Tag: Peace Island

A returned US base in Jeju, proved to be ‘most oil-contaminated,’ will be used again to militarize Jeju?

Re-blog from here

1.    McNabb, a returned US base in Jeju, is most oil-contaminated among

16 returned bases in Korea

A radar in the McNabb US base, Moseul Peak, Hamo-ri, Daejung-eup, Seogwipo City, Jeju (source)

The Jeju Sori, June 3, 2013, reports that the vicinity soil of a returned US base, McNabb, located in the peak of Moseulpo, Hamo-ri, Daejung-eup, Seogwipo City, Jeju, is seriously contaminated by the oil leaked from the base. The McNabb is one of 16 returned US bases in Korea on July 15, 2006.

It has been the only remaining US base in Jeju until its returning back to Korea.

According to Jeju Sori, the CBS Nocut News reported on June 3 that the degree of TPH (Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon) was measured 42,500 mg/kg, in the vicinity area of the base, as a result of the investigations on basic environment twice, from Oct. to Nov., 2011 and from Dec. 2011 to March 2012.

Source: Jeju Sori, June 3, 2013

The article reads:

The number of 42,500 exceeds about 85 times of 500 that is the standard TPH in the area. Its soil contamination by oil is proved out to be most serious among 16 returned bases in Korea, by the  investigation by the Ministry of Environment.

The TPH not only brings serious environment contamination. It makes impossible of plant survival itself but also contains poisonous material fatal to human body.

The investigation on environment basis on the 16 returned US bases has been carried out twice respectively from April 2008 to March 2012.

Those 16 US bases are among 23 US bases returned back to Korea in 200[6] and are the bases sold to local self-governing institutions or decided to use for other usage.

Reference:

According to Jang Dong-Hoon, an Island Provincial Council member then, has mentioned on July 25, 2006 that the amount of soil contamination of the whole area of the McNabb base was 2,938 ㎥. The TPH was 17,415 ㎎/㎏, greatly exceeding the standard of 500 ㎎/㎏. He also reported that part of underground water was also contaminated by oil belt.

“According to the report by the Ministry of National Defense in May, the degree of soil contamination of 24 of 27 US bases planned for returning back to Korea, proved out to exceed standard and the underwater contamination of 15 of those are serious.” (Source: Jeju Ilbo news on July 26, 2006)

2.    History of McNabb US base

Source: Seogwipo Shinmun, July 15, 2006

The McNabb US base in Moseulpo (*named after captain McNabb, vice-general of Alddre Air field in 1953. Source) was built in 1953 with the creation of ‘UN Air Force Base,’ in 1952.

Its whole size is about 39,000 ㎡ (* You may compare the size with the real area of the Jeju naval base project, which is about 480,000 ㎡). It was actively used as a radar base from 1958 to 1973 and its numbers of working military force used to reach to maximum 150. It was used as guerilla training and rest facility for the soldiers of the Eighth United States Army (* which commands the US Army forces of Korea) and 2nd United States Infantry Division (* which stations in Korea) since the building of the Jeju training center for the Eighth United States Army.

Source: Seogwipo Shinmun, July 15, 2006

However, as the residing US military withdrew from the McNabb base in 1995 and name was changed to the Jeju rest home of the welfare center of the United States Forces of Korea , it was used more as a rest home rather than training center. As four residing managers there were moved to the welfare center of the Eighth United States Army in January 2005, the rest home was closed.

As a result of the 9^th ROK-US SPI (Security Policy Initiative) meeting in Seoul from July 13 to 14, 2006, it was returned back to Korea along with other 15 bases nationwide on July 15, 2006. (source: Hankyoreh, July 15, 2006)

The US bases in Seoul, Dongdoochun, Ujungbu, Hanam, Paju and Jeju, returned back to Korea (Source/ Original source; Ministry of Environment)

The Island people demanded at the time, “The McNabb base was used as a Japanese base during the Japanese occupation of Korea ( *1910 to 1945) then as the 9^th regiment of the ROK National Defense security unit that suppressed the 4.3 uprising during the term of the US Military Government after the liberation of Korea from Japan, then used as the US base for 53 years after the Korean War. It is a vivid site of 100 years’ modern history of Jeju. We hope the facilities can be used in the future to contribute for the image of Jeju, the “Peace Island.” ( Source: Hankyoreh, July 15, 2006)

The government stated on July 14, 2006, that “The 15 US bases nationwide returned back to Korea would be returned back to local self-governing institutes again after the curing of contamination there.”

However, it was about one and half month later that the Jeju Ilbo reported that the Ministry of National Defense stated in relation to the returning of McNabb base that the Ministry would neither transfer nor sell the base to the local self-governing institute (Jeju Island) but the ROK air force would utilize it.

Despite the Island people’s opposition, it was returned back to the Ministry of National Defense on April 13, 2007 and it was decided that the camp McNabb is used by the ROK air force base in April 2008.

At the time, personnel in the US base relocation team of the Ministry of National Defense, clearly stated that “since there has been a ROK air force unit (radar base) inside the camp McNabb, the military’s usage plan on the base has already come out. The Ministry has no plan to sell or hand over it to the Jeju Island.”

Even after the returning back of the base, the area is still restriction-controlled as it is owned by the ROK Ministry of National Defense and used by the ROK air force
(Source: Ohmynews, Dec. 3, 2009)

Though the air force headquarter personnel stated that it has no concrete plan on the usage of the base in the future, some suspected that the McNabb base would be a powerful candidate area for the idea of creation of the Jeju unit of the ROK air force search and rescue corps, reflected in the mid term national defense plan from 2007 to 2011.

Anyway, the decision to hand over the McNabb base to the Ministry of National Defense was different from the other returned bases that were handed over to the local self-governing institutes, some of which were to be developed into history or civic parks. (Source: Jeju Ilbo, Aug. 30, 2006)

Such decision also affected to the delay of the basis investigation on environment, in the vicinity areas of provision zones from the US forces of Korea.

The basis investigation on environment on the vicinity areas of Camp McNabb, located in Jeju, was barely carried out at the latter part of 2011, after 4 years since the government measure on it was set up in October, 2007.

Further the investigation target area was also limited. The investigation was to be carried out within 100 m areas from the border lines of air force base. The inner area of military unit became to be excluded from the investigation in 2011, for the reason that the inner area belongs to air force.

And eventually, the result of the investigation turned out that the vicinity of the McNabb base is the most contaminated among 16 returned based, compared to the investigation on soil contamination in 2005 when it was reported that while the inner area of the base was partly contaminated, the outer area of it was not. (Source: Jemin Ilbo, Aug. 18, 2011)

3. Will the McNabb base be used again for militarize Jeju?

Photo by Daniel Kojetin, Jeju Weekly, May 14, 2010/ Image of Olle to the Moseulpo Peak

As mentioned above, the returned McNabb base is currently OWNED and managed by the ROK Ministry of National Defense.  There has already been a suspicion that the McNabb would be used for the creation of Jeju unit of search and rescue corps, reflected in the mid term national defense plan from 2007 to 2011. The future usage of the base could be very related to the old Alddre Airfield located in the south of it, nearby.

The old Alddre air field has never been completely returned back to the Jeju Island, but owned by the Ministry of National Defense and is suspected to be used for the active military air field if Jeju is to be militarized.

Old Alddre air field, to be suspected to be planned for a new air force base (source)

It was the old Alddre air field that mattered along with other 9 articles on April 27, 2009 when Kim Tae-Hwan, ex-governor of the Island signed on Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Related to the Construction of the Civilian-Military Complex Port for Tour Beauty with the Ministers of National Defense and Land, Transportation and Maritime Affairs then. The MOU itself turned out to be dual in September, 2011 when Kang Chang-Il, Jeju-based National Assembly man disclosed that the title of the document owned by the Jeju Island and Ministry of National Defense (MND) were different.

In the document owned by the MND, the words of ‘Jeju naval base,’ was clear with the words of Civilian-Military Complex Port for Tour Beauty in parenthesis, which made people make sure that the currently enforced naval base project would be PURE military base. For the whole translation of MOU, see here or here.

It was in that fake MOU that the condition on the use of Alddre Airfield was stipulated.

Article 5 (Use of the Alddre Airfield etc.) (1) The Minister of National Defense allows the Jeju Self-Governing Island, through the discussion with the Jeju Self-Governing Island, to use the area of the popularly known as the Alddre airfield that is located in the Daejung-eup, City of Seogwipo and in the jurisdiction of the City of the Ministry of Defense, for the regional development of the Jeju Self-Governing Island, according to the legal procedures. (2) The Ministry of National Defense confirm‍s that he has no plan to deploy fighter airplanes in the Namboo (* meaning ‘southern’) Search & Rescue troop unit of the air force

The old Alddre air filed was built on the wide field under the Songak Mt (84m), Sangmo-ri, Daejung-eup, Seogwupo City, Jeju,  by the Japanese military in 1930s. In 2002, it was designated as No. 39 modern age cultural heritage by the ROK government in 2002.

The Japanese built large size military facility in the Jeju Island since 1920s (Some say the beginning year was 1926). The Alddre air filed was completed in Daejung-eup in the middle of 1930s and fighter planes sortied from there bombed Nanjing, China 700 km distance from it in 1937 when the Sino-Japanese War occurred. ( * Therefore some people used to call the Moseul Peak as the Kookje bong meaning ‘international Peak’)

200 mm rockets arranged before the destruction of Alddre air field, Daejung-eup. Moseulpo (source)

Total 20 hangars of 20 m width, 4 m height, and 10.5 m length were built there. Akatombo, a training airplane was also secretly stored there. (Source)

The old Alddre air filed is currently a tourist place, part of the route 11 in the Jeju Olle. Many parts of the field are used for farming such as growing potatoes (Jiseul in the Jeju dialect) as the MND has rented the land to farmers. However, the suspicion on its revitalized military usage in relation to the matter of new airport location has been raised at least twice in the National Assembly, by now.

Map of the Olle route 11 (source by the Jeju Island government)

The old Alddre air filed now used for farming (Photo by Save Jeju Now on April 7, 2013)

A sign of restriction by the ROK air force. It says it is a military zone. Some people said they couldn’t see it before. Still the visit of the area was OK in April, this year.
(Photo by Save Jeju Now on April 7, 2013)

Roh Hoe-Chan, Progressive United Party, has made a remarkable claim in the National Assembly inspection session in May 2007, that “the Ministry of National Defense and Jeju Island have agreed that the Island provides 300,000 pyeong (about 99 ha) to an air force in case the 2^nd new air port is built on the condition that the air force concedes the Island old Alddre air field of about 600,000 pyeong (about 198 ha). It meant the Air Force is ready to use the Alddre Air field as an area for the South zone search and rescue corps unit unless the Jeju provides an alternative area to the Air force. (* For reference the Jeju naval base project is of about 48 ha.) (Ohmynews on Sept. 3, 2012/ See here or here for the source of citation)

It was Oct. 18, 2012 again that the issue was raised in the National Assembly inspection on the ROK air force on the ‘South zone search and rescue corps’ that is being discussed to be installed in the old but currently unused Alddre air field, Moseulpo.

Kim Jae-Yoon, Democratic United Party, a member of the Defense Committee of the National assembly claimed that it is a tactic ultimately to build an air force base. He claimed that the Jeju, the Island of peace is at the risk to be degraded as the ‘Island of military base.’

Saying that “when I demanded the air force on the material on the ‘South zone rescue and search corps unit, the air force replied me that it is planning a creation of it for national security and people’s safety,” Kim interpreted that “However, given that rescue and search corps unit is a non-combat corps that is in charge of search and rescue, its words that it creates it for the securing of national security connote that the rescue and search corps unit is, after all, combat corps.”

Will the Jeju be militarized? The matter has already been concerned about. With the recognition on the McNabb base near the Alddre airr field, the issue has to be more considered in coming future.

Source of maps: See here or here. (Please change the word of Alttre to Alddre)

To remind, it is important to note that the vicinity area in the McNabb base and Alddre air field is one of the big massacre sites of 4.3 period (1947 to 1954)

During the Korean War (1950 to 1953), it was the site where about 210 innocent, many of them in their 20s were brutally killed and buried, stamped as communists and arrested by the vicious law on preliminary detention-the trace of Japanese imperialism- under the US puppet Rhee Syng-Man government. The tragedy of 4.3 was lingering throughout and even after the Korean War. It was only under the civilian government in the 21^st century that their honors were finally recovered., with the common tomb nearby cherished by their descendants.

If the Jeju is militarized again and war breaks out in Korea, we will see another repetition of history in Jeju. That is why it is important for us to make efforts for the Jeju to be demilitarized.

For more photos on the massacre site called Seotalorem and the common tomb called Baekjoilsonjimyo (meaning 100 ancestors but one common descendants) , see here.

You may also see
Two killed girls 11 years ago revive the move for the total revision of ROK-US SOFA, upon the 60th year of Armistice Agreement
United States, Stop conspiracy for military control and financial pressure to ROK!

June 28, 2013
2013 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace calls you: July 29 to Aug.4

UPDATE: Please notice that the official dates are changed from July 29 to Aug. 4, Sunday.

The July 29 to Aug. 3 program with the cultural festival in the Jeju City on Aug. 3 is same. But people will gather in Gangjeong on Aug. 4 to create a human chain between the east and west tips of the naval base construction area (1,500 km) from noon to 12 pm. Click here for more details on Human Chain on the day. Dir. Cho Sung-Bong, a movie director, currently works on the acclaimed documentary on Gangjeong titled, “The Gureombi Wind Blows,” will take air camera shots on human chain scene using unmanned helicopter and will put all the names of participants in the movie’s ending credit. Even though you may not be able to physically join the march and human chain. please send us international solidarity messages(up to 100 words)/photos/videos through gangjeongintl@gmail.com by no later than July 20. All the messages will be publicly shared. Please see the bottom for the details of optional programs after the human chain on Aug. 4.

Click the poster for a larger version.

* Internationals who can physically join the march and want to contribute the march with one’s talent/work, please see the below translation.

* Internationals who want to support the march by sending solidarity messages of up to 100 words and/or photos and/or videos, please send those to Gangjeongintl@gmail.com no later than July 20 (Please see the 2012 event here, and solidarity messages, here)

* For all questions and suggestions on the matters including those not explained in the below, please contact gangjeongintl@gmail.com

* Thank you to be with us!

2012 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace (Image: Choi Hye-Young)

2012 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace (Image: Choi Hye-Young)

# A translation of most part of an original Korean script

Proposal for co-sponsoring and participation

in the 2013 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace

By the Coordinating Committee for 2013 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace

June 7, 2013

Summary (translated) of introduction letter

The Opposition struggle against the Jeju naval base project hits its 7^th year. [..]

Since the Presidential election last time, the response measure by the prosecutors and police has been transformed into consistent drastic policies. The navy is openly enforcing construction(destruction) despite people’s criticism on illegal construction(destruction). Some make propaganda that the struggle to stop the naval base project is in fact finished as the Park Geun-Hye Government that has asserted on the justification of the Jeju naval base project was launched. [..]

Everyday is a continuation of hard struggle in Gangjeong nowadays. The police make routine of arrest and the prosecutors who are in line with them are oppressing the opposition struggle with unreasonable issuing of arrest warrants and bombs of fines. [..]

However, we cannot give up. It is because we trust that the peace of Gangjeong is the peace of Korea and our struggle to stop the Jeju naval base project is to be the voice for the peace of the northeast Asia and world. It is also because we know that the way we are walking now would be a step to stop the ‘gochak’ (meaning ‘detaining by encircling’) of destructive military domination and resuscitation of anti-human state violence. [..]

Now, we, succeeding the year of 2012, want to propose to gather people’s voice for peace once again.

We are to gather the voice to inform the injustice of the Jeju naval base project and to appeal for peace to be saved, while we walk around of the spots of Jeju for five nights six days during the hot summer.

Please join the 2013 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace in which we feel pain together, walk together, and talk on our peace together!

Please be a part of one strong voice for peace, again!

Details of proposal

Please become a co-sponsoring groups for the 2013 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace

□ The role of co-sponsoring group

▶ Registartion of more than 100,000 KRW (about 90~100 USD), which is for co-sponsoring of the event

▶ Each representative of co-sponsoring group is chosen as a member of the Peace Representative Board. One has to join march for more than a day

▶ Encourages its members to join the march and organizes support material and fund.

▶ It is planned that each co-sponsoring group is individually named in poster, web poster and media.

▶ The groups that have been confirmed of co-sponsoring and that are in discussion as of June, 2013:

The Gangjeong Village Association,

Jeju Pan-Island Committee for the Stop of Military Base and for Realization of Peace Island (31 groups)

National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval Base in Jeju Island (11 groups)

Open Network (Inc.)

Gangjeong Friends

Gangjeong peacekeepers

Professors’ Association for the stop and re-examination of Jeju naval base construction

Korean Writers’ Association

□ Contact

Go Gwon-Il, chairman of the Gangjoeng Villagers’ Committee to Stop the Naval Base Project

Boo Jang-Won, Director of coordination, Jeju Pan-Island Committee for the Stop of Military Base and for Realization of Peace Island

Kim Duk-Jin, National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval Base in Jeju Island

# For internationals, please contact Gangjeong village international team: gangjeongintl@gmail.com

□ Plan on Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace

I. Summary

(1). Purpose

– It is to disclose the betraying behaviors of the navy and government that enforce construction (destruction) under the false cause of ‘national security’ and Woo Keun-Min Island government that connives those and in line with them. And it is to gather the public fury on it (* The election on the Island governor is in 2014. Currently the public support on the Island governor Woo Keun-Min is low)

-It is to form a public discussion on the possibilities of militarization of Jeju by the Jeju naval base project and of occurrence of military conflict in the northeast Asia. It is to expand to the public the need of continuation of the struggle to stop the naval base project.

-It is to share the mutual relationship among state, human rights, democracy, we remembering that state violence during the 4·3 uprising is recurred during the current enforcement process of the naval base project .

(2). Title of the event

2013 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace, “Let’s meet [also can be translated gather] together! Let’s walk together! Peace for Gangjeong!”

(3). Sponsor and Host

-Sponsor: The Gangjeong Village Association, Jeju Pan-Island Committee for the Stop of Military Base and for Realization of Peace Island (31 groups), National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval Base in Jeju Island (11 groups) etc.

( It is expected that the titles of groups will be added in the future)

-Host: The Gangjeong Village Association, Jeju Pan-Island Committee for the Stop of Military Base and for Realization of Peace Island (31 groups), National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval Base in Jeju Island (11 groups)

(4). Program

Eve festival: 7 pm, July 28 (Sunday), 2013, Village Ceremony hall, Gangjeong Village

Grand March: July 29 (Mon) to Aug. 3 (Sat), 2013: For five nights six days

Nationwide citizens’ cultural festival to demand the revocation on the Jeju naval base project: Aug. 3 (Sat), 6pm, Tapdong square, Jeju City(tentative)

Human chain between the east and west tips of the naval base project area in Gangjeong: Aug. 4 (Sun), 12 to 2 pm, Gangjeong

(5). Participation purpose

The total number of man-days participation is expected 2,000 to 3,000 (except for the participants in the cultural festivals)

( 6). Ways of March

-People will be divided by east and west teams. The pilgrim will be focused on the inner roads of towns.

-There will be explanation on main histories, ecology, and environment of each region

– Some figures concerned with Gangjeong will be asked to join the march as the members of the Peace Representative Board.

( 7). Slogan

-Main slogan: “Let’s meet [also can be translated as gather] together! Let’s walk together! Let’s shout together! Peace for Gangjeong!”

-March slogan: Will be collected by group proposal or public solicitation, TBA

II. Guide on participation

(1). Application-phone, fax, email, internet registration

Internationals may contact the Gangjeong Village International team for application: gangjeongintl@gmail.com

# All applications will be collected into the briefing room of the Gangjoeng Village Association

(2). Participation fee

1) Per one person

– 1 day participation: 10,000 won (T-shirt not included)

– 1 night 2 days~ 2 night 3 days: 30,000 won (including T-shirts)

– 3 night 4 days~6 night 7 days: 50,000 won (including T-shirts)

# No Fee. Children elementary school-aged and under (T-Shirt not included)

# All meals, one bottle of water per day, wristle (to protect from hot sunlight)

2) Bank account for participation fee and support fund

: Nonghyup 351-0603-6444-93 (Beneficiary: Gangjeong Village Association)

Internationals can pay in cash on the very day(s) of participation.

(3) Accommodation

In principle, commmon tent

However, bringing individual tent is OK

An individual should prepare for one’s sleeping bags etc.

(4) March course

– It will be about 20 Km march a day.

– As possible as even road, considered of family participants

– On the last day (Aug. 3), march as possible as all spots of Jeju City

– Detailed course will be known later.

(5) Individual participant preparation

– Sleeping bag, washing stuff, hat, individual tent(choice) etc.

III. Organization of march team

(1) March team

Peace Representative Board (5 to 10 personnel for each day), march chiefs (full and daily), overall management on march, march director(practical business), support team, medical team, guide team, record team, administration team

(2) Briefing room

Director, registration team, meal team, meal-supply team, finance team, public relation team

IV. Main event program

(1). Eve festival

– Date: 7pm, July 28(Sun), Gangjeong Village Ceremony hall

– Basis: sharing the meaning of peace and gathering the will to stop the naval base project

– Main content: resolution speech, sharing meanings, introduction of participants, concert, peace ceremony.

(2). Press conference at the start

– Date and time: 8:30 am, July 29 (Mon), Gangjeong soccer field

– Content: Statement for citizens and demand on the revocation of the naval base project

– Introduction on some figures and speeches

– Main content: Speech by representative, statement, ceremony to gathering the sea water of Jeju, photo

(3).Cultural festival in the summer night

-Date: Aug 1 in Kimnyong (east team)and Aewol (west team)

– Content: Encouragement of local residents’ participation

(4). March program

– Public solicitation on photos, writings from the 2012 march participants, prize and recognition is given (Please contact gangjeongintl@gmail.com for subscription)

– Peace postcard to oneself: read in the festival and mailing

– Collecting sea water in the main march regions: Water will be collcted in cermony in the festival.

-etc.

(5). Cultural festival to revoke the Jeju naval base project

-Date/ Time: 6 pm, Aug. 3(Sat). Topdong Square, Jeju City (planned)

(6) Peace human chain: noon to 2 pm, Aug. 4 (Sun), Gangjeong village, in front of the Jeju naval base project committee building complex ( from Gangjeong stream in th east to the Gangjeong port in the west)

* Human chain is the end of official event of the whole march

(7) Optional program in Gangjeong on Aug. 4 (Sun)

7 pm: Korean traditional yard square in front of the Gangjeong Village Ceremony Hall

After 2 pm: Taste on the Peace of Gangjeong (free trip on the places of the village, Gangjeong stream water leisure)

June 15, 2013
Gangjeong International Team Hosts International Solidarity Talkshow

Brother Song, Jeong Young-Hee, and Mayor Kang chat in the Gangjeong Peace Center.

On Wednesday, June 12, The Gangjeong International Team hosted an International Solidarity Talkshow during the daily candlelight vigil/gathering time in the Gangjeong Peace Center. The show highlighted recent solidarity trips taken by Gangjeong villagers and activists. There were three guest to the “show”. The first was Mayor Kang, who recently returned from Berkeley, California, where he attended and participated in the Moana Nui 2013 Conference on June 1 and 2. Moana Nui is an international solidarity gathering, hosted of people from by the International Forum on Globalization (IFG) and Pua Mohala I Ka Po, in cooperation with Oceanic Coalition of Northern California (OCNC). The theme was “PEOPLES OF THE PACIFIC–CONFRONTING MILITARIZATION, RESOURCE THEFT, GLOBALIZATION & THE PACIFIC PIVOT”. 45 speakers from 20 nations were there, including Mayor Kang, who spoke about the Gangjeong struggle as a Pacific resistance movment.

Second, Village Women’s Committee Chairwoman Jeong Young-Hee, who recently returned from an extensive speaking tour across the U.S., including Hawaii. For around 20 days starting at the end of April, she visited 6 different areas including Hawaii, Boston, Maine, New York, San Francisco and LA. There she shared about Gangjeong and her personal struggle at a variety of events, including a shared talk with Professor Noam Chomsky. And third, Dr. Song Kang-Ho (Brother Song) who has just come back from a trip to Okinawa. He was invited for May 18 which was the 40th anniversary of the reversion of Okinawa from U.S. Control back to Japanese administration. Aside from joining the events, he visited many areas to share about Jeju and talk about the movement for demilitarized peace island solidarity. For International Team member Silver was the host and emcee for the night, creating both a fun and thoughtful atmosphere. The “stage” was decorated with signed flags and signs of solidarity which the guests brought back with them.

The evening began with a trivia contest, with questions related to trips or the trip areas. Prizes included Jeju tangerine chocolate, solidarity t-shirts, and Indonesian coffee. After that each person was asked to give a 5 minute summary of their trip with pictures if they had them. It closed with a question and answer time.

During his talk and while answering questions, Mayor Kang said that he was impressed by the progressive atmosphere of Berkeley and felt that although it was home to many nobel prize winners, many people lived very frugally and not in a flashy manner. He also shared that he met many people from across the pacific ocean especially from small islands, and from them he found that they too were suffering like Jeju because of the endless pursuit of capital, neo-liberalism, and militarism. And they were all victims of war during WW2. He said that America claims they are working for “world security” with a “peace force” but in reality they are tormenting these small islands. He said he believes that Inter-Island Solidarity for Just Peace, beginning with a triangle of Okinawa, Taiwan, and Jeju is possible, because at the conference he felt a pressing need for forging bonds of solidarity at the conference. He also shared that in Berkeley there was a large 2000 year-old-tree which had a large hole in it that he could even climb inside. They were conserving that tree there and he was impressed and respected their effort to preserve their environment. On the other hand, I felt sad that America keeps its own values but at the same time seeks to destroy others values.

Among other things, Chairwoman Jeong told a story about an almost 70 year old native woman activist who she met in Hawaii and was very impressed by. She lost her parents when she was very young. Even back when her grandfather was still alive, that time was the 100th anniversary of U.S. colonization of Hawaii. Until now she has been working with dedication to recover Hawaii and has been to prison for her struggle. Also she met many Korean-American activists in the U.S. and was very impressed that even though Gangjeong is not their hometown they work hard to fight for Gangjeong. She said she was encouraged a lot by many American’s support for the Gangjeong struggle, but at the same time many overseas Koreans and Korean-Americans who were indifferent. She said that she even yelled at one guy who seems like a Korean government agent. She also shared that she learned a lot from the experience and she hoped that other villagers would get a chance to do the same.

Finally, Brother Song talked about the similarities between Jeju, Taiwan, and Okinawa. He said that all of them have similar histories and are suffering by powerful countries in similar ways. In the effort to create the Inter-Island Solidarity for Just Peace Movement, he suggested that we start with these three places as a “trial triangle”. He told the story of an island controlled by Taiwan called “Lanyu” were China discarded nuclear waste there without discussion. It is ironic that all of the most beautiful islands are destroyed by powerful nations. He then shared that the islands which are weaker than Jeju need our solidarity and experience. Meanwhile, Okinawa which has fought for more than 68 years has managed to get some land back from bases but all the land is very polluted. However, more than land contamination, spiritual contamination is more dangerous. In Okinawa, there is an place called, “American Village” where the land has been returned. But the land was contaminated and the economy was dependent on the base, so the people struggled and eventually created an American style village to service U.S. military members, so that they could survive. He said that we need a strong vision for peace so that even if our land is contaminated and the base is built our spirit will not be contaminated. For example, in Gangjeong we can create spaces for peace activists to migrate, give land for refugees, build a peace park, and do peace education, basically creating one big peace village. To gather islands for the Inter-Island Solidarity for Just Peace movement, he suggested sailing on a boat between the islands. He also invited people from around the world to join the every-seven-year-event of the WCC (World Council of Churches) in Busan, Korea this October, where Gangjeong and the Inter-Island Solidarity for Just Peace Movement will be holding a workshop during the forum.

June 15, 2013
Morning with the Mayor | Organizing Notes

Reblogged with permission from: MORNING WITH THE MAYOR | by BRUCE K. GAGNON *

On my first trip to Gangjeong village Mayor Kang (just behind me in dark jacket) took me to see the place where the fresh water stream flows into the sea. This was to be one end of the massive Navy base now being built in the village. At that time I was able to see the undisturbed beauty of the coastline.

I arrived in Berkeley, California last night about 7:30 pm and was able to join a group of conference participants at a Chinese restaurant where they were having dinner together. When Gangjeong village Mayor Kang saw me he rose and gave me a big hug. At that time there was no translator available so we didn’t get to have much conversation.

This morning at breakfast Mayor Kang arrived with a Korean professor from the university. The mayor had just come from doing an interview for Democracy Now which is supposed to air on Monday. Koohan Paik (Hawaii) was on the radio with the mayor. Koohan has been a great Jeju supporter and made it possible for the mayor to speak at this event on behalf of the village.

During breakfast the mayor told me that when I first came to visit Gangjeong he remembers me talking about space technology. He told me that he now understands much better what I was saying. He said he believes that the US is bringing the South Korean government into the military space program as a junior partner to help control China. I was happy to hear that he has put all the pieces together.

A translator took the mayor and I for a long stroll through the vast University of California campus. We went to the top of a huge bell tower that enabled us to see the entire San Francisco bay area. While we were looking out over the bay I told the mayor how much their non-violent resistance has inspired people all over the world due to their strong spiritual grounding. He told me that they made a conscious decision to act in that way to help them deal with the obvious depression and sadness that comes from the Navy base construction project. He said that if they were going to resist then they had to find a way to stay connected to what was good in nature and in each other. He offered to teach me the dances…

*Reblogged posts do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Save Jeju Now

May 31, 2013
Gangjeong Village Story: Monthly News from the Struggle | May 2013 Issue

In this month’s issue:
Crackdown in Gangjeong, Catholics stand up to police, SOS international training, Jeong Young-Hee returns from US tour, Emily Wang’s reflection on deportation, Villager Mi-Lyang badly injured by police, Conscientious objection in Korea, and more!

Download PDF

May 29, 2013
2013 Jeju Life and Peace forum from May 28 to 30

2013 Jeju Life and Peace Forum from May 28 to 30, 2013. Wang Yu-Hsuan, Taiwan, who was unjustly deported on April 26, this year, has been taken in this photo by Cho Sung-Bong. ( poster image was forwarded by Kang Ho-Jin)

The Gangjeong Village Association, Jeju Pan-Island Committee for Stop of Military Base and for Realization of Peace, National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval Base in Jeju Island will hold Life and Peace forum called ‘Dear You, Let’s Dream for Peace Now! in the building of Venture Maru (See the address of Venture Maru at the bottom) of Jeju City from May 28 to May 30. There is a cultural event called ‘Peace, You Come When Even Waiting For You Is Lost!’ on May 29.

The idea of forum initially came to resist the JEJU FORUM for Peace And Prosperity that only concerns with the interest of government and capital. The idea was first raised in the event of Jeju The Demilitarized Peace Island, 2nd Rally.

In the morning of Jan 30, the groups will have a joint press conference upon the opening of Jeju Forum near the Haevich hotel, Pyoseon-myeon, Seogwipo City, where the forum is held. The press conference is to disclose injustice of the naval base project and to demand the revocation of it.

The Pan-Island committee stated that, “the Life and Peace forum has an alternative character of the Jeju forum, May 29 to 31. It will be a space for public opinion to build the Life and Peace village as a future vision of the Gangjeong village.”

Venture Maru

1176-67 I-do 2 dong, Jeju City, Jeju, Korea

Tel: +82 64-725-2024

…………………………………….

The below is the translation of program. Original Korean script can be seen here.

Dear you, Let’s dream for peace now!

May 28 (Tues.) to 29(Wed)

Forum, expo, cultural event (film screening, music concert)

From 1 pm each day, 10^th floor, Venture Maru, Jeju City

May 30 (Thur.)

10:am Near Havichi hotel, Pyoseon, Jeju

No Participation fee

Programs in detail

May 28(Tue)

13:00 Peace Talk by Novelist Hyun Gi-Young, poet Kim Soo-Yeol

15:00 Discussion onJeju naval base and peace in the Korean peninsula, and Northeast Asia peace community

17:00 Peace Expo, music and talk show on street near the Venture Maru

May 29(Wed)

13:00 Screening of film, ‘Love Okinawa’

15:00 Discussion- Dream being realized together: Gangjeong as Life and Peace Village

19:00~: Culture event: “Peace, you come when even waiting for you is lost.”

May 30 (Thur.) 10:00 Joint Press Conference near the Haevichi hotel, Pyoseon, Jeju

May 29 Culture event: “Peace, you come when even waiting for you is lost.”

at the Jeju Venture Maru, 7pm

May 29 Culture event: “Peace, you come when even waiting for you is lost.”
(Image forward by Kang Boo-Won)

Talking Peace by Fr. Mun Jeong-Hyeon and Park Rae-Gun, executive adviser of Sarang Human Rights Foundation

Screening of films by Yang Dong-Kyu, Song Dong-Hyo, Cho Sung-Bong and Lee Wooki

Poet recitation by Mr. Kim Sung-Kyu, Gangjeong Village poet

Songs by Park-Ha-Ye-Chong, Singing group of Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), children of the Gotjawal Little School, Yeon Young-Seok

Peace message selection (gifts of peace necklace)

May 23, 2013
The Stations of the Cross on Jeju

Remembering the sufferings of April 3rd massacre. . .These are scenes from a performance held just before Easter on Mar. 29 at Jeju April 3 Peace Park. Members of the Catholic Youth Pastoral Committee enacted the Stations of the Cross, followed by Jesus Christ before his crucifixion. The site commemorates the victims of the Apr. 3 Jeju massacre, which started in 1948. . . . Bishop Peter Kang U-il and many Catholics of Jeju island attended this performance on Good Friday during the Passion week (Post by Regina Pyon)

Re-post from Hankyoreh, April 4, 2013

Scenes from a performance held just before Easter on Mar. 29 at Jeju April 3 Peace Park. Members of the Catholic Youth Pastoral Committee enacted the Stations of the Cross, followed by Jesus Christ before his crucifixion. The site commemorates the victims of the Apr. 3 Jeju massacre, which started in 1948. (by Cho Yeon-hyun, religion correspondent)

April 5, 2013
“We will build a peace barricade in the Gangjeong village,” People’s joint statement for the succession of the Jeju 4.3 uprising spirit

The below is a translation of the Korean statement on April 1. See here.

To see the programs of events during the remembering period of the Jeju 4.3 uprising, see here.

Campaign image made by 3 organizations upon the 65th anniversary of 4.3. The signs read: ‘Flower for peace instead gun and sword, now…’ ‘Succession of the Jeju 4.3 uprising spirit! Revocation of the Jeju naval base project!’ and ‘Yes, ‘True Peace.’ Now!’

People’s joint statement on April 1

For the succession of the Jeju 4.3 uprising spirit:

“We will build a peace barricade in the Gangjeong village.”

The coming April 3^rd is a day when the painful memory of the Jeju is revived.

First of all, we express our hearts to cherish the memory of numerous lives that have fallen down without names in Jeju 65 years ago.

The Jeju 4·3 is a history of uprising against wrong power.

Now the history of 4·3 should be transformed into a new history for human rights and peace.

However, upon the 65^th anniversary of 4·3, it is questionable whether true peace is sprouting in the Korean society. The recent political situation surrounding the Korean peninsula has not been transformed into the era of Peace. The situation is running up into confrontation phase for the word of ‘war’ as to being spoken in everybody’s lips.

Gangjeong is already 4▪3.

By wrong state power, even basic democracy has been violated. .

Under the pretense of so called ‘national security,’ numerous peace has been broken and beaten.

As if it is not enough that more than 600 Gangjeong villagers and peace activists are dealt as if they are ‘criminals,’ [the state power] is barring people’s just struggle with ‘bombs of fines.”

True peace should be blossomed by peaceful methods.

To save peace with guns and swords is ultimately to destroy peace.

We resolutely oppose that [the state power] builds a military stronghold not the peace stronghold zone and that [the Jeju] become a powder magazine of the northeast Asia.

We urge to Park Geun-Hye government.

We strongly oppose the solo play and self-righteousness of the Park Geun-Hye government who only repeats its position that it would complete the Jeju naval base in a suitable time while it lays aside its tasks on the settlements on conflicts.

What is needed in Jeju is ‘the peace as it is now,’ not ‘the 2^nd Hawai’i’ that the government of Park Geun-Hye promotes.

Please stop the naval base construction in Gangjeong if you think of true peace.

You should stop the wrong naval base construction if you concern about residents’ conflicts and are to truly settle conflicts.

We urge to the Island governor, Woo Keun-Min.

You, Woo Keun-Min Island governor has said that you would wipe off the Gangjeong villagers’ tears upon your being elected as an Island governor. .

.

However, Woo Keun-Min Island governor could not stop the Gangjeong villagers’ tears by now.

Not to mention siding with the Gangjeong villagers, he became to side with various illegality, shortcut method, and law-evasiveness that have occurred during the Jeju naval base construction. He should be clearly aware that he is making the villagers bleed with bloody tears.

Woo Keun-Min, the Island governor, should actively step for the stop of the Jeju naval base construction if he properly thinks of the future of the Jeju, now.

We appeal to the citizens.

The struggle against the naval base in Gangjeong is not finished yet. The cry for peace will not stop.

The Jeju naval base construction is not the end and it is merely a start of the militarization of the Jeju Island that would be extended into air force base and supply bases.

We will start the practical camapign for peace to revive the Jeju as the Island of Peace and herb of Peace, not as the Island for the cold war, confrontation, and war-preparation.

The Gangjeong villagers, civic society groups, and peace and human rights activists will resist and take solidarity to stop the Jeju naval base construction.

We will also gather our power and wisdom with the Gangjeong villagers and Jeju Island people so that the Gangjeong village can be transformed into the village of Life and Peace not into the powder magazine that threatens the Peace of the northeast Asia.

The various social fields will make effort for the Gangjeong village to be the stronghold of the peace movement by building barricade of peace in the Gangjeong village

As it is the cry of the not-succumbing history 65 years, we will make solidarity to the end.

Please be with us.

April 1, 2013

Gangjeong Village Association

Jeju pan-Island Committee for the Stop of Military Base and for the Realization of Peace Island

The National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval Base in Jeju Island

April 2, 2013
Workers connect 4•3 and Gangjeong

Succession of the spirit of the Jeju 4•3 uprising! ‘Workers’ Peace Cultural festival,’ March 30, 2013.

It has been more than a decade that the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions visited the Island for the remembrance of 4•3 every year. It was this year, too. And it has been years that the organization visited the Gangjeong village to express their support and solidarity to the people there in opposition to the Jeju naval base construction. The workers are aware that Gangjeong is the very site of the 2nd 4•3.

The KCTU states in its press release. You can see its longer Korean script, here:

‘The Jeju 4.3 uprising is the Jeju Island people’s resistance and uprising that occurred by the starting point of police firing incident on March 1, 1947 under the division and U.S. Army Military Government ruling after the liberation of Korea. Since the armed group of the Jeju branch of the Workers Party of South Korea rose up on April 3rd, 1948, numerous people were sacrificed in the Jeju Island during the process of armed conflicts between the armed group and subjugation army and of the latter’s subjugation process, until the restriction areas in the Halla Mt. were totally opened on Sept. 21, 1954.

This year when the Cease Fire Agreement of the cold war and confrontation system hits 60th anniversary, and today when war crisis is higher than ever in the Korean peninsula, along with the above, we are to gather the workers’ resolution to succeed the spirit of the Jeju 4•3 people’s uprising and to realize complete peace and homeland unification.

No war! Starting from the Jeju Island, we are to fully fill 2013 with the outcry of the workers in every place of nation from the Halla Mt. to B aekdu Mt, based on our powerful will and resolution for peace and unification.’

Stop the oppression on the unions!

Abolish the structured lay-off on the irregular workers!

Total revocation of the Jeju naval base project!

Image source: Sisa Jeju, March 31/ In his solidarity speech, Mayor Kang Dong-Kyun stated that even though 65 years have passed since the occurrence of the Jeju 4•3, state violence is continuing and the Jeju naval base project, so called a national security policy, is being enforced without people’s support.

The program was:

Succeession of the spirit of the Jeju 4•3 uprising! Peace Pilgrim

_ Date/ time: 10:30 am to 6 pm, March 30, Sat., 2013

_Venue: Jeju areas (Pilgrim on the remains of the Jeju 4•3 uprising)

Succession of the spirit of the Jeju 4•3 uprising! Workers’ Peace Cultural festival

_ Date/ time: 8 pm to 9 pm, March 30, Sat., 2013

_Venue: Entrance of the Gangjeong Village (Village scoccer field)

Succession of the spirit of the Jeju 4•3 uprising! Nationwide Workers’ rally

_Date/ time: At 2pm, March 31, Sun

_Venue: In front of the Jeju City Hall (march to Gwandeokjeong)

Workers’ Peace Cultural festival in the Gangjeong village(made by Peace Nomad)

The event was composed of people’s speeches, songs, and dances. One of the songs in the video is titled

“A Sleepless Island in the South,” (lyric and composition by Ahn Chi-Hwan), which is the song on the tragedy of 4•3

The people in Gangjeong raised some struggle funds by selling books to the workers. The book, titled, “Peace blossoming in Tears,” published last year, is on the 17 villagers’ life stories written by 17 writers. It is a great book that helps people understand the life and struggle of the villagers.

March 31, 2013
Two reverends Joining the suffering of Yang Yoon-Mo and Gureombi Rock

Rev. Kim Hong-Sool, Busan SPARK/ Image provided by Rev. Kim Hee-Yong. For more photos, see here.

Rev. Kim Hong-Sool, representative of Busan, SPARK, and Rev. Kim Hee-Yong, Gwangju, have taken a fast prayer meeting in solidarity with the sufferings of Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo and Gureombi Rock in front of the Jeju prison from March 26 to 29, 2013, during the Passion week according to the Christian faith before Easter.

Rev. Kim Hee-Yong, Gwangju (Image provided by Rev. Kim Hee-Yong)

Pat Cunningham, a Columban Father said on March 26, “A wonderful expression of solidarity with Prof. Yang as he begins the recovery process back to full health! I pray this week as we remember the sufferings and deep humiliation that Jesus suffered at the hands of his oppressors and the subsequent humiliation of being put on trial and executed as a common criminal despite being an innocent man we pray that no more violence and injustice will be visited on the brave peace makers in Gangjeong village! As people of hope and people of the resurrection we pray that justice will flow like a mighty stream once again and that the village of Gangjeong will return to its rightful custodians-the villagers and not the navy!”

It is told that, when the two visited Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo on the last day, Yang said to them, “I have been lonely to be alone, but was encouraged to hear that you were suffering with me outside. Let’s please gather power together.”

In the press conference ending their fasts, they demanded release of the political prisoners for opposition activities against the Jeju naval base construction, retraction of fine sentence, and construction stop.

In their statement to the citizens and Island people, they stated that it is the crucifixion of this era that there are the imprisonments of the villagers and peace activists who have peacefully made efforts to stop the naval base construction in Gangjoeng and the reality that a community that has lived peacefully from its ancestors is moaning.

They explained that “From the heart to join the pain of the Gureombi Rock though it is a small gesture, we came here to the site of suffering, the Jeju Prison, where Yang Yoon-Mo has carried out decisive action with 52 days’ fast.”

They scolded that “the war is a monster feeding itself with human blood. The humiliating activity to hand over here to the battle field of another country is a shameful deed that is nothing to do with peace and development. The naval base that is constructed destroying the nature and community is not self-reliant defense but [Korea] will be a consumption country for the war material–production corporations and their trash site.”

Press conference ending the four days fast and prayer for the stop of Jeju military base and for the release of Prof. Yang. . .”War cannot be justified for any reasons nor any causes. . .as it is a monster living as eating human blood.” From the left, Rev. Kim Hong-sul, representative of Busan SPARK, and Rev. Kim Hee-yong, representative of Gwangju Citizen Center. . .They have fasted in a tent in front of Jeju prison for the past 4 days from March 26 during the Passion week. (image/ caption provided by Regina Pyon)

Saying on Park Sung-Soo (38), a peace activist that chose a prison labor rather than fines of 1,500,000 KRW, that “a dedicated activist has entered the prison choosing hardships,” they urged to release all the prisoners and retract heavy fine sentences.

They bowed saying that “more than 70 % of the Northwest Youth League that massacred people during the Jeju 4·3 were Christians. Even though we are not representing them, we would like to pay bows of repentance to the Jeju Island people and Gangjeong villagers from the heart to repent our sins.”

Two reverends bow on March 29 (Image source: Headline Jeju, March 29, 2013)

In their ending prayer, mayor Knag Dong-Kyun and chairman Go Gwon-Il joined the event.

‘Trouble is not coming to us but it is for our approaching to it_by Rev. Kim Hee-Yong, March 26, 2013.’ Messages on the wire fence of the Jeju prison (Image source: Jeju Sori, March 26, 2013)

(Summary by Regina Pyon and Sung-Hee Choi)

March 30, 2013