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Author: savejejunow.org


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

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

     

     

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

     

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

    Stop War Games, Start Peace Talks

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

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

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

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

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

    The Perils of the U.S. Pivot

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

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

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

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

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

    Resolution for Peace

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

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

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

    Working Group for Peace and Demilitarization in Asia and the Pacific

     

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

     

    Additional Signers:

     

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

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

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

    – Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists Social Justice Committee, California

    – Pax Christi Florida

    – Alice Leney, Coromandel, New Zealand

    – Georgiann Cooper, PeaceWorks, Freeport, Maine

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

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

    – Susan V. Walker, Lake Arrowhead, California

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

    – Helen Travis, Denver, Colorado

    – David Swanson, WarIsACrime.org, Charlottesville, Virginia

    – Jane Sanford, Belfast, Maine

    – Christine Roane, Springfield, Massachusetts

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

    – Lee Loe, Houston, Texas

    – Amy Harlib, New York, New York

    – Roger Leisner, Radio Free Maine, Augusta, Maine

    – Joyce Smith, Tucson, Arizona

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

    – Angie Zelter, Trident Ploughshares, UK

    – Tim Rinne, State Coordinator, Nebraskans for Peace

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

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

    San Francisco, California

    – JT Takagi, New York, New York

    – David Smith, Belfast, Maine

    – Jon Olsen, Jefferson, Maine

    – Ernest Goitein and Claire Feder, Atherton, California

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

    – Jenny Maxwell, Secretary, Hereford Peace Council, UK

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

    – David Diamond, Dover, New Hampshire

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

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

    – Jacques Boucher, Chambly, Canada

    – Pax Christi Long Island, New York

    – Robert Dale, Veterans For Peace, Brunswick, Maine

    – Stephanie Son, Livermore, California

    – Kevin and Maggie Hall, Dunedin, Florida

    – Betty McElhill, Tucson, Arizona

    – Don Richardson, Brevard, North Carolina

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

    – Sasha Davis, Hilo, Hawaii

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

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

    – Wil Van Natta, Riviera Beach, Florida

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

    – Harry van der Linden, Indianapolis, Indiana

    – Lydia Garvey, Public Health Nurse, Clinton, Oklahoma

    – Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space

    – Joan Costello, Omaha, Nebraska

    – Maine Campaign to Bring Our War $$ Home

    – Tony Henderson, Lantau, Hong Kong

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

    – Gladys Schmitz, SSND, Mankato. Minnesota

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

    – Jane Milliken, Riverside, Connecticut

    – Peter Woodruff, Arrowsic, Maine

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

    – Maine Green Party

    – Peace Action Maine

    – Jacqui Deveneau, Old Orchard Beach, Maine

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

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

    – Gene Keyes, Berwick, Nova Scotia, Canada

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

    – Sandy Herndon, Kauai, Hawaii

    – Lillia Langreck, SSND, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

    – Gerson and Debbie Lesser, Bronx, New York

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

    – George and Dorothy Ogle, Lafayette, Colorado

    – Jewel Payne, Davis, California

    – Alice Slater, New York, New York

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

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

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

    – Sarah Lasenby, Oxford, UK

    – CODEPINK State of Maine

    – Lisa Savage, Solon, Maine

    – Hye-Jung Park, La Paz, Bolivia

    – Fred Jakobcic, Marquette, Michigan

    – Makiko Sato, Oita, Japan

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

    – Terao Terumi, Yashio, Saitama, Japan

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

    – Kathy Ging, Eugene, Oregon

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

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

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

    – Sergio Monteiro, Los Angeles, California

    – Paul Cunningham and Jen Joaquin, South Portland, Maine

    – Mary Beth Sullivan, Social Worker, Bath, Maine

    – Glen Anderson, Lacey, Washington

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

    – Occupy Damsels in Distress, Palm Springs, California

    – Nikohl Vandel, Palm Springs, California

    – Katherine Muzik, Kauai, Hawaii

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

    – Don Lathrop, Canaan, New York

    – Karen Boyer, CodePink Portland, Oregon

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

    – Douglas Hong, Stony Brook, New York

    – Alice Zachmann, SSND, Mankato, Minnesota

    – Sandra Frank, Toledo, Ohio

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

    – Martha Shelley, CodePink, Portland, Oregon

    – Kevin Zeese, October2011.org, Baltimore, Maryland

    – Margaret Flowers, October2011.org, Baltimore, Maryland

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

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

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

    – Granny Peace Brigade, New York, New York

    – Art Laffin, Dorothy Day Catholic Worker, Washington DC

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

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

    – Robert  Palmer, Rosemount, Minnesota

    – Yoshiko Ikuta, Cleveland, Ohio

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

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

    – Helen Caldicott, the Helen Caldicott Foundation, Australia

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

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

    – Rebecca Barker, Los Angeles, California

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

    – Amy Chung, Diamond Bar, California

    – Theodore Chung, Diamond Bar, California

    – Dale Nesbitt, Berkeley, California

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

    – Cynthia Howard, Biddeford Pool, Maine

    – Paul Liem, Berkeley, California

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

    – Kil Sang Yoon, Claremont, California

    – Marcia Halligan, Kickapoo Peace Circle, Viroqua, Wisconsin

    – Anne Shirley, Mouvement pour la Paix, France

    – International Peace Bureau, Geneva, Switzerland

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

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

    – Green Earth Organization, Ghana

    – Dignity International
    – Community Action Network, Malaysia

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

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

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

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

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

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

    – David Marcial, Tampa, Florida

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

    – Rick Rozoff, Stop NATO, Chicago, Illinois

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

    – Richard Hutchinson, Kennesaw, Georgia

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

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

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

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

    – Joan Nicholson, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

    – Ava DeLorenzo, Harpswell, Maine

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

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

    – Andre Brochu, Swedish Peace Committee, Malmo, Sweden

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

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

    – Norma Athearn, Rockland, Maine

    – Miki Soko, Kyoto, Japan

    – Chris Buchanan, Belgrade, Maine

    – Natalie Kempner, Quaker, Woolwich, Maine

    – Marcus Atkinson, Footprints for Peace, Cincinnati, Ohio

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

    – Bill Stansbery, Ellensburg, Washington

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

    – Bob Hoffman, Veterans for Peace, Batesville, Virginia

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

    – Montrose Peace Vigil, Montrose, California

    – Roberta Medford, Montrose, California

    – Beverley Walter, Riverside, Illinois

    – Dennis Apel, Guadalupe Catholic Worker, Guadalupe, California

    – Tensie Hernandez, Guadalupe Catholic Worker, Guadalupe, California

    – Pierre Villard, Le Mouvement de la Paix, France

    – Women Against Military Madness, Minneapolis, Minnesota

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

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

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

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

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

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

    – Sheena Poole, Worthing, Sussex, UK

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

    – Darlene Coffman, Rochester, Minnesota

    – Will Shapira, Roseville, Minnesota

    – Paul Busch, St. Paul, Minnesota

    – Greg & Sue Skog, Eagan, Minnesota

    – Oxford CND, Oxford, UK

    – Mary Beaudoin, St. Paul, Minnesota

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

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

    – Polly Mann, Minneapolis, Minnesota

    – Tim Nolan Saint Paul, Minnesota

    – Robin Hensel, Little Falls Occupy, Minnesota

    – Suzanne Hedrick, Noble, Maine

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

    – Mike Madden, St. Paul, Minnesota

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

    – Rev. Catherine Christie, Seoul, South Korea

    – Sushila Cherian, Punta Gorda, Florida

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

    – Ariel Ky, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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

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

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

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

    – Rich Van Dellen, Rochester, Minnesota

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

    – Will Travers, Lokashakti, New York, New York

    – Judith Lee, Columbus, Ohio

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

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

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

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

    – Jean & Joe Gump, Bloomingdale, Michigan

    – Michael J. Germain, Apple Valley, Minnesota

    – Han Hee Song, New York, New York

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

    – Shirley Johnson, Saint Paul, Minnesota

    – Carol Reilley Urner, Whittier, California

    – Tina Phillips, Brunswick, Maine

    – Bev Rice, New York, New York

    – Ronald P. Matonti, Medford, New York

    – Virginia Baron, Guilford Peace Alliance, Guilford, Connecticut

    – Linda Eastwood, Presbyterian Peace Fellowship, Chicago, Illinois

    – Mel Thoresen, Deer River, Minnesota

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

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

    – Michael Canney, Alachua, Florida

    – Connie Canney, Alachua, Florida

    – Carol Thomas, Alachua, Florida

    – Shawna Doran, Alachua, Florida

    – Melinda Thompson, Silver Spring, Maryland

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

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

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

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

    – Stop War Machine, Albuquerque, New Mexico

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

    – Janet Essley, White Salmon, Washington

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

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

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

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

    – Cecile Pineda, Berkeley, California

    – Hitosada Yoshitake, Kyoto, Japan

    – Buffy Sainte-Marie, Kauai, Hawaii

    – Jerry Provencher, Bath, Maine

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

    – Starr C. Gilmartin, Trenton, Maine

    – Janice Ward, Marcell, Minnesota

    – David Evenhouse, Marcell, Minnesota

    – Heidi Uppgaard, Minneapolis, Minnesota

    – Tom Rissi, Minneapolis, Minnesota

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

    – Helen Sunkenberg, Huletts Landing, New York

    – Centre for Human Rights and Development, Mongolia

    – Food Coalition, Mongolia

    – Swedish Peace Council

    – Dan  La Vigne, NEMP, Shoreview, Minnesota

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

    – Ted Tan, Think Centre, Singapore

    – Mary Beaudoin, St. Paul, Minnesota

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

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

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

    – William J. Rood, Rochester, Minnesota

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

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

    – Margaret Maier, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

    – Sally Breen, Windham, Maine

    – James M Nordlund, Fargo, North Dakota

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

    – Lynn Shoemaker, Whitewater, Wisconsin

    – Simone Chun, Boston, Massachusetts

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

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

    – Anne Richter, Clearwater, Florida

    – Amber Garlan, St. Paul, Minnesota

    – Len & Judy Bjorkman, Owego, New York

    – Jan Passion, Dunedin, New Zealand

    – Dennis Gallie, Kansas City, Missouri

    – Diane Nahas, Sands Point, New York

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

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

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

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

    – Holly Gwinn Graham, Olympia, Washington

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

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

    – David Hartsough, PEACEWORKERS, San Francisco, California

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

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

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

    – Nancy Tate, LEPOCO Peace Center, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

    – Donald Saunders, North Wales, UK

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

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

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

    – Dominic Linley, Yorkshire CND, Leeds, UK

    – Carolyn Harrington, Vassalboro Friends Meeting, Brunswick Maine

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

    – Vincent Hunter, Dublin, Ireland

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

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

    – Georgia Pinkel, Portland WILPF branch, Oregon

    – Celeste McCollough Howard, Hillsboro, Oregon

    – John Spira, Australia

    – Retha Dooley, Sauk Centre, Minnesota

    – Michael Sergent, Wollongong NSW, Australia

    – Diana Covell, Wollongong, NSW, Australia

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

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

    – Margaret Fernald, Orland, Maine

    – John Landgraf, St. Paul, Minnesota

    – Clement T.S. Hiemstra, Japan

    – Alan Clemence, Charleston, Maine

    – Minoru Suda, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan

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

    – Peasant’s Pharmacy, South Korea

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

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

    – National Committee of Democratic Workers, South Korea

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

    – Buddhist Peace Solidarity, South Korea

    – Korean Peasant’s League, South Korea

    – Korean Poor People’s Alliance, South Korea

    – Korea Woman’s Peasants Association, South Korea

    – Korean Youth Solidarity, South Korea

    – Korea Alliance of Progressive Movements, South Korea

    – 21st Century Korean University Students Alliance, South Korea

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

    – Reunification Agora, South Korea

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

    – Network of Politicized Adoptees, United States

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

    – Ellen Bepp, Oakland, California

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

    – Alliance of Scholars Concerned about Korea (ASCK)

    – Interfaith Peacemakers of Edina, Minnesota

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

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

    – Richard McDonald, Silver City, New Mexico

    – Presentation Sisters Social Justice Team, Aberdeen, South Dakota

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

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

    – Carolyn Hannah, Springfield, Oregon

    – Miriam Welly Elliott & Mark Lee, Gainesville, Florida

    – Grandmothers for Peace-Twin Cities, Minnesota

    – Lydia Garvey, Public health nurse, Clinton, Oklahoma

    – Mark Solomon, West Newton, Massachusetts

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

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

    – Tamara Lorincz, Halifax Peace Coalition, Canada

    – Canadian Voice of Women for Peace, Canada

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

    – Peace Action, Silver Spring, Maryland

    – National Campaign to End the Korean War, United States

    – Regina Pyon, SPARK, Seoul, Korea

    – Hye-Ran Oh, SPARK, Seoul, Korea

    – SPARK (Solidarity for Peace and Reunification of Korea)

    – Women’s Global Solidarity Action Network, South Korea

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    – Kuroki Mariko, Cosmopolitan Network, Japan

    – Veterans For Peace, Korea Peace Campaign, United States

    – Larry Kerschner, Veterans For Peace, Washington

    – Koichiro Toyoshima, Osaka, Japan

    – Tsuyoshi Matsu-ura, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Etsuko Urashima, Okinawa, Japan

    – Masako Tahira, Kyoto, Japan

    – Sasaki Masaaki, Tokyo,Japan

    – Kazue Tanaka, Chiba, Japan

    – Keiko Tanaka, Chiba, Japan

    – Noriko Kyogoku, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Akemi Ishi-i, Chiba, Japan

    – Tsuneaki Gunjima, Fukuoka, Japan

    – Jirou Isogai, Aichi , Japan

    – Hiromitus Masuda, Chiba, Japan

    – Akiko Kawano, Saitama, Japan

    – Taro Abe, Aichi , Japan

    – Noriyuki Matsumura, Osaka  , Japan

    – Toshio Takahashi, Okinawa, Japan

    – Mitsumasa Ohta, Chiba, Japan

    – Setsuko Yasuda, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Yasuhisa Iwakawa, Chiba, Japan

    – Ayako Nakanishi, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Koji Sugihara, Tokyo, Japan

    – Mihagi Yamamoto, Aichi, Japan

    – Hidenori Takahashi, Hyogo, Japan

    – Chiharu Yamaguchi, Chiba, Japan

    – Ryohei Hirayama, Aichi, Japan

    – Mari Hoshikawa, Tokyo, Japan

    – Ikuko Hishikawa, Saitama, Japan

    – Toyo Washio, Germany

    – Tamio Nomura, Nagano, Japan

    – Masamichi Yumiyama, Ehime, Japan

    – Hideaki Kuno, Aichi, Japan

    – Sachiyo Tsukamoto, Saitama, Japan

    – Tadahiro Umeda, Osaka, Japan

    – Yasuaki Matsumoto, Hokkaido, Japan

    – Yoko Kawasaki, Oita, Japan

    – Tsutomu Matsuo , Tokyo, Japan

    – Yoko Oh-hara, Oita, Japan

    – Akira Asada, Hyogo, Japan

    – Syuichi Sato, Hiroshima, Japan

    – Yoshiko Okada, Tokyo, Japan

    – Toru Suenaga, Saitama, Japan

    – Michiko Adachi, Chiba, Japan

    – Koichi Toyoshima, Fukuoka, Japan

    – Yozo Ouchi, Tokyo, Japan

    – Kazuko Yamano, Yamagata, Japan

    – Naoko Tanaka, Osaka, Japan

    – Junko Matsu-ura, Tokyo, Japan

    – Hideo Itoh, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Yukio Yokohara, Hiroshima, Japan

    – Miyako Masuda, Chiba, Japan

    – Hideo Araki, Hyogo, Japan

    – Akiko Yoshizawa, Osaka, Japan

    – Teruko Hatakeyama,Tokyo, Japan

    – Katsuo Watanabe, Chiba, Japan

    – Chiho Saito, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Shin Sato, Tokyo, Japan

    – Yoshio Hirose, Chiba, Japan

    – Sei-ichi Takamoto, Japan

    – Taisaku Obata, Yamaguchi, Japan

    – Toshimasa Sakakura, Chiba, Japan

    – Miyoko Nagase, Aichi, Japan

    – Yoshiyuki Kajiwara, Hyogo, Japan

    – Keiji Kondo, Aichi, Japan

    – Hiromi Fujioka, Fukuoka, Japan

    – Mitsuko Fuji, Kyoto, Japan

    – Kazuyo Kishimoto, Hokkaido, Japan

    – Meiko Sato, Tokyo, Japan

    – Tatsuo Sato, Tokyo, Japan

    – Tamio Sato, Tokyo, Japan

    – Shingo Sato, Tokyo, Japan

    – Yoko Sato, Tokyo, Japan

    – Yu-uko Katsuren, Kumamoto, Japan

    – Totu Miyahara, Hiroshima, Japan

    – Kyoko Tawara, Kumamoto, Japan

    – Natsuko Matsuda, Tokyo, Japan

    – Midori Aizawa, Tokyo, Japan

    – Yoshihiro Ikeda, Hyogo, Japan

    – Kyoko Ohno, Ehime, Japan

    – Kuniko Ozawa, Tokyo, Japan

    – Kazunari Fujioka, Tokyo, Japan

    – Miho Kawashima, Osaka, Japan

    – Toshimi Masuda, Shizuoka, Japan

    – Yoko Umeda, Osaka, Japan

    – Etsuko Umeda, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Kang Yongchol, Tokyo, Japan

    – Hiroshi Obara, Chiba, Japan

    – Mineo Noda, Tokyo, Japan

    – Makoto Shindoh, Kagawa, Japan

    – Tamaki Tokuyama, Kyoto, Japan

    – Hiroshi Matsubara, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Hideo Iwasa, Kyoto, Japan

    – Noriaki Nishio, Saitama,  Japan

    – Keiko Kise, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Fusako Kamiya, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Jun-ichi Nishigata, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Toyomi Kawada, Tokyo, Japan

    – Kim Seong-il, Hyogo, Japan

    – Akiko Sato, Tokyo, Japan

    – Nakayama, Tokushima, Japan

    – Kazuo Nagayoshi, Kumamoto, Japan

    – Pak Namin, Saitama, Japan

    – Yasuko Ishikawa, Tokyo, Japan

    – Ryu-ichi Tohno, Chiba, Japan

    – Junko Higuchi, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Yayoi Ni-i, Chiba, Japan

    – Ikuko Inoue, Osaka, Japan

    – Akiko Terasaki, Saitama, Japan

    – Etsuko Fujii, Kyoto, Japan

    – Keiko Yamada, Tokyo, Japan

    – Yumiko Saitoh, Tokyo, Japan

    – Morio Kumano, Ishikawa, Japan

    – Shin-ichiro Tanaka, Tokyo, Japan

    – Michiko Ishige, Tokyo, Japan

    – Atsuko Minemoto, Shiga, Japan

    – Shinji Ohashi, Shizuoka, Japan

    – Jyoji Ichikawa, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Yumiko Mashino, Tokyo, Japan

    – Ryuji Yagi, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Pak chong fa, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Kohko Hakoda, Tokyo, Japan

    – Hideo Suzuki, Tokyo, Japan

    – Michiko Yamada, Hyogo, Japan

    – Yume Fuse, Tokyo, Japan

    – Yoko Yamaguchi, Okinawa, Japan

    – Sachiko Taba, Tokyo, Japan

    – Hirokazu Taba, Tokyo, Japan

    – Hiemstra Clement & Theodoor Sixtus, Nagasaki, Japan

    – Keiko Shibukawa, Tokyo, Japan

    – Susumu Kanegae, Japan

    – Takashi Matsunami, Osaka, Japan

    – Yoshimi Hashimoto, Yamaguchi, Japan

    – Yuki-ichiro Miyakawa, Tokyo, Japan

    – Terumi Ogasa, Osaka, Japan

    – Yoshio Motono, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Mariko Asada, Ishikawa, Japan

    – Masufumi Asada, Ishikawa, Japan

    – Katsuhisa Itoh, Aichi, Japan

    – Isao Sakamoto, Tokyo, Japan

    – Shigeki Kon-no, Tokyo, Japan

    – Jumpei Kawakami, Aomori, Japan

    – Osami Nomura, Tokyo, Japan

    – Tadao Miura, Hokkaido, Japan

    – Yukari Miura, Hokkaido, Japan

    – Ryushou Araki, Fukuoka, Japan

    – Hiroshi Murakawa, Yamaguchi, Japan

    – Yoshio Iwamura, Hyogo, Japan

    – Mutsumi Tanaka, Okinawa, Japan

    – Hiroko Yoneyama, Ghana

    – Kwangho Che, Kyoto, Japan

    – Michiko Fukuda, Phillippines

    – Tani Toshio, Saitama, Japan

    – Daiko Sakurai, Tokyo, Japan

    – Kim Boongang, Tokyo, Japan

    – Saki Ohkawara, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Fumio Tamada, Tochigi, Japan

    – Maki Kumagai, Tokyo, Japan

    – Chieko Noguchi, Fukuoka, Japan

    – Nobuko Kobayashi, Tokyo, Japan

    – Yuko Inoue, Fukuoka, Japan

    – Marie Nagajima, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Takako Nobuhara, Osaka, Japan

    – Miki Shinjo, Hyogo, Japan

    – Yumiko Kato, Tokyo, Japan

    – Mariko Takeuchi, Saitama, Japan

    – Akio Handa, Osaka, Japan

    – Shoji Nakamura, Kagawa, Japan

    – Kazuko Matsuo, Osaka, Japan

    – Yoko Yoshizawa, Kanagawa, Japan

    – Kiyoharu Yoshizawa, Kanagawa, Japan

     

     

    (Fwd by Bruce Gagnon)

    March 3, 2013

  • “The struggle for Harmony continues” Benjamin Monnet’s postcards to people in Gangjeong

    We called him, “Benj.’ The villagers used to call him, ‘Benjari,’ which sounds similar to the name of a fish, “jari,’ very common in the Jeju Island. It was Miryang, a village woman, who put him with such nickname. A villager poet, Kim Sung-Gyu wrote a poem for ‘Benjari,’ from the intimate feeling toward him. Benjamin Monnet, a French peace maker, as we often miss him now, has been our close friend. Despite the different language, he loves Gangjeong, Gureombi, and prays for the peace and lives of the Jeju. He first came to Gangjeong upon the moment of Women’s film festival in May, 2011. Since then, Gangjeong became a kind of his spiritual hometown.

    His feeling on justice was very strong so because of it, he got the injunction order on March 14, 2012. He was inhumanly forcefully deported from Korea on March 15. On the day, a UK activist and Nobel Peace nominee, Angie Zelter, also got the order of forceful exit on her planned date (See more on it, here). It happened that three members of the Veterans for Peace of the United States were also violently deported on March 14 (See more on it, here). It was a time that the government, changing the chief of the Seogwipo Police station with a figure from the mainland, forcefully started to blast 10 % of the Gureombi Rock, on March 7, 2012. It was a time that 10 internationals had been arrested on Feb. 26 when they tried to enter the Gureombi Rock underneath a wire razor that was suddenly set up on Feb. 24, the 1st day of the Jeju International Peace Conference (20th anniversary of the Global Network against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space).  See more on it here. The oppression on international peace activists around the time and since then have been remarkable. There have been at least 20 internationals that have been denied entries to South Korea, related to the issue of the naval base project in Gangjeong from Aug. 26, 2011 (See the summary on it, here)

    Benj has continued supports on Gangjeong. In May 2012, we could see him with Seri in Paris for the solidarity protest with the struggle in Gnagjeong (See the video here)

    Thanks to Seri who recently visited him, we could get his postcards to the Gangjeong Village international team, villagers and Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo. We share those here.

     

    1. Remembering Benj
    halla
    Photo by Lee Wooki

    On March 12, 2012, he climbed up a crane with Kim Seri. He was arrested for the 3rd time and got the injunction order from the Immigration Office two days later. For the detailed situations,  please click here.  After injunction, he filed a suit against the Jeju Immigration Office for the ‘cancellation on the injunction and supervision orders,’ through representative of him. The first trial was on June 13, 202 (related Korean article). However, the Administrative department of the Jeju District Court dismissed his suit saying he did not have the qualification for an applicant on July 15, 2012(related article). The court said, “Mr. Monnet brought about not a little obstacles in the progress of the [Jeju naval base] project by joining many times in the opposition rallies against the [project] and has gotten the warnings on his long-term visit…The injunction order to devise for the interest and safety of a nation is never neither a excessive deviation nor abuse of discretionary power.” To the surprise, the judge was Mr. Oh Hyun-Kyu who made a sentence of direct arrest of Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo from the court on Feb. 1 (See here)

    On March 12, Benj and Seri stopped the destruction of the Gureombi Rock for two hours in suim suits in cold weather. The beautiful site that they tried to keep has now become the ugly 3~4000 ton caisson production area. The navy eventually blasted the 10 % of the Gureombi Rock in the east and west parts of it during March and April last year. And It started to produce caissons for 24 hours  since Oct. 25, 2012. However, we will restore the Gureombi Rock unless our hearts and determination  disappear.

    His message shows his continuous heart for the Gangjeong and Gureombi Rock. We thank and miss him, our brother!

     

     2. Benj’s postcard to the Gangjeong Village international team and villagers

     Web_Benj-postcard

     Web_Benj-letter

     

    Dear Gangjeong International Team, Villagers

    Kathmandu, Nepal

    Feb. 17, 2013

    Thanks to Seri, I have well received all your gifts. I truly appreciate it. So please receive some hand-made embroidered t-shirt of my creation. I was thinking to put them on website, Peace Center for the people to buy it. The proceedings of the sales could help to strengthen the movement or pay the court fines. What do you think? We can also sew a Korean version…I am searching for new ways to help Gangjeong. I am in contact with two French journalists who are ready to make a documentary about Gangjeong situation.

    With patience, determination & Universal love, Benjari

     

     3. Benj’s postcard to Yang Yoon-Mo

     

    Benj-postcard-to-Yang
    Photo of the postcard: Tashi R Ghale/ Tilicho lake, the highest lake in the world

    Web_Benj-letter-to-Yang

     

    Kathmandu, Nepal, 17 Feb. 13

    Professor Yang,

    I ignore where you are, But I heard you were surprisingly sentenced to jail for 18 months. I sent some t-shirts to Gangjeong with “Free Yang Yoon-Mo ♡“ embroidery. Hoping the people will buy it in solidarity with our resistance movement.

    I remember when we were in the cell together, at Dongbu in March 2012.

    You were practicing some kind of meditation.

    As a meditator, I wish that inner-insight practices, will help you to pass sense fully through the term of your sentence-Concentrating on your breathing and observing your inner sensation to purify your mind. You will come out stronger.

    Hopefully, the picture of this Himalaya landscape will inspire you-

    With Patience, Determination, and universal love

    Benjamin

    Benj-Yang
    Photo by Benj

    “The struggle for Harmony continues.

    ~ FREE Pr YANG YOON MO ~
    Here is a picture of Pr Yang holding a photo of the undercover police beating him, he said humorously to a villager: “Keep this photo, someday it will worth millions!”” (Benj)

     

     4. T-shirts to people

     

    t-front

    The front side of t-shirt sent to mayor Kang Dong-Kyun. While the front is of the embroidary letters of “Why Crimes Against Humanity?,” the letters of ‘savejejunow.org’ is described at the end of a sleeve.  One green T-shirt is of the embroidary letters of ‘Free Yang Yoon-Mo.’ Benj designed himself and asked embroidaries. As seen in the below photos, T-shirts for women are green while the T-shirts for men are blue and black.

     t-back

    The back side of T-shirt is the embroidary letter of “Jeju Island, Hiroshima, Himalaya.” In the right bottom of the image, it is signed in embroidary of ‘Benj’.

     

    2013-02-28
    Photo by the Village International team/ On Feb. 28, Mr. Koh Gilchun, Jeju artist, and Oh Soon-Hee (Sister of the ‘Jiseul‘ movie director, Oh Myul ) Visited Yang-Yoon-Mo and showed him his t-shirts to the delight of Yang Yoon-Mo. Benj’s postcard to Prof. Yang was also delivered to him on the day.

     

    5. Benj is always with us.

    To Benj
    Photo by Gonyang/ Post by Paco Booyah

    The banner hung in the background of the photo is what Benj designed and Mr. Lim Ho-Young (media team leader then) made  a production for the Jeju International Peace Conference (the 20th anniversary of the Global Netwwork against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space)  from Feb. 24 to 26, 2012. Whenever we see this banner, we always think of Benj

    Benj portrait
    Photo ⓒ Lee Song-Sou/ Source: Ohmynews, March 31, 2012
    Benj flag
    Photoⓒ Kang So-Young/ Source: Ohmynews, March 31, 2012

     

    February 28, 2013

  • [Event: March 2] The 16th Citizens’ Concentration Day on Gangjeong

    On March 2, there is the  16th Citizens’ Concentration Day on Gangjeong- A nationwide citizens’ action day in commemoration of the 1 st anniversary of the blast on the Gureombi Rock. It is the next day of  March 1 when there will be the 2nd event for the Jeju to be demilitarized.

    March 2 program
    Image forward from Kim Kook-Nam

     

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

    GUREOMBI!

    WE NEVER GIVE UP!!

    Gangjeong Village, Jeju, 4 pm, March 2nd (Sat), 2013

    It has been a year that the blast of the [10% of ] the Gureombi Rock, the Gangeong coast, started on March 7, 2012. However, our struggle is neither belated nor finished. Our struggle to save all the lives of the Gureombi Rock and Gangjeong from being destroyed and to save the peace of Gangjeong will be continued until the suffering of Gnagjeong finishes. [..]
    Let’s see you in Gangjeong

    Contact: National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval Base in Jeju Island
    Peace Disarmament Center of the People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, 02-723-4250, peace@pspd.org

    ( Excerpt translation from the PSPD site )

     

    Program

    Part 1: ‘Let’s be in the shout for peace again! Lets’ recover Gureombi, together!’

    Concert and performance
    4 to 5:20 pm @ Gangjeong soccer field near the Gangjeong stream

    Peace meditation and flying peace planes
    5:30 to 6:30 pm @ Gangjeong soccer field ~ Gangjeong port

    Part 2: ‘We will never give up! Absolutely no naval base!’

    Performance and 100 peace bows
    7 to 9 pm @ Gangjeong Port

     

    February 24, 2013

  • [Event: March 1] An invitation on the 2nd gathering to build the Jeju, as the Demilitarized Peace Island

     

    Following the Jan. 27 event, the 2nd event to build the Jeju as the Demilitarized Peace Island is held in the Gwandeokjeong, Jeju City, Jeju island on March 1, from 11 am to the afternoon. Internationals are welcome to join.  Please see the detailed information in the below (translation of the event notice sent by the preparatory people)

    Otherwise, Dr. Song Kang-Ho has written an article on the meaning of the Jan. 27 event for the monthly newsletter. See the top article in its 1st page, here.

    Jan 27 event
    Photo by Paco Booyah/ A gathering for the declaration of the Jeju as the demilitarized Peace Island on Jan. 27, 2013

     

    On Jan. 27, we, gathering at the Jeju 4.3 Peace Park, declared that “the Jeju Island is the demilitarized Peace Island.’ It was to emphasize that the Jeju should not be armed but be the Demilitarized Peace Island  with neither military nor military base.

    For that, we, the 111 declarers, made a resolution to realize the Demilitarized Peace Island by constant practices and peaceful efforts not merely by one time declaration event. We also decided to hold the 2nd meeting to make the Demilitarized Peace Island in front of Gwandeokjeong (*see the bottom) on March 1st, to reconfirm our resolution and practical will and to share the will with many more citizens.

    March 1 is the 94th anniversary of the March 1 movement [ in 1919] when [the Koreans] declared that Korea is a self-reliant and independent nation in a non-violent and peaceful way, against the violence of Japanese imperialism. It is also a date when the ceremony commemorating the 28th anniversary of the March 1st was held in Jeju [in 1947] that became the fuse of Jeju 4.3 uprising.

    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). The current political prisoner, Yang Yoon-Mo has a personal historical connection to the incident. See here.

    The Gwandeokjeong is the place that has been with the history of Jeju. It was the historic site at the time of Lee Jae-Sou-led uprising in 1901 ( *Jeju people’s uprising against the dominance and oppression by the French Catholic Missionaries)  and 3.1 ceremony in 1947 when about 20,000 people gathered. It is the site of the living spirits of the patriotic forefathers who resisted against the wickedness of foreign power and made efforts to save the precious Jeju Community.

    The reason that we set ‘the Gwandeokjeong, March 1’ for the date and venue of the event is to succeed the spirit of our forefathers. It is to cherish the memory of the patriotic forefathers who faced against unjust violence and to break through the deplorable reality in which justice is suffering.

    Participation by the conscientious citizens who love peace becomes the force to change the world. We have a confidence that a small action can fill you and your children’s future with peace. We oppose the Jeju naval base. Yang Yoon-Mo who was imprisoned for the forth time and is making prison fast, risking one’s life, urgently hopes your participation as well.

    We invite you to the Gwandeokjeong on March 1.

    Feb. 22, 2013

    17 People present in the preparatory meeting including Dr. Song Kang-Ho and Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo (Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo in prison also agreed to be as one of the proponents for the March 1 event)

    The 2nd declaration rally for the Jeju Demilitarized Peace Island

    Schedule and program

    March 1, Friday, 2013

    Part 1: declaration ceremony

    11am, Gwandeokjeong

    12pm Moving to the Seoyoodang (a small library) and lunch

    Part 2: Small group discussions at Seoyoodang, 1 pm

    ( Seoyoodang: 064-758-3229/ 6-24 Hwangsaewatgil, Jeju City)

    Part 3: Watching the movie, ‘Jiseul,’ (if you want)

    _Participation fee: 10,000 won ( The movie fee is not included here)

    _We are preparing for the programs for children. Family participation is welcome!

    _Dress code(recommended): Traditional Korean or Jeju cloth (Gal-ot)

    _If you bring any snacks, we will share those in the small group discussions.

    Small group discussion subjects (Any free suggestion on the subjects on the day are welcome!)

    1)    Reading gathering on  disarmament and peace activities

    2)    Peace fair trade in the Jeju and overseas

    3)    Screening of ‘Occupy Wall street’ and discussion on the volunteering joining in movements

    4)    By what will the Jeju Island make living?

    5)    Peace Sarangbang (*Sarangbang is a welcoming room for guests by the Korean tradition)

    Contact in Korean and English: Silver (010-9199-0717 )

    Paco 2
    Photo by Paco Booyah on Jan. 27, 2013

     

    What and where is the Gwandeokjeong (제주 관덕정)? 

    Gwandeokjeong
    Source:  A Korean Travel Journal blog/ The Gwandeokjeong, Jeju, was originally built in 1448 for a military training of archery.

    See the location and address here

    See a photo with a brief historical description, here

    See a blog on the visit of the Gwandeokjeong with some photos, here

     

    February 24, 2013

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

    In this month’s issue:
    Launch of the new demilitarize Jeju campaign, Samsung above the law?, U.S. military wrecks in coral reef, more prisoner releases, Yang Yoon-Mo arrested and on hunger strick, Interview with former prisoner, continued environmental regulation problems, and more!

    Download PDF

    February 23, 2013

  • 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.

    ………………………………………………….

    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

    February 15, 2013

  • 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)

     

    February 15, 2013

  • 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!

    February 9, 2013

  • Prisoner of Conscience, Park Seung-Ho, Released after 144 days’ Imprisonment

    Park Seung-Ho who was arrested near the communal restaurant in the village on Sept. 14, 2012 (during the 2012 WCC period) was released on bail on Feb. 5, 2013 after 144 days’ imprisonment.  He had been arrested for the reason that he had not responded to the police call. However, the truth is that he had been targeted by the police for a long time for his struggles against unjust government policies. We hope Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo who was arrested and imprisoned directly from the court will be freed soon, also.

    1
    Around 6:30 pm he was out of prison in the rainy evening.
    group
    People welcoming Park Seung-Ho

    phone1

    phone2

    d0
    Photo by Park Yongsung/ Tofu is a traditional food in Korea for the prisoners who were just released.

    dinner

    peace_c
    Returning to the village, Park Seung-Ho made a short statement to the people in the Peace Center where people were busy to prepare for distribution of materials during the public relationship event throughout the Island.
    February 6, 2013

  • 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

    February 5, 2013

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