1. Villagers say, ‘No way!’ to the threat of demolition of vigil tents
Photo by Park Yongsung/ Villagers keeping the tents overnight against 24 hour destruction, Nov. 11
While villagers set up two vigil tents across the construction gates against 24 hour construction (destruction) on Nov. 11. Sunday, the City hall of Seogwipo City is threatening villagers to be volunteering to remove them. If not the City will enforce demolition of them, it bluffs.
Currently the facilities set up by the villagers across the gates are: A tent built just across the main gate, a stage vehicle (Both of them have been set up long time ago) and the two recent tents mentioned above.
The Seogwipo City decided to demolish tents reasoning that since the tens were set up in the side of road, they are the obstacles for traffic and that there have been complaints by some people who are inferred to be navy-contracted company personnel and pro-base villagers.
Villagers’ two new vigil tents, Nov. 12, 2012
It is known that the Seogwipo City has not decided way and time of demolition: whether it will mobilize a form of ‘administrative execution’ that needs three times notices to people with demand on volunteering removal or ‘emergency removal’ (according to the law on roads) that does not need such notice.
The Seogwipo City hall personnel said that if emergency removal is decided, the demolition will be enforced within this week at fast.
Upon such threat, Go Gwon-Il, Chairman of the Villagers’ Committee to Stop the Naval Base refuted, “It is senseless for the Seogwipo City to say that it would demolish only our tents while it does neither restrain nor punish the navy’s illegal construction(destruction). If the Seogwipo City enforces it, we will stop such unjust execution with all our energy.”
2. Press conference on the opening of collective vigil tents in Seoul
Photo by Lee Woo-Ki, People’s press conference in Seoul, Nov. 12. For many more photos on the Seoul press conference by Lee Wooki, see here.
Meanwhile, the people in Seoul held the press conference on opening joint vigil tents’ zone in the center of Seoul in the morning of the same day. The tent zone, succeeding the collective spirit of the Great March for Life and Peace: We are the SKY is hosted by people under the title of ‘Let’s live together!:A vigil zone formed by the unity of the Ssangyong workers, Yongsan families, Gangjeong village and non-nuclear-declared villages.’ See the photos by Lee Woo-Ki here.
Otherwise, the Chosun Ilbo, the most conservative right wing media in South Korea, had a criticizing article on the Seoul vigil tent zone on the top of its 1st page that it is illegal. The article also criticized that Park Won-Soon, mayor of Seoul has no intervention on it and supports tent zones.
Upon this, a peace activist joked on it, “Thank you Chosun Ilbo, you are introducing us very big while we have suffered from little media coverage during our great march. You please us at the end.”
Photo by Park Yongsung/ The most conservative right wing Chosun Ilbo had a top article on the people’s Seoul vigil tents in its website on Nov. 13, 2012A Newsis photo shown in the article in the top of the most conservative right wing Chosun Ilbo website, Nov. 13, 2012.
3.Talk on budget could not be concluded in the National Assembly on Nov. 12. Next talk is Nov. 16
The media reports that the National Defense committee of the National Assembly could not conclude on the talk on the 200 billion won of the 2013 Jeju naval base project budget on Nov. 12, Monday.
In detail, it reads:
The National Defense committee of the ROK National Assembly has planned to have the 2nd meeting (following the 1st meeting on Nov. 8) by its Budget and Balance sub-committee on the Jeju naval base project budget 2013 (earmarked by the Defense Acquision Program Administration) in the morning of Nov. 12.
However, because of wide gap between the ruling and opposition parties, the sub-committee could not be held on the day. While the Democratic United Party demands the ‘whole cut’ of budget, claiming that the Jeju naval base project construction is being enforced in inappropriate way, the ruling Saenuri Party (New Frontier Party) confronts it, demanding ‘part cut’ and saying the project should be driven as planned.
Kim Jae-Yoon, member of the Defense Committee (Seogwipo-City based, Democratic United Party) said that “The party opinion of the Democratic United Party is to totally cut the [2013] Jeju naval base project budget that was not kept of the National Assembly subsidiary opinion [in 2007]. I am determined to cut the budget”
The National Defense Committee has a plan to re-open the Budget and Balance sub-committee in the morning of Nov. 16 through agreement and tuning between the coordinators of the parties.
Citing an article of Chosun Ilbo on Nov. 14, the Jeju Sori on Nov. 14 reports that the Democratic United Party is withdrawing from its official position of ‘whole cut’ on the 2013 Jeju naval base budget. It is considering ‘conditional pass,’ of about 200 billion won budget for 2013 naval base project. Its reasoning is told that because ‘it is afraid of bad influence to the Presidential election in December, if it cuts the 2013 budget on the project.’ [..]How you can help to CUT THE BUDGET? Please see the link.
Photo by Lee Wooki/ Village mayor Kang Dong-Kyun holds a sign that denounces Han Ki-Ho, a member of National Defense committee of the National Assembly and ruling Saenuri Party(New Frontier Party)who condemns the anti-base people as if they are pro North Korea. Dungree made a satire video on Han Ki-Ho. Watch it here.Photo by Christian Carl/ ‘No Naval Base on Jeju’ – our demand on today’s Nat’l Workers’ Rally in Seoul…
Photo by Jang Hyun-Woo, Catholic priests united facing the navy and police violence and insult in front of construction gate, Nov. 12, 2012. For many more resourceful photos on the day by Jang Hyun-Woo, see here.
Catholic priests unite against the navy and police violence
Since Fr. Lee Young-Chan(Jesuit) was arrested and imprisoned on Oct. 24, the Catholic priests have been holding a special mass beside their daily 11 am mass in front of construction site, every 4pm, Monday.
At 4 pm, Nov. 12, Catholic priests, clergy men and women who belong to the Catholic Solidarity for the Realization of Jeju, Peace Island, visited the village before the evening mass held by Bishop Kang U-Il in the Jeju City on the day.
It was about 30 minutes later that four buses marked with ‘Korea National Defense University: KNDU’ and ‘ROK navy’ were to visit the Jeju naval base project building complex. When their entry became impossible because of the mass, police were mobilized and the police roughed out and moved away priests from the site, saying that the priests were doing of ‘obstructing business.’ Priests were released only after the buses passed into the building complex despite people’s protests.
Photo By Jang Hyun-Woo/ The signs on the bus read, ‘Korea National Defense University: KNDU’ and ‘ROK navy’
The Catholic priests denounced the police and navy : “It never happens in the world that the police mobilize, stop the mass, and confine priests indiscriminately without notice while religious events are processed. The police have not made any reflection despite the incident of damaged Eucharist by such police behavior last August.”
People including Mr. Go Gwon-Il, Chairman of the Villagers’ Committee to Stop the Naval Base denounced the police: “Though their identities are uncertain, some of them in military costumes or suits in the buses even derided the priests being detained in the police circles. The Catholic priests were shocked. However such scenes are happening everyday in Gangjeong.”
Photo By Jang Hyun-Woo, Nov. 12, 2012/ The young peacekeepers are suffering by the police’s roughing out of themPhoto by Catholic News Here and Now and caption by Regina Pyon/ Catholic Solidarity for the Peace island, Jeju, starts signature campaign until Dec. 2 (1st week of Advent) demanding ‘the release of Jesuit priest Lee Young-chan S.J and four other prisoners of conscience’ and ‘the overall re-examination of Jeju naval base construction’. . . In this photo, Catholic priests are blocking the cement mixing trucks after the mass of November 12 at the gate of Jeju naval base construction site.
Supporting imprisoned Fr. Lee Young-Chan, Bishop Kang U-Il makes a voice
“Peace is not merely having no war or guaranteeing balance between the hostile powers. Peace is a serenity of order. Peace is the result of justice and fruit of love” (Clause No. 2304, Catholic creed, read by Bishop Kang U-Il).
There was a ‘Nation Situational Mass to Release the Prisoners by the Naval Base project,’ in the Central Catholic Church, Jeju City at 7:30 pm, Nov. 12. The mass was sponsored by the 15 dioceses of the Justice and Peace Committee of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea, Catholic Human Rights Committee, Catholic Solidarity for the Realization of Peace Island, Jeju.
More than 20 Catholic priests and Catholic nuns have been arrested in their protests against the naval base project in the Gangjeong village. In March, Fr. Kim Jung-Wook was first imprisoned (released after about 40 days) as a Catholic priest and on Oct. 24, Fr. Lee Young-Chan was imprisoned. Both are the Jesuits.
Bishop Kang U-Il said, “The [projected] Jeju naval base is a strategic military facility for our country to be with the United States to dominate the superiority in the North East Asia, against China.”
“The situation in Gangjeong this time is the God’s homework and task given to the Korean churches to examine themselves, which have passively taken on God’s raised question on war. The God is inviting us so that we make all the efforts for peace.”
Photo: Jeju Sori, Nov. 12, 2012 Photo: Catholic News Now and Here/ Catholic mass for the release of Jesuit priest Lee Young-chan S.J. and prisoners of conscience. . .About 900 people attended the mass held in Jeju cathedral. (caption by Regina Pyon)
Nov. 12 poster by the Jesuits Korea (Caption by Regina Pyon): At 7.30 p.m. on November 12, Catholic mass is held officiated by Bishop Peter Kang U-il at Jeju cathedral for the release of Jesuit priest, Lee Young-Chan S.J, and imprisoned peace activists. It was organized by the Catholic Solidarity for Peace Island Jeju, that 15 national justice and peace commissions and representatives of lay and religious committees are participating. Bishop Peter Kang is also chairperson of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea.
Bishop Peter Kang U-Il’s homily on Nov. 12
Full text of Bishop Peter Kang’s homily “There is no just war.” can be read here.
Remembering Fr. Lee SJ and the four brave activists who are serving time in prison for their peace activities and putting their bodies in the way of trucks involved in the construction of a naval base which is destroying the coastal environment and the village community of Gangjeong.This base is being built in an already volatile region and will only serve to increase military tensions. . .this video was played during the Catholic mass at Jeju central cathedral celebrated by Bp. Peter Kang on Nov. 12. Video by Dungree (Caption by Regina Pyon)
Prof. Shin Yong-In on Nov. 12, 2012. The sign reads “The civil disobedience movement is a motion to make just law stand.” Image: Jang Hyun-Woo
Starting a civil disobedience movement for the peaceful settlement of the conflict of the Jeju naval base project and for the realization of just law.
By Prof. Shin Yong-In (Translated by Save Jeju Now)
Nov. 11, 2012
The Jeju naval base project has numerous problems such as doubtful selection of location, resolution on invitation by conciliation and betrayal, ignorance of Gangjeong villagers’ opinion, unreliability of the Environmental Impact Assessment by and large, cancellation of absolute preservation areas without notice, suspicion on the flaws in the base layout, unreliable and illegal construction, falsehood in the so called Civilian-Military Complex for Tour Beauty.
Still, the government and navy are not only enforcing naval base construction with the police force at the head but are recently enforcing 24 hours construction to secure the 2013 budget, indiscriminately confining and arresting Gangjeong villagers, peace activists and even clergymen who make efforts to stop construction.
In the state power’s oppression such as the above, the responsibility of court is also big. The court forgetting its constitutional mission of being the last fortress to keep the basic rights of people, has given indulgence to the wrong executions of the power by taking unjust trial to unilaterally raise the hands of government and navy. As a result, Gangjeong became the site of a lawless world where democracy is damaged and human rights are trampled down as illegality and law-evasiveness take power to themselves.
In the situation when every legal effort to stop unjustly dominating power became meaningless, there is nothing that I, a law school professor and lawyer can do to stop the forceful naval base construction.
Even now, there are Gangjeong villagers and peace activists in front of the Gangjeong construction site, who struggle risking the danger of punishment, by delaying naval base construction (destruction) even for 5 minutes. They are the people who follow the law of consciousness in the situation when the laws of the positive and of the conscious clash each other. They are in fact already doing the civil disobedience movement. Their courageous resistance make me feel shame, who have been confined inside the fence of the positive law, and make me ask what the true law is.
Henry Thoreau, a harbinger of the civil disobedience movement has said:
Now, aspiring for the peaceful settlement of the conflicts in the Jeju naval base project and for the realization of just law, I will start the civil disobedience movement until the government and navy stop the enforcement of naval base construction. I will stop, with my body, entry and exit of construction vehicles in front of the main gate of naval base construction site more than once a week. For the beginning, I will stand in front of the construction gate from 10 am to 6pm on Monday, Nov. 12.
I respect law. But when the law is not just, the law is merely violence. Therefore it is the natural right and responsibility of democratic citizens to disobey to the illegal law. It is nothing but to stop to be human being to give up that. Therefore the civil disobedience movement that I am to do is never the movement to ignore law. It is the movement to make the true law stand. It is an effort to save the Constitution being invaded by unjust power.
Before the start of the civil disobedience movement, I declare the below principles based on the spirit ofSatyagraha by Mahatma Gandhi.
Firstly, I reject every violent way. I will act whatever happens with non-violent and peaceful way. Violence kills life while non-violence respects lives and make them live.
Secondly, there is a saying that ‘You shall hate crime but not the criminals.” Even though I am infuriated from the unjust execution of power by the personnel of the government, navy and police, I never hate them. Hatred kills life. I also believe that the government, navy and police personnel are dignified beings like sky, with reason and consciousness as human beings.
Thirdly, I will be willing to suffer from any disadvantages following civil disobedience. If the police rough out and confine me, I will be willingly taken. If they want to arrest me, I will be willing to be arrested. If they imprison me, I will be willing to be imprisoned. The government can confine my body but not my spirit. If the government attempts to detain my body more and more, my spirit will freely fly up.
Through the civil disobedience movement, I hope the government, navy, court, police can change like the below.
I hope the government no more betrays and disdains citizens but recognize them as the SKY, being afraid of them and serve them.
I hope the court no more wait-and–sees the government but takes trial faithful to the Constitutional mission of control of powers and protection of basic rights.
I hope the navy is born again as the navy for citizens to whom it serves, not as the navy for their own, who fights against the citizens.
I hope the police outgrowing from the role of maid to power, to be the true cane for the people from whom they get love and respect.
I also appeal to all Jeju Island people and citizens to have courage and join the civil-disobedience movement. I urgently ask them to join us until the conflicts in the Jeju naval base project is peacefully settled and just law stands.
Shin Yong-In, Professor of Law School, Jeju University
Around 3:30 pm, Nov. 12/ Prof. Shin is carried away by the police from the protest siteHeadline Jeju, Nov. 12, 2012 Prof. Shin was detained in police circles more than 7 times on the day.Photo by Song Chang-Wook. Prof. Shin ends his first day with the 100 bows early in the next morning, 7am, Nov. 13.
Photo by Jang Hyun-Woo, caption by Regina Pyon/ Jang Sung-shim (Catholic name Lucia) is shaving the head in front of Jeju naval base building site on 15th civic action day on November 10. She was on her fourth day of fast even without water and salts staying day and night at the gate demanding the cancellation of Jeju naval base project. . . For more photos of Jang Hyun-woo, see here.
Amid heavy rain and strong wind, about 150 people had an emergency rally in front of the Jeju naval base project building complex on Nov. 10, Saturday. See the Nov. 10 poster here. The construction trucks stopped to pass the gates in the morning. 2nd caisson on the Gureombi Rock was recently completed so no night time construction trucks on the day (and no construction trucks passing the gates on Sunday, too)
Rally in front of the Jeju naval base building complex, around 4pm. Nov. 10.
“The [National Assembly] has cut 96 % of the 2012 budget [on the Jeju naval base project]. From what source the navy is enforcing construction then? The navy is using the transferred budget from 2011. It is the most ridiculous and clearly illegal. In my knowledge, budget that was not executed on the applicable year should be returned back to the national treasury. Why do the National Assembly members neglect on that part?”
Kim Jong-Il, former secretary of Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea saying that the navy is enforcing 24 hour construction(destruction) to get the budget on naval base next year, emphasized the importance of current struggle to cut the budget, to form the ground for the revocation of naval base project and to totally re-examine the project.
He said that the anti-base people will organize 14 teams and struggle to stop construction in twice shift in every 12 hours.
Photo and caption by Emily Wang/ Save Our Sea team’s beautiful sailing kayak in front of naval base in Gangjeong’s day. It’s much more beautiful, peaceful and useful for our lives than the warships. One builds up dreams and the other destroys dreams.
Otherwise, mayor Kang Dong-Kyun said:
“During our monthly Great March for life and Peace, we found that there are so many painful sites beside ours. We should start the healing of such pains from Gangjeong. Since we have justice of a claim, cause, and purposeful life, we can stop the Jeju naval base project without fail.”
“Martyr Yang Yong-Chan threw down his body resisting the injustice. Remembering the spirit of Yang Yong-Chan, I hope the Jeju naval base project is to be revoked.”
Kim Sung-Geun, representative of Committee to Cherish the Memory of Yang Yong-Chan said, “The biggest thing that martyr Yang left to us is the heart of love for Jeju. We should make the world where ecology, peace and Jeju Island people are centered, not the society mastered by neo-liberal developmentalism, capital and money.”
“To stop the Jeju naval base is to keep the martyr’s love,” ‘To save Gangjeong is to save peace.”
Dance after the rally, Nov. 10, 2012
The commemorating event on Yang Yong-Chan was held indoor of the village Peace Center from 7 to 9pm because of heavy rain.
Photo & caption by Emily Wang/ Today is the 16th Gangjeong’s day against naval base and also the 21st anniversary of Mr. YANG Yong Chan’s death. He sacrificed himself for the love of his hometown jeju island against the capitalism’s careless “Development Law” applied in the beautiful pristine island. His death couldn’t stop the “development law” but has inspired a lot of jeju islanders to love this land purely and bravely. A banner that illustrates Yang Yong-Chan’s immolation in the City of Seogwipo in 1991 and aftermath with the collected photos.
Post by Christian Karl/ ‘No Naval Base on Jeju!’ – Performance during today’s Workers’ Culture Festival in front of Seoul Stn…
1. Sit-in tent in the center of Seoul heats people’s war to cut the budget on the naval base project
The struggle to stop 24 hour construction and cut the whole 2013 budget of 200.9 billion won on the Jeju naval base project is not only held in front of the construction gates in the village but in the center of Seoul as well. Some people who joined the Great March for Life and Peace: Let’s live together! All are the SKY! (Oct 4 to Nov. 3) remained in Seoul and set up a sit-in tent across the City Hall to promote the campaign to cut all the budgets on the naval base project, 2013. The tent is also an expression of solidarity with the laid-off workers of Ssangyong Automobile Co. Mr. Kim Jung-Woo, leader of Ssangyong workers met his 31st day protest fast as of Nov. 9, 2012. Village mayor Kang Dong-Kyun, committed to widen and deepen the struggle through solidarity to revoke the Jeju naval base project and change the Government through December Presidential election became Mr. Kim’s strongest ally, as well as one of the symbols of people who are oppressed by the current government in the same vein of Capitalism, developmentalism and militarism.
Photo by Hwang Hyun-Jin, sit-in tent in the center of SeoulPhoto by Hwang Hyun-Jin, sit-in tent in the center of Seoul
On Nov. 9, Great news was told to the participants of the great march and people in the Gangjeong village. All the workers of the Hanjin Heavy Industry, Busan, who have struggled for years were all reinstated (Kim Jin-Suk is probably the most known symbol of the struggle). The march participants have visited the workers on Oct. 17, which happened to be the commemorating period (Oct. 17 to 31) on the two martyr workers, Kim Joo-Ik, Gwak Jae-Yol, 9 years ago. Dungree’s video reminds the event of Oct. 17 and emphasizes the importance of the solidarity among the oppressed.
Video by Dungree: Cut all the budgets on the Jeju naval base project, a fraud project in the name of national policy!http://youtu.be/ihgEsfZkxac (Source:Click here)
In the video, Mr. Kim Jung-Woo in his sit-in tent celebrates the victory of Hanjin workers and urges them to keep the democratic union and struggle field whatever happens in the future. In the next tent of the Gangjoeng village, Hong Ki-Ryong, executive Chairman of the Pan-Island Committee for the Stop of Military Base and for the Realization of Peace Island strongly says, “Whoever is elected as the President in December, if budget is passed in the National Assembly, no government can stop or control it. That is why we should struggle to stop it with all our energy. I want to send my sorriness and thanks to the peacekeepers in Gangjeong who currently put up with violent oppression. We will do our best by pressuring on whether it is the National Assembly and Presidential House.” The finale of the video is the song by the Gangjeong Flower band. “Please stop at the exit No. 2 in the City Hall station.” The title of their song is called, “Stop, stop!’ “If you oppose all the wars in the world, stop the naval base construction! If you want peace, absolutely no naval base construction! If you want peaceful Jeju, let’s stop the naval base!”
2. The law voice from the struggle field: Please come to Gangjeong! Let’s stop 24 hour constriuction and cut the whole budget, TOGETHER!
Here is a video made by a young female peacekeeper, Mooming, herself who has daily struggled in the field to stop the 24 hour construction vehicles without enough sleep but with unlimited optimism and humor. Her video details the human rights violation by the police, people’s joyful creation of events in spare time and emphasizes the urgency of people’s unity, by coming to Gangjeong.
“Please come to Gangjeong. For reference, the black and white pictures in the video are by Kon Ca. I take anger, cry and laugh everyday in front of construction gate. 24 hour construction, 24 hour police. I am sorry that I cannot wake up for 24 hours even though I wish to do being all the time there together with people. It is because even though the polices’ roughing out of us feels hard, the daily life there is GOOD as to the degree that I wish to record ALL.”
On Nov. 2, Presidential candidate Ahn Chul-Soo visiting the village remarked regarding the Jeju naval base project that the President Lee Myung Bak should apologize to the villagers in person. However, even less than 30 minutes of his leaving, police were mobilized. (*Young peacekeepers humorously call them as Baechoo (meaning cabbage) because of their light green color jackets, “The Baechhooes are seen with some rotten baechooes among them)
The police’s consciousness on human rights is near to zero.
Example: Policemen who obstinately drag a leg of a peacekeeper (00:25)
(Screams are heard, “Don’t fold down hand!) Example: Hand of Police who takes a man by the throat (01:10)
Example: For the police, the only concern is to remove the people from the site even though people’s cloths are taken off! (01:24) (Screams are heard, “Please, policewoman, I feel pain!”)
Example: The police use techniques to pull and lift up leg. They think our legs are big radishes! (01:36)
Example: The police use a technique of pressuring our body with their knees (02:24)
Example: The police (especially policewomen) grab our cloths rather than body parts. Then our cloths are taken off! (02:40)
(# In the early morning of Nov. 10, a female peacekeeper informs that policemen grabbed a woman’s legs widened openduring the process of removing protesters from the protest sites so that the woman cannot but feel insulted and have a feeling of shame.
However, the peacekeepers know how to spend their spare time building joyful and creative community between the struggles. The youngsters love computer game while some young artists sing together with guitar, draw painting on the fence and make necklaces for funding resource. A movie director prepares a set to record nearby.
Night time snack is another joy~! No Construction (destruction) but yes, night time snack!
And finally bonus for the audience: Dance with Gangjeong style. The changed lyric of the Gangjeong style from Gangnam style has become so popular. Even the police enjoy it. They must recite the lyric of Gangjeong style themselves! “Bastards, if you want to arrest us, arrest us! We will fight to the end!”
Catholic Mass for the release of Jesuit Priest Lee Young-Chan and for the realization of the Island of Peace, Jeju on November 9 at Jesuits Korea Center in Seoul. Image: Seo Kyung-Ryeol
“Jesuits Korea have dispatched several Jesuits members to Gangjeong village to protect peace and justice and preserve natural heritage, where its community has been destroyed and endangered due to the construction of naval base. In March 2012 Fr. Kim Jeong-Wook was arrested and imprisoned for 30 days. Br. Park Do-Hyun and Fr. Kim Sung-Hwan are facing trials. Fr. Lee Young-Chan has been arrested and detained since October 26.”
On Oct. 30 the Justice and Peace Committee of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea(http://english.cbck.or.kr/) also issued a statement calling for the release of Fr. Lee.
Reactions in the Catholic Church
On Oct. 30 the Justice and Peace Committee of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea(http://english.cbck.or.kr/) issued a statement calling for the release of Fr. Lee. The statement gives the reasons for the Catholic Church demanding that construction of the naval base should be stopped.
“First, the process of seeking the agreement of the Gangjeong residents did not utilize a democratic procedure. Second, construction is destroying the coastal ecosystem and natural treasures such as the Gureombi Rock. Third, it looks like this project can only increase the sense of military tension in the Korean peninsula and N.E. Asia and thereby instigate a crisis.”
The statement also cites the fact that a national audit carried out by the Korean Congress showed that the construction billed as a “Government-civilian joint tourism harbor” was from the start impossible and a mere cover-up for a exclusive naval base plan. It also refers to procedural illegalities that have shown up in the processes of site selection and construction. The committee states clearly “We want the immediate release of Fr. Lee Young-chan and the peace activists, and the end of the national authorities’ use of violence at Gangjeong Village in Jeju.”
The Korean Province of the Society of Jesus (http://jesuits.kr/) held an expanded consultation on 1 Nov and officially stated its position on 5 Nov. The statement cites the call issued by several general congregations of the Jesuits for Jesuit members to engage in struggles for justice, and work for reconciliation. The most recent 35th General Congregation states “We now want to deepen our understanding of the call to serve faith, promote justice, and dialogue with culture and other religions in the light of the apostolic mandate to establish right relationships with God, with one another, and with creation.” (Decree 3, art. 12) The Korean Province statement thanks Fr. Lee for his dedicated service and solidarity for promoting justice and peace, and promises him positive support for his action. It promises continued material and emotional support to the Jesuits engaged in the action at Gangjeong Village, and desires that this problem have more of an international dimension. “With the understanding that this problem is international in scope we will spread awareness of it and join in close solidarity with the Jesuits of North America and also to our own region, the Jesuits of the Asia-Pacific.”
Photo by Cho Sung-Bong/ Jang Sung-Shim started fast even without water on Nov. 7 in front of the main construction gate, demanding to revoke the Jeju naval base project and free all the prisoners. “I put all myself to this.” Accidentally, Nov. 7 was the very date that martyr Yang Yong-Chan immolated himself in 1991.
Moon Jae-In says, ‘stop construction, re-examine project,’ but no mention on ‘budget cut.’
On Nov. 8, Moon Jae-In, Presidential candidate of the Democratic United Party, visited Jeju. He did not stop by the Gangjeong village, but mentioned on his position on the Jeju naval base project. His mention can be compared to mention by another Presidential candidate, Ahn Chul-Soo, who visited the village but still insisted on the need of the project and Park Geun-Hye, Presidential candidate of the ruling Saenuri party, who wants the Jeju, as the 2nd Hawai’i mixed of tourism and militarism.
Here is the translation of people’s commentary on the remarks by Moon Jae-In on Nov. 8:
We welcome the remarks by candidate Moon Jae-In, that ‘he would re-examine the Jeju naval base project after the stop of its construction.’
– The Democratic United Party should show its will to cut the 2013 budget on the project
– The [technical] simulation demanded through the ruling and opposition party agreement has not been satisfied. Candidate Park Geun-Hye and the Saenuri Party (New Frontier Party) should join the budget cut.
1. Candidate Moon Jae-In visiting Jeju promised that he “would first stop construction and re-examine the project contents according to democratic procedures.’ We welcome the words, noticing that he confirmed again the position of construction stop and re-examination, the party opinion of the Democratic United Party.
2. Candidate Moon Jae-in pointed out that “the Lee Myung-Bak government is unilaterally enforcing construction despite the fact that the 2012 budget was cut by the agreement between the ruling and opposition parties because the Jeju naval base project is being enforced violating the [2007] National Assembly resolution to build it as a ‘civilian-military complex port of call (*which is focused on civilian port with the ability of two 150,000 ton cruises’ simultaneous coming alongside the pier).’ It is a very timely indication.
3. However, candidate Moon Jae-In did NOT mention on the 2013 Jeju naval base budget. When the National Assembly cut the budget for 2012 last year, the National Assembly decided to verify on the actuality of the Civilian-Military Complex for Tour Beauty(Jeju naval base) by the agreement of ruling and opposition parties. However during the discussion process by the [technical] verification committee under the Office of the Prime Minister last February, flaws in the base design have been confirmed. And it has been turned out that the proposed changed base layout that the Ministry of National Defense has suggested later has, in fact, many problems in many aspects such as in cruise ships’ turning and entry & exit of port. Further, no objective simulation on which the Jeju Island and navy agree with each other, has been carried out by now. Even though it is reasonable that the National Assembly cut the whole 2013 budget based on the ruling and opposition parties’ agreement [in 2007], no party, no candidate has not mentioned on it yet.
4. Candidate Moon Jae-In and Democratic United Party have to clearly declare their position and carry it into practice for the whole budget cut on the 2013 Jeju naval base project to stop construction (destruction), beyond the reconfirmation on its position of construction stop.
5.Together with Moon, the ruling Saenuri Party(New Frontier Party) and its candidate, Park Geun-Hye should join Moon to cut the 2013 budget on the Jeju naval base project by the agreement between the ruling and opposition parties, as verification work proposed by the agreement between the ruling and opposition parties have not been carried on and numerous problems in the Jeju naval base construction such as base design flaws and unreliablce harbor & bay (caisson) production have been confirmed again. Candidate Ahn Chul-Soo (independent) should make his concrete position on the matters of the stop of the Jeju naval base construction and of the 2013 budget cut.
Nov. 8, 2012
Gangjeong Village Association
Jeju Pan-Island Committee for Stop of Military Base and for Realization of Peace Island (26 groups)
National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval Base in Jeju Island (125 groups)
( # In December, 2012, the National Assembly has tremendously cut the budget of 127.8 billion won (96 %) through its review, remaining only 4.9 billion won such as for the land design (3.8 billion won) and compensation fee(1.1 billion won) among the whole proposed budget of 132.7 billion won related to the Jeju naval base project. It has especially never reflected acuall construction fees therefore in fact, put brakes on the promotion of the project. Instead it detourly demanded the government ‘solution of conflict, first.’ However, the transferred budget of 107.5 billion won from 2011 to 2012 was used this year for the forceful naval base construction. Even though it is principle that usused budget should be returned back to the national treasury but the navy law-evasively used it asserting that the project is of emergency. As of September, the navy could use 50 billion won, compared to its original paln of 78 billion won. The people’s protests delayed the execution of 28 billion won. )
2. Field struggle is a great basis to cut the budget
Otherwise, Bora Lee, an assistant of the National Assembly woman, Jang Hana (Jeju-based, Democratic United Party) left a beautiful writing to the peacekeepers in the struggle field last night. Here is:
To my friends who would be in front of the construction gates right now.
All the time of struggles by which you have delayed one construction truck even for a few minutes has filed up one by one neatly.
That is why there is still 50% budget unused bccause you have stopped the execution on that amount of budget on the Jeju naval base construction.
And that has become the very basis that even the members of the National Defense committee cannot easily approve the 2013 budget.
Whenever the committee members are embarrassed because of non-executed budget, I remind each face of you, peacekeepers, being in front of construction site.
It is all thanks to you, peacekeepers, who have endured merciless construction (destruction) and no-time defined police’s roughing out of you.
Even though you may suffer from cold weather and grief, I am told of hopeful news little by little. It is thanks to you who have sleeplessly put up with those hardships there.
Tomorrow is the day that the National Assembly committee makes decision on the naval base budget.
It is a hard season for everyone. However NOW is the only chance.
So please stir up ourselves a little more.
( Bora Lee, assistant of National Assembly woman, Jang Hana)
Photo by Cho Sung-Bong/ 20 year old “Pyonghwa (meaning ‘peace’)’ rearranges stuffs of signs and woods etc.. after police leaving. People put up various materials including bicycles and motorcycles in front of construction gates to delay the construction (destruction) trucks.
3. No conclusion on budget cut in the National Assembly yet. But budget matter is critical now.
Update: On Nov. 9, the National Defense committee of the National Assembly could not reach to the conclusion on the budget of the Jeju naval base project (Related to the DAPA: Defense Acquision Program Administration) despite the meetings by its sub-committee on Budget and Balance on Nov. 7 to 8. The positions between the ruling and opposition party was quite different.
The latest news read:
‘The Committee of National Defense, planning to have an overall meeting in the morning of Nov. 9, was to dispose the agendas on the proposals on 2013 budget and extension of dispatch to Arab Emirate, for the Ministry of National Defense (MND), Military Manpower Administration (MMA) and DAPA. However, the ruling and opposition parities confronted each other regarding the budget of 200.9 billion won for the Jeju naval base project (harbor and bay construction, purchase of land etc.) that was earmarked by the DAPA. Eventually the committee passed budget proposal only for the MND and MMA. It is known that the Democratic United Party is demanding the whole budget cut, claiming inappropriateness of the Jeju naval base project whicle the ruling Saenuri Party is confronting against it claiming that it cannot accept it.’ (Maeil Broadcasting Network, 2012-11-09 12:35)
‘The National Defense committee set the schedules on the overall meetings on coming Nov. 12 (Mon.) and 16 (Fri.). Personnel in the office of Kim Jae-Yoon (Jeju-based, Democratic United Party) said that “We could only confirm the different positions between the ruling and opposition parties in the meeting of sub-committee on budget and balance held yesterday. There is not so enough time, given the schedules by the Budget and Balance Special committee)’ (Jeju Sori, 2012.11.09 10:37:12)
Photo by Cho Sung-Bong/ People’s daily prayer and protest for peace continue in front of construction gates even though they would be soon disrupted by the police. No US Nuclear Aircraft Carrier, No Jeju naval Base against China!’ A peacekeeper Deulkkot has made two dolls of the Catholic priests. Fr. Lee Young-Chan was arrested on Oct. 24 and is in prison: 18th day as of Nov. 10.Photo by Cho Sung-Bong/ People’s dance after the daily candle vigil at 8pm in front of construction gate, despite more severe police’s roughing out of people with the 24 hour construction that started on Oct. 25.
Fr. Lee Young-Chan prays in front of the main construction gate of Jeju naval base project right after forcefully being carried away by the police (Aug. 3, 2012). Image: Catholic News Here and Now
The review on the legality of confinement of Jesuit priest Fr. Lee Young-Chan, was held on November 6. However, the request for his release was dismissed and the legality of his arrest was confirmed. While the review was being held, a prayer gathering of fellow priests, nuns and peace activists was held in front of the Jeju District Court in Jeju City. Jesuits Korea issued a statement on his arrest and appealed for solidarity and support for Fr. Lee, saying that the Jeju naval base project is an international issue and they will continue to raise awareness of this issue especially among North American and Asia-Pacific region Jesuits. They will also hold a Catholic mass on November 9 at 4:30 p.m. at the Jesuit Center in Seoul concerning the current situation and for the release of Fr. Lee and other imprisoned peace activists. Fr.Lee was arrested on October 24 on charges of Obstruction of Business while he was protesting against the arrest of another peace activist at the gate of Jeju naval base construction site.
Image: Jesuit Fr. Kim Seong-HanFr. Lee has climbed on top of cement mixer trucks many times in protest of the Jeju naval base project. Image: Cho Sung-Bong
Current Gangjeong Prisoners of Conscience as of Nov. 8, 2012:
Mr. Kim Bok-Chul, (No. 598) – 150th day in prison
Rev. Jeong Yeon-Gil (No. 187) – 64th day in prison
Mr. Park Suk-Jin (No. 188) – 64th day in prison
Mr. Park Seung-Ho (No. 290) – 55th day in prison
Fr. Lee Young-Chan (No. 407) – 16th day in prison
Please send support letters addressed to: Jeju Prison, 161 Ora-2 dong, Jeju City, Jeju Island, Korea (include prisoner name and number)
Photo by Bae Gi-Chul and caption by Regina Pyon/ Lunch time after Catholic mass at lower gate.. .While they are surrounding like this, part of the police start action to remove other activists at upper gate to make a way for cement mixing trucks and other vehicles on Nov. 8
“Since I aspire for Jeju to be a place for our lives and a nest for our livelihood rather than a 2nd Hawaii, a global tour site that exploits our flesh & bones and makes us playthings, I walk this way crying for the end of the Jeju Special Law, abolition of the 2nd overall development plan, and the smashing of the Minjadang[Democratic Freedom Party, ruling conservative right-wing party from 1990 to 1995].“
– Yang Yong-Chan, a true citizen of Jeju, greatly missed.
The above quote was part of testimony by Yang Yong-Chan (1965 to 1991) who immolated himself in Seogwipo City on Nov. 7, 1991. Today is anniversary of his death. He was only 25 years old.
According to Prof. Shin Yong-In, legal advisor to the village association, there was a pan-Island resistance against the central government’s development drive in 1990s. The Jeju Special Law has been nothing but legal justification for big corporations’ exploitation of Jeju. The immolation of Yang Yong-Chan who resisted against capitalist development of the Island sparked the Island people to rise up during that period.
Because of Island peoples’ resistance, the Island government at the time was eventually forced to set up some important systems to preserve the pristine nature of Jeju from the central government’s thoughtless development. One of the most important systems is the Absolute Preservation System that is supposed to ‘absolutely’ protect the natural environment of Jeju, including its coasts. Ironically, it was the very governor Woo Keun-Min who established that very system as governor at the time (1991 to 1993). Woo becoming the Island governor again in 2010, but has not cancelled previous governor Kim Tae-Hwan’s undemocratic 2009 decision to abolish the Absolute Preservation Areas in Gangjeong village (the Joongdeok coast, most of which is called Gureombi Rock, as well as Gangjeong Stream and its vicinity) made in order to force the Jeju naval base project despite the Island Council’s demands at the general meeting vote in March 2011.
“The cancellation of the Absolute Preservation Areas in Gangjeong in 2009 can be interpreted as the central government unilaterally infringing on indigenous rights to environmental protection, as well as their human rights and other creatures’ rights to live in their habitats,” Prof. Shin says.
Current Governor Woo is affiliated with big corporations like Samsung, and is neglecting his duties as it is in his authority to order the navy to stop the illegal and forced Jeju naval base construction (destruction). His statements on faux so-called “Civilian-Military Complex Port for Tour Beauty” and the two 150,000 ton cruise ships are nothing but sugar-coated words to blind the Island people through false promises of local economic development.
Succeeding the Spirit of Yang Yong-Chan: Citizens’ Urgent Action Day on November 10, 2012
What is the difference between his period and our period? Jeju, designated the “Peace Island” by the central government on January 27, 2005, is now suffering greatly because of the enforced and unreliable war base construction in Gangjeong village. The right-wing conservatives repeatedly say that they want Jeju to become a 2nd Hawaii, mixing militarism and tourism (so that big corporations like Samsung can wholly exploit Jeju Island). 24-hour construction started on Oct. 25, 2012. The navy has gone insane enforcing construction (destruction) as they try to get the 200.9 billion Won budget for next year (92.5 % of budget will go to big corporations like Samsung and Daelim who are in charge of the harbor and bay construction). Even police from the mainland have been mobilized 24 hours-a-day to serve these companies will. The people have also responded increasing their protest to 24 hours-a-day, being carried by ambulance to hospital, injured, robbed of their sleep. Even the daily 7 a.m. peaceful 100 bows have been disrupted with police forcefully removing the bowers from the construction gates. Catholic priests in robes are carried away during mass only for construction trucks to pass through the gates. Women’s clothes are taken off and bodies scratched and pinched by police women nails when the policewomen forcefully remove them from the protest sites. Men are dragged on the ground by one leg. The people are uncared for especially in the night when the police only care about removing and throwing them aside as fast as possible. A woman was almost at the risk of losing her life when a policewoman neglected her after throwing her down on the 1st night 24 hour construction, October 25.
Catholic priests in robes are surrounded by the police during mass and removed from the protest site at around 5 p.m. on November 5.A woman peacekeeper’s dirty clothes after being dragged carelessly across the ground at around 3:30 p.m., November 4.Around 10:50 pm. on November 5, Chairwoman of the village Folk Conservation Association played music. Then police attacked. Still people, including village elders played music and held pickets, inside circle of police.
Around 12:10 a.m. on November 6. The police usually come every two hours during the night time, but this time it was only after 1 hour and 40 minutes. People in solidarity right before the police’s attack.Around 12:40 a.m. on November 7Around 1:50 a.m. on November 7Around 1:50 a.m. on November 7Around 1:50 a.m. on November 7Around 4:50 a.m. on November 7
Since November 5th, the number of the police has increased even more. The police are wielding more physical power but still the people are resisting with all their energy. The intervals between police attacks have become shorter. During the day, it has shortened from the usual hourly strike, to every 30-40 minutes. During the night, from two hour intervals to every 1 hour and 30 minutes or 1 hour and 40 minutes. It is clear that the navy is getting more and more hurried with the destruction.
Because of this people nationwide are mobilizing themselves to stop the 24-hour construction (destruction), to stop the navy and big corporations’ greed about the national budget, and to save Jeju, the Peace Island, following after the spirit of Yang Yong Chan, whose poignant words still ring true, that Jeju should be a site for life, not a second Hawaii. The 15th Nationwide Citizens’ Action Day to revoke the Jeju naval base project will be held on November 10.
Let’s block together! 24 hour enforcement of construction (destruction)!
Let’s save together! Save Gangjeong by staying over the night!
Let’s cut together! 200.9 billion Won Jeju naval base project budget 2013!
Let’s remember together! Yang Yong-Chan, a martyr, a true Jeju Island citizen!
Schedule for Saturday November 10, 2012:
3pm, Citizens’ Action Event in front of the main gate of the Jeju naval base project building complex: ‘Let’s run with peace, again!”
5pm: Way-opening for the Peace Village, Gangjeong
7pm: Commemoration for Yang Yong-Chan
Sponsored by the Gangjeong Village Association, Jeju Pan-Island Committee for Stop of Military Base and for Realization of Peace Island (26 groups) and National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval Base in Jeju Island (125 groups)
Finally, Please pressure the ROK National Assembly members to cut the entire budget for the Jeju naval base project next year. Contact english@asssembly.go.kr or Moon Jae-In, Permanent Advisor, Democratic United Party, Presidential candidate: moonriver365@gmail.com
Hillary Clinton’s arrogant reply to a letter on Nov. 4 : “Thank you for writing and sharing your thoughts and concerns with me. I value your opinion and will take it – and the views of all Americans – into consideration. As Secretary of State, I am committed to strengthening America’s national security, advancing the interests of the United States, and restoring America”s leadership position in the world. With warm regards, I am” Hillary Rodham Clinton”
On June 6, 2012, Korean-American Mr. Soon Cho sent a letter regarding the Jeju naval base project to U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton (see below). Mr. Cho recently shared on Facebook that he has received a reply from Clinton on November 4th (see above image). 5 Months later, she sent a bland, form-letter response in which she states states that she is, “committed to strengthening America’s national security, advancing the interests of the United States, and restoring America”s leadership position in the world.” In other words, in response to Mr. Cho’s request to do something to stop the construction, “No Way”.
Mr. Soon Cho’s letter to Hillary Clinton on June 6, 2012
June 6, 2012
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton
US Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520
I am writing this letter to you because what is happening in South Korea makes me sad. I am so sad that I cry almost every day when I think about it.
Three years ago, I made a trip to Korea where I was born. At that time, I stopped by an island called Jeju situated in the most southern part of Korea. This island was so beautiful that netizens around the world voted it as one of the seven beauties of the world. Even UNESCO recognized it as one of the most precious place on earth.
But three years ago, I learned that a new naval base was proposed in a small village called Gangjeong possibly for the US carrier. And village people in Gangjeong have been protesting to the construction of new naval base. But as results they were sent to jail and levied with hefty fines. They are trying to to keep peace not only this island but also keep peace in this far east asia region.
South Korea government is building a new naval base in this village under the pretext of keeping Korea from foreign invasion. But the history proves it otherwise. This island was not invaded by foreign force except by Mongolian armies led by Genghis Khan more than 800 years ago. It was not even invaded when Japanese samurais lead by General Hideyoshi invaded Chosun Dynasty in 16th century nor bombed by North Korea Mig fighters during the Korea War. This island was ordained as Peace Island by previous president Roh.
Why I am writing this letter to you? Because (1) there is an anti-US sentiment brewing among Jeju people and peace activists, (2) there is enough US presence in Korea already that will prevent any foreign invasion, and (3) I also have a firm conviction that you can convince President Obama and Korean President Lee to reconsider building this naval base in Gangjeong.
Many peace activists around the world are struggling to stop the construction of a naval base in this island but so far resulted to vain. I urge you to look into this matter and please help Koreans to maintain peace in the Jeju Island and in this region.
