-prohibited,’ by the Lee Myung-Bak government.

    Case 2: On June 15, Arime Yuuri (25), an Okinawa peace activist, was denied entry. She had visited Gnagjeong with an Okinawa Broadcasting Co. for a short time. But it is told that she had not planned to include the visit to Gangjeong this time. She just wanted to watch the Korean baseball game and to meet her friends in Korea. (See here)

    3. The Korean Immigration Office openly expresses that it denies their entry for the reason that they have visited the Gangjeong village in the past. The reasoning is nothing to do with their visit purpose at their entry-denied time.

    Case: Nakamura Sugae stated on March 29, 2012, through her phone interview with the Ohmynews, a Korean independent media, that “an immigration officer in the entry-checking desk of the Busan International Terminal said that I, [Nakamura], cannot enter Korea since I had visited the village last August therefore violated the Korean law.” It should be noted that there is no legal basis that visiting the village is the violation of Korean laws. Further Nakamura had no purpose to visit the village in the Jeju Island but to visit the Choongchung South Province for tour and forum purpose on March 27, 2012 when she was denied entry to Korea, along with her college student daughter. (Please see here.)

    4. Some of the entry denied internationals were labeled from the outset as the ‘entry-prohibited,’ by the Korean government.

    Case 1: On its July 2, 2012 statement, AWC_Japan stated that as many as 7 of its members and their family members seem to have been labeled as the ‘entry-prohibited’ to Korea by the Korean government. See here.

    Case 2: On Sept. 5, Toshio Takahashi got the words from the Korean Immigration Officer that “you are applicable to the entry-prohibition. I don’t know the reason. The Ministry of Justice has just contacted us so you should exit out of the country, when he was denied entry in the Incheon airport on the day.’ (Toshio Takahashi’s letter to the Hankyoreh, Sept. 9, 2012) See here.

    5. The entry-denial is being suspected to be practiced under the international mutual cooperation by the individual government institutes.

    Case 1: The AWC_Japan statement on July 2 reads that the Japanese and South Korea police have exchanged information on the targeted subjects for the entry-denial before an international conference. See here.

    Case 2: When Tarak Kauff, Eliott Adams, and Mike Hastie were met by South Korean authorities when they landed on Jeju Island [or in the departure airplane to it], the ‘South Korean authorities had a photo of each of them in their hands and told them they would not be allowed to enter Jeju Island.’ See here.

    6. Sometimes the visa procedures are intentionally delayed to the obstruction of entry.

    Case: On Jan. 28, a representative of BAYAN, Philippine was frustrated to enter Korea since the Korean Immigration Office had prolonged the issuing of visa for him and had not eventually issued the visa until the planned day. See AWC_Japan’s Jan. 30 statement, here.

    7. There is neither a reasonable explanation, nor a letter-form notice but irresponsible answer that the entry-denied internationals should hear the reasons in the overseas Korean Embassy or Consulates.

    Case 1: On Jan. 27, 2012, an immigration officer said to Ikeda Takane, Secretary of AWC_Japan, that “you have become the subject of entry-prohibition since you oppose the Korean government policy.” (See here)

    Case 2: On March 31, 2012, a colleague of Yagi Ryuji, a Japanese peace activist inquired to the Immigration office why Yagi was denied entry on the day. The only reply he got was that “You know well.” (See here)

    8. Lie is used for the reasoning of entry denial.

    Case: The Korean immigration office denied entry of Dr. Cha Imok on Sept. 3, 2012. One of the main reasons that the Office took was that Dr. Cha had joined rally in the Washington D. C. However, it was confirmed that Dr. Cha has never joined it. Her home is in California, far from the Washington D. C. ( See the Commentary by the National Organizing Committee for Opposing the Jeju Naval Base Project, on Sept. 7 (here) and Ohmynews interview with Dr. Cha on Sept. 12 (here)

    9. The Korean Immigration Office denies the subject of the chance to file for a different opinion. Further it lies to the subject that there is no such chance.

    Case: The AWC_Japan statement on Aug. 28, 2011 reads: ‘When two members of AWC-Japan, who were denied entry on Aug. 26, 2011 asked the ROK Immigration workers, “Please let us informed of the way since we want to file a different opinion to the ROK Minister of Justice,” the workers replied to them that, “there is no such way. You cannot but return back to your country,” and “ask to the ROK embassy or Consulate in Japan after your return.” However it was a big lie. During the talk with them, one of the two members had a chance to talk with a lawyer of the KCTU (Korean Confederation of Trade Unions) who said the two can report on different opinion. It means the ROK, Republic of Korea, the democratic country, robs of even a chance for opposing opinion, hides and even lies on it. Isn’t it an infringement on human rights done by the workers of the Japanese Immigration Office as well?”

    10. The Korean Immigration Office demanded signs to the entry-denied internationals that they should return back to their countries with their own money according to the immigration law.

    Case: On Aug. 26, 2012, the Korean Immigration Office demanded Sakoda Hideumi(46), his son(6) and Yamaguchi Yukiko(56, woman), coordinator of west regional branch of AWC, that they should do such signs. The two AWC-Japan members refused to sign it. (See here)

    11. The Korean Immigration Office brought in a private airplane company worker as a translator.

    Case: The AWC_Japan and Korea, Jeju Regional branch of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and Pan-Island Committee for the Stop of Military Base and for Realization of Peace Island say in its Aug. 28 statement regarding the entry denial of two AWC_Japan members on Aug. 26 that “the conversation between the two members and Immigration Office workers were processed through a Korean translator. The Immigration Office employed K, an Asiana airplane co. worker as a Japanese translator, since there was no person who could speak Japanese among the Immigration Office workers. K did not precisely deliver but summarized the two members’ words. Sometimes K mixed one’s own subjective viewpoint or opinion in doing that. It was a clear example of how the Korean government considers the human rights of international people.’ (See here)

    12. The Korean Immigration Office dared to commit detention and forceful repatriation.

    Case1: According to a report by Heo Young-Ku, representative of the AWC_Korea, Ikeda Takae, Secretary of International dept., AWC_Japan who was denied entry on Jan. 27 , 2012, stated as the below:
    When I was in the waiting room (around 5:50pm), two men who self-claimed ‘Korean Airline workers,’ came to me. One spoke Japanese well. Even though they used polite words in the beginning, saying, ‘you might return back to Japan by a 7pm airplane,’ their words gradually became oppressive. That is why I became to know they are NOT the Korean airline workers. They looked like the airport police. When I said to them, “I will not return back to Japan, allow me to enter Korea,” they and Immigration Office workers tried to cheat me, saying, “There is a room where you can sleep in the upper floor so let’s move to there.” When I rejected them, Immigration Office worker(s) were trying to drag me. It was very forcing. I resisted hanging to chair. Later, so called a ‘Korean Airline worker’ who speak Japanese threatened me saying, ‘You should return back to Japan. If you persist, we should call the police.” It repeated many times then around 6:30pm, four more workers joined the ‘Korean Airline worker,’ therefore total six people grabbing my two arms, two legs and two armpits, forcibly dragged me from the office. Even though I protested in loud voice, very strongly resisting, they rook me toward a bus to an airplane, with my body being lifted in the air (except for the elevator time). Finally they forcefully boarded me in an airplane KE 721 around 7pm then took me a forced deportation. (See here)

    Case 2: It is told that Yamaguchi Yukiko has been under detention in the Jeju airport when she made a sit-in in protest for 3 days since she was denied entry on Aug. 26, 2011. She was forcefully deported on Aug. 28. She was also demanded to pay her own meals during the sit-in (See here)

    Case 3: It is told that Mike Hastie, a member of the Veterans for Peace, United States, was forcefully dragged out from a plane to Jeju in 10 minutes he boarded in and detained in the room of the Korean Immigration Office.

    # On the same day, Benjamin Monnet (32), a French citizen who had been falsely charged for his activities opposing the naval base project was forcefully relocated to the detention center for foreigners in Hwaseong, Gyunggi province (He was forcefully and inhumanly deported soon under the injunction order) and Angie Zelter(61), a UK citizen and a Nobel Peace laureate has also gotten order of exit from the Korean Immigration Office for her activities to stop the base project.

    Case 4: Toshio Takahashi who was denied entry along with two others on Sept. 5, 2012: ‘Officials from the immigration and Asiana Airlines ordered me and my friends to get on the Asiana OZ-136 plane departing at 5.20pm for Fukuoka. We were forcefully dragged out of the immigration office by six or seven male officials. Our passports were returned once they confirmed our identifications on board.’ (See here)

    13. A series of infringement on human rights violation and inhuman deeds have been done. One of them is finger print, taking photos of faces etc.

    Case 1: On the 5th of September, three of us left the Naha International Airport by Asiana Airline OZ-171 at 12.40pm, and arrived at the Incheon International Airport around 2.45pm. We showed our passports for a visa approval in front of immigration window. However, the immigration official turned his head, looked at the computer screen, and then asked us to go to the immigration office while handing us back passports. Two female officials were at the immigration office, and one of them asked again for passports from each of us, collected finger-prints from hands, and took photo of faces. (See here )

    Case 2: For Dr. Cha Imok, it has not even been allowed to meet her elderly parents(90 and 88 years old)
    See the note on Sept. 3 here.

    Case 3: Japanese peace activists who entered the Incheon airport at 2:40 pm, Sept. 5, were carrying the invitation letter and identity certification issued by Jang Hana, member of the Democratic United Party. They demanded the related authority to explain them persuasive reasons for their entry denial and expressed their opinions that they would stay in the airport until the next day morning since Jang’s Office was looking for the solution. However, they were forcefully deported via an airplane to Japan at 5:20pm.
    (Commentary by the National Organizing Committee, Sept. 7. See here.)

    One of them was Toshio Takahashi from Okinawa who said he cannot accept that the Korean Immigration Office would send him to a site apart from Okinawa and demanded that he want to hear the entry-denial reason from the ROK Ministry of Justice. He says, “I insisted that being deported back to cities far from my original departure is not acceptable. Also, I added that the Ministry of Justice should inform us in a letter explaining the reason of forbidding our entry into the country and demanded for Japanese interpreter. But the employee from Asiana Airlines simply dismissed my requests and said this is the “Korean system”, which was by no means convincing answer.’ (See here.)

    Jang Hana, the National Assembly woman complained later. ‘I contacted an Immigration Officer in the airport to see one of those denied entries, saying that ‘I invited them and I want to apologize them.’ But [the Immigration Office] intentionally moved up his air plane schedule at 6:05pm while it was possible that he could return back by 7:30pm airplane. (Jang’s interview on Sept. 10)

    14: It was confirmed that the government black list exists. Suspicion is also raised that there is an illegal investigation against the foreigners.

    Case 1: The fact of visiting Gangjeong village is merely a personal activity and it does not even remain in the official record. Still the thing that the Korean authority denies entry against the foreigners for the reason of “visiting to the Gangjeong village,’ is a certain proof that illegal investigation on the foreigners by government institute is being done. (Jang Hana’s commentary on Sept. 6)

    Case 2: Jang Hana, a member of the Democratic United Party said that persons who have never visited the village are included among the entry-denied international activists. It means that not only routine investigation on the international activists by the Lee Myung Bak government is being done but also a black list exists.[..] It is an example of infringement on human rights that the government ignored the recommendation of the nation human rights committee that says it to positively protect the human rights of the foreigners who were denied entries. (Commentary by the National Organizing committee on Sept. 7)

    Case 3: A person of the Ministry of Justice stated that it ‘is making and operating a list of foreigners who violates national interest or are threat to safety.” But he/she did not tell at all on the specific standards on the prohibition of entry denial. (Hankyoreh article, Sept. 10, that introduced a letter by Toshio Takahashi)

    Case 4: ‘There is a common point of people who were denied entries. They are the people who have made solidarity with the Gangjeong village, with personal or group purpose. A suspicion is raised that illegal information collection by the police has even been applied to the foreigners in the Gangjeong village, given that personnel who came personally are in the government list for entry control.’ ( Kim Mi-Hwa’s interview with Jang Hana, National Assembly woman, on Sept. 10)

    Case 5: ‘The immigration office workers openly say that “we know that you have worked in the Gangjeong village. We know what you have done entering Korea. And you are in the black list.” Here, the official name of black list is ‘the name list on the entry-controlled people,’ managed by the Ministry of Justice. However, the list is originally on the terrorists, people who have committed crimes in Korea, or people who have joined an international crimes such as smuggling. The government should make an official explanation on why the NGO activists are being dealt with like criminals for the reason that they have done peace activities and should make apology to them.’ (Kim Mi-Hwa’s interview with Jang Hana, National Assembly woman, on Sept. 10.See here.)

    15. Suspicion on domestic email hacking is being raised.

    Case: ‘Given that four speakers for the symposium [ on the environmental matter due to the US bases in the East Asia] have been denied entries and the symposium-hosting Korean groups are of the anti-war/ peace movement, we even think that emails exchanged by people might have been hacked.’ (Kim Mi-Hwa’s interview with Jang Hana, National Assembly woman, on Sept. 10. See here.)

    16. The victims of the denied entry do not have protection measures from their own governments. Not only domestic pressure but international measure on the infringement of such human rights is urgent.

    Case: ‘I called the Japanese embassy in Seoul (the respondent was named Mr. Shinsaka) around 15:14pm. I told him that my entry was being prevented, I was not noticed with reasons, and I was carrying an invitation letter and identity certificate. But he hanged off my phone, saying, “If you are in the stage before receiving the notice on the entry denial, please call again once you receive the notice.”

    Since it was clear that the ROK Ministry of Justice was clearly denying my entry, I called him again around 16:05pm and told him process, asking him whether he working in the embassy can take any measures since it was an infringement on human rights that I was to be forcefully deported without a proper document from the ROK Ministry of Justice and explanation of reason for denial. However, Mr. Shinsaka replied me that the entry denial is by the judgment and authority of the ROK government, there was nothing the Japanese government can do.” ( A letter by Toshio Takahashi, Sept. 6, 2012)

    15. Even the request by a National Assembly member for the resource material to the Ministry of Justice is being shunned.

    Case: ‘Regarding [Sept. 6] incident, we (* Office of Jang Hana, a member of Environment and Labor committee, National Assembly) made a request for resource material to the Ministry of Justice. But the Ministry was not cooperative. Instead it said that we should request it after we get the stamp by Park Young-Sun, Democratic United Party, and a Chairwoman of the Legal Affairs committee, National Assembly, which was totally nonsense. It seems the Ministry must very strongly hide something. I hope that the members of the legal affairs committee clearly make public on that matter. (Kim Mi-Hwa’s interview with Jang Hana, National Assembly woman, on Sept. 10)

    16. The ROK government’s serious infringement on human rights of the internationals is considered as its fear for the international exposure of the oppression on human rights being placed in the Gangjeong village (See here)

    Case : ‘[ToshioTakahashi] said, “ It was for the first time for me. I have visited Korea more than 10 times by now.” He was suspecting whether his visit this February when the opposition activities against the Jeju naval base was at the peak caused him to be denied entry. He said, “It is an oppression being done by the ROK government since it feels burden that infringement on human rights being placed in the Gangjeong village is to be internationally exposed.” (Toshio Takahashi’s letter to the Hankyoreh, Sept. 9. See here. )

    17. It was not only in cases related to the Gangjeong village. There have been about 463 people who were denied for unknown reasons, according to an article (May 28, 2012). Even the high ranking members of Green peace, and a Japanese activist who was invited by the Seoul Metropolitan government were denied entries.

    Case1: [On April 2, 2012] Three of [four high-ranking members of Greenpeace] – its Korean manager and East Asia leaders – were denied entry and ordered to return to Hong Kong. Only Greenpeace International executive director Kumi Naidoo was admitted to the country. They were not told why they were banned. They guessed the reason may be the group’s anti-nuclear campaign, running counter the Korean government’s plan to expand atomic power generation. “But Greenpeace has not conducted a single activity yet except for a campaign (against nuclear power). Korea is the only country that has banned Greenpeacers though no activity has been launched,” Rashid Kang, manager for Greenpeace Seoul, said.

    Case 2: The Ministry of Justice has denied a total of 8,203 people entry to Korea from October to April 2. The lion’s share of cases involved false-name passports, uncertain purpose of stay or those without places to stay.What observers find problematic are the 463 people who were denied for reasons unknown. They claim that the authorities are abusing the law to screen out civic or labor activists from holding campaigns against the government.

    Case 3: In 2011, the authorities banned entrance of Japanese civic activist, Matsumoto Hajime, who was invited by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Hajime shot to the fame for starting several nonviolent protests against the government. But since he was invited by a city government, many called the decision bizarre. “We have asked the ministry to figure out why Hajime could not get into the event but we were told nothing,” said a member of Haja center, a youth job training facility operated by Seoul City. “We are concerned that there is no clear guideline to the regulation. Simply opposing government policies does not constitute denial or prohibition,” an official of the Center for Freedom of Information and Transparent Society said. None were clearly informed of the reason why they were denied entry into Korea.

    (See the article at http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Asia/Story/A1Story20120528-348805.html )

    18. Victims as well as their colleagues who have accompanied them appeal for mental shock after their colleagues being denied entries.

    Case1: [On March 14, 2012], two US veterans, both members of Veterans For feace, were asked to come by the people [in Gangjeong village]. Elliott Adams and Tarak Kauff responded to the request by traveling for 2 days from New York to Shanghai to Jeju, including 19 hours in the air. But when they got off the plane they were rudely told by the Korean government (not the Jeju government) that they must leave. Tarak Kauff says, “they were waiting for us, they had our photos as we arrived on the plane.” The veterans were left with little money, just tickets home that would not be good for a week. “This is gratitude. I served in Korea with the 2nd Infantry Division defending the people from North Korea, I come back to again defend the people and I am pushed off into no-man’s-land,” said Elliott Adams . (See here)-

    Case 2: Nakamura Sugae who was denied entry along with her college student daughter on March 27, 2012, later appealed to the Omynews. “Further it was a visit to Daejeon and Choongnam province, nothing to do with Jeju. “I cannot understand the ROK government measure of entry denial, and I can hardly forgive it because I am so infuriated. I was shocked because I couldn’t imagine it. If I could, I want to appeal not only to Korea but also to the whole world.” (See Ohmynews, March 29, here)

    Case 3: Nakamura Sugae’s colleague, Hasegawa, who was left alone for the entry denial of two could not but visit Daejeon alone in the afternoon of March 29. Hasegawa said, “All the programs have been prepared for by Nakamura who was denied entry. I got tremendous shock since I became to be left alone.” Hasegawa even had tears, saying that “It was for the first time for me to land on Korea. I could not read Koreans and could not figure out directions.” (See Ohmynews, March 29, here)

    19. In conclusion, it is a clear infringement on human rights.

    Case: The AWC_Japan has stated in its statement on Jan. 30, 2012

    1.The ROK Korean Immigration Office does not make public entry denial reason(s) 2. It does not acknowledge the entry-denied people’s right to file on different opinion. 3. It repeats threat to the victims, saying lots of lies for forceful deportation of those. 4. Finally, it boards the subject(s) on planes with violent methods and forcefully deports. Those are clearly infringement on human rights.’ (See here)

    20. The ROK Ministry of Justice is consistent in its arrogant and arbitrary position.

    Case 1: The Ministry of Justice admitted that the rules can be ambiguous. “We cannot specify all the details about who cannot come and who can. We are capable of discerning detrimental figures,” a ministry official said. “We don’t need to disclose our criteria either, even to the person him or herself. There is no rule forcing us to. We are abiding by the rules. Besides, they all know why Korea does not want them anyway.” (See here.)

    Case 2: The Korean Immigration Office having a call with the Bupyung Shinmoon on April 20 said that “The decision on the entry denial is registered not only by us but also by the Minister of the Ministry of Justice who decides that [the subject(s)] are detrimental to the national interest of ROK,” and “[The subjects] could be denied entry not only by us but if prosecutor, police and taxation office request. If their activities are not exact, it is possible to deny their entries. The entry-denial is established according to the demand(s) by the related department(s), if something is seen against the national interest of ROK.” (See here)

     

    (4) Measures Taken

     

    1. The AWC_Japan has driven the Korea-Japan joint statement, along with the AWC_Korea, to demand the withdrawal of entry-prohibition measure in August, 2011.

    2. On Jan. 18, 2012, the both above filed a suit to the National Human Rights Commission of ROK, adding the signs by 394 civic activists from the both countries of ROK and Japan who demanded the withdrawal of unjust entry-prohibition measure (See AWC_Japan statement on Jan. 30, 2012, here)

    3. The Center for Freedom of Information ( http://www.opengirok.or.kr/ ) has requested the Ministry of Justice, detailed contents including the nationality and entry denial reason of the targeted foreigners from Oct. 2011 to April 2, 2012. However, the Ministry of Justice has not made public those, reasoning that it would impede the diplomatic relationships. (See here.)

    4. The village stated in its March 15 statement that denounces the ROK government’s entry denial of three members of Veterans for U.S., as well as its’ injunction of Benjamin Monnet, France and deportation of Angie Zelter, UK, saying that: “The oppression on the international activists is a mean and barbarous oppression to break down the chains of struggle against the Jeju naval base project against which international solidarity has been vital. In its statement on March 15, as well as on April 2 when a Japanese peace activist was denied entry on March 31, it claimed that the ROK government should make clear on what legal basis, it has taken measures on the prohibition of entry denial and on injunction order against them. It also claimed that the ROK government should make apology to the related groups and overseas civic societies, not to mention the victimized international peace activists, while taking measure for compensation and prevention on repetition. (See here)

    5. On July 2, 2012, the AWC_Japan has demanded the both governments of ROK and Japan to make public all the lists of unjust entry prohibition and strongly demanded making public of all the information and officially withdrawing of the lists. It also demanded to stop construction, saying the scheme of the Jeju naval base project is to destroy environment, community, as well as to heighten the military tension in the North East Asia. The AWC_Japan has been carrying out regular protest in front of the Korean Consulate in Osaka.

    6. As mentioned in (2), PSPD issues a press release on Sept. 25, titled, the “Government being consistent not to make public the reasons of entry denial of international activists,” the Ministry of Justice has sent one page reply on Sept. 18 to the 7 page open inquiry letter by the PSPD on the entry denial of international activists on Sept. 6. See here.

     

    (5) Detailed records of the international activists who have been denied entries by the Korean government

     

    1. From Aug. 26, 2011 to June 29, 2012 (See http://cafe.daum.net/peacekj/5htg/51)

     

    [1] Aug. 26, 2011: 3 (Asia Wide Campaign (AWC)_Japan, Jeju airport)

    Sakoda Hideumi(46), his son(6) and Yamaguchi Yukiko(56, woman), coordinator of west regional branch of AWC.

    -Sakoda and Yamaguchi were two translators among the 15 people group

     

    [2] Jan. 27, 2012: 2 (Asia Wide Campaign (AWC)_Japan)

    Ikeda Takane (40), International office secretary, AWC, and co-representative of AWC_Japan

     

    [3] March 14, 2012: 3 (US veterans for Peace, in the Jeju airport and in the airplane leaving for Jeju)

    Eliot Adams. Ex-President of the US Veterans for Peace, Tarak Kauff (New York), Mike Hastie (Oregon)

     

    [4] March 27, 2012: 2 ( A teacher of an Elementary school and her daughter, Busan international terminal)

    Nakamura Sgae and her daughter (22)

     

    [5] March 31: 1 (Japanese peace activist, Jeju airport)

    Ryuji Yagi (45)

     

    [6] April 2, 2012: 1 (Okinawa musician, Jeju airport)

    Umisedo Yutaka

     

    [7] April 6, 2012: 1 (Okinawa peace activist, Incheon airport)

    Tomiyama Masahiro

     

    [8] June 5, 2012: 1 (Okinawa peace activist, Incheon airport)

    Yuuri Arime

     

    [9] June 29, 2012: 1 (Asia Wide Action_Japan, Jeju airport)

    Ouchi Teruo

     

    2. During the WCC period (Sept. 6 to 15) (See http://cafe.daum.net/peacekj/5htg/66)

    [1]Sept. 3, 2012: 

     

    -Dr. Cha Imok, Korean American, Incheon Airport

    Dr. member of the Emergency Action to Save Jeju Island. A consultant to the Center for Human and Nature, IUCN member group, a speaker for a Knowledge Cafe program, Sept. 7, WCC participant

    Update: [IUCN letter to Dr. Imok Cha, Nov. 13] IUCN so regrets the decision for The ROK governmentnot not to allow Dr. Imok Cha (Fwd) : Click HERE

     

    [2] Sept. 5, 2012

    _Yagi Ryuji, a Japanese peace activist, Jeju airport, arriving Incheon airport at 2:40pm.

    A speaker for the international symposium on the environment matters by the US bases in the East Asia, Incheon airport. He was carrying invitation letters and identification certification issued by Jang Hana, a National Assembly woman

    _Tomita Eiiji, Takahashi Toshio, Tomiyama Masahiro, three Okinawa peace activists, arriving Incheon airport at 2:40pm.

    Three speakers for the international symposium on the environment matters by the US bases in the East Asia, Incheon Airport. They were carrying invitation letters and identification certification issued by Jang Hana, a National Assembly woman

     

    [3] Sept. 6, 2012: 4

    -Umisedo Yutaka, Okinawa, Japanese representative of the IUCN

    Okinawa musician, a member of Hallasan Association and Save Dugong Campaign, a member group of the IUCN

    – Matsushima Yuske, Japan, a member of the Save Dugong Campaign, a member group of the IUCN group

    – Unidentified two Nigerians, WCC participants
    – It is still uncertain whether they had the will to oppose the Jeju naval base project.

    ……………………………………………….

    Reference

    A Summary of United Nations Agreements on Human Rights

    http://www.hrweb.org/legal/undocs.html

    Korean Immigration Control Act

    In Korean (국문)
    http://ko.wikisource.org/wiki/%EB%8C%80%ED%95%9C%EB%AF%BC%EA%B5%AD_%EC%B6%9C%EC%9E%85%EA%B5%AD%EA%B4%80%EB%A6%AC%EB%B2%95

    http://elaw.klri.re.kr/kor_service/lawTotalSearch.do

    ……………………………………………….

    English articles (Selected)

     

    Heavy-handed immigration law irks foreigners

    http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Asia/Story/A1Story20120528-348805.html
    The Ministry of Justice admitted that the rules can be ambiguous 2012년 5월 28일

     

    Bruce Gagnon, March 14, 2012
    http://space4peace.blogspot.kr/2012/03/three-vfp-leaders-denied-entry-into.html

    Veterans for Peace Korean statement, March 15, 2012

     

    South Korea democracy crumbles to outside pressure and US Veterans are Denied Access to Return to Korea
    http://www.veteransforpeace.org/pressroom/news/2012/03/15/south-korean-democracy-crumbles-to-outside-pressure-and-us-veterans-are-denied-access-to-return-to-korea

     

    Veterans Peace Team is too dangerous for South Korea’s Jeju Island
    http://wagingnonviolence.org/2012/03/veterans-peace-team-is-too-dangerous-for-south-koreas-jeju-island/
    by Frida Berrigan,
    March 16, 2012

    [Oppression on internationals] An international Catholic Priest Threatened to be Deported
    http://cafe.daum.net/peacekj/I51g/370
    June 25, 2012

    http://space4peace.blogspot.kr/2012/09/another-supported-denied-entry-to-south.html
    Another Jeju Supporter Denied Entry Into South Korea
    Tuesday, Sept 04, 2012-09-24

    http://space4peace.blogspot.kr/2012/09/three-more-denied-entry-to-jeju.html
    Four More Denied Entry to Jeju
    Wed. Sept 05, 2012

    http://cafe.daum.net/peacekj/I51g/628
    [Toshio Takahashi] A report on the South Korean govt’s refusal to allow entry of 3 Okinawa Peace Activists (delegates to the IUCN WCC)
    Thurs. Sept. 6, 2012

    http://www.fpif.org/articles/environmentalists_stifled_in_jeju
    Environmentalists Stifled in Jeju
    By Christine Ahn, September 7, 2012

    http://savejejunow.org/reports-human-rights-environmental-destruction-naval-base/
    Reports on the Human Rights Violations and Environmental Destruction of the Jeju Naval Base Published
    (Reports originally from the National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval Base in Jeju Island )

    [Press Release] Issue Reports on Human Rights Violation and Environmental Destruction on Jeju Naval Base are Published

    http://space4peace.blogspot.kr/2012/09/push-turns-to-shove.html
    Sept. 14, 2012
    PUSH TURNS TO SHOVE
    World’s largest environmental organization in ethical quandary:
    Should it answer to conference sponsors Samsung and Korean government, or it to its historical mission to protect environment and social justice?

    http://www.peoplepower21.org/English/954311
    [Statement] Missing Democracy, Human Rights and Environment at the World Conservation Conference
    Sept. 17, 2012

    http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/opinon/2012/09/137_120846.html
    Ideological exclusion in Korea
    Sept. 25, 2012

    http://cafe.daum.net/peacekj/I51g/753
    [IUCN letter to Dr. Imok Cha, Nov. 13] IUCN so regrets the decision for The ROK governmentnot not to allow Dr. Imok Cha (Fwd)

    http://cafe.daum.net/peacekj/I51g/967
    Korea Times, Feb. 22, 2013
    Greenpeace Seoul director denied entry for nearly one year

    http://www.frontlinedefenders.com/node/22480
    South Korea: Imminent deportation of human rights defender Ms Wang Yu Hsuan
    April 25, 2013

     

    ……………………………………………….

    Korean articles (Selected)

     

    참세상, 2012년 1월 18일
    http://www.newscham.net/news/view.php?board=news&nid=64711

     

    중앙일보 2011년 8월 26일
    http://article.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.asp?total_id=6061797&ctg=1000

     

    폴리뉴스 2011년 8월 29일, 일본 평화활동가에 대한 부당한 입국거부 규탄과 입국허용 촉구 기자 회견문
    http://www.polinews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=9543

     

    AWC 제국주의 침략에 반대하는 아시아 공동 행동 ‘0130 AWC 성명서’ 전문
    ( http://cafe.daum.net/peacekj/49kU/1333?docid=1EeiE49kU133320120131102157 )

     

    한겨레 뉴스, 2012년 3월 15일

    http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/society/area/523674.html

     

    헤드라인 제주 , 3월 15일
    http://www.headlinejeju.co.kr/news/articlePhotoView.html?idxno=144903
    “해군기지 반대 외국인 강제추방, 외교적 지탄받을 것”

    강정마을회, 외국인 활동가 국외추방 중단 촉구

     

    헤드라인 제주 , 3월 15일
    http://www.headlinejeju.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=144907
    “해외활동가 추방, 해군기지 부당성 알리는 셈”

    전국대책회의, 외국인 활동가 추방 규탄

     

    오마이 뉴스 2012년 3월 27일
    http://www.ohmynews.com/NWS_Web/view/at_pg.aspx?CNTN_CD=A0001714336

     

    오마이뉴스 2012년 3월 29일
    http://www.ohmynews.com/NWS_Web/view/at_pg.aspx?CNTN_CD=A0001714990

     

    오마이 뉴스, 8월 9일
    http://cafe.daum.net/peacekj/49kU/1919

     

    제주소리, 3월 31일
    http://www.jejusori.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=113391

     

    제주도민일보, 4월 2일

     

    부평신문, 2012년 6월 21일
    http://www.bpnews.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=21523

     

    부평 신문, 7월 5일
    http://m.bpnews.kr/articleView.html?idxno=21651&menu=2

    아시아공동행동(AWC)일본연락회의는 2012 년 7월 2일 성명 발표(http://cafe.daum.net/peacekj/49kU/1850)

     

    http://article.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.asp?total_id=9235384&ctg=1213
    제주해군기지 반대 국제인사 입국 거부당해

    입력 2012.09.04 18:06 / 수정 2012.09.04 18:09

     

    http://news.khan.co.kr/kh_news/khan_art_view.html?artid=201209052254455&code=940701
    정부, 해외 환경 운동가 5명 잇따라 입국 거부
    2012년 9월 5일

     

    http://blog.daum.net/peoplepower21/15863865
    [보도자료] 「해외활동가 입국금지에 대한 공개질의서」법무부에 발송
    2012.09.05 15:46

     

    http://www.pressian.com/article/article.asp?article_num=10120905224635
    해외 활동가들 잇따른 입국 불허, 이유는?: 정부가 인권 침해국 불명예 자임”

    2012-09-06 오전 8:16:51

     

    http://www.jnuri.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=8021
    IUCN 일본 대표단 강정마을 방문 이유로 입국 거부
    장하나 의원, “블랙 리스트 존재– 내가방 까지 뒤졌다”
    2012년 9월 7일

     

    http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/society/society_general/550905.html
    “한국정부 입국거부는 강정마을 인권유린의 해외노출 의식한 탄압”
    2012.09.09 21:05

     

    http://www.nocutnews.co.kr/Show.asp?IDX=2252510
    입국거부 “당신이 강정에서 한 일을 알고 있다?”
    2012-09-10 18:02 | [CBS 김미화의 여러분: 징하나 의원 인터뷰]

     

    http://www.ohmynews.com/NWS_Web/view/at_pg.aspx?CNTN_CD=A0001777723
    “해군기지 반대 집회 참석? 법무부가 지어낸 얘기”

    [인터뷰] WCC 세계자연보전총회 참석차 입국했다가 거부당한 차임옥 박사
    2012년 9월 12일

     


    http://www.hani.co.kr/arti/society/society_general/584639.html

    외국 환경운동가 입국 거부 잇따라

    대한민국서 평화·생명 외치면 안돼?

    2013.04.25 20:21

    http://www.gobalnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=2435

    법무부, ‘강정 알리미’ 대만 여성평화활동가 입국 금지 ‘

    에밀리 왕”이런 일 처음”…강정 활동에 경찰력 800명 투입

    2013.04.25 21:46

     

    http://www.ohmynews.com/NWS_Web/View/at_pg.aspx?CNTN_CD=A0001859234

    한국이 입국거부한 대만여성, 얼마나 위험하기에…

    [取중眞담] 강정마을을 사랑한 에밀리의 자진 출국

    2013, 04, 26 18:01

     

  • A Collection of International Solidarity Messages upon 2013 Life and Peace March and Human Chain

    We so thank for all the international solidarity messages for 2013 Grand March for the Life and Peace of Gangjeong and Gureombi Human Chain. Though late, here are collected international solidarity messages. We especially express our gratitude to the international peace activists who have been unjustly denied entries to Korea for their support for our struggle opposing the building of the Jeju naval base but sent warm and strong messages of support.  Some of them such as Nagaya Yukiko collected her friends’ messages as well with Korean translations. We also thank translators, Jo Yak Gol and Park Youn-Ae,  Park Jin-Hwan for kindly helping or volunteering translations. We also thank friends such as Amy Woolam Echevera who gathered  signs for us from the friends all over the world.  And friends in the UK and Australia for having solidarity actions for us. If there are any missed messages here though you have sent us, please let us know (gangjeongintl@gmail.com) . Thank again for all your warm friendship and support.

    Kitty Axelson-Berry (USA)

    Your sea is our sea, your soil is our soil, your protest is our protest, and may we always remember that and real-ize that. All of my best wishes for a world at peace, with the security that only peace can provide.

    With love,

    Amherst, Massachusetts

    U.S.A.

    Kitty

    –> Click the link for the Korean translation 

    BAYAN (BAGONG ALYANSANG MAKABAYAN) (Philippines)

    In militant unity with the valiant people of Jeju Island, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan ( New Patriotic Alliance ) in the Philippines joins them in their struggle to stop the construction of the US Naval Base in said island, a World Heritage site.

    Bayan earnestly wishes for the peace march of July 29 to Aug. 03 and the human chain on August 04 between the east and west side of the naval base construction to be successfully carried out by the people of Jeju Island and the local and international groups.

    Bayan condemns the trampling by US imperialism and its puppet, the ROK government of President Park Geun-hye, of  the strong desire of the people of Jeju Island for peace not only in their island, but also in the Korean peninsula and Asia.

    Stop the Construction of the US Naval Base! Release All Prisoners Opposed to the Construction of the Naval Base! Fight for Peace in the Korean Peninsula and the Asia Region! US Out of Jeju Island, Korea, and the Rest of Asia! Long Live International Solidarity! The People United, Will Never be Defeated!

    Bayan1

    –> Click the link for the Korean translation and more resource

    Jacqui Deveneau(USA)

    I am writing to you from the National Green Party’s Annual Gathering here in the US. Last night I showed the film The Ghosts of Jeju to some of the people and they were very moved. I know I speak for the Green Party members that I know all over the US and the Green Party Peace Network that I started with another Green, we are behind your struggle and are so saddened and angered by both what has and is now going on in Jeju. We send our thoughts, prayers, strength and love to you all in your continued struggle and will continue to show and pass on this wonderful film that Regis Trembly did from his visit in Jeju. You are in our hearts and souls. Stay strong and safe. Love, jacqui [Maine].

    –> Click the link for the Korean translation 

     

    Bernard De Witte (Belgium)

    Hi you all, It’s a long distance, I live in a far away country. Moreover I am no longer able to participate in a walk. But my heart, my spirit is with you. I hope you stlll can hold on against all odds – there’s a chance peace will come – if many of us all over the world keep struggling to obtain it. Peaceful greetings Bernard De Witte, Belgium

    –> Click the link for the Korean translation 

     

    Denis Doherty and Radhika Raju (Australia) 

    We the people gathered in Sydney, Australia for the Hiroshima Day Rally on Aug 4. 2013 condemn the Government of the Republic of Korea for building the Korea-US naval base on Jeju the island of peace.   This new base will further threaten the peace of the Northern Pacific area. The construction of the base is an act of environmental and cultural vandalism. We support the struggle of the people of Jeju to protect their island. We stand with you today Aug 4, 2013 as you join hands to encircle the construction site.   We wish you every success. Hope all went well!   Peace From Sydney   Denis Doherty and Radhika Raju

    Hello friends of Jeju Island, we are having a march and rally on 4 August 2013 and will be speaking about the issues you ate facing in Jeju Island! in solidarity – The Hiroshima Day Council Sydney.

    Hiroshima

    –> Click the Korean translation link    

     

    Kristin Douglas (Hawai’i)

    Kristin flag
    Kristin Douglas sent us a world peace flag to represent her. The Gangjeong village international team members are holding it during the Life and Peace march on Aug. 3 (Photo by Lee Wooki)

     

    Amy Woolam Echeverria   Dear Friends,

    My name is Amy Woolam Echeverria and I am a colleague of Columban Fr. Pat Cunningham.  For quite some time we have been following the situation in Jeju through Pat’s updates which have informed our advocacy efforts for peace here in the U.S.  We hope you receive the attached international letter of solidarity in time for your events on August 4.
    Please know of our ongoing concern and work to accompany you in your struggle for peace.
    If we can be of support in any way, please let us know.
    In peace and solidarity,
    Amy Woolam Echeverria
    Amy Woolam Echeverria
    International Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Coordinator
    Missionary Society of St. Columban
    USA

    ………………………………………

    International Letter of Solidarity to the People of Jeju Island

    August 4th, 2013

    To The People of Jeju Island,

    We, the undersigned faith-based, peace, environmental, and other civil society members and organizations, are concerned for you, our brothers and sisters, as the proposed military base on Jeju Island continues to threaten the lives and environment of your people. We offer solidarity as you fight for the right to protect the village of Gangjeong from expanded militarization.   We recognize the fragileness of the Earth, and particularly the unique habitat on Jeju Island. As a United Nations World Heritage Site, Jeju Island is known for its unique marine life and biodiversity. We worry that increased militarization in the region will result in oil and waste contamination to the surrounding waters and land. We know the construction will destroy the coral reef habitat in the area that many species depend on. We will advocate for the protection of this precious ecosystem. We feel pain for your families because we know that the gifts of water, air, and soil that sustain many lives and are critical to Jeju Island culture may be destroyed as a result of the base construction and the military operations that will follow.   We extend our hearts for the lives lost in the 1948 massacre on Jeju Island and will not stand to see a military harm its own people a second time. We take to heart the words of Bishop Kang Woo Il of the Jeju Island Diocese, “A military base on this island – with all of the latest weapons collected in one place, including the Aegis and aircraft carriers, creating a great concentration of military power – it simply does not make sense to be on Jeju Island … We also see this as a peace issue for the whole nation, and not even just our country, but also an issue for China, Japan and Korea – countries that have not yet been able to overcome the conflicts between them … We believe that this is not healthy for the peace of Korea, for Northeast Asia, and for the whole world.”   The 60th anniversary of the armistice reminds us that we are called as humanity to be peacemakers and protect the way of life and environment of those affected by expanded militarization and long-standing international dispute. We know from past experience that the arrival of military personnel may harm women and the overall public health of those residing in your community. Utilized by South Korean and potentially the United States militaries, this base will pose a threat to the current security of the Gangjeong Village and the entirety of Jeju Island. We stand with you, planting our feet firmly, in hopes of halting the transformation of your beautiful home and environment into an international military target.   Please be assured that we will continue standing in solidarity with you in your struggle to maintain your way of life, livelihoods, and fragile island ecosystem in the face of the harmful effects of militarization.

    International Letter of Solidarity to the People of Jeju Island

    Name/ Organization/ State,Province/Country

    -Amy Echeverria Columban missionaries, Maryland. USA -Christine Hong, National Campaign to End the Korean War, CA USA -JT Takagi Third World Newsreel, NY USA _Monica Kim University at Albany, SUNY New York, USA _Dorothy Ogle, National Campaign to End the Korean War,  Colorado USA _George Ogle, National Campaign to End the Korean War Colorado USA _Joe Ring CA USA _Koohan Paik International Forum on Globalization California USA _Ramsay Liem Boston College MA USA _Khanh Pham Viet Unity _Daniel Kim New York.United States of America _Haeyoung Kim University of Chicago IL United States _Elaine H. Kim Asian American Studies UC Berkeley California USA _Sarah Park SOOBAK California United States _Sooyoung New York USA _Namhee Lee, ASCK (Alliance of Scholars Concered about Korea), CA USA _Juyeon Rhee, Nodutdol for Korean Community Development New Jersey U.S.A _김수복 6.15 공동선언실천해외위 뉴욕 NJ 미국 _Ki Yom Sun-Yoga New York United States _M.Brinton Lykes Center for Human Rights & Intl Justice, _Boston College MA USA _Catherine M Mooney MA United States _Nan Kim, Alliance of Scholars Concerned about Korea (ASCK) Wisconsin US _Jodi Kim CA USA _Jinsoo An UC Berkeley CA USA _Byung C Kang, All saint Episcopal Church In Great NECK, NY New York USA _Terry K. Park CA USA _Deanna Wolf Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach MD USA _Jennifer Kim Chicago, IL USA _Mike Dodd Columban Fathers NE USA _Gerald Wilmsen Columbans Wisconsin USA _Victoria Compton Office for the Missions, Diocese of Springfield in IL Illinois USA _Will Donahue, Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach IL USA _Maria Torres TX Estados Unidos _Tracy M Oberle, Columban Fathers-Columban Center  for Advocacy and Outreach MICHIGAN United States _Kristie B Vollentine Pontifical Mission Societies LA USA _Father ‘Rick LaBrecque Catholic Diocese of Charleston South Carolina USA _Alice Sather MN USA _Connor Duffy Pennsylvania United States _Martin Witchger, Washington, D.C. United States _Charles Haddox Texas United States _Kadey Wright Tx United States _John Nuelle, United States Catholic Mission _Association Washington DC USA _Jan Gregorcich School sisters of Notre Dame Wisconsin USA _Rev. Robert E. Mosher Columban Fathers Texas USA _Charles Rue Columban Mission NSW Australia _Ray SCANLON Columbans Victoria Australia _Albert Utzig St. Mary’s Catholic Church California USA _Frank Carroll Columban Fathers MA USA _Brother Jim Moore Conventual Franciscan Friars Maryland USA _Deacon Greg Kovalesky St. Paul Catholic Church Tampa, Florida USA _nelson belizario st simon stock parish _kevin cawley Cawley Family NY United States _Serafina Vuda Columban Fathers California United States _Eli McCarthy Conference of Major Superiors of Men MD USA _Pat Cunningham Columban JPIC Korea Seoul Korea _Elizabeth Nye, Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach, Washington, D.C. United States _Teresa Vyhanek Minnesota USA _John Kerr Province of the Immaculate Conception Pennsylvania U.S. _Thomas Kim KPI CA _Mary Ellen Dowling New York USA _thomas glennon Nebraska united states _John Converset JPIC Office, Comboni Missionaries NJ USA _Fr Peter O’Neill Missionary Society of St Columban Hsinchu City Taiwan _Ronald Miranda Illinois USA _Ronald Miranda Illinois USA _youngho jeju korea _Linda Dimmock Alabama USA _Rick V Elefano St. Gerard Family Life Center Philippines _William Schmitt Columban Fathers Nebraska U.S.A. _Provincial Council of the Clerics of St. Viator Illinois United States _Br. Michael Gosch Clerics of St. Viator (Viatorians) IL US _Ann Scholz Maryland USA _Richard Steinhilber Columban Fathers Nebraska USA _Fr. Chuck Lintz Columban Mission Society Rhode Island U.S.A. _Gerry G Lee Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns DC USA _Luke Patterson New York United States _thomas glennon Nebraska usa _Ellen Teague Columban JPIC UK London England _Charles Haddox Texas United States _Katie Michigan United States _William J. Morton, SSC Columban Border Ministries Texas USA _ Sainiana Tamatawale Columban Lay Missionary Suva FIji Islands _Chloe Schwabe, Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach District of  Columbia USA   P1 –> Click the link for Korean translation and all 5 page letter copies ( Korean translation by Jo Yak Gol)

     

    Josh Fisher(USA)

    I lived on Jeju-do for two years and fell in love with the island. To learn that the fight for the sanctity of Jeju-do is still ongoing is distressing. Here in Chicago, I am thousands of miles away from the picket lines I’d rather be standing on. In order to do my part, I’ve decided to rerelease the original performance of Build Your Base. This was performed in the Gangjeong Village Hall on June 26, 2010.

     Chicago, IL, United States

    http://www.appoet.org/2013/07/11/no-naval-base-on-jeju-do/

     

    –> Click the link for Korean translation 

    Catherine Fontanazza

    I stand with in you in spirit. I am unable to be with you but my prayers are with you!

    God bless you.

    Peace,

    Catherine Fontanazza

     –> Click the link for Korean translation 

     

    Friends of Gangjeong in the city of Birmingham, United Kingdom (UK)

    1. Friends of Gangjeong in the city of Birmingham, United Kingdom are organising a human chain and picnic on Sunday 4 August. Here is the leaflet (to be double sided) we will be giving to the public. (Andrew, UK)

    UK_leaflet

    2. To the beautiful people of Gangjeong, your struggle for peace is endlessly inspiring. It’s a joy to see daily photos from the Grand March for Peace. Here in the UK there will be a human chain event for Gangjeong in the city of Birmingham on Sunday 4th.  (Andrew, UK)

    Aug 21 UK

    –> Click the link for Korean translation and more photos

     

    Bruce K. Gagnon

    Dear Friends,

    I write this message of solidarity from Darwin, Australia where local activists are beginning to expand their efforts to protest the US deployment of 2,500 Marines as part of Obama’s “pivot” into the region.

    Before I came here I was in the Philippines and visited the former US Navy base at Subic Bay.  I learned that about 5 US warships each week are coming back into that port.

    My thoughts are with Gangjeong village as you prepare to begin the peace march and human chain.  I send you my heartfelt greetings and wish I could be there with you.

    Please know that your story of peace, love, and respect for nature is spreading around the world.  You are not alone.

    Blessing to you all.  We join hands with you.

    In peace,

    Bruce K. Gagnon

    Coordinator Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space Brunswick, ME

    United States

    –> Click the link for Korean translation and some photos

    Sherrin Hibbard(Australia)

    ‘In 2010 i swam around Jeju to raise environmental awareness. Seeing Jeju from the sea makes you realise how much habitat destruction and inappropriate deelopment has already occurred. Sadly, the only clean water i swam through in ALL OF JEJU was at Gangjeong. It breaks my heart to see this development continue. I wish i could be with you all on Jeju to join the walk and hold hands in solidarity and support. Thank you for not giving up.

    SHERRIN HIBBARD

    Jeju Big Swim (now in Australia)’

    –> Check the Korean translation and photos here. 

     

    Sakota Hidefumi (Japan)

    A solidarity message from Sakota Hidefumi(46) who was denied entry to Korea on Aug 26, 2011, with his 6-year-old son and Yamaguchi Yukiko(56), a AWC organizer in Kansai region. Mr. Sakota Hidefumi is a peace activist and Korean language translator from Japan. 

    江汀の住民の皆さん。平和活動家の皆さん。私は皆さんの闘いを支持します。そして韓国政府の海軍基地建設に反対します。皆さんの闘いは正義です。サムスンの工事と警察の弾圧は不正義です。不当逮捕された人全員の即時釈放と海外活動家への入国拒否解除を求めます。迫田英文（日本）

    Dear, Gangjeong villagers and peace activists. I support your struggle. And I oppose the construction of the Jeju naval base by Korean government. Your struggle is justice. Samsung’s comstruction and Police crackdown is  injustice. I demand immediate release of wrongfully imprisoned people, and Korean government must lift the entry ban on foreign activists.

    -> Click the link for his original Korean and  photos (English translation by Jo Yak Gol)

     

    Ikeda Takane (AWC-Japan)

    カンジョンでの闘いに思いを馳せ、連帯のメッセージを送ります。韓国政府による不当な入国妨害によって、皆さんの創意溢れる活動に直接に参加できないことが残念です。しかし、そのような状況のなかでも、済州海軍基地建設反対の声を国際的に広げていくために私たちにできることは多くあると確信しています。軍隊や基地の抑圧からすべての民衆が解放される日に向けて共に闘い続けましょう。あなた方の闘いは私たちの闘いです。

    池田高巌(AWC、日本)　2012.1.26強制送還

    I am sending my solidarity message to you with Gangjeong struggle in my mind. I am so regretful that I cannot participate in your creative actions due to Korean government’s unjust entry ban. However, I believe that we can do a lot of things to spread Gangjeong voice against Jeju naval base into the world. Let’s continue to fight for our freedom and all people’s liberation from the oppression of military base. Your struggle is our struggle.

    Name: Ikeda Takane (AWC-Japan) Denied entry to Korea and sent back to Japan on Jan 26, 2012.

    –>  Check the Korean translation here( Forwarded with Korean translation by Nagaya Yukiko, English translation by Jo Yak Gol)

     

    Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment

    This is Leon from the environmental network Kalikasan PNE in the Philippines. [I was at the] International Conference on US Strategic Pivot to Asia-Pacific Militarism, Intervention and War in Manila last July.

    Hope we’re not too late to send you our solidarity statement in time for the human chain. Wishing you a successful action and we’re looking forward to working with you on the bases campaign! Leon Dulce National Campaign Coordinator Kalikasan-People’s Network for the Environment http://www.kalikasan.org http://kathangkatotohanan.wordpress.com ……………………………………………………………….

    Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment “The Struggle for the People is the Struggle for the Environment.”   National Secretariat Office 26 Matulungin St. Central District, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines (02) 924 8756 | kalikasan.pne@gmail.com | www.kalikasan.net

    Defend land, culture and the environment from the scourge of US troops and bases!

    Statement of Solidarity to the Gureombi Human Chain

    by the Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment

    Philippine_leaflet

     

    04 August 2013

    We, the Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment, join in spirit and in solidarity the Gureombi Human Chain organized today by the people of Gangjeong Village in Jeju Province to protest the construction of a United States-Korean naval base on Jeju Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its lava tube systems and other volcanic island features, majestic waterfalls and mountain streams, lush marine ecosystems, unique culture and historical significance. Beyond this, Jeju is also known as the Island of World Peace, as designated by then President Roh Moo-Hyun in 2006 as an apology for the massacre, rape, torture and other war crimes inflicted upon the people of Jeju during the height of Cold War in the Korean Peninsula. The island’s harrowing experiences were a reminder of the hysteria and paranoia whipped up by the US and its South Korean lackeys before and during the Korean War – memories that are already being relived by the people of Jeju who are being battered and imprisoned by Korean military and police as construction of the base continues at a steady pace. The naval base project is clearly part and parcel of the plans of the US military forces’ pivot away from Iraq and Afghanistan towards Asia, with plans of repositioning 60 percent of all US naval forces to the Asia-Pacific by 2020. After all, It is an ideal deterrent by the US to the growing economic and geopolitical dominance of China, giving US military forces a staging area only 490 kilometers away from Shanghai and 940 kilometers from Beijing. Under the same pretenses of maintaining peace and order in the region, Filipinos have experienced the same military interventionism being displayed by the US in Jeju Island. Last October 2012, a tanker serving under a US Navy service contractor dumped over four million liters of hazardous domestic waste and toxic bilge water in Subic Bay, a former US base but also an important marine ecosystem and tourism area in our country. As if not content with causing damage to just one natural wonder of the world, the US Navy’s minesweeper USS Guardian ran aground PH’s Tubbataha Reef Natural Park, a coral expanse in the very heart of the globally critical and biodiversity-rich Coral Triangle area in the Pacific Ocean, destroying 2,345 square meters of 10 meter-deep coral reefs. The US has, to date, payed no compensation for social and environmental justice in these environmental crimes. We remember the effects of the toxic pollution left by US military forces in the Subic Naval Base and Clark Air Base years after they were discontinued in 1991: More than thousand people have died and many more were affected, mostly women and children, because of illnesses and diseases caused by the US toxic contamination. Today, the US-Aquino regime in the Philippines wants to reopen the Subic Base and providing US troops full access to all port facilities in the Philippines. Likewise, no compensation has been given to the victims and no cleanup and rehabilitation has been conducted to date by the US government. US imperialism and militarism will continue to take no heed of the ‘collateral damages’ it is causing to the environment and the people to achieve economic and territorial dominance in the Asia-Pacific region – and this holds true from the Island of Vieques in Puerto Rico to the Island of Okinawa in Japan and back to our own shores. The US Pivot to the Asia-Pacific only promises more. We say: no more! We look forward to working with the Gangjeong Village campaign, together with the global anti-imperialist movement in building a bigger and more sustainable people’s solidarity in defending land, culture and the environment from the scourge of US troops and bases. Let the conclusion of the 2013 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace be the spark of a qualitative leap in the heightening of people’s struggles against US Imperialism, in all fronts and across all borders! Resist the growing ecological threats presented by US military forces in our lands and seas! US bases, troops and military exercises, out of the Asia-Pacific now! The people united will never be defeated! Long live international solidarity!   (Source)   KPNE-Solidarity-Statement-t–> Click the link for Korean translation (Korean translation by Park Youn-Ae)

     

    Tarak Kauff (USA)

    Tark Kauff was  forcefully and violently denied entry along with Eliot Adams and Mike Hastie on March 14, 2012. For more info on it, click here. Despite such ordeal, here is his warm message. 

    Solidarity for the Gangjeong Peach March from Veterans for Peace. Many of us here in the states have been incredibly inspired and moved by the intensity, courage and long unceasing commitment of your struggle to resist U.S. and South Korean militarism at the expense of your island and people. You set an example of sacrifice for many of us. I was turned away from Jeju Island once, if I can I will try again as soon as possible. I want to learn from you all and stand in real solidarity with you all. I feel like you are family that I need to see. All power to you in the struggle. In the meantime I am sending a t-shirt and a hat and maybe something else if I can get it together.

    Peace, justice and love,
    Tarak
    Tarak Kauff
    Board of Directors

    Veterans For Peace

    “Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” 

     

     

    The Korea Policy Institute

    Dear Gangjeong villagers,

    The Korea Policy Institute sends our deepest gratitude for your incredibly courageous and persistent efforts to resist the further militarization of your village and Jeju Island. For years now, across the pacific ocean, we have been watching and learning about your struggle. Whether on Facebook  or hearing directly from Gangjeong villagers such as Jeong Young-hee or Mayor Kang Dong-kyun, or traveling ourselves to Gangjeong, we have been moved and encouraged by what you have created and continue to build in your resistance.

    This year marks the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice Agreement. We know that an unended Korean War due to the absence of a permanent peace treaty is what justifies the further militarization of the Korean peninsula, and as a consequence Jeju Island. Your struggle to halt this militarization, to protect your 400-year old village, Gureombi, and the natural beauty which makes Jeju Island paradise island, is truly valiant.

    We are inspired by your unwillingness to accept injustice, despite the daily brutal violence you endure, including imprisonment and heavy fines. Your fearlessness in the face of all of this is a true testament to the selfless human spirit that is willing to sacrifice for justice, to protect the environment, and preserve the precious resources we have today for future generations.

    Please know we are with you and will continue to write and spread the word about your struggle. You are not alone. We are with you every step of the way.

    In peace, friendship and solidarity,

    The Korea Policy Institute

     –> Click the link for Korean translation

     

    Renie Wong Lindley (Hawai’i )

    Aloha to Gangjeong Aug. 4, 2013

    I feel honored to have come to know you, peace activists of Gangjeong, because you have shown me so much–about the hope and dream for a peaceful world and about your unwavering courage and passion to keep working to make it happen.  You are the ones whose words of peace have wings to fly all over the world!  Your struggle is our struggle.  We must stop the insanity of war!  Keep Jeju the Island of Peace!

    In Solidarity,

    violin

    –> Click the link for Korean translation and more resource

     

    Natasha Mayers (USA)

    Greetings to you brave people in your struggle to save Gangjeong. Thank you for your courage and tireless efforts to protect the environment and your traditions. You are an inspiration to the whole world.

    You have inspired me to devote much of my life to making banners here in Maine for groups fighting for peace and justice, the environment, and other causes I want to support,

    I would return to struggle with you, but know that I would not be allowed into your country again.

    I am attaching some images that I made that you might like to use.

    Fondly,

    Natasha Mayers Whitefield, Maine

    create_a_peace_economy

    –>  Check for the Korean translation and more images here

     

    Minami Mamoru (Japan)

    昨年の夏、台風直後のクロンビを訪問しました。だからわたくしはそれよりも前に訪問した仲間たちの語った見事なクロンビの姿を知りません。それでも案内いただいた方たちから伺った平和な頃のクロンビの光景、子供のころからの遊び場だったこと、アジの一荷釣り…。人も自然も平和だったころを取り戻しましょう。日本から連帯の思いを寄せます。私はあなたたちとともにあります。

    居住地域　日本国京都府

    名前　南　守

    Last summer, I visited Gureombi rock right after a typhoon hit. So I couldn’t see the real, exquisite Gureombi that other people told me about. But, Gangjeong villagers explained to me how peaceful the rock was before the construction, how fun it was for kids to play at, and how rich and fertile the sea was. Fishing was so easy… Let’s take back the peaceful days. For that, I am sending my solidarity heart from Japan. I will be with you. Location: Kyoto, Japan Name: Minami Mamoru

    –>  Check the Korean translation here( Forwarded with Korean translation by Nagaya Yukiko, English translation by Jo Yak Gol)

     

    Benjamin Monnet (France)

    With you in spirit A picture of solidarity for the Peace March. A message of harmony between mineral, vegetal and animal, are humans catching it?

    Gangjeong villagers,

    Walk, Walk,
    My dear Friends,
    Be Brave,
    Gangjeong villagers,
    Be fearless,
    Connection with Gureombi must remain alive.
    With the truth on its back,
    Carrying justice for Gangjeong,
    May this whale travel for long,
    Until the advent of loving kindness.
    Someday they’ll have to accept,
    that our struggle is right and just.
    Simply, they’ll have to face,
    With wide open senses.
    While my heart is at your side,
    Often my tears flow in front of your devotion.
    I pray for you.
    I feel you.
    I miss you.
    I am with you.
    I love you.
    Benjari

    Benj  

    –> Click the link for Korean translation

     

    Nagaya Yukiko  and other AWC Japan activists including those who were denied entry

    Nagaya Yukiko (Yamaguchi Yukiko) from the Japan AWC was unlawfully denied entry to Korea on Aug 26, 2011 along with Sakota Hidefumi and Sakota’s son. They were translators and were stuck and illegally held at the airport for 3 days and deported back to Japan on Aug 28. They tried to use their rights to file a formal objection, but the Korean Immigration told lies, saying there is no such a process in Korea. You can read the full report of the case in here.  Afterwards, Nagaya Yukiko started protest in front of the Korean embassy in Osaka and other places on every Wednesday. She has strongly protested Korean government’s unlawful denial of her entry and Jeju naval base construction. We thank Nagaya Yukiko for her continuous efforts to put solidarity messages together and translate them into Korean language.  

    済州島を一周してカンジョンに到着された皆さんに熱い連帯の心を送ります。

    私は２年前に見た、川と海が出会うカンジョンの雄大な自然が忘れられません。クロンビは温かい岩だといいます。大人たちが抗議集会をするあいだクロンビの上を走り回り、遊び疲れてクロンビの上で眠り込んでいた子どもたちの姿も忘れられません。

    生活の場であるクロンビと海の破壊を食い止めようと、何度も逮捕され、長期に投獄されながら闘っている住民と支援者の皆さんに心から尊敬と連帯の気持ちを送ります。韓国政府が弾圧を乱発するのは、恐れているからです。大切な故郷を破壊して作られようとする海軍基地の真の目的が何であるかをカンジョン住民たちが見抜き告発しているからです。私たちは怖いものは何一つありません。だからこうして海を越えて連帯をしています。いくら妨害されても私たちはひたすらに連帯を押し広げていきましょう。

    連帯の力で、アジアから米軍基地を撤収し、韓・米・日軍事体制を終わらせましょう！

    居住地：日本国　京都

    名前；永谷ゆき子（山口由紀子）

    I am sending my solidarity message to all the comrades who walked around the Jeju island and arrived Gangjeong village. I cannot forget the grand nature where river and sea meets in Gangjeong that I saw two years ago. I heard that Gureombi is a warm rock. I also cannot forget the scene where children played games, becamed tired and fell asleep on the rock while grown-ups were holding protest gathering. I want to send my utmost respect and solidarity heart to Gangjeong villagers and peace activists who have repetedly been arrested and imprisoned for such a long time to defend their life ground, Gureombi rock and the sea. Korean government is opressing and destroying because it is afraid. So that’s why we have to strengthen and broaden our solidarity in spite of any interference. And with the power of solidarity, we will kick out US military bases from Asia and put an end to the Korean-US-Japan military ruling system! Location: Kyoto, Japan Name: Nagaya Yukiko (Yamaguchi Yukiko) (denied entry on Aug 26, 2011)

    –> Check  the original Japanese, Korean translations and mores resource here (Korean translation by Nagaya Yukiko and English translation by Jo Yak Gol)

     

    Nakamura Sukae (Japan)

    私は一昨年の夏、娘とともに海軍基地の建設現場を訪れ、そこに立つだけでパワーを与えられ、海の幸をもたらし、様々な生き物の命を育むクロムビの海の偉大さを目の当たりにしました。この海に人間にとって何もプラスにならない戦争のための基地を作るなどとんでもないと実感しました。（もちろん、どこにも戦争のための基地は必要ありませんが。）そして、クロムビの海を取り戻そうと水際で体を張って戦っておられる住民の方々に連帯の思いと激励の気持ちを伝えて日本に帰りました。毎日が戦いの住民の方々に対して、それぐらいしかできない一日本人の非力をくやみましたが、少しでもと、カンジョンのことを日本の友人たちに伝えました。

    　しかし、韓国政府は、こんな小さな存在の―日本人の親子を入国を拒否しました。カンジョンの海軍基地に反対しているからという理由で。カンジョンを訪れて半年後、再び大好きな韓国を訪れた私たち親子を、強制送還しました。こんな不条理な仕打をしてまで作る海軍基地はどんな만들어지는 해군기지가 어떤 역할을 하는 건지 주민 분들이 잘 알고 고발하는 것을 두려워하는 겁니다. 저희는 두려운 게 하나도 없으니까 이렇게 바다 건너 연대하고 있습니다未来に必要だというのでしょう。まったく必要ありません。

    　私は、この仕打から逆に、私たち一人一人の存在がどんなに大きなものであるのかを学び、一人一人が声を発し、一人一人が戦いの鎖の一つとなることの重みを教えられました。

     クロムビの海を守る人間の鎖に日本から私たちの思いもつながります。勝利の日まで共にがんばりましょう。　中村清恵

     I visited the naval base construction site with my daughter in summer two years ago. I felt empowered just standing on it. I witnessed with my eyes the greatness of Gureombi rock and the sea that give us rich products, raise diverse life. I realized that building a war base that gives no good for human race, on such an abundant sea, was an absolutely absurd thing. (we don’t need war base in anywhere else, for sure) I came back to Japan before I delievered my solidarity heart and encouragement to the villagers who have vowed to recover the Gureombi rkac and the sea, while putting their life in line. As a Japanese, I felt powerless because I couldn’t do much when the Gangjeong people were fighting everyday. However, I decided to help as much I as could, so after I came back to Japan, I told the stories of Gangjeong village to my friends. To my surprise, Korean government did not allow this tiny little mother and daughter to its country. Just because we oppose the Gangjeong naval base project. We wanted to visit again Korea that we liked after 6 months we visited Gangjeong village. But it deported us. Do we actually need a naval base being constructed in this unjust ways for our future? No, absolutelu not. In my deportation, I learned how important existence each and every one of us is. Each person can raise voice and become a link that connects the strong stryggle chain. I want to send our hearts to the human’s wall that will defend Gureombi rock and the sea. Let’s keep up the struggle until we win. Location: Nothern Kyushu, Japan Name: Nakamura Sukae (denied entry on Mar 27, 2012)

    –> Check  the original Japanese, Korean translations and mores resource here (Korean translation by Nagaya Yukiko and English translation by Jo Yak Gol)

     

    Ouchi Teruo (AWC-Japan)

     

    「クロムビ包囲人間の鎖」に心からの連帯の意を示します。 基地を押し付けようとするものたちが、いくら入国拒否をおこなおうとも、 私たちと韓国、チェジュの人々の連帯を断ち切ることなどできません。 私たちは、いつも、皆さんにたたかいと共にあります。 子どもたちが、女性が、そしてそこに暮らす人々が、 基地や軍隊に脅かされることのないアジアをつくりあげましょう！ アジア共同行動日本連絡会議　大内照雄

    I want to share my solidarity heart with human’s wall around Gureombi. Even though military base builders and law enforcers keep us from entering your country, how can they stop our solidarity with Jeju people, Korean people? We will always be together with you in the struggle. Let’s build Asia free from military threat so that women and children can live safe!   Organization: AWC-Japan Name: Ouchi Teruo (denied entry on Jun 29, 2012)

    –>  Check the Korean translation here( Forwarded with Korean translation by Nagaya Yukiko, English translation by Jo Yak Gol)

     

    Makiko Sato (Japan)

    Dear friends in Gangjeong who are against the naval vase construction,

    Your daily struggels, along with those on Henoko Beach and  in Takae village, Okinawa,

     have been the lighthouse of the conscience and the wish for peace commonly shared

    by the majority of citizens worldwide.

    Japan is soon at the crossroad of whether or not to overhaul its Constitution

    , in order for our politicians to have it tailored to what they call  ‘ public good.’

    But you all in Gangjeong rightly know the true public good is peace,

    not possessing the ability nor facilities for war.

    Especially as a local resident in a neighboring country,

    I thank you for your tenacious efforts in peace and for peace.

    M. Sato, Japan

    –>  Check the Korean translation here

      Tamura Megumi (Japan)

    分断されることではなく、アジアの人々が連帯することによる平和を求めます。クロムビ包囲・人間の鎖に連帯の意を示します。

    日本・愛媛  田村恵

    I want peace with people in Asia together in solidarity, not divided. I want to express my solidarity to human’s wall around Gureombi rock. Location: Ehime Prefecture, Japan Name: Tamura Megumi

    –>  Check the Korean translation here( Forwarded with Korean translation by Nagaya Yukiko, English translation by Jo Yak Gol)

     

    Regis Tremblay

    To visit Gangjeong is to know and to love Gangjeong and her people. With each passing day, more people around the world stand in solidarity with you. Your spirit and energy is infectious in spite of seemingly insurmountable odds. Your struggle is our struggle as we rise up against the crimes against humanity and the natural world! War, capitalism, militarism, and imperialism must be replaced with peace and justice for all.

    combined

    –> Click the link for Korean translation

     

    Tomiyama Masahiro and Okinawan peace activists (Okinawa) 

     Tomiyama Masahiro is the co-chairman of Okinawan-Korean People’s Solidarity against US military base. He was denied entry to Korea twice, Apr 6 of 2012 and Sep 5 of 2012, a day before the World Conservation Congress opening ceremony. Several other Japanese peace activists such as Yagi Ryuji and Okinawan musician such as Wumisedo Yutaka were repeatedly not allowed to enter Korea, two times respectively. We also thank Park Jin-hwan for translating the messages into Korean. 

    「生命と平和のための江汀大行進」への連帯メッセージ 米軍基地に反対する運動をとおして沖縄と韓国民衆の連帯をめざす会 略称：沖縄・韓国民衆連帯 共同代表：豊見山雅裕（とみやま・まさひろ） 海軍基地建設阻止のために江汀村に結集した闘う仲間の皆さん。沖縄から連帯のメッセージを送ります。 沖縄では、昨年９月の10万人余が結集した県民大会において、日米両政府に対し「世界一危険な普天間基地の閉鎖、辺野古への新基地建設反対、欠陥機オスプレイの配備撤回」を求めるオール沖縄の県民行動を開始しました。日本全体の右翼的雰囲気の中で迎えた7月21日の参議院選挙でも、沖縄は革新側の糸数候補が保守勢力を打ち破り勝利しました。 しかし、参議院選挙に日本全国で大勝した超右翼安倍自民党政権は、８月初旬にも普天間基地に、墜落死亡事故をくりかえすオスプレイ12機の追加配備を進めようとしています。そして、辺野古への新基地建設のための埋立承認を取り付けるため沖縄県（知事）に圧力を強めています。高江のオスプレイパッド建設も再開・強行されています。 民意を踏みにじって沖縄をねじ伏せ、領土問題を煽るナショナリズムの鼓吹から、憲法改悪・国防軍創設へと突き進む安倍政権の危険な暴走を、なんとしても食い止めなければなりません。 国境を越えてアジア・世界の民衆が平和の手を結びあいましょう。獄壁を越えて、こころを一つに合わせましょう。生命と平和のための江汀大行進、人間の鎖行動の大成功を勝ち取りましょう！

    Solidarity Message to 2013 Gangjeong Grand Peace March

    Okinawan-Korean People’s Solidarity against US military base (full name) Okinawan-Korean People’s Solidarity  (in short) Co-chairman : Tomiyama Masahiro

    Dear comrades who gather in Gangjeong village to stop the construction of Jeju naval base. I send this solodarity message from Okinawa. In Okinawa, on Sep 10 last year, about 100,000 people attended the Okinawa general demonstration and began a pan-Okinawan action to fight for shutdown of the world’s most dangerous Futenma US base, to stop the Henoko new base construction and to withdraw the deployment of the flawed Osprey aircraft. As the whole Japanese society is leaning toward right-wing, an Okinawan progressive candidate won the Jul 21 Upper House election as Itokaz was elected as a member of Parliament by beating a conservative candidate. However, the far right-wing Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party won a huge nationwide victory in the election. And the government is getting ready to deploy 12 more Osprey aircraft that have caused continuous problems, such as crashing to land and killing people. The new administration is pushing pressure on Okinawa governor to get a permission to reclaim the Henoko sea area to build the military base on it. The construction of an Osprey takeoff and landing base in Takae is resumed and going on despite people’s protest. Abe administration ignores the will of people and makes Okinawa succumb to the central government. It incites nationalistic sentiment among general public by bringing territorial disputes, aiming to change the Constitution for the worse with a clear purpose to establish full-scale military forces. We must stop this Abe’s dangerous and violent moves. Beyond the border, all people in Asia and across the world, let’s come together with peaceful hands. Let’s bring our hearts together across the barrier. Let’s accomplish the big success of Gangjeong Grand March and human’s wall across the fences of Gureombi.

    –> Click the link for Korean translation and more resource (Korean translation by Park Jin-Hwan and English translation by Jo Yak Gol)

     

    David Vine (USA)

    I wish I could be there with all the brave people of Gangjeong and their Korean and international supporters. Your important struggle against the destruction of the environment and the increased militarization of East Asia is a model for people worldwide who are trying to build a more peaceful and just world. Thank you for all you are doing! In solidarity and hoping to return to Gangjeong soon, David David Vine Assistant Professor Department of Anthropology American University Washington, DC USA

    –> Click the link for Korean translation and photo here

     

    Yoshikawa,  Hideki (Japan)

    I trust your 2013 Ganjeong Grand March for Life and Peace has started off great. Here is my solidarity message to the marchers and the people of Jeju Island.   May the Ocean praise you for taking the peaceful paths to protect your island May the Ocean provide you with wisdom and plenty May the Ocean calm the troubled world May the Ocean protect you and help you prevail May the Ocean connect Jeju and Okinawa forever in solidarity Hideki  Yoshikawa Citizens’ Network for Biodiversity in Okinawa Save the Dugong Campaign Center

    –> Click the Korean translation link

     

    Emily Wang (Wang Yu-Hsuan) (Taiwan)

    Emily_Human_Chain

    Dear Gangjeong people, This is Emily. I send my congratulations and my big hugs to you for your success on the Peace March and Human Chain. While you were in the march, I am also attending a oceanic peace forum to talk about Jeju base and working for the inter-island solidarity for just peace for our region. The awesome grand march photos were shown in my presentation as well. Peace is the way without boundary, so I believe we are walking together. You are not alone. This is a big solidarity from Taiwan. A solidarity t-shirt will arrive in Gangjeong soon. Good Job!

    Emily

    –> Click the Korean translation link

     

    Women in Freak in Osaka (Japan)

    Dear Organizers of huge human chain event,

    We are Japanese group called Women in Freak in Osaka.

    We would like to join the event in spirit, so we have made solidarity T-shirts for the event. [..]

    We are always thinking of you and we never forget you, your brave work, your joyful movement.

     In solidarity,

     Miki  Soto

    tshirts

    letter

    –> Click for the Korean translation and more resource, here

  • Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo’s Ends Prison Fast at 52 Days

    Update from Ishle Yi Park on March 24 : See the underneath.

    Yang
    Image source/ Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo

    Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo will end his 52 days long hunger strike on March 24 on Sunday. Eight representatives of SPARK (Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea) peace organization and Fr. Mun Jeong-hyon visited Prof. Yang to Jeju prison on March 19 and pleaded to stop the fast. In a meeting room specially provided to see him face to face, representatives persuaded him and he finally promised to start to eat light gruel from Monday, March 25. This visit was made out of people’s earnest wishes to have Pro. Yang stop the fast.

    On the other hand, Rev. Kim Hong-sul(chair of SPARK Busan branch) and Rev. Kim Hee-yong from Gwangju, will do overnight 4 days fast prayer in front of Jeju prison from March 26 to 29 demanding the release of Prof. Yang and stop of Jeju naval base. Both of them also have visited Prof. Yang on March 7 and persuaded Prof. Yang to end the fast expressing their solidarity action at Jeju prison. (Regina Pyon)

     

    Free Yang Yoon-Mo!

    Letter to Yang Yoon-Mo: 
    Yang Yoon-Mo (No. 301)
    Jeju Prison, 161 Ora-2 dong, Jeju City, Jeju Island, Korea

     

    ………………………………………………………

    Here is Prof. Yang’s oral statement on March 23 ending his fast on March 24. The visitors to him on the day dictated his words to share them with the people in the world. You can see the original Korean script, here. 

     

    As I think that many people suffer from my fast, I don’t want to transfer them suffering any more.

    I have taken fast to urge people concern with Gangjeong, to inform them on disappointing National Assembly, thoughtless  Ministry of National Defense, and innocent villagers and activists oppressed by the judicature.

    I consider those have become enough informed. And I accepted earnest request by Fr. Mun Jeong-Hyon, mayor Kang Dong-Kyun and representing group.

    There will be no more fast in my life. Even though I stop fast, my struggle for peace will not stop.

    I think I would live by 90 years old (laughter). So I state on my permanent struggle for the remaining 30 years. I will strive for demilitarizing the Island for life and peace.

    While I am here in prison, I will return many of your favor and encouragement.

    As a peace and unification worker, I will show myself, Yang Yoon-Mo,  as a peace activists and movie critic.

    I pay gratitude to the concerns for me by elementary school students, parents, Catholic brothers & sisters and protestant devotees and to the letters full of passion for peace, via mail and internet.

    Since I am not forgetting those blessings, I think my decision to stop fast is good

    I am grateful to all the messages of support and friendship by distinguished scholars, intellectuals, peace activists and artists from the United States, Australia, Okinawa and Japan, France, Nepal etc.

    ( * You may see the messages from Noam Chomsky, Benj, Okinawa, and Japan )

    To return your concern, I intend for my complete change. I will exercise hard to strengthen my abdominal muscles ­(laughter).

    I especially thank more than 24 days’ solidarity fast by a Korean woman in Hawai’i.

    ( * Ishle Yi Park is a poet and caring mother. See the bottom of here)

    I deeply thank her to take a spiritual response as an artist, despite my shallow idea and practice. Since I have received undeserved love, I will strive more for the world of peace, human rights and love.

    Otherwise, I thank two men, Reverend Kim Hong-Soul and Reverend  Kim Hee-Young for their solidarity fast from March 26 to 29. The two are my true friends and artists, and holly friends that I’ve met in the world of peace. I thank their friendship and will not disappoint them.

    The peace of Jeju is the peace of Asia. It contributes for the peace of the world. The agenda of peace is the discourse of the world.

    Ishle Yi Park
    Image source: Ishle Yi Park

     

    From Ishle Yi Park on March 24, 2013 (Fwd)

    Thank you so much for this update, sister! I am so happy and relieved to know that Professor Yang Yoon-Mo has ended his fast and is on his way back to good health. I prayed for him often and am in deep admiration of his actions, his principles, and his heart.

    I must tell you all that I fasted for seven days, but then my milk ran dry and my daughter cried for more (I am still nursing), so I ended my fast early for her. I don’t want to take credit for more than I am capable of…I want you and the other activists to know this, because to me it is incredible how strong Professor’s heart, mind, and spirit are to endure for so long. He is truly a man whose spirit I admire and love, and I love the people of Jejudo. Wish I could have done more.

    I did write a statement of solidarity that asks the powers that be to free Professor Yang Yoon Mo and halt the construction of the naval base, and had it signed by over 30 activists, artists and citizens of Hawai’i ~ any suggestions on who would be the most effective people to send it to? Will try to get more people to sign it before I send it.

    In terms of updates ~ any news on when he will be freed, or is he in prison indefinitely? Please let me know. Will continue to keep Jejudo and the Professor in my heart and prayers. And thank you and all the peace activists engaged in this movement for your positive, conscious actions and your huge hearts. The world is a better place because of you. God bless and Aloha.

    Han Sarang,

    Ishle Yi Park

    RE: Thanks so much, Ishle Yi Park. Prof. Yang has got the court sentence of 18 months on Feb. 1. Please see here. 

     

    Two
    Photo provided by Rev. Kim Hee-Yong/ Photo of Mr. Kim Hong-Soul (front), Mr. Kim Hee-Yong(back left ) and Gangjeong village Mayor Kang Dong-Kyun (back right)

     

  • Prof. Yang’s letter and rally statement resonated on March 1_Jeju The Demilitarized Peace Island, 2nd event

     

    See many March 1 event photos, here.

    Webmarch-1-group-photo
    Photo by Song Dong-Hyo/ The 2nd event for the Jeju as the Demilitarized Peace Island, Gwandeokjeong, Jeju City, March 1, 2013. For more photos  and event briefing by Paco Booyah , see here.

     

    1. Yang Yoon-Mo reminds the history and vision of the Jeju

    It was exactly here in Gwandeokjeong, Jeju City, March 1, 1947 when 6 people were killed by the constabulary governed under the US Army Military Government in Korea during their parade on commemorating independence movement on March 1, 1919.  It was here when Hur Du-Yong, uncle of Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo who hits his 32nd day of prison fast as of March 4, 2013, was one of those six victims. His uncle Hur was only 15 years old then, the youngest among the six.  Still Prof. Yang has not said much about his personal history. The personal history must have been for him only a window that would open him toward the vision for the Jeju, as true Peace Island, demilitarized, filled with life and peace.

    The 2nd event for the Jeju Demilitarized Peace Island on March 1 happened to coincide with the start of the  US-ROK annual war exercise called Key Resolve/ Foal Eagle.  In the Gangjeong village,  people’s 24 hour protests to night time construction trucks were still going on.  It was ever more significant that the active move to build the Peace Island was declared again in the historic place  along with the opening of the 4.3 movie ‘Jiseul‘ in Jeju on the same day. A recent article in the Truth Out helps well our understanding on the historic background of modern Korea. See here :

     

    ‘The Korean War followed. S. Brian Willson summarizes the war:

    “The Korean War that lasted from June 1950 to July 1953 was an enlargement of the 1948-50 struggle of Jeju Islanders to preserve their self-determination from the tyrannical rule of US-supported Rhee and his tiny cadre of wealthy constituents. Little known is that the US-imposed division of Korea in 1945 against the wishes of the vast majority of Koreans was the primary cause of the Korean War that broke out five years later. The War destroyed by bombing most cities and villages in Korea north of the 38th Parallel, and many south of it, while killing four million Koreans – three million (one-third) of the north’s residents and one million of those living in the south, in addition to killing one million Chinese. This was a staggering international crime still unrecognized that killed five million people and permanently separated 10 million Korean families.” (Source)

     

    Two days before the 2nd event for the Jeju Demilitarized Peace Island on March 1, he wrote the two page long letter to Dr. Song Kang-Ho who being in full comradeship with prof. Yang, has led the campaign.  Here is the excerpt from Yang’s letter who urged people joining the day’s event. You can see his original Korean letter, here:

     

    As I enter a long time fast, I happened to have a phenomenon close to dyslexia because I can’t concentrate well due to not smooth brain activities. So I am just focusing my nerve and heart only on the balance of ‘body,’ all day.

    So while there are numbers of letters from the overseas, nationwide, and Gangjeong, I could never reply to them. [..] (For more on his status, see the contents in No. 3)

    The matter of Gnagjeong suffering illness for the naval base [project] is merely an advance notice. Our agony is that it is not a situation when we talk the “matter of Gangjeong,’ and “matter of the whole Jeju Island” separately. In a big frame, it is the time when there should appear a movement body that seriously realizes and acts considering the two matters as one  together [..] Therefore I consider the appearance of the ‘declaration on the [Jeju] as the demilitarized Peace Island,’ very timely. To say strictly, the peace movement in the Jeju reached to the 2nd turning point. I think that the experience in Gangjeong should be more developed and expanded.  [..]

    “Let’s save Jeju!

     Let’s save Jeju entering into one hundred year’s suffering!

     The Jeju is now in dangerous forked road!

    The Jeju Island should be no more slaves of capital and security.

    It is the time to say, ‘No!’

    To fully inherit the beautiful nature, environment and Island people’s war-less community to the descendants, I urgently appeal to you to join the march on the declaration rally on the Jeju ‘Demilitarized,’ Peace Island”

    ( Excerpt from the letter by Yang Yoon-Mo, one of the declarers on the Jeju, Demilitarized Peace Island, from the Jeju prison, Feb. 27, 2013)

    You can see Yang’s interview on the Gureombi Rock in 2011, here.

    Yang
    Photo by Paco Booyah/ Yang Yoon-Mo’s letter read during the March 1 event program. See more event photos, here.

     

    2. People’s statement to build the Jeju, Demilitarized Peace Island on March 1. 

     

    And here are the excerpts from the people’s statement on March 1. To see the full statement in Korean, see here: 

     

    [..] The Jeju Island has been used as a bridgehead for the Mongol to invade Japan during the period of people’s resistance against Mongol [in the 13th century].

    It was used as an overseas site for the Japanese military to bomb China in the China-Japan war during the period of Japanese occupation [in 1937].

    It has been strained to a breaking point as Japan built the whole Island as a military stronghold at the end of her imperialism [in 1945].

    As such, the Jeju Island has often taken a role of military base because of its geopolitical importance.

    During the 4.3 period (* 1947 to 1954), Rhee Seung Man, [the puppet government under the United Sates] said that he would let the United States to build a permanent base in the Jeju.

    In 1970, President Park Chung-Hee, [the father of Park Geun-Hye, the new South Korean President who was inaugurated on Feb. 25, 2013]  said that he would provide the Jeju Island as a new US base in replacement of Okinawa.

    Since the construction of the air base, Songak Mt., Moseulpo, about 20 years ago was stranded, the government is building a naval base in Gangjeong after it attempted [but failed] it in Hwasoon and Weemee.

    However, the Jeju Island is the World Peace Island!

     

    In last 2005, the ‘Government designated the Jeju Island as the world Peace Island so that the tragedy of Jeju 4.3 can be sublimed with cooperation & co-existence and contribute to the peace of world.

    The Jeju Island that has endlessly suffered and been sacrificed by the domestic and overseas power has finally become to rise into a new epicenter of peace.

    However, such efforts for the Demilitarized Peace Island has gradually become collapsed as the naval base became to be driven in the Jeju.

    We don’t want the Jeju positioned at the intersection point of continent and maritime to be the arena of competition between two powers.

    Rather, we pray for it to become the outpost for peace as a buffer zone between the two powers.

    It is to build the Peace Island in Jeju, with neither military nor military base, neither war nor violence.

    It is to accomplish  preservation on nature and protection on environment by clarifying opposition to all the thoughtless developments.

    It is to plan for the precious lives’ native growth, opposing the terror to all the lives.

    It is eventually to accomplish a self-reliant community of the permanent neutral to which no intervention by a foreign or other powers reach.

    That is the essence of the Jeju Demilitarized Peace Island.

     

     On March 1, we, here in the Gwandeokjeong being alive by the spirit of the patriotic forefathers who resisted to  wicked foreign powers and tried to save the precious Jeju community,

    Are to abandon collapse and destruction, the products of war and violence,

    Are to accomplish resurrection and restoration, the fruits of peace and co-existence.

     

    For that, we make resolution to realize the Demilitarized Peace Island through constant practices and peaceful efforts.

    We, confirming our determination and practical will, also declare that we would step together with all the conscientious citizens in the world including Jeju.

    March 1, 2013

    People who make the Jeju as the Demilitarized Peace Island

     

    3. Yang Yoon-Mo’s  prison fast inspires overseas

    2013-02-28
    Photo by the Village International Team. Mr. Koh Gilchun and Ms. oh Soonhee, After visiting Yang Yoon-Mo in the Jeju prison.

     

    On Feb. 28,  Mr Koh Gilchun, Jeju artist,  Oh Soon-Hee, a director of a small theater, and a village international team member visited Prof yang who hit 28th prison fast as of Feb. 28.

    Known later… Ms. Oh Soon-Hee is a sister of Mr Oh Myul, a movie director of Jiseul, the Sundance grand prize 4.3 movie.

    Thin though, Prof. yang looked bright. He has been in a sick room of the prison for 10 days. in the sick room, he stays with two other people and was wearing a patient cloth.

    He has recently begun to take enzyme as he feels powerless.

    He said he is getting many support letters from the domestic and international. Even though he wants to reply to them, he feels so energy-less. So he asked to deliver his great thanks to all the domestic and international friends.

    Regarding the march 1 event, he said he is pleased for two things.

    First, he is pleased that the 4.3 movie ‘Jiseul’, begins to screen on March 1. He wished that at least about 30,000 people could see the movie. it is known that at least 30,000 people were sacrificed during the 4.3 period, 1947 to 1954.

    Oh Soon-Hee said that she got the contact from the movie theater manager on Feb. 27 that he would increase the daily screening numbers of Jiseul from 6 to 11 as many people are more and more interested in the movie. she also said the Jiseul team is considering to screen the English subtitled once a day.

    Prof yang also said that he is pleased to see a meaningful 3. 1 event , the 2nd event for Jeju demilitarized, commemorating the fuse of 3.1, 1947, when 6 people were killed by the police under the governing of the US military government and became the fuse of 4.3 incident. he said he hopes this could be a momentum for many Jeju island people to be aware of the importance of the jeju as the demilitarized and self reliant .

    A postcard from Benj and Five postcards from Okinawa were delivered to Prof Yang. T shirt from Benj (photo) was shown to Yang and he was very pleased. Thanks so much, Benj and friends from Okinawa.

     

    Otherwise, on March 4, Ishle Yi Park‘s message was  sent through Benj

     

    ‘Aloha, 
    Hope you are well and in light. I am a mother, poet and activist (Poet Laureate of Queens, 2004-2007) who is currently fasting in Hawai’i in solidarity with Professor Yang Yoon-Mo and the beloved people of Jejudo. 

    I am currently on my fifth day of my fast, and plan on fasting as long as Professor Yang is fasting. Would greatly appreciate an update on his status, how his health is, and if he is still fasting, how long he plans to fast. 

    I am a nursing mother, so this fast is a big deal for me. I’ve been to Jeju several times, have written numerous poems in praise and tribute for the island, and hold a special place in my heart for Jejudo haenyos (Sea diving women)as well. My prayers and well wishes are with you all, for caring about our beloved island and our future generations.

    Thank you so much, and look forward to hearing from you very soon.

    God bless, and Peace to Jeju, 

    Ishle Yi Park’ 

     

    4. Struggle for Gangjeong and Jeju is one matter. 

     

    Saltcandy
    Photo by Saltcandy Yohan on Feb. 27. The sign reads, “We declare that the Jeju Is the Demilitarized Peace Island.”
    0157
    Photo by Saltcandy Yohan/ 01:57 am, March 1, 2013. The sign reads, ‘Cruise Special District with 1 million tourists? The 1 million tourists will avoid if for the naval base!’
    0437
    Photo by Saltcandy Yohan/ 04:37 am, March 1, 2013. The signs read , ‘Civil Disobedience,’ ‘The Gangjeong Naval Base is a sub-contract base for the US. No War!’
    March 1 Day
    Photo by U-Jin Kang / During the day, March 1.  The signs read, ”Stop the construction of the civilian-military complex port for tour beauty which is only a sugar-coating cover!’
    ‘The Gangjeong Naval base is the sub-contract base for the US. No War!’/
    ‘Fr Kim Sung Hwan SJ and Pat Cunningham SSC at the gate in Gangjeong on Independence Movement Day (삼일절) protesting against the occupation of the village by modern day forces preparing for war under the banner of ‘national security’ while all the while jeopardizing the future of lasting peace and security on the Island of Peace! The building of the naval base only serves to dishonor the memory of all who sacrificed their lives for peace and freedom and increases tension and insecurity among people on the island and in the wider region! ( script by Pat Cunningham )