Save Jeju Now

No War Base on the Island of Peace

Tag: state violence

  • International Solidarity Messages for Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo

     

    Update: See the photos on the candle vigil for Yang Yoon-Mo in front of the Jeju prison, here, here and here

    Update: See the photos of solidarity for Yang Yoon-Mo in Okinawa, see here.

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    International Solidarity Messages for Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo

    (Feb. 11 to 14, 2013)

    The Gangjeong Village International Team has requested the peacemakers in the world to send the solidarity message for Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo with about 100words, through the website and facebooks.  Here are the messages collected from Feb. 11 to 14. You can see the Korean translations here. Thanks so much, friends to send the messages. Thanks, Mr. Kang Dong-Seok, and Ms. Park Youn-Ae, for translation.

    # Alphabet order by last name

    SONY DSC

    Catherine Christie

    Dear Professor Yang,
    From the U.N. Environmental Sabbath Program:

    We join with the earth and with each other,
    To bring new life to the land
    To restore the waters
    To refresh the air

    We join with the earth and with each other,
    To renew the fields
    To care for the plants
    To protect the creatures

    We join with the earth and with each other,
    To celebrate the seas
    To rejoice in the sunlight
    To sing the song of the stars

    We join with the earth and with each other,
    To recreate the human community
    To promote peace and justice
    To remember our children of the earth

    We join with the earth and with each other
    We join together as many and diverse expressions of one loving mystery:
    For the healing of the earth and the renewal of all life.

    Professor Yang – you have showed us this prayer in your living and acting for Gangjeong land and sea. Thank you. –

    Catherine Christie, Seoul

     

    Coco (Peninsula Peace & Justice of Blue Hill, Maine, United States)

    We invite you to sing these lightly revised words from Les Miserables as Mr. Yang liked the movie and the book so much:

    Will you join with us today?
    Who will be strong and stand with me?
    Somewhere beyond the barricade
    Is there a world you long to see?
    Do you hear the people sing?
    Say, do you hear the distant drums?
    It is the future that they bring
    When tomorrow comes…

    Peninsula Peace & Justice of Blue Hill, Maine, sings with you as we hold Mr. Yang in our thoughts during his courageous hunger strike. May his release from his unjust imprisonment be swift.

    (Coco on behalf of the Peninsula Peace & Justice of Blue Hill, Maine, USA)

     

    Ron Engel

    ‘Dear Professor Yang Yoon-Mo,
    We have never met in person but it is clear that we have met in spirit.
    When you say your faith is to save the things of beauty in the world we understand and share this with you.
    We visited Gangjeong Village last September and we beheld there a thing of beauty that should be preserved.
    We tried to bring this to the attention of the world through the World Conservation Congress with the help of wonderful people like.
    We revere your courage and commitment on behalf of the beauty of the people and place of Gangjeong Village and stand in solidarity with you.

    Ron and Joan’

    # Ron Engel  has greatly supported the Gangjeong village and made a beautiful speech for Gagjeong on Sept. 15 during the 2012 WCC Jeju. You can hear Ron’s speech on Sept. 15, here.

     

    Bruce Gagnon

    ‘Professor Yang:

    I am once again deeply touched by your determined stand to hunger strike while in jail to call attention to the illegal and unjust “laws” that protect the destruction of nature so an insane and provocative Navy base in Gangjeong can be built. How can good people go to jail for trying to protect nature while people who destroy the future are not charged with any crimes?

    I can assure you that I will do all that I can to help educate people in the US and around the world about the struggle to stop the Navy base.

    Please know that you are not alone in your effort. Please take good care of yourself. You are important to all of us.

    For justice and peace,

    Bruce K. Gagnon
    Coordinator
    Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space
    globalnet@mindspring.com
    www.space4peace.org
    http://space4peace.blogspot.com/ (blog)

    Thank God men cannot fly, and lay waste the sky as well as the earth. ~Henry David Thoreau’

     

    Andrew Jackson

    I can’t think of a more perfect example of an ‘unharmful gentle soul misplaced inside a jail’ than Yang Yoon Mo. He has already been imprisoned for the struggle for peace and nature on Jeju, and has suffered greatly due to his hunger strikes in prison. The ridiculous South Korean law against ‘obstructing business’ is designed to frustrate legitimate protest, and in Gangjeong peacemakers can be picked off at will for huge fines or spells in prison.

    One of my favourite videos about the Gangjeong struggle is Yang Yoon Mo interviewed at The Gurumbi rock. In this long interview his words are full of intelligence, wisdom, morality, justice and love. He is overflowing with the human qualities that can not even be traced among the greedy, the blind, the ignorant and the corrupt who are bringing this disaster to Jeju. His return to jail, following appealing the terms of his probation, is the result of spite, and possibly insanity, in one judge. The decision must be reversed.

    Last year I was fortunate to visit Gangjeong for a few days in summer. I can’t count the number of wonderful, kind, loving people I met. I also met Yang Yoon Mo, but it was not until my last night in Gangjeong that I realised this quiet, dignified, seemingly elderly man, who I had greeted daily at the destruction site gates and who had sat silently as we drank rice wine outdoors with villagers in the evening, was the youthful-looking middle aged guy in the Gurumbi interview. His 70 day hunger strike seemed to have changed his physique and appearance. I was pleased I could express my admiration to him and receive words of kindness from this wonderful man.

    The news of Yang Yoon Mo’s imprisonment is simply terrible. His renewed hunger strike is something I wish was not happening. But one can only respect his decision and pray that liberty and health is restored swiftly to this ‘unharmful gentle soul’.

    FREE YANG YOON MO!!

    Andrew Jackson

    London

     

    Masami Kawamura

    Message from Okinawa to Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo

    The Okinawan islanders’ hearts are broken to hear that you are in prison again.
    We send our solidarity to you, Prof. Yang Yoo-Mo, brave activist, struggling for the peace, environment and justice of Jeju.

    While we light candles in Okinawa together with Gangeong people on February 15, we believe, Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo, you yourself are the candle which shows us the right direction to move on to.
    You are not alone. We stand with you.

    Masami Kawamura
    Okinawa Outreach

     

    Renie Wong Lindley

    ‘Dear Yang Yoon-Mo,

    I understand why the Gureombi Rock is so beautiful to you. I too love rocks. In California I have hiked far above the timberline where there is only sun, rock and water and where the energy between those simple forces make a profusion of life happen. Our lives belong to these forces. You are not misled. You are led by your heart, your soul.
    I will think of you every day and hold you in the Light.

    Renie Lindley
    Quaker, Honolulu Friends Meeting.’

     

    Okamoto Yukiko

    日本語で書くことをお許し下さい。

    ヤン先生が早く解放されることを強く望んでいます。
    私は、動画で拝見した、
    ヤン先生がクロンビ岩の上で静かに語っている姿を、
    いつも鮮やかに思い描いています。

    済州島の海軍基地計画は、
    沖縄での新しい米軍基地の建設と同様、
    アメリカの世界戦略の一環です。
    済州島の苦しみは、私たち沖縄の苦しみであり、
    済州島の闘いは、私たち沖縄の闘いです。

    沖縄では、知事をはじめ全ての市町村長、議会、住民の反対にもかかわらず、
    日米政府は辺野古に基地を造ろうとあがき、
    米軍の新型輸送機MV22オスプレイを強行配備してきました。

    私たちは、沖縄で、頑張ります。
    平和な日々を取り戻すまで、共にあることを願っています。

    岡本由希子okamoto yukiko
    （沖縄平和市民連絡会）

     

    Judy Robbins, Peninsula Peace & Justice of Blue Hill, Maine, USA

    To the people of Gangjeong Village and Jeju, Island of Peace.
    The Peninsula Peace & Justice Committee of Blue Hill, Maine, USA, sends greetings and solidarity for your struggle for justice and peace. The courage and love of Mr. Yang inspires the world to be strong and to sustain. We light a candle for you in the 15th day of your fast. Thank you.

     

    Peter Simpson

    My name is Peter Simpson, and I am an associate professor at Okinawa International University. As a teacher, and a responsible human being, I feel it is my duty to raise awareness of the environmental crisis facing our planet, and to make sure that we leave a legacy of peace, equal rights and environmental justice. For this reason I support Professor Yang Yoon-Mo’s responsible action in trying to prevent the destruction of Gureombi and support the campaign for his immediate release from jail.

     

    Yuzi Tanaka

    私は昨年、済州島に訪れました。
    そこで米軍基地問題に向き合う済州の皆さんを知りました。
    東アジアを緊張させる米軍基地も必要無いし、
    済州の自然を大切にして欲しい。

    そしてYang Yoon-Moさんを解放してください。

    Last year, I visited the island of Jeju.
    I know all of you facing the problem Jeju U.S. military base there.
    You also do not need to strain the U.S. military base in East Asia, I want to cherish the nature of Jeju.

    Please free up and Mr. Yang Yoon-Mo.

    田中　雄二
    Yuzi Tanaka

     

    Regis Tremblay

    ‘Dear Professor Yang;

    You have my great admiration for your principled stand against the construction of this base in Gangjeong Village.

    I met you while I was in Gangjeong during September of last year. I was there to film a documentary about Jeju and have many images and video clips of you. At the present, I am in post-production of my film and hoping to receive funding from the Sundance Film Fund.

    It was only at the end of my stay that I was able to visit the April 3rd Peace Museum. Our mutual friend, Gilchun Koh accompanied me. Until then, I could not understand why everyone, including Bishop Peter Kang were telling me I had to visit the museum in order to understand the protest. Gilchun’s exhibit overwhelmed me with sadness and grief.

    I was angry, ashamed, and tearful at what I learned and came home determined to tell the whole story of the American complicity in Jeju and Korea since 1945. The film places the protests against the base in the broader context of the American military expansion in its attempt to encircle China and dominate and control the Pacific Ocean. The protest in Gangjeong represents the modern-day struggle of people around the world against militarism, violence, and the destruction of the environment, no to mention the total disregard for self-determination, human rights, and social justice.

    The curator of the museum, with Gilchun’s help, provided me with 8 DVDs packed with archival film, photos, and documents that I will use in my film, including interviews with some of the survivors. I am also using film and photos from the U.S. National Archives and from the Associated Press.

    I have already filmed interviews with Bruce Cumings, and Charles Hanley who wrote the book, The Bridge at No Gun Ri. These are very powerful and will add a great deal of credibility to the film. Also, Bruce Gagnon was interviewed about America’s real plans for world domination. It is an expose of the supposed Pax Americana.

    I have created a 38 minute rough-cut of the film to apply for a grant from the Sundance Film Fund and to raise money by showing it to small Peace & Justice groups. The reaction is always the same. Some people cry, some express disbelief that their government could be guilty of these crimes, most are angry to learn, and nearly all ask what can they do. That is my hope for the film, that it will motivate people to take action.

    Finally, I believe you have become a powerful symbol of the protest through your imprisonments and fasts and I thank you for the example you have set for the entire world.

    Hardly a day goes by when I don’t think about you and the people of Gangjeong Village.

    Peace to you, Professor Yang and thank you for your witness to peace and justice in the world,

    Regis Tremblay
    Maine, United States‘

     

    Ana Traynin

    ‘Dear Prof. Yang,

    I was so privileged to join a tour of Gangjeong village with you,
    just a few days before they took you away.

    Your peaceful yet strong and resilient character, recognition of real
    beauty, love of nature and unbending struggle to save both will stay with me forever.

    As Utah Phillips said “the degree to which you resist is the degree to which you are free.”

    Prof. Yang, your courageous and self-transcending actions in the name of peace, even as the state steals your physical freedom, show the freedom you hold inside. You are a visionary and inspiration to us all.

    I send you light and endless positive energy from this crazy world.

    In solidarity,

    Ana Traynin’

     

    Hideki Yoshikawa

    Solidarity Message to Prof. Yang Yoo-Mo from Okinawa:

    Outraged by the repeated imprisonment of Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo,
    Dismayed by the Korean government’s disregard for human rights and environmental justice,
    Still encouraged by Prof. Yang Yoo-Mo’s determination to fight to keep Jeju Island as “the Island of Peace,”
    I am sending my solidarity message to Prof. Yang Yoo-Mo and my friends in Jeju.

    Hideki Yoshikawa
    Citizens’ Network for Biodiversity in Okinawa
    Save the Dugong Campaign Center

    Yang YoonMo

  • Yang Yoon-Mo will hit 15th day prison fast on Feb. 15

    Update: You can see the collection of international solidarity messages upon Yang’s 15th prison fast day, here.

     

    Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo who was arrested and imprisoned directly from the court on Feb. 1 hits his 15th prison fast on Feb. 15.

    There is a peace candle culture event, praying for the release of Yang Yoon-Mo.

    In front of the Jeju Prison,  7 pm,  Feb. 15 (Friday), 2013

    Hosted by the Gangjeong Village Association and People loving Yang Yoon-Mo

    ynm
    Source: Park Yongsung

    If you could, please send a solidarity message for Yang Yoon-Mo no later than Feb. 13

    : About 100 words, for the reason of translation, to the Gangjeong village international team (gangjeongintl@gmail.com)

    : Update: You can see some solidarity messages in the bottom 

    You may also write letters to him (Prof. Yang can read Japanese):

     

    Yang Yoon-Mo (No. 301)

    Jeju Prison, 161 Ora-2 dong, Jeju City,

    Jeju, the Demilitarized Peace Island, Korea

     

    We thank Coco from the Maine, United States, who sent us a message days ago as the below.

    ‘Last night our peace and justice group distributed letter writing materials so Mr. Yang should be receiving letters of support soon. We also plan to paint a banner that we’ll carry to all rallies, regardless of the event, in the hopes to get questions from other activists as well as some TV media images. I’ll send a photo once the banner is made.’

    Thank you.

    …………………………………………………………….

    More on Yang Yoon-Mo

    A movie critic born in Jeju, summoned to save Beauty

    coast-04-02-11
    Prof. Yang welcoming the visitors from Okinawa and Japan on the Gureombi Rock on April 2, 2011 (Source)

    “I am a (movie) critic. The role of a critic is to save the beauty to the end of one’s life. I have been enthusiastic to be voluntary to promote wonderful movies. Some people who could not understand me used to say whether I am misled by heroism or not. However, it is my faith to save the beautiful things.”

    It was Feb. 8, his 7th prison fast day since his imprisonment on Feb. 1. He told his four visitors to the prison. The visitors included Mr. Kim Bok-Chul, Mr. Park Suk-Jin, Mr. Park Seung-Ho.

    Prof. Yang looked peaceful and bright despite his status. The Gureombi Rock must be the venerable beauty for him that he is willing to pay his life.

    In fact, his daily fast is carried out from hard resolution. According to Park Hee-Sou, Chairman of the Island Provincial Council, who visited Prof. Yang in the jail along with other two Council representatives and strongly recommended him stop of fast on Feb. 5, Prof. Yang said:

    ” I hear the sound of the Gureombi Rock being broken by construction(destruction) even  sleep during the night. Even though I suffer every day, I am taking fast from the resolution that I have to inform the people the fact that the naval base construction itself is by evil law. If I  spend one year and six months without difficulty, it means I acknowledge that I committed crimes.”  ( Source)

    However, it is true that his health has been rapidly weakened after the long time fasts of more than 74 days (including about 60 days’ prison fast) and 42 days (in jail, too) in 2011 and 2012 each. Many people hope him stop the fast from the worry of his health.

    양교수님_천막
    Photo by Kang Bang-Sou/ It was the inside of Prof. Yang’s tent on the Gureombi Rock from 2009 to 2011, until the navy forcefully set up the fence around the coast on Sept. 2, 2011. For the source, click here or here.
    Yang_2010_4_10
    Prof. Yang who used to work in the villagers’ farming house in the village, April 10, 2010 (Source)

     

    A movie critic who inherited the trauma of 4.3 incident

    7-Yang-04-04-11
    Prof. Yang protesting against naval base construction, lying on the tetra pod frames in the construction site on April 4, 2011, the next day of commemoration day of 4.3 incident. (Source)

    As a Jeju native, he is personally connected to the April 3rd incident (massacre and people’s uprising in the Jeju Island  from 1947 to 1954). The younger brother of his grandmother (mother’s side) was one of the six victims killed by the bullets from the police governed by the US Army Military Government in Korea (USAMGIK) on March 1st, 1947. It was the commemorating day of people’s independence movement in 1919 against the Japanese imperialism from which the Korea was liberated on Aug. 15, 1945. The incident on March 1st, 1947 sparkled the  period of the 4.3 incident afterward.

    Prof. Yang was also told that his grandfather of mothers’ side was  killed, too,  during the 4. 3 incident.  He has said that he could not forget those stories throughout his life and those stories must have become the source of his current fierce struggle against the war base- building in the Jeju.

    According to the result of the investigation of the truth by the National Committee for Investigation of the Truth about the Jeju April 3rd Incident, the March 1 incident occurred when people’s complaints against the USAMGIK that governed South part of Korea from Sept. 9, 1945 to Aug. 15, 1948 were gradually spreading, while people’s expectation from liberation had become frustrated by the USAMGIK that allowed the succession of the police during the Japanese occupation under its governing.

     The report reads (summarized and translated):

    The US Army Military government recognizing that the commemoration rally on the 3.1 movement happening in the Jeju Island was led by the left wing [..] did not permit people’s street march and demanded them to change the rally venue to the Jeju west air field. However, about 30,000 crowd including the 17,000 people organized by the Namrodang (Workers Party of South Korea) and People’s Committee [..] etc. gathered near the North Jeju Elementary school. About 430 policemen including 330 from the Jeju and 100 from the main land carried security activities nearby.

    After the event, the crowd started street march. At the time, a child was hit by a horse of a ranger. When the ranger was to continue to proceed whether he knew it or not, the crowd nearby him, infuriated to see the accident, ran into the site. The aiding armed policemen, mistaken that the crowd are to attack the police station, fired toward them. Six were killed and another six got heavy injuries.

    The USAMGIK who did not know the whole truth of such firing incident asserted later that it was by self-defense, despite its acknowledgement of  the wrongdoings. It also began to arrest the rally event staffs and students, defining the incident as the ‘incident of the protesters attacking the police station.’

    The total civilian-government strike occurred from March 10, with the start from the Jeju Island government. About 40,000 people which are about 95 % of the whole workers from 23 institutes (which are mostly administrative institutes excluding the police and judiciary institutes), 105 schools, post offices, electric companies in the Jeju joined the strike. Even about 20 % of the Jeju police also joined the strike.

    The Police started to roundup the strike-related personnel from March 15. During the process, another firing incident happened on March 17 when the crowd demanded the release of the prisoners. The police arrested about 500 people by April 10. Among the arrested, 66 policemen were laid-off and those men’s posts were replaced by those belonging to the West North Young People’s Association which was the right wing subjugation group that existed by the Korean War.The confrontation and conflict between the Jeju Island people and police and such group under the UAMGIK were more increased.

    In the intelligence report by the UAMGIK on Match 19, 1947, the UAMGIK considered about 70 % of the Jeju Island people as the left wing or its sympathizers.

    (Source)

    Regarding the 4.3 incident, please also refer to “U.S. And South Korea Assault an Idlylic Island: Not For the First Time.” By S. Brian Wilson-Veterans for Peace.  You may also refer to the ‘Summary of the Report’s Conclusion,’ here.

     

    It is tragic that the  Jeju Island, designated as the Global Peace Island by the South Korean government on Jan. 27, 2005, to overcome the pain of 4.3,  is currently suffering again  from the history still present.  Prof. Yang bears the history of Jeju in the past and present in his own soul.

    1947 3 1
    Drawing on the incident of March 1st, 1947, by Kang Yo-Bae, Jeju artist. The drawing is included in his famous drawing book on 4.3 incident (Source)
    art
    Jeju Artist Koh Gilchun’s works on 4.3 massacre and people’s uprising, displayed in the 4.3 Peace Park (Source)
    Jeju43
    Archive photo on the 4.3 incident (source)

     

  • 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!

  • ROK Government Deceptive Simulation Hides Base Design Full of Flaws

    Conclusion in advance: What the simulation T/F team proved out on Jan. 31 is  the ‘Civilian-Military Complex Port,’ is IMPOSSIBLE. Still They are deceiving themselves, not to mention people by saying, “NO  PROBLEM.’ 

    총무 과장
    Source: On Jan. 31, when the villagers ran to the Island government hall, to inquire the governor on the problems of simulation report and protest on the whole lies, Island officers, mobilizing civilian-costumed policemen, blocked the villagers and activists. The Island officers have not even preserved the base  layout map and did not know what the ‘jetty dock (that will be mentioned in the below) was. In a word, the Island government had no preparation for its own position but to just submit to the central conservative government and Samsung. The figure in the left side is Mr. Go Gwon-Il, chairman of the Villagers’ Committee to Stop the Naval Base.

    On Jan. 31, the Office of the Prime Minister and Jeju Island government stated that there is ‘no problem’ in the matter of 150,000 ton cruise port-entry & exit as a result of the simulation ‘show’ (not verification) carried out in rough-and-ready method in two days of Jan. 17 and 18, despite the FULL OF FLAWS in the layout that became more obvious even by their official report (You can download it, in the middle of the site here, though Korean).

    The purpose of the simulation jointly carried out by the central and Island governments  was to prove out that the port-entry and exit  of 150,000 ton cruise is possible, HELPED by two tug boats (3,500 Hp each). To say concretely, the simulation was to test the possibility of another 2nd cruise into the west breakwater when the 1st cruise is already mooring in the south breakwater. The wind speed variable was set up at 27 knot. The simulation was supposed of day and night conditions. and wind directions were set up at northeast and southwest.  The numbers of pilots were 4. Total simulation numbers were 16.  The two-day rough-and-ready simulation was criticized for its opaqueness to the public. Even the members of the T/F team had to leave out their phones before entering the simulation room. The simulation was done in thorough security. Reporters were not allowed to enter.  Still  the government manipulating the  media after the test,  intentionally leaked the media in advance before the planned date of report on the result, saying that it has succeeded in the simulation, probably for the purpose to block any criticism on the test later. 

     

    On Feb. 4, the Island governor, Woo Keun Min made public at 2 pm that he would drive for the civilian-military complex port. His  sugar-coating words deceiving the Island people again was that he would promise the local development, supported by the central government,  console the Gangjeong villagers (no villagers opposing the base project will be consoled but infuriated against him)  and that he would ASK the central  government pardon for the people who have gotten the legal disposal for the struggle against the base project.  It is  in fact,  his  submission to the central gov, as the leader of the Island. (See the Korean article here)

    The navy has been  of course manipulating public opinion abusing such government lies.  all those  government and military’s false and deceiving play  has been what people could somehow expect.

    It is a great deception and betrayal again for the central and Island governments to lie to the people in the domestic and world to state as such.  It has become very clear that the Jeju naval base project which has been violently and illegally enforced in the name of so called civilian-military complex port for tour beauty, despite the opposition of majority villagers who just want to save their hometown as it is, can properly function neither as a civilian nor a military port. It is because the navy, government, corporations like Samsung have been enforcing the project consistently with rough-and-ready methods, which contradicts from their own claim of so called a ‘national security policy.’

    Most media seldom reports on such BIG DECEPTION that is why it is important to share the below, which is people’s own statement regarding the full of flaws in the base layout, revealed in the government report itself.

    mayor
    Source/ Photo by Kim Seung-Joo/ On Jan. 31, mayor Kang Dong-Kyun and Island activist Hong Ki-Ryong were ready to stay all night in front of the Island hall building, in protest of the Island and central governments’ lies again.  The figure in the right side is a civilian-costumed policeman who enjoys to spy people all the time.

    Yang Yoon-Mo, a movie critic, who was arrested and jailed directly from the court due to his opposition on the base project has started prison fast from the evening of Feb. 1, the day of his imprisonment which is  the 4th time in his life . He demands two by his prison fast: 1. Nullification of the government simulation report on Jan. 31, 2. Revocation of the Jeju naval base project.

    We hope that the below provides the reader some tips for the recognition of how the base project-including the base layout- has been totally falsehood from the beginning. Why these wrongdoings are seldom mentioned in the media? Does it surprise you to hear that the Korean mainstream media has been controlled by the big corporations like Samsung, one of the main contractors of the base project?

    Does it surprise you to hear that the Island government said that it has not even preserved the base layout map, which made the villager mayor, Kang Dong-Kyun and others so infuriated? Does it surprise you to hear that they could not even say a sensible word to the strong criticism by the village representatives who have had to investigate the flaws of layout themselves without sleep for long days? (See the Korean article, here) Does it surprise you to hear that the current Island government is willing to accord with the coming government of Park Geun-Hye on whom the controversy on election fraud has been constantly raised?(See the Korean article, on Feb. 4, here)

    Lee_Dongseob
    Lee Dong-Seob, chief of the Task Force team of the Simulation team, as well as the President of the Korean Navigation and Port Research. He is a former navy and captain. He stated in the press conference on Jan. 31 that the team concluded that the safe port-entry and exit of two giant size cruises in the day and night is possible under the current port design of the base project. (See the Korean article, here)

    .……………………………………………………………

     People’s statement on Feb. 1 (Click here for the original source)

    Title: “The simulation that made confirmation again  on  the flaws in the base design should be annulled from the origin!”

    : “Immediately stop the naval base construction (destruction) and re-examine the project!”

    The government stated on Jan. 31, 2013, that it would drive for the naval base construction without setback, saying that ‘it confirmed the safety matter,’ as a result of the simulation show (* not ‘verification’) on the control of 150,000 ton cruise ships in the so called Jeju civilian-military complex port for tour beauty project.

    However, the report on the result of the show by the Task Force team on the simulation on the control of cruise ships only confirms again that the matter on the flaws in the design on turning basin and sea route, which  was raised in the 1st and 2nd simulation verification, as well, is a fact, therefore there are serious problems in the safety matter of harbor and bay.

    Firstly, the simulation show this time was carried out in the condition of no jetty in the west side-different from the [navy] plan on changeable jetties [in the east and west part of the port] . According to the item 1 of the synthetic opinion by the researchers in the simulation report (Page 17, the Report on the Simulation Show on the Control of Cruise Ships in the [ Project] of the Civilian-Military Complex Port for Tour Beauty), the researchers demand a conducted layout change by which the jetty in the west part would be  completely removed.

     

    Web_text

     

    Translation: 
    1. Since the simulation show this time was carried out, supposedly the situation without “a jetty” [in the west part] under the worst external force condition, the condition is that there is not a jetty [in the west part] under the worst external force condition in case a large size cruise enters the port in the future.
    2. Since the entry speed in the mouth part of the harbor and bay is high and there are cases that the distance between breakwater and ship is short, the crews who enter and exit the port in the worst external force condition should be careful of pressuring currents.
    3. The  sea route environment and sea route mark same with the simulation condition are needed
    ( Page 17, the Report on the Simulation Show on the Control of Cruise Ships in the [ Project] of the Civilian-Military Complex Port for Tour Beauty)

     

    Related to it, Lee Dong-Seob, chief of the T/F team states that, “it is difficult to answer (on the safety of harbor and bay) in the condition of the jetty in the west side. It is a conclusion that there should be no jetty in the worst condition.”

    That means it was a merely a patch measure for the navy to avoid controversy on the safety matter to have  changed the sea route [from 77° to 30°] and  introduced changeable jetty at the time of the 2nd simulation that it unilaterally carried out in Feb. 2012. Therefore it proves the justice of a claim that  change of base design and construction stop is inevitable to guarantee the safety of 150.000 ton cruise to enter & exit of port and to come & exit alongside the pier.

    Web_Island-simulation-repor
    Source: Please compare two maps. In the navy map that the villagers brought to the Island government hall to protest against the government lies on Jan. 31, you can see two small jetty in the west and east parts of the port. But in the picture of the report, you see only one jetty in the east part. It is a report on the Simulation Show on the Control of Cruise Ship(s) in the [ Project] of the Civilian-Military Complex Port for Tour Beauty, published by the Task Force team of the show, jointly supervised under the central and Island governments.

    Otherwise, the matter of removal on the jetty in the west part means that there is a serious problem in the project of so called Jeju civilian-military complex port for tour beauty: It cannot properly function as a military port, not to mention properly function as a civilian port.

    It is because the accommodation ability of the Jeju naval base that should accommodate a task fleet is drastically being reduced. According to the original design (Image No. 4.4.5, page 129, book No. 1 of the report on investigation and test), the base design has been done for a base where total 24 ships can simultaneously come alongside the pier.

    Web_Map-1_445

    As the project was changed to a so called civilian-military complex port [in 2007], the south and west breakwaters were designated as a trade port as a facility for cruise to come alongside the pier. If the entry and exit of more than 2,000 ton cruise is permitted as the Jeju Island demands to the military, ( * It is a condition that the Island governor demands to the military to conclude a joint use protocol on the port) the south and west breakwaters cannot but be used only as (dis)embarkation for materials and human beings so the function as a military port disappears. It means five among 24 ships cannot be accommodated.

    If a jetty dock in the west part is removed in such condition, additional 4 ships cannot be accommodated. Even with a ship that might take place on the site of the removed jetty, three ships cannot be accommodated. As a result, total 8 military ships among 24 ships cannot be accommodated.

    task force
    Source: Kim Min-Soo, reporter of the Jeju Internet news writes in his Feb. 1 article titled: ‘What the simulation T/F team proved out is  the ‘Civilian-Military Complex Port,’ is Impossible: The Jeju Naval Base Cannot Accommodate Both of the 7th Navy Task Fleet Force and Two Giant Cruse.’
    ‘A task force is usually composed of 10 naval vessels: 8 large size naval vessels such as 2 Aegis Destroyers, 6 destroyers and affiliated vessels. The ROK navy says it can heighten its ability for ocean operation, only if large size conveyance vessel (14,500 ton class, currently the ROK retains one vessel of such class, the Dokdo). [..]
    ‘Even though the government made a conclusion on Jan. 31 that giant cruise can safely enter and exit the port as a result of simulation, the problem is that, for that purpose, the Jeju naval base can accommodate only five giant naval vessels at maximum, [as the simulation report itself, CLEARLY stipulates.]
    In other words, the purpose of the Jeju naval base that the navy asserts that it is for the accommodation of the 7th task  fleet force cannot be achieved in the project. It means the navy can NEVER solve the issue of effective operation on the 7th task fleet force with the [currently enforced] Jeju naval base project, contrary from the navy assertion that it needs the Jeju base because its task fleet forces are being scattered in Jinhae and Busan [* which are located in the east southern part of the main land].

    That brings a result that the navy and Minister of National Defense give up the purpose of the Jeju naval base, in other words, the role of it as a deployment base where 20 large size naval vessels can simultaneously moor.

    The Office of Prime Minister, navy, and Ministry of National Defense are irresponsible even by their own logic to say that they would enforce construction stating that “there is no problem in safety matter,” without an explanation whether the navy would be willing for such serious change of the base design or not.

    To look at,  to ask why the change of the base design is inevitable, one can recognize that the core of the matter lies in the issue of the turning radius.

    The turning basin for the 150,000 ton cruise should be of D 690 m, which is 2L of the object ship, following the ‘Standard of the Layout in the Harbor & Bay and Fishing Port. While the turning basin of the Jeju naval base was designed as D 520 m, in violation of such legal standard, the matter is that the inner sea area of the projected Jeju naval base is too small to accommodate even D 520 m.

    Web_Map-2_turning-field
    The size of the turning basin on the navy’s plane map on the basic plan

    In the plane plan of the navy’s report on the basic plan, the D 520 m turning base is drawn rather spared. However, it can be recognized that the turning basin is interluding major sites of placed ships  as in the below picture, when a correct 3 D modeling was established for the simulation show this time.

    It can be confirmed that cruise ship is overlapped in the turning basin in the south breakwater and even destroyers (KDX-II) that come alongside the dock – exclusive only for the large size ships- have no turning water area and spare.

    Web_map_3-overlapped
    The size of the turning basin in the 3rd simulation report

    In case that a large size aircraft carrier in the south breakwater or a naval vessel higher than KDX-III level comes alongside the pier- exclusive only for the large size ships-, the radius of the turning basin is more being intruded therefore the safety of the cruise entry  & exit of port and coming & leaving alongside the pier becomes more difficult.

    Given that, the navy, Ministry of National Defense, and the Office of prime Minister cannot avoid people’s suspicion that they have intentionally hidden the problems of the flaws on the design on the turning basin by now.

    Secondly, the item 2 of the synthetic opinion by the researchers of the simulation show point out that “ Due to high entry speed in the gate part in harbor and bay.. it is necessary to pay attention to pressuring currents.” The pilots who joined the simulation show are also stating that they ask attention on the pressuring currents in the harbor gate.” It means the ships in simulation had to navigate with high speed to the degree of concern, without decreasing speed to maximum following the shipbuilding program at the time of entering and exiting out of port. In other words, the ships in simulation had to increase their propulsive force so that ships are not being pushed by the crosswind of 27 knot.

    What they point out is that there is a concern that the ships may be clashed to breakwaters: In case of the Jeju naval base project, the width of the sea route is only 250 meter. Therefore the navigator on the  ship bridge in 150,000 ton cruise cannot observe the end tip of the breakwater in the mouth part of the port so that he can rely only on guess or GPS. If wind suddenly stops or more severely blows, the ship may clash with breakwaters.

    In other words, they were expressing their concern: If the ship entering the port without reduction of speed clashes with breakwater, such incident cannot but be extended as a giant incident in the worst case. It is because wind blows irregularly in real situation different from the simulation when wind blows homogenously. If then, the suspicion whether the 150,000 ton cruise can safely enter and exit the port is still unresolved task.

    Thirdly, looking at the 3rd items of the synthetic opinion of the researchers in the simulation show, the matters that we have pointed out many times are written as they are. We have consistently pointed out that, while the 2nd and 3rd simulations are based on 30° sea route, actual area-detailed data around the 30° sea route have not been input.

    The words that ‘sea route environment and sea route signs same with the simulation condition are needed,’ means that the maritime environment such as the water depth of the sea route and current should be fit into the environment applied in simulation. In other words, it can be interpreted that the natural environment should be changed into same with the simulation environment since the simulation was done without actual area-detailed data.

    It means, to make a sea route that crosses low water depth area, there should be inevitably an underwater construction such as rock excavation and dredging. It is a result that reveals more of the rough-and-ready of the 3rd simulation done even neither with an environmental impact assessment nor procedure on the status change on the cultural treasure.

    Even though water depth is supposed that it can be artificially controlled, the inner currents that occur by the gap between ebb and tide cannot be controlled by human beings. We have pointed out many times that the inner currents of the water area near the train rock are very high before this 3rd simulation.

    As a result, we conclude that even the researchers themselves who carried out the 3rd simulation acknowledged the serious problems in the layout of turning basin and sea route. The 3rd simulation that was carried out even with neither synthetic plan and measures on the layout change and scientific investigation on the environment near the 30 ° sea route is merely a test completely ignored of the preceding conditions and nullification from the origin. It is because the result is also a lie, in the science formed based on lie.

    Therefore the government should immediately stop construction (destruction) acknowledging the flaws in layout, not enforce construction (destruction) repeatedly saying “there is no problem in the matter of safety.” .

    We aslo strongly demand the Island governor to make all the efforts for prompt construction stop and whole re-examination with the decision responsible for the history of Jeju, on behalf of the Island people, not blindly following the Government.

     

    Feb. 1, 2013

     

    The Gangjeong Village Association

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

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

    Web_picture-2_6
    Source: The 150,000 ton cruise sea route crosses the three overlapped preservation zones.

     

     

    UNESCO Biosphere Reserves Core Zone

    Seogwipo Municipal Marine Park

    Ecological Landscape Preservation Area

  • Free Yang Yoon-Mo!: Jailed Movie Critic, Yang Yoon-Mo, Starts Hunger Strike

    Update (March 24) Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo’s oral statement ending 52 days’ prison fast

    Update (Feb. 11):  Yang Yoon-Mo will hit 15th day prison fast on Feb. 15: More on Yang Yoon-Mo

     

    poster

    Source: Paco Booyah

     

    1. Yang Yoon-Mo, a movie critic, was arrested directly from the court

     

    Yang Yoon-Mo, a movie critic and one of the prominent opponents against the Jeju naval base project was directly arrested and jailed  from the court on Feb. 1, 2013 . It is his 4th time imprisonment. He is the one who has been jailed the most numerous times during the struggle against the base project by now. (see the below for the details) He was also one of the subjects of  the individual complaints to the UN Human Rights Council in 2012.

    He is currently in prison and you may write encouraging and supporting letters to him:

    Yang Yoon-Mo(No. 301)

    Jeju Prison, 161 Ora-2dong, Jeju City, Jeju, the Peace Island, Korea

    (Another prisoner, Park Seung-Ho (No. 290) hit 142nd day in prison as of Feb. 3, 2013.  Update:  Park Seung-Ho was released on Feb. 5, after 144 days’ imprisonment. )

    The criminal department No. 4 of the higher court in Jeju (Judge: Oh Hyun-Kyu), annulling the 1st court decisions of probation etc. on him, sentenced 1 year and six months imprisonment against him who has been charged of obstruction of business etc (Refer to the Korean articles).  Such court arrest has not occurred before his case in the struggle to stop the base project.  He also became the first opponent against the base project who got an actual prison sentence. See also here.

    The  cases of the 1st trials  have been annexed in the trial sentence of appeal on Feb. 1. Those are the cases of the 1st court decisions on June 1, 2011 (After the arrest on April 16, 2011, charged of obstruction of business, violation on the punishment on the violence Act etc. The court decision on him was 1 year and six months imprisonment with two year suspension), on March 20, 2012 (After the arrest on Jan. 30, 2012, charged of obstruction of business etc. The court decision on him was 10 months imprisonment with two year suspension), and on  the charge of violation on the Public Water Act ( That was for a sit-in tent in the Gureombi Rock. He was sentenced ‘no guilty,’ in this case)

    Given that it was a decision on his appeal aginst the 1st court decision, such an unusual and harsh sentence made people confirm that it was a political retaliation not only against him whose health is already weak for the protest fasts twice in 2011 (more than 74 days) and 41 days (2012) but also the whole opposition movement people against the Jeju naval base project, especially after the government manipulated its political ground to push the base project with a false report on the government-supervised simulation ‘show’ on Jan. 31. It is also a violence that preludes merciless oppression on human rights and environmental destruction.

    profil
    Source: Paco Booyah

     

    Accidentally Feb. 1 was his birthday and all of his friends and colleagues were shocked, sad, and infuriated. Dr. Song Kang-Ho has been also arrested on his birthday on April 1, 2012 and got the court decision of imprisonment on the anniversary of 4.3, same year.

    Amazingly the notification letter by the Jeju district court on Feb. 1, 2013 is written for the reason of imprisoning him only in one line that reads that ‘the accused has a reason to run away.’ It is a serious debasement on a man who has put his fate on the Gurembi Rock and a film critic who was acknowledged with a ‘special art award’ from the Jeju People’s Artist Federation on Dec. 28, 2012, for his actual participation in history in person  (Korean article). It is also immoral and unjust attitude for the South Korean oligarchies including the court to patch up their baseless accusation on him with a line.

    Yang
    Photo by Cho Sung-Bong (Source)

    Rev. Jeong Yeon-Gil who was released on Dec. 12 after 98 days’ imprisonment criticized the court decision against Yang on Feb. 1, by citing the below, which shows the contrast between  it and Constitution.

    Oh Hyun-Kyu, the judge who sentenced Yang and imprisoned him from the court reads: “The accused has made a setback in the national policy project by his activity such as obstruction of construction etc from his own judgement that the naval base construction is a violation of law. Even though it is not a crime to take an individual interest, [the court] cannot find his will of self-examination even during the repeated process of arrests, imprisonments, and release son him. Therefore, a prison sentence is inevitable.”

     However, the article 19 of the Constitution reads: “All the citizens have the freedom of consciousness.”

     Also, the ruling by the Constitutional Court of Korea on April 25, 2002 reads:

    “The consciousness that the Constitution intends to protect means an urgent and concrete consciousness as a strong and sincere call from the heart that the value of one’s own personal existence will be destroyed if not acting as such, in judging the right and wrong on a task. Even though [a court] can legally punish an “action,” it should not force in any case to change one’s faith with the mobilization of direct or indirect forceful methods. It should not enforce one the idea on the observation of Republic of Korea law or confession on it against one’s own faith, either.”

     

    2. Yang Yoon-Mo started a hunger strike again.

    Park sukjin
    Photo collection by Park Suk-Jin/ “ I hear the scream of the Gureombi Rock, sitting beside the main gate of the construction gate.. I can’t stand myself even though that is what I can do…” Prof. Yang has sat in front of the construction gates many times after his release in 2012. He has always felt the Gureombi Rock like his own body. For more collection of his photos, see here.

    More sad news on his decision on prison hunger strike was delivered by a peace activist, Kim Young-Jae on Feb. 2, the next day:

     “We just came out from the Jeju Prison where we made a visit to Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo. 

    Prof. Yang said he would enter fast soon to claim the nullification on the government report on the result of simulation (* Jan. 31) and to revoke the Jeju naval base project.  Even though Fr. Mun Jeong-Hyeon and chairman Go Gwon-Il made every sort to stop him, he was so resolute to say he would continue fast (* He made a fast in the evening of the day of his arrest, Feb. 1). He says that he will not go out prison unless he dies. 

    He says he is no guilty and he cannot acknowledge his imprisonment because it is a compromise. 

    He and all of us were wet in the edges of the eyelids. He also said he was so sorry to all of us to make us concern about him. We so concern about his health.”

    (Kim Young-Jae, Feb. 2 around noon)

    Yang May 4 2011
    Prof. Yang Yoon-No on his 29th fast day in jail on May 4, 2011 when he held more than 74 days’ hunger strike.

     

    3. We are all Yang Yoon-Mo!

    Feb 5 candle vigil
    Source: Park Yongsung/There will be a press conference on the court decision against him on Feb. 4 and a candle vigil in front of the City hall, Jeju City,  at 7 pm on Feb. 5.

     

    By imprisoning him who is like a symbol of the Gureombi Rock and who has brought the fire of the struggle throughout the nation and world, the oligarchies intend to oppress the opposition struggle against the naval base project. They also want to block the Jeju from being the Demilitarized Peace Island but to put it under the corporation monopoly capital like Samsung and military.

    If Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo is the Gureombi Rock, we are all Yang Yoon-Mo. The oligarchies lost. We believe in that the fire of the struggle against the naval base project will grow nationwide and globally.

    Lindis Percy, a co-representative of the CAAB, UK says:

    ‘What an inspirational and courageous man – we will light a candle when we gather each Tuesday (now for 13 years) outside the main gates of …NSA Menwith Hill – here in the North of England – we are thinking of him and hold hands in solidarity with him.…’

    Navi
    Photo by Navi/ Yang Yoon-Mo with a vest written of ‘no naval base,’ in the nationwide-traveling candle light vigil in Haenam, Jeolla province, in July, 2012.

     

    In the last part of Dungree’s video, ‘Why Yang Yoon-Mo went to the Prison,’ prof. Yang says on the Gureombi Rock (translated).  The video starts with the subtitle that reads, “Yang Yoon-Mo is the Gureombi Rock, Gangjeong.” The title of the background song is ‘a beautiful man.’

    “If we can enter the Gureombi Rock again, we can pick and eat mulberry leaves and garlic. If we eat Bangpungcho (a kind of herb) and mugwort there in the new spring, our bodies become strong. Those made me strong. I can do even 100 days’ fast, beyond 70 days’ fast last year. The source of such energy is nothing but the Gureombi. But if the Gureombi is destroyed, I think my summon as a movie critic also ends. The truth is that we should stop the naval base so that the Gureombi becomes a spiritual place for the world. Please give us a chance that the Gureombi can be reevaluated as a cultural treasure. The naval base construction entering into the Island is an illegal construction destroying the spirit of Constitution and legalism.”

    Prof. Yang Yoon Mo has not responded five police calls before his imprisonment. He seems to have decided prison life again.

    His words on the Gureombi Rock in 2011 can be heard here.

    Regis Tremblay who is  making a film on the Jeju made a film on Yang as soon as he heard the news on Yang’s arrest on Feb. 1, 2013. You can see it here.

    Here is another video by Kim Minsou, a young activist and artist who made the video upon Yang’s arrest on April 6, 2011. Kim met Prof. Yang for the first time in 2009 when Yang was living in the tent of the Gureombi Rock where he was friendly with the villagers, especially with uncle, Kim Jong-Hwan who was also imprisoned for more than three months in 2011. Yang is very gentle and child-like but he is also very resolute in the struggles.

    You can see some beauty of the Gureombi Rock and Yang’s life there in the video.
    For Kim, Yang is like a teacher and father.

    (Post information by Kim Bok-Chul who was released on Jan. 3, 2013 after 206 days in prison)

    Below is a copy of a poem that has been put in Yang’s vigil tent in the Joongduk coast, Gangjeong village. The title is “Sisterhood.” It is a poem of love between the Joongduk Sea, the land-filled-planned naval base area, and a man who wants to save the Sea. The writer is a woman who calls the man as her brother-in-law and the sea, as her sister.

    Sisterhood

    She cries whenever it is a deep night. The Joongduk Sea.

    Laying down Gangjeong in her belly who has been scratched and wounded

    The Joongduk sea cries lulling and calming down it

    Have you ever heard her crying sound

    My sister, Joongduk Sea

    With tears let inside her

    Uh-Ho-Ii Oh-Ho-Ii

    A man who has been captured by that tears

    Has successfully recognized her being in a serious illness

    Crouching his body in a small common bed

    Being happy since he is with her

    Hei Hei, my innocent brother-in-law

    I

    Offering a bowl of warm rice to them

    Wanted to honor their love

    Sisterhood
    After his arrest on April 6, 2011, the poem was handwritten in a big paper and put on the way of the Gureombi Rock. so that the tourists and even the construction workers could read the poem.

    ………………………………………………………….

    The summary of his imprisonments

     

    Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo, born in Jeju, 1956, a former President of the Korean Association of Film Critics.

    2008: Started to live in Gangjeong village after the participation in the Gangjeong villagers’ Island pilgrim for seven nights and eight days.

    2009: Started to live in the tent that would be nicknamed as the ‘Joongdeoksa(Jeongdeok temple) on the Gureombi Rock. He stays there until his arrest in 2011.

    2010: Imprisonment by the arrest of Dec. 27, 2010 and release of Jan. 9, 2011.

    On Dec. 27, 2010, there was a large size bringing-in of materials for the building of residential houses inside the naval base project building complex, which could be said to be the start of the construction in earnest. All the participants who joined the press conference denouncing it were arrested. All were released on the night, except for Yang Yoon-Mo. He had been charged of obstruction of business for the reason to stop the car of the ex-Minister of National Defense, Kim Tae-Young, on March 20, 2010 and damage on navy public information board. The court decision against him, regarding those incidents, had been 1,900,000 won fine but he did not pay. Upon his arrest on Dec. 27, he was imprisoned due to unpaid fines. Even though Yang expressed his will to compensate the fines by prison labor, villagers and some people gathering money for him, made him released on Jan. 9, 2011.

    2011: Violently arrested for the reason that he entered under the construction car, with the charge of obstruction of business. Annexed with other charges such as violence in the other incidents, he was imprisoned for 59 days’ until he was released by the court decision of one year six months imprisonment and two year suspension on June 1. At the time, he made more than 74 days’ hunger strike.

    2012: Arrested on Jan. 30. Seeing that the police getting order from the construction company thugs, allowed the construction trucks’ entry at the risk of young female activists’ lives, he was infuriated. At the time, he was very weak in health but entered under a construction truck that was illegally making turn at the corner of a bridge, for the expression of protest against illegal construction. He was arrested under the charge of obstruction of business. He made more than 40 days’ hunger strike until his release on March 20 when he got the court decision of 10 months’ imprisonment and two year suspension.

    2013: Arrested and jailed directly from the court on the trial of appeal on Feb. 1, as mentioned above.  Since the evening of the day, he began hungers strike in protest of the government’s false report on the result of simulation ‘show,’ on Jan. 31 and for the revocation of the Jeju naval base project. He is called as the Gangjeong, Gureombi itself.

    Chy
    Photo and caption by Choi Hye-Young/ On Dec. 27, 2012, with Dr. Song Kang-Ho and young activist, Kim Min-Sou with guitar. Yang’s dream is to build a ‘ farming film school,’ in the Jeju. He was so moved by the movie, ‘Les Miserable,’ and has been reading the book fully translated. He also said he wants to write a critic not with words but with his life for the remaining of his life.

  • “Because of Samsung”…Ministry of National Defense Excuses, Upon Protest by National Assembly Members

    Jeju Sori
    Image source: Jeju Sori, Jan. 23, 2013/ 12 DUP members’ visit to Kim Gwan-Jin, Minister of National Defense

    The Minister of National Defense (MND) excused under the pretext of Samsung for the reason of the enforcement of construction. 12 members of the National Assembly, including Park Ki-Choon, floor representative of the Democratic United Party, denounced the MND.

    On Jan. 23, 12 National Assembly members (representatives of the Democratic United Party: DUP) visited the MND and met Kim Gwan-Jin, Minister of National Defense. The meeting was for the protest that six National Assembly members were humiliated to be denied entry into the Jeju naval base project building complex on Jan. 22. (See the below photos. On Jan. 10, two National Assembly members were also roughed up by the police. see here. You can watch the video on Jan. 21, here. ).

    The 12 National Assembly members who visited the Minister Kim on Jan. 23 are: Park Ki-Choon, floor representative of the DUP, Woo Won-Sik, Vice-floor representative of the DUP, Ahn Gyu-Baek, Coordinator of the National Defense committee of the National Assembly, Lee Suk-Hyun, Kim Woo-Nam, Kim Gwan-Young, Jin Sung-Joon, Kim Gwang-Jin, member of the  National Defense committee of the National Assembly, and Jang Hana.

    Park, the floor representative denounced the MND, saying, “without the execution on budget, construction should be stopped [..] Even though the needed is an effort to diligently carry out the National Assembly subsidiary conditions for 70 days, the MND is enforcing construction. The Minister of National Defense has refused to come to the National Assembly, excusing he is busy.”

    Note: The National Assembly had passed the 2013 Jeju naval base budget of about 209 billion won with the subsidiary conditions of ‘execution on budget after the report on the performance on the recommendation items of the National Assembly within 70 days.” For the National Assembly subsidiary conditions, look at here.

    However, Minister Kim Gwan-Jin clarified his measure on the enforcement of construction, excusing that there were no words of “construction stop,” in the National Assembly subsidiary conditions.

    Further he ascribed the responsibility for the enforcement of construction to a company that is the Samsung being in charge of the 1st work area of the Jeju naval base project, “The construction company that made a total sum contract is continuing construction for the reasons of labor cost, equipment-lease cost and compensation damage on the sub-contract companies. I will make an effort to satisfy the National Assembly subsidiary conditions but there is nothing we can do since the company said it should carry out construction.”

    Jang Hana, a National Assembly woman delivered later that the National Assembly members present with the Minister boiled with rage upon the Minister’s such nonsense that Ministry is excusing its violation of law for a private company: “Is Samsung over the National Assembly and law?”

    Jang pointed out, “the Ministry of Strategic Planning and Finance is right not to allocate the budget [for 70 days]. The contract should be renewed annually, too. In the case of the Jeju naval base construction, the contract was expired as of January. It is hard to understand that the Ministry is looking on with folded arms while the Samsung is progressing an illegal construction with its own money without being supervised.”

    After the meeting, the DUP stated that it would consider legal measure against the enforcement of construction for 70 days even though its actual effect is uncertain.

    Yoon Gwan-Suk, spokesperson of the floor representative said, “Regarding the disposal on the passing of the 2013 Jeju naval base budget, the National Assembly conditioned it with the subsidiary items including a thorough verification on the possibility of port-entry by 150,000 ton cruise and its report to the National Assembly within 70 days. Even though ‘construction stop’s was not stipulated in the conditions, there was an agreement on construction stop in content both by the ruling Saenuri Party and opposition parties.”

    (Summary of the articles of the Jeju Sori and Jeju Domin Ilbo. See also Yonhap news)

    Jan 21 Ryu six members
    Photo by Rev. Ryu Insik/ On Jan. 21, six National Assembly members (DUP) visited the village and had a press conference denouncing the navy’s illegal construction. Those six members are Jang Hana(3rd from the right), Kim Gi-Sik, Nam-Yoon In-Soon, Eun Soo-Mi, Jeong Chung-Rae, and Jin Sun-Mi. The sign in the back reads, “Stop the illegal construction enforced without budget from Jan. 1, 2013.”
    jan 21 11 20 am
    Jan 21, around 11:20 am/ Many reporters came to the six National Assembly members’ press conference held in front of the gate of the Jeju naval base project building complex. The police little showed up and no construction trucks while the members were in the village.
    jan 21 11 55 am
    Jan. 21. around 11: 55 am/ After the press conference, the National Assembly members tried to have a talk meeting with the chief of the project committee and to witness the site of illegal construction. But the door was rudely closed for about 30 minutes. Many news reporters including the KBS, one of the main Korean broadcasting companies  were eager to report on it.
    2013-01-21-12.15.37
    Jan. 21, around 12: 15 pm/ The six National Assembly members had to finally give up the meeting with the chief of the project committee. One member, Jeong Chung-Rae, is denouncing the navy in his interview with the news reporters.
    Andy
    Photo by A. T on Jan. 21/ The National Assembly members having a talk meeting with the village representatives had the lunch in the village communal restaurant. They would visit the Seogwipo Police Station to protest its violent oppression on people. at 2 pm.
    Paco UP Jan 22
    Photo by Paco Booyah/ On Jan. 22, members of the United Progressive Party also visited and denounced the navy’s illegal construction as well, around 10 am.
    Paco civic Jan 22
    Photo by Paco Booyah/ On Jan. 22, Nationwide civic groups also gathered in the village, to protest the navy’s illegal construction. It was the Urgent Action day. Around 11 am.
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    The people’s bow hit 10,000 times as of Jan. 22 (around 5:30 pm). people have declared 30,000 peace bows on Jan. 10. Jan. 22 was also a day that Park Seung-Ho, currently the only remaining prisoner hit 130th day in prison.

    The police resumed its mobilization again for the entry of construction trucks in the evening and all over night, after the party and many civic group members returned back to the main land. Here is the video by Dungreei on the night of Jan. 22 (source). An old villager protested police’s mean behavior, denouncing Samsung as well. You can watch another video by Pang Eunmi on Jan. 21, here.    On Jan. 23, the police were also protested for tearing a woman peace keeper’s cloths. The police even surrounded another woman peace keeper strongly protesting against it. Watch the Jan. 23 video here.  The policeman, Park In-Kyu, was the one who made a peace keeper’s finger injured by hammering the pipes through which  people connected their arms together to stop explosive cars on March 9, 2012. ( See the last scene). Protest call to the Seogwipo Police Station, Jeju:  064-760-0112/ the 3rd  riot police unit of Busan: 051-971-7634

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    Near the people’s communal restaurant, Samgeori( three way intersection), a peacekeeper, Deulkkot, is displaying her dolls of people fighting against the naval base project. Despite hard time and ongoing construction(destruction), many people’s dedicated efforts will overcome the difficulties of struggle.

  • Following in Martin’s Footsteps | notonlyformyself

    Reblogged with permission from: Following in Martin’s Footsteps | by notonlyformyself *

    As my time in Gangjoeng has come to an end I walk away feeling grateful for having had the opportunity to meet people acting from a place of love, not hatred.

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    Having met the ones who would rather go to prison than compromised their moral beliefs.

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    Hung out with the SOS team. Frozen kayak rides, stubbornly working as monitors and guardians of the sea, coast line, animal life, corals and sea bed, all deeply affected by the construction.

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    Been inspired by all these politicians, leaders, villagers, supporter. Activists in different coats.

    And yesterday six people from the National assembly(belonging to the Progressive Democratic Party) came to the same gate. Held a press conference. Talked about not being let in to see the base. Despite having their permits in order.

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    Many big and small efforts.

    And all these people have at some point reacted and decided to act. Laws and regulations are made by people. Structures are created but can be changed if needed. Patters of state power can be challenges. Do not obey it you feel you shouldn’t. The pink sign below says just that; sometimes it is your obligation to stand by your beliefs and disobey.

    And doing it from a place of love instead of hatred is a good start.

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

     

  • Gangjeong Village Story: Monthly News from the Struggle | January 2013 Issue

    In this month’s issue:
    Struggle outlook after the presidential election and in the new year, a new support group forms, similarities of Gaza and Gangjeong, more prisoner releases, Buddhist unity ceremony, voting problems for villagers and more!

    Download PDF

  • People’s appeal to the President-elect

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    Photo by News1, Jeju Domin Ilbo/ The banner reads, ‘The Jeju naval base construction without carrying out of the National Assembly recommendation is illegal, Immediately stop construction and carry out thorough verification!’ In front of the Presidential transition committee building, Seoul, Jan. 13
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    Photo by Lee Jung-Ah, Hankyoreh, Jan. 13, 2013/ Press conference in the morning

     

    1. The Ministry of Nation Defense reported its will to continue construction

    It was Jan. 11 that the Ministry of National Defense was told to have reported to the Presidential transition committee that the ministry would continue the Jeju naval base construction without stop. The Jeju Domin Ilbo, Jan. 12, 2013 reads:

    The Chosun Ilbo reported through its Jan. 12 article that the Ministry of National Defense (MND) has declared its policy of enforcement on the Jeju naval base project, through its Jan. 11 job report to the Presidential transition committee.

    The Chosun Ilbo, citing the words by the core personnel of the committee, reported that ‘the Ministry of National Defense has stated its position that it should continue the Jeju naval base construction even with inputting the remaining budgets from the last year.’

    The personnel said that the ministry took three reasons for  continuing construction: 1. It would take a tremendous period to recruit again  workers in case of construction resumption 2. It would take damage compensation for construction stop. 3. The opposition groups’ repulsions will be intensified in case of construction resumption.

    In other words, the ministry meant that, while there are currently about 230 domestic and foreign workers in the Jeju naval base project, it would take five months to recruit workers again after construction stop and it would have to pay about 6.5 billion won of damage compensation cost for construction stop to the construction companies that are working employing various heavy equipments.

    It is known that the MND also emphasized that the construction period would be extended without defined due because of expected more intensification of the repulsions by opposing groups in case the Jeju naval base construction is resumed after its stop.

     

    2. People’s request to meet the chairman of the Presidential  transition committee was denied.

    It was Jan. 13, Sunday, that the representatives of the villagers left the village in the early dawn to join the press conference in Seoul, with the representatives of the National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval Base in Jeju Island and Jeju Pan-Island Committee for the Stop of Military Base and for Realization of Peace Island. It was a day when the Defense Acquisition Program Administration(DAPA) also delivered its job report to the Presidential transition committee. The Press conference for thorough verification and construction stop was held in front of the building of the Presidential transition committee, Samchungdong, Seoul. After the conference, Kang Dong-Kyun, mayor of the village, Mr. Go Gwon-Il, chairman of the Villagers’ Committee to Stop the Naval Base and Mr. Bae Gi-Chul, co-representative of the Pan-Island Committee delivered their opinion statement and a letter by Mr. Yoon Sang-Hyo, a village elder and member of the advisory board of the village. See the letter at the bottom.

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    Photo by Andy Dukjin Kim/ Mayor Kang Dong-Kyun deliver people’s letters and opinion statement to a person of the Presidential transition committee, in the morning of Jan. 13.

    The representatives also requested to meet the Chairman of the Presidential transition committee, demanding the construction stop, but it was finally rejected to the fury and remorse of the people. There was a press conference denouncing the committee’s rejection at 4pm. Mayor Kang expressed his strong sorriness saying that “How will the new government communicate with the people if it shows its non-communicative attitude from the time of transition?” See the Korean article, here.

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    Photo by Andy Dukjin Kim/ People denounce that the Presidential transition committee rejected their request to meet the committee’s chairman. Jan. 13, around 4pm.

     

    3. People’s letters for the demand of construction stop to Park Geun-Hye

    The below is the expert translations from the letters to Park Geun-Hye, the so called the President-elect regarding whom the controversy on unfair election is still going on, by the opposing groups and Mr. Yoon Sang-Hyo, a village elder. You can see the original Korean language letters, here.

    Excerpt from the letter by the opposing groups

    According to some press report, it is told that the Ministry of National defense has reported to the Presidential transition committee on Jan. 11 that it would continue the Jeju naval base construction without stop. Its main logic is that if construction is stopped, it would take much time to recruit the domestic and foreign workers again and billions won of damage compensation costs following construction stop is expected again. It is a poor logic to be used for the government and navy  not to carry the pledge by the members of ruling and opposition parities of the National Assembly to the citizens and villagers. Are the National Assembly’s Constitutional rights to legislation and budget & balance cheaper than billions won? Further isn’t it that the government who has promised a thorough verification disclosing itself its intention for no thorough verification to the world, to enforce construction as if verification has been all done? It means that the government and navy are to push an unreliable state policy project without villagers’ agreement disregarding matters. The behavior itself is the derision and provocation of the villagers and Island people. We ask whether it is a way that Park Geun-Hye, the [so-called]President-elect who has emphasized on trust, agrees with. We demand: The government and navy should immediately stop construction.

    President-elect, Park Geun-Hye, the National Assembly has demanded again of 70 days’ thorough verification at the end of 2012 since the verification on the flawed base layout that the ruling and opposition parties had promised to the Jeju island people at the end of 2011 had not been thoroughly done. For the 70 days’ verification to help to settle all the controversies and conflicts in relation to the naval base construction in the Gangjeong village, it has to be a thorough verification truly to the name. The government and Jeju Island should present a proper & independent verification methods and period so that ‘a though verification work,’ could be entirely accomplished. However, the navy is saying that it would finish a verification in 10 days, starting around Jan. 20. On the contrary, the position of experts is that it should take at least six months for a proper verification to be established. The hasty schedule to finish verification on Jan. 30 should be totally re-examined. The verification institute should be re-examined, too. For a thorough verification, the 3rd institute should be newly designated and carry it, following the subsidiary conditions by the sub-investigation committee on the Jeju naval base project of the Budget and Balance Committee of the National Assembly [in 2011], for the conflicts not to be more intensified.

    The verification work should be a process in which common-sensible and reasonable evaluation and verification on the below matters should be established.

    -The matter of the proper and reasonable of the location selection to build a giant port in Gangjeong, a projected area at the southern tip of the Jeju Island, exposed with the strongest wind and sea waves, currents and typhoons in the Jeju Island

    -An objective and scientific examination on the influence to the area of the natural memorial No. 421 and 422 ecology system protection area, and the UNESCO biosphere reserve, which are located in the port and entry-exit navigation routes,

    – Matter of the precedent cases of ports that carry the functions of the civilian and military at the same time, its smooth operation possibility, validity and reasonability

    -And the matter of the residents’ agreement on the execution process of the construction, as well as of the mental, physical violence and conflict-fostering behaviors by the state power and civilian companies that employ thugs

     

    Excerpt from the letter by Mr. Yoon Sang-Hyo

    I am a country old man. I was born in the Gangjeong village and have never left my hometown. I am 77 years old.

    The Gangjeong village established about 450 years ago has been called as the Il-Gangjeong (一江汀), meaning the best village because of its beautiful nature and rich farm lands. Further it was designated as the ecology-excellent village by the Ministry of Environment in 2005. And I was excited with the will to more preserve and keep water and ecology, the big pride of Gangjeong.

    However, the issue that had been driven with various kinds of underground promotions, appeasements, operations, became to appear on the surface on April 26, 2007, like the lightening in the clear sky. And only after that, I and majority of villagers became to know the fact.

    Especially it was a time that ex-Ministry of National Defense, Kim Jang-Sou visited the Island on April 13, 2007, when the location of the naval base construction had been decided in Weemee, Namwon-eup, therefore, the Weemee villagers’ protest in front of the Island government hall, opposing the plan of the installation naval base in their village reached its highest. In other words, the decision to install the naval base in Gangjeong was decided only in 13 days.

    Also, the Gureombi Rock is like a bosom of our mother. It has been more than two years that I could not sleep in the nights hearing the moaning of the Gureombi day and night, which is like mother’s breast but being torn to pieces by the noise of explosives and excavators.

    The state power that has to protect the property and life of the citizens has arrested more than 690 villagers and peace keepers, imprisoned 22 people and made indiscriminate legal disposal on more than 480 people. A village that has lived peacefully for hundreds years is being terribly destroyed and the peace keepers who are with us are crying shedding bloody tears.

    [..]

    The Gangjeong villagers are not opposing against security and ideology but opposing against the naval base project, to save the site and community that has been succeeded from our ancestors to generations and to live happily with our neighbors. I will tell you why I and the Gangjeong villagers oppose the naval base construction.

    Firstly, it is because of the procedural flaws.

    Not to mention the villagers’ agreement, there was no presentation meeting [to get villagers’ agreement]. From the procedure for agreement to that of  expropriation, it is an undemocratic and immoral project. It was such a preposterous incident in which even the villagers’ rights to participation and private property protected by the Constitution have been violated. We, the villagers, suffer for unfairness because our village is where the Constitution was trampled down by the State power. Such flawed administration has to be nullified.

    Secondly, it is a matter of location selection.

    Despite the fact that it is an important national policy by which the fate of a nation depends on, the target area of the project was decided only in 13 days without prior investigation on the location reasonability. The governing management capacity will be continuously suspected and be the target of criticism. Therefore the project should be re-examined without fail after investigation and examination.

    Thirdly, it is a matter of the reason of the cancellation of absolute preservation area.

    The Gureombi Rock, the target area of the naval base is a site that has been designated as the absolute preservation area by the Special law of the Jeju Special Self-Governing Island. Because of the weak power of the Island, the power and big capital can destroy the nature environment of the Island in the name of ‘development,’ any time. The preservation system was set up to stop horrible destruction by them and is divided by three stages of absolute preservation zones, relative preservation zones and preservation zones. Among them, absolute preservation zones are the sites defined as the sites where cancellation is impossible at any case. Still it was cancelled in the illegally snatched way. In other words, a preposterous thing happened, in which  a legislated system to block the things such as the naval base in Gangjeong was illegally cancelled so that the beautiful nature environment of the Jeju Island could not be kept in the future .

    Fourthly, the so called civilian-military complex port for tour beauty is absolutely impossible.

    It is not only because there is no such port in the world but it is impossible that the civilian and military use a port together. It is like that oil and water cannot be mixed together.

    Fifthly, the Jeju has already two cruise ports in the Jeju City and Hwasoon so there is no problem with the invitation of cruise tourists.

    Last year, a 140,000 ton cruise has already entered the Jeju port for tour. And cruise tour is carried on, used of dinghies in the Hwasoon port that is a natural port. Our country doesn’t have much money. It should be necessarily examined and analyzed why the government plans to make one more cruise port in this small Island.

    Sixthly, we can never acknowledge a naval base built with frauds.

    At the time of 2007 after the village was selected as a location, real admiral Kim Sung-Chan, the chief of naval strategic planning then declared that there would not be land expropriation at any case, in the site where 400 villagers gathered hearing that there was a presentation explanation.

    He said that he did not have the slightest plan for expropriation even though he would build the base by landfill of the  the sea if consulted negotiation on land purchase is not accomplished. However as soon as he became the Chief of General staff, he expropriated lands. My heart is broken by the reality of our country where a general becomes promoted and rises to a high position as a National Assembly member despite his lies and frauds.

    (* Note: Kim Sung Chan is now a member of the Defense Committee of the National Assembly)

    Mentioned as above, I will not oppose the naval base in Gangjeong if there were any thing that was justly driven.

    Currently, the Gangjeong villagers became antagonized, hating and not trusting one another, not to mention not being able to trust any administration or military due to their lies and estrangement behaviors onto the villagers. Moreover, affection between parents and children was collapsed therefore we are in the middle of suffering and pain [because of the naval base issue that has brought in con-and pro conflicts to the villagers][..]

    You, the President-elect, has promised the great unity of citizens and stated that you would respect the National Assembly for co-existence. However, it was never precedent that the National Assembly passed the budget bill passing the due of the year, with its subsidiary conditions attached to the budget bill on the naval base at 6am of Jan. 1, 2013. The National Assembly had not kept the items agreed by the ruling and opposition parties in the budget and balance committee of the National Assembly in 2011.

    As the navy pushing the project interpreting the meaning of the National subsidiary conditions-budget execution after verification- as the construction first then budget execution, construction companies are violently enforcing the project with the police at the head in the village from the dawn of everyday.

    You, the President-elect, has stated that it is right that the Jeju naval base should be driven after the agreement by the Island people is established.

    For us, last six years were like a war daily. Please save the Gangjeong villagers of the kindhearted and good. Please help this old country man to see our Gangjeong village to recover its original beautiful and peaceful appearance in my life time. Please help to make our country where the people are the true masters.
    [..]

    January 2013

    Yoon Sang-Hyo, Gangjeong villager

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    Photo by News 1/ Jeju Domin Ilbo. Jeong Young-Hee, chairwoman of the Village Women’s Committee to Stop the Naval Base is holding a sign that reads, “Promptly stop the construction of the naval base [..]” Jan. 13

  • 30,000 Reasons to Say No to the Naval Base in Jeju | notonlyformyself

    Reblogged with permission from: 30 000 reasons to say no to the naval base in Jeju | by notonlyformyself *

    The history of Jeju is violent and bloody.

    In a not too distant history more than 30 000 people died on Jeju.

    Some estimates say that as many as 80 000 were massacred in what is referred to as the April 3d incident or the Jeju uprising.

    Only 3 years before, in 1945, the US used atomic nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ending the pacific part of WWII. The war in Europe had ended a couple of months before and with that the Japanese occupation of Korea. A new political map of Korea was drawn mainly together with The Soviet Union.

    The name, April 3rd incident refers to civilians being shot by the police during a demonstration in 1948. It also marks the starting point of a 7 year brutal battle between the South Korean Army and the villagers of Jeju island

    The South Korean government, under the direction of the United States, maintained a systematic slaughter of the residents of Jeju Island. The people had preferred a united Korea and refused to participate in the fight over the country’s political system; this nonviolent stand was perceived as a serious threat by the United States and South Korea, and so, the people were attacked and massacred. The rebellion included the mutiny of several hundred members of the South Korean 11th Constabulary Regiment.

    Most people died through fighting or execution. The visual artist and Jeju born Gillchun Koh portrays paths to death during the uprising in the “4.3 Peace Museum”.

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    Many people also fled to Japan and were unable to return back to Korea for many years.

    The trauma of war and conflict is still fresh. It is possible that the announcement of Jeju as an island of peace, coming after an apology from the President helped the reconciliation process.

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    It is also possible that building a peace museum for the killed, which include a special place for the 4000 people still missing and not accounted for, makes it a little easier for the now living relatives and friends. A place of remembrance. A physical place to visit. A site where the names are engraved.

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    But still.

    For many, the thought of the construction of an American Naval base in their village. With warships and 7000 soldiers. Brings back memories of terror. Many have living relatives deeply traumatized by the war, occupation and the uprising. They know the cost of thinking that approaching and solving conflicts with weapons and violence is very high.

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    These are only the 4000 graves of the missing people from the Jeju Uprising. IMG_5513

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