Category: Events

Navy cruising around Gangjeong Village with Weapons

On April 28th (Korea-time), the Korean Navy was found cruising around Gangjeong Village in a truck stowing soldiers with their hands firmly affixed to their rifles.

Passing by Gangjeong Elementary School, the drive shocked villagers and activists alike, who have adamantly requested for the Navy to stop treading the village grounds.

Mayor Cho and others stopped the truck and demanded to know if the weapons were loaded, and if this was a strategy to create an atmosphere of fear in the village. Silence from the soldiers ensued. The officer kept repeating the line that he would retreat.

This clear show of militarism comes at a very sensitive time vis-a-vis the lawsuit against the village measuring up to 3 million USD. To some activists, this drive represents an act of taking over the village through violence and force, just like the lawsuit is intended to do.

Please check out Gangjeong People on Facebook to see the entire coverage of this affair.

See also here.

April 30, 2016
The Real Struggle Starts from Now On

Jeju Island Catholic Bishop Kang U-Il / A photo by Oum Mun-Hee

Fr. Mun Jeong-Hyeon/ A photo by Oum Mun-Hee

The overflow crowd outside of the grand opening of the St. Francis Peace Center in Gangjeong village/ Photo by Choi Sung-Hee

Re-blogged from here

Sung-Hee Choi reports from Gangjeong village on Jeju Island, South Korea:

[Sept. 5] Bishop Kang U-Il says, “The real struggle starts from now on.”

On a gently rainy day, about 500 priests, sisters, laymen, villagers, and peace activists gathered to celebrate the opening of the St. Francis Peace Center in the village. The event organizers had expected about 200 crowd.

The four story building, of which the idea was first initiated by Fr. Mun Jeong-Hyeon and Bishop Kang U-il, is hoped to be ‘an outpost for the peace of Northeast Asia’ (Bishop Kang)

On the day, the words by Bishop Kang, the Board President of the Center, was resolute, touching and inspiring.

The Jeju Sori, a local media, excerpted some of his long speech. Thanks to it, here I also translate some of his words as well.

……………………………………………………

“There are people who ask whether the struggle has finished with the naval base [that will port US warships aimed at China] being almost completed. No. It has not finished. The real struggle starts from now on.”

“In April 2005, I expressed my opinions, for the first time, against naval base construction. There are five reasons following the public teachings.”

“Firstly, war is disaster. It cannot be a solution between nations. It is because such thing did not happen in the past and would not happen in the future, either.”

“Secondly, when a state power takes arms force, it can be justified and get citizens’ sympathy only by strict conditions. The mobilization of state power against the struggle in opposition to the Gangjeong naval base can never be a self-defense. “

“Thirdly, modern arms are weapons of massive mankind-killing. The increment of arms cannot be connected to peace.”

“Fourthly, we are dumping tremendous budgets into arms production. What if it is used for the nation progress, for the poor..?”

“Lastly, why there should be a military base in Jeju, the far-most from the Korean truce line and the tainted by the wounds of the April 3rd incident? Jeju is the Peace Island designated by the government. The relationship between any military base and the Peace Island is like water and oil.”

“With the construction of the naval base, the death of the April 3rd spirits has become meaningless…”

“Sixty-seven years ago, more than 30,000 people, more than 10% of the whole population of the Jeju Island people lost their lives for the April 3rd incident. [A massacre of Jeju peasants directed by the US military.] They were mostly innocent Island people nothing to do with ideology conflicts. They died without knowing the reasons of their deaths.”

“There are people who say that there is no more need of struggle since the Gangjeong base has been almost completed. No, the real struggle starts from now on.”

“The people we counter is not those who covered the Gureombi Rock with concrete. Nor the youths who come to the naval base to fulfill their duty for national defense. It is those who consider war positively.”

“It is the struggle against those who justify war preparation disguising their violent spirit with the logic of national security. On any basis, war is not right.”

The overflow crowd outside of the grand opening of the St. Francis Peace Center in Gangjeong village/ Photo by Choi Sung-Hee

The overflow crowd outside of the grand opening of the St. Francis Peace Center in Gangjeong village/ Photo by Choi Sung-Hee

September 12, 2015
Gangjeong, One of the Co-Recipients of the Sean MacBride Award!
What a wonderful news! The International Peace Bureau(IPB) decided to have Gangjeong, Jeju, and Lampedusa, Italy, as the co-recipients of the precious Sean MacBride award for 2015. On Aug. 25, 1 page official letter was sent to the village, along with other two related documents as the below. Please look at those for further details. It is truly the honor of the village to receive this award and to stand firm with the people in the world on the path for peace, justice, and democracy.
1. An official IPB letter to the Gangjeong village on Aug. 25, 2015
2. IPB documents on the two Island communities: Lampedusa and Gangjeong, Jeju

3. Peace Paths: Annual IPB Conference program_On the 70th anniversary of the entry into force of the United Nations Charter
August 30, 2015
Join 2015 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace

(English translation is thanks to People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy)

Let’s Walk Together Again! 2015 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace! A Cultural Event to commemorate 3,000 days of struggle against Jeju Naval Base!

The Grand March starts from Jeju City Hall on 27 July. The group will be divided into two groups, one marches towards east coast of Jeju Island, while the other group marches towards west coast of Jeju Island. Two groups will meet together at Gangjeong village on 1 August. On 1 August, villagers and participants will commemorate 3,000 days of struggle against the Jeju Naval Base. We will cheer each other up who tirelessly worked to maintain peace in the village. We will continue to work on maintaining peace in East Asia by opposing Jeju Naval Base!

Participation Info
– Participants fee: 10,000 KRW per person per day (Full participation will be 60,000 KRW). For foreign participants, it can be paid on the site. (Cash only)
– International participants’ fee (cash only) can be paid on site
– Food, accommodation, souvenir will be provided. No participation fee for elementary school children and younger.
– T-shirt is 10,000 KRW and you can buy it on the site with cash.
– Please bring your own cup and toiletories.

Grand March Course
27 July 9am Meeting in front of Jeju City Hall, 10am Press Conference, 11am Start!
East coast: Hamduk beach – Gimnyung beach – Jongdal-ri – Pyosun beach – Haryeh primary school – Gangjeong Village (1 Aug)
West coast : Jeju province government building – Hypjae beach – Sanbang Mt. – Hwasun beach – Yakchun temple – Gangjeong Village (1 Aug)

More information available here

June 13, 2015
Gangjeong Village Story: Monthly Newsletter | March Issue

In this March Edition:
Gureombi Remembrance Day, Permanent War, “Gureombi, The Wind is Blowing” travels the world, Women Crossing the DMZ Borders, Protecting Democracy or an Occupying Army? Choosing Arrest Rather than Paying Fines, Human Rights: Forever a Fugitive, Crosscurrents, Interview with Gangjeong Women’s Association leader Jeong Young-sim, Welcoming Grandma Youngdeung, Visit to the US Congress for Jeju 4·3 Solution, Remembering Fukushima and much more!

Download PDF

April 8, 2015
Gangjeong Village Story: Monthly Newsletter | February Issue

In this February Edition:
Gangjeong will not Give up, In remembrance of Father Bix, Okinawa, Jeju, Taiwanthe
Peace Triangle, Keep THAAD out of South Korea, Hotpinkdolphins meets Taiwan pink dolphins, International Solidarity, Choosing jail to resist unfair fines, Deported for Loving Korea, Interview with a Jeju Activist, Seeking justice from the chimney top, “To Exist is to Resist” Gangjeong Peace School, trial updates and much more!

Download PDF

March 10, 2015
Jeju Island Anti-Base Activists on US National Speech and Film Tour

If You Don’t Give Up You Can’t Lose / Gureombi, The Wind is Blowing Film and Speech Tour 2015

Hee Eun “Silver” Park and Paco Michelson, peace activists from the Jeju Island Anti-Naval Base struggle will be traveling across the US in March and April to share the story of the struggle through the screening of a new full-length documentary, and speaking about their personal experiences on Jeju Island, Korea.

Since 2007, the people of Gangjeong and their supporters have struggled everyday against state violence, corporate power, war profiteering, and environmental destruction. They have done so nonviolently and passionately. As a result of their work for peace, the tiny village of Gangjeong now has one of the highest “crime” rates in all of South Korea. More than 220,000 police officers (as of 2012) have been stationed in Gangjeong. So far, more than 700 arrests have been made, leading to approx. 200 court cases for more than 650 people, approx. $270,000 in fines levied, and 46 imprisonments. More than 30 internationals have been blacklisted, deported, or denied entry. All for the “crime” of peacefully resisting the construction of a naval base that threatens villagers’ livelihoods, the local ecology, and the peace of northeast Asia.

At some events, Silver and Paco will be presenting the film of Korean director Sung Bong Cho, Gureombi, The Wind is Blowing followed by a Q&A. At others, they will be speaking about the situation and struggle as well as sharing their personal experiences and those of their friends on Jeju, with a presentation titled, If You Don’t Give Up You Can’t Lose.

At all events they will be raising support for legal costs of the activists and villagers of Gangjeong. Many of Gangjeong villagers are farmers whose struggle for justice has meant sacrificing their crops. Many Gangjeong supporters work full-time for the struggle and rely on odd jobs and occasional field labor to survive. The fines are increasing and many people owe thousands of dollars they cannot afford to pay.

Come out to an event in an area near you and hear the story, see the struggle, and donate to the brave peacemakers who are giving everything they can in this fight for justice.

Schedule Overview:

Click on a location to go to that locations section in the list.

March 17-19 – Boston, MA
March 19-21 – Maine
March 21-25 – NYC, NY
March 25 – New Brunswick, NJ
March 26-28 Philadelphia, PA
March 28-30 Washington, DC
March 30-April 4, Los Angeles & San Diego, CA
April 4-9 – San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley, CA
April 9-14 Seattle, WA (and Surrounding Area)
April 14-20 – Portland, OR (and Surrounding Area)

Detailed Schedule:

All events listed below are open to the public. There are occasionally non-public events as well, check with your local groups in your area for details on those.

Boston

March 16 (Mon) – March 19 (Thursday)

March 17 – Talk and Discussion: If You Don’t Give Up You Can’t Lose

Date: March 17 (Tue)
Time: 7 p.m.
Organizer: Boston College Korean Students Association
Location: Higgins 310, Boston College (140 Commonwealth Ave, Chestnut
Hill, MA 02467)
Contact Info: Ramsay Liem (liem@bc.edu / 617-777-5627)
Website: http://on.fb.me/1B5qHlN

March 18 – Film Screening and Q&A: Gureombi, The Wind is Blowing

Date: March 18 (Wed)
Time: 7 p.m.
Organizer: American Friends Service Committee, United for Justice
with Peace
Location: Friends Meeting House (5 Longfellow Park, Cambridge, MA 02138)
Contact Info: Joe Gerson (jgerson@afsc.org), Duncan McFarland
(mcfarland13@gmail.com)
Website: http://masspeaceaction.org/event/jeju-island-gureombi
http://on.fb.me/1B5qWgv

Maine

March 19 (Thursday) – March 21 (Saturday)

March 20 – Film Screening and Q&A: Gureombi, The Wind is Blowing

Date: March 20 (Fri)
Time: 7 pm
Organizer: Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space, PeaceWorks, Maine Veterans For Peace, CodePink Maine, Peace Action Maine
Location: Grace Episcopal Church (1100 Washington St (park in back off Edwards St)
Bath, Maine)
Contact Info: Bruce Gagnon (globalnet@mindspring.com / 443-9502)
Website: http://space4peace.blogspot.com/2015/03/jeju-island-activists-coming-to-maine_10.html

March 21 – Rally at Bath Iron Works

Date: March 21 (Sat)
Time: 11:30 am
Organizer: Peace Works, Code Pink, Veterans for Peace, Smilin’ Trees
Disarmament Farm
Location: Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine
Contact Info: Bruce Gagnon (globalnet@mindspring.com)

NYC

March 21 (Saturday) – March 25 (Wednesday)

March 22 – Talk and Discussion: If You Don’t Give Up You Can’t Lose

Date: March 22 (Sun)
Time: 2 pm – 5 pm
Organizer: Nodutdol for Korean Community Development
Location: The New School, Dorothy Hirshon Suite, Arnhold Hall, (55 West 13th Street, Room I205, New York, NY 10011)
Contact Info: Juyeon (juyeon.jc@gmail.com / 917-656-0156)
Website: http://on.fb.me/1B5r53r

March 23 – Film Screening and Q&A: Gureombi, The Wind is Blowing

Date: March 23 (Mon)
Time: 6:40-9:00 pm
Organizer: Monica Kim
Location: Cantor Film Center (36 E 8th St,Manhattan, NY 10003, bet. Greene St. and University
Place)
Contact Info: Monica Kim (mstarkim@gmail.com / 517-214-8003)
Website: http://on.fb.me/1B5rcfE

New Brunswick

March 25 (Wednesday)

March 25 – Film Screening and Q&A: Gureombi, The Wind is Blowing

Date: March 25 (Wed)
Time: 7 p.m.
Organizer: Graduate Union of Sociology Students
Location: Rutgers University (Davison Hall Room 128, Douglas Campus, 26 Nichol Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901)
Contact Info: Haruki Eda (contact address is deleted by his request)

Philadelphia

March 26 (Thursday) – March 28 (Saturday)

March 26 – Talk and Discussion: If You Don’t Give Up You Can’t Lose

Date: March 26 (Thurs)
Time: 7-8:30 p.m.
Organizer: Philadelphia Committee For Peace and Justice in Asia
Location: Calvary United Methodist Church (815 South 48th Street,
Philadelphia, PA 19143)
Contact Info: Hye-Jung Park (hjparkcorea@yahoo.com / 347-283-6065)
Website: http://on.fb.me/1B5roeO

March 27 – Film Screening and Q&A: Gureombi, The Wind is Blowing

Date: March 27 (Fri)
Time: 8 p.m.
Organizer: Circle of Hope Church, Circle of Peacemakers
Location: Circle of Hope Church (2007 Frankford Ave Philadelphia PA 19125)
Contact Info: Joshua Grace (joshua@circleofhope.net / 215 423 2880)
Website: http://on.fb.me/1B5rsLo

Washington, DC

March 28 (Saturday) – March 30 (Monday)

March 28 – Talk and Discussion: If You Don’t Give Up You Can’t Lose

Date: March 28 (Sat)
Time: 5-8:30 pm
Organizer: Act Now to Stop War and End Racism (ANSWER)
Location: ANSWER National Office (617 Florida Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C.20001)
Contact Info: Sarah Sloan (sarahsloan930@yahoo.com / 202-904-7949)
Website: http://on.fb.me/1B5rBhS

March 29 – Film Screening and Q&A: Gureombi, The Wind is Blowing

Date: March 29 (Sun)
Time: 7 p.m.
Organizer: Coalition of Koreans In the U.S. (희망연대)
Location: William Cho Peace Center (3883 Plaza Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030)
Contact Info: Huk-Kyo Suh (hksuh2003@yahoo.com / 704-314-1489)

LA & San Diego

March 30 (Monday) – April 4 (Saturday)

March 31 – Film Screening and Q&A: Gureombi, The Wind is Blowing w/CPT

Date: March 31 (Tues)
Time: 7-9:30 p.m.
Organizer: Reconciliasian / Christian Peacemaker Teams
Location: Casa Robles Missionary Community (6355 Oak Avenue, Temple
City, CA 91780)
Contact Info: Sue Hur (reconciliasian@gmail.com)
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/761540473966887/

April 1 – Film Screening and Q&A: Gureombi, The Wind is Blowing

Date: April 1 (Wed)
Time: 3-5 p.m.
Organizer: UCSD’s Ethnic Studies Department Colloquium, Program in Transnational Korean Studies, Graduate Division Grad Life and Grad Climate Interns, and Coalition for Critical Asian American Studies
Location: UCSD Cross-Cultural Center – ArtSpace, University of California, San
Diego (9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093)
Contact Info: Esther Choi (estherminchoi@gmail.com)
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/1566580410258374/

April 2 – Film Screening and Q&A: Gureombi, The Wind is Blowing

Date: April 2 (Thurs)
Time: 7 p.m.
Organizer: Nanum Corean Cultural Center (우리문화나눔회), Peace21 (내일을 여는
사람들), Friends of the Progressives (진보의 벗), Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance (KIWA)
Location: Abundant Life of Korean Church (3020 Wilshire Bl., Los Angeles, CA 90010)
Contact Info: Cheol-Ho Lee (icydewdrop@gmail.com, 424-281-7901), Danny
Park (danny2680@gmail.com)
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/942948465728887/

April 3 – Talk and Discussion:If You Don’t Give Up You Can’t Lose

Date: April 3 (Fri)
Time: 7-9 p.m.
Organizer: SOOBAK (SoCal Organized Oppression Breaking Anti-imperialist
Koreans)
Location: 2936 W 8th St. Los Angeles, CA 90005
Contact Info: Gonji Jessica Lee (jessica.kang.lee@gmail.com)
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/805579472859691/

San Francisco, Oakland, Berkeley

April 4 (Saturday) – April 9 (Thursday)

April 5 – Talk and Discussion: If You Don’t Give Up You Can’t Lose

Date: April 5 (Sun)
Time: 2-4 p.m.
Organizer: Code Pink (EB), East Bay Media Center, HOBAK (Hella Organized Bay Area Koreans), Korea Policy Institute, Peaceworkers
Location: Eastside Arts Alliance (2277 International Blvd, Oakland, CA 94606)
Contact Info: Paul Liem (pliem@mindspring.com, 510-414-5575)
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/644421315663973/

April 6 – Talk and Discussion: If You Don’t Give Up You Can’t Lose

Date: April 6 (Mon)
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Organizer: CKS (Commitee Korea Studies) Berkeley
Location: UC Berkeley, 126 Barrows Hall (Berkeley, CA 94720)
Contact Info: CKS (cks.staff@gmail.com)
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/1404608813189759/

April 7 – Film Screening and Q&A: Gureombi, The Wind is Blowing

Date: April 7 (Tues)
Time: 7:00-9:30 p.m.
Organizer: Code Pink (EB), East Bay Media Center, HOBAK (Hella Organized Bay Area Koreans), Korea Policy Institute, Peaceworkers
Location: East Bay Media Center (1939 Addison St, Berkeley, CA 94704)
Contact Info: Paul Liem (pliem@mindspring.com, 510-414-5575)
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/644421315663973/

April 8 – Talk and Discussion: If You Don’t Give Up You Can’t Lose

Date: April 8 (Wed)
Time: 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Organizer: The Metta Center, St. John’s Episcopal Church
Location: St. John’s Episcopal Church (40 5th St, Petaluma, CA 94952)
Contact Info: Michael Nagler (michaeln.nagler72@gmail.com)
Website: http://mettacenter.org/events/speaker-film-tour-long-struggle-peace-jeju-island-korea/

Seattle

April 9 (Thursday) – April 14 (Tuesday)

April 9 – Film Screening and Q&A: Gureombi, The Wind is Blowing

Date: April 9 (Thurs)
Time: 5:30-8:00 p.m.
Organizer: SahngNokSoo
Location: Wing Luke Museum (719 S King St, Seattle, WA 98104)
Contact Info: James Keum (keumjames@gmail.com), Christina Seong (christina.seong@gmail.com)
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/1597467890499723/

April 10 – Film Screening and Q&A: Gureombi, The Wind is Blowing

Date: April 10 (Fri)
Time: 5:30-8:00 p.m.
Organizer: SahngNokSoo
Location: The Hillman City Collaboratory (5623 Rainier Avenue South Seattle, WA 98118)
Contact Info: James Keum (keumjames@gmail.com), Christina Seong (christina.seong@gmail.com)
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/1597467890499723/

April 11 – Live Music, Film Screening, and Q&A: Gureombi, The Wind is Blowing

Date: April 11 (Sat)
Time: 7 p.m.
Organizer: Seth Martin
Location: The Matrix Coffeehouse (434 NW Prindle St, Chehalis, WA 98532)
Contact Info: Seth Martin (sethpatrickmartin@gmail.com)
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/850433715023993/

April 12 – Potluck Dinner, Live Music, Film Screening, and Q&A: Gureombi, The Wind is Blowing

Date: April 12 (Sun)
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Organizer: Seattle Catholic Worker, Seth Martin
Location: Seattle Catholic Worker (12914 74th Ave S, Skyway, WA, 98178)
Contact Info: Seth Martin (sethpatrickmartin@gmail.com)
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/566047346832246/

April 13 – Potluck Dinner, Live Music, Film Screening, and Q&A: Gureombi, The Wind is Blowing

Date: April 13 (Mon)
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Organizer: Tacoma Catholic Worker, Seth Martin
Location: Guadalupe House, Tacoma Catholic Worker (1417 S G St, Tacoma, WA 98405)
Contact Info: Seth Martin (sethpatrickmartin@gmail.com)
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/609362585866665/

Portland

April 14 (Sunday) – April 20 (Monday)

April 15 – Potluck Dinner, Live Music, Film Screening, and Q&A: Gureombi, The Wind is Blowing

Date: April 15 (Wed)
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Organizer: Eloheh Farm
Location: Eloheh Farm (13510 NE Roedel Rd, Newberg, OR 97132)
Contact Info: Seth Martin (sethpatrickmartin@gmail.com)
Website: https://www.facebook.com/events/1557027914580890/

April 16 – Talk and Discussion: If You Don’t Give Up You Can’t Lose

Date: April 16 (Thurs)
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Organizer: Lewis and Clark College East Asian Studies Program
Location: Lewis & Clark University, Miller Humanities Building room 102 (0615 SW
Palatine Hill Rd, Portland, OR 97219)
Contact Info: Martin Hart-Landsberg (marty@lclark.edu)

Please come out, invite your friends, and share this to your networks!

February 27, 2015
[Invitation] Seeing Nanjing in China from Alddreu Airfield in Jeju / 6th Jeju DMZ Island of Peace Symposium

#History

In the past, Jeju as a colony of Japan was forced to be militarized by Japanese Imperial military. Alddreu Airfield in Jeju was originally developed in 1926-30 during the Japanese Imperial period. The base was used to support the Japanese forces’ invasion into China. During World War II, the base was used for training of Kamikaze pilots and by the end of the war it housed 2500 naval aviation troops and 25 aircraft in hardened aircraft shelters (Wikipidia).

To begin the historical dialogue between Nanjing and Jeju, we can at least trace back to the year of 1937 when Nanjing Massacre took place. In 1937 before Japanese Imperial military occupied Nanjing City and conducted massacre on December 13th, the Nanjing people’s suffering of war had already begun since the air-attack by Japanese fighter jets began in August until December 1937. Many of those fighter jets took off from Jeju’s Alddreu Airfield. More killing was committed due to the function of Alddreu.

#Current situation

A new base is being constructed in Jeju again, and this time it was somehow forced by both Korea and US government, and then somehow passively accepted by Jeju people themselves due to the issue of national security and economic growth, a sad path in which the people of Okinawa have also gone down.

Jeju has been the historical base provider, but we could hardly find any information that has been carried out to reflect on the militarization history of Jeju and the impact it had on its people. Not surprisingly, the suffering and the post-trauma of Nanjing, China, or in a bigger picture, North East Asia has not been seriously considered as a related issue to Jeju.

In Nanjing, it is clear to see this year that the history and territory dispute between China and Japan becomes sharper and more emotional (China-Japan’s relation has become worse especially since the “purchasing Senkaku/Diaoyu Island” policy was launched in 2012). The China’s legislative body set December 13th as a national memorial day to commemorate the victims of Nanjing Massacre as a response to the Japanese government’s denial on this historical event.

It was said that designating a national Memorial Day is a peaceful and wise action rather than conflicting militarily. However, through all these incidents, we can sense the created atmosphere has led both sides to be stricter to their way of nationalism and militarism. As a result the new Jeju Naval Base among many other new base projects in our region.

#Invitation

We invite you to commemorate the 77th year of the Nanjing Massacre, not in Nanjing but in Jeju, with a different lenses to reflect the history, present time, and our future.

We invite you to feel the pain of Nanjing and Jeju, and to witness the encountering of two kinds of suffering.

We invite you to draw a more peaceful future of Jeju, North East Asia, and the world together.

Come to join us!

<the 6th Symposium for Declaration on The Demilitarized Island of Peace >

In commemoration of the 77th year of Nanjing Massacre

Seeing Nanjing in China from Alddreu Airfield in Jeju

Time: Saturday December 13th 2014

Session 1 Commemoration Ceremony: At 2 PM, Alddreu Airfield)

– Tribute poem (by Poet, Kim Suyeol), Tribute song by Singer, Choi Sangdon, Memorial Service

Session 2 Symposium: At 3 PM, Seminar room of Daejeong NH Bank

– Cho Seongyun (Professor of Jeju University Sociology Department) ‘Nangjing in the history of Alddreu’

– Seo Seung ( Professor of Ritsumeikan University) ‘Nanjing Massacre and Japanese Militarism’

– Emily Wang (International Peace Activist) ‘Seeing Nanjing from Gangjeong’

– Park Chan Sik (Historian/the director of truth finding team of April 3rd Peace Foundation) ‘Value of Peace in the history of Jeju’

Session 3 Reflection Time & Dinner (At 6 PM, Resturant Youngseong)

Participation Fee: 10,000 won

Contact Info:

– jejudmz@gmail.com

– For Korean; Bandi(010-9734-0717), For International; Emily (+82) 10-6469-9413

Location

* How to get to Alddreu Airfield

Address: 1597-3, Sangmo-ri, Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo-si

By Bus: 1) From Jeju-si, take bus No. 755, 750-1~4 2) From Seogwipo-si, take bus No.755, 780

= Get off at the stop, Daejeong NH Bank and take a bus for Sagye, get off at Mt. Song-ak

* How to get to Daejeong NH Bank for Symposium

Address: 70 Hamo jungang-ro Daejeong-eup, Seogwipo-si

By bus: 1) From Jeju-si, take bus No. 755, 750-1~4 2) From Seogwipo-si, take bus No.755, 780

= Get off at the stop, Daejeong NH Bank

Co Host Group: People for the Demilitarized Jeju Island of Peace, Inter Island Solidarity for Peace Korea Committee, Gangjeong Peace School

Support Group: Jeju Federation of Environment movement, Seogwipo Citizen’s Alliance, Gangjeong Village Association, Gangjeong Village International Team,

The Frontiers, hotpinkdolphins, Peace Wind, Jeju Peace&Human Rights Center, Martyr Yang Yongchan Memorial Foundation

November 29, 2014
A Press Conference to Cut the 2015 Jeju Naval Base Building Budget
- On Nov. 18, 2014, activists gathered in front of the National Assembly in Seoul to demand the whole cut of the 2015 Jeju naval base construction budget . Mr. Choi Yong-Beom, co-vice mayor of the Gangjeong village association (right in the photo) joined the press conference, representing the village (photo by a press conference participant)
- A press conference to demand the whole cut of the 2015 Jeju naval base construction budget, in front of the ROK National Assembly, Seoul, on Nov. 18, 2014 (Photo by a press conference participant)
On Nov. 18, the Gangjeong village association, Jeju Pan-Island Committee for the Stop of Military Base and for the Realization of Peace Island, and National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval Base in Jeju Island officially demanded the National Assembly to cut the 2015 Jeju naval base budget of 298 billion won (about $290 million USD) filed by the Government. In their opinion statement, the groups claimed that the Government has habitually ignored National Assembly decisions and promises with the Island people (See the below sources)

The seven reasons to the cut the 2015 Jeju naval base budget

(* Only big titles were translated here. Each details are currently available only in Korean in the below sources)

_Violation of the 2014 budget collateral conditions given by the National Assembly

_Need to reexamine the safety matter of 150,000 ton cruise navigation

_Military housing building project that amplifies conflicts

_Harbor construction without the measures on environment contamination

_Stagnation on the executive results and annual transfer possibility

_Invalid Jeju naval base project

_Continued human rights infringement and government negligence on conflicts

Proposals by the Gangjeong village association and civic society

There should be an inquiry on the responsibility of the Ministry and navy’s habitual violation of National Assembly collateral conditions.

There should be the prompt stop of military housing building that amplifies conflicts. There should be the whole cut of 9,819,000,000 KRW (about $ 9 million USD) construction budget; of 347,000,000 KRW (about $300,000 USD) supervision cost; and of 36,442,000,000 KRW (about 30 million USD) purchase cost for military apartment.

In relation to entry & exit of the military-related vehicles, the construction budget for 19.5 billion KRW (about $ 18 million USD) for the entry road of which its building has not been agreed with villagers should be frozen until measures for noise and environment matters are prepared for.

Also there should be the cut of harbor & bay facility construction cost of 96.4 billion won (about $ 90 million USD); of land facility construction cost of 112 billion KRW (about $110 million USD); of harbor & bay supervision cost of 2.3 billion won (about $2 million USD); and land supervision cost of 2.3 billion won(about $2 million USD), with an inquiry on the responsibility of the supervising committee’s poor management, as well as a demand that the execution of construction budget should not be done unless there is preparation for the measures on the protection of ecology system and soft corals.

In the project promotion budget, there should be the whole cut of about 11 million KRW (about $10,000 USD) for the events such as local residents-invitation events, visitor-welcome events, conflict-management activities. And in the indirect cost, there should be the cut of about 36.5 million KRW (about $ 30,000 USD) for the public relation material production (booklets, leaflets & other materials) and newspaper advertisement. Those budgets bring concern that they could stir up conflicts as the navy makes unilateral public relation, justifying the Jeju naval base project.

The problem of location selection was proved again. Following the destruction of seven caissons – huge concrete structures for the breakwater installed on the maritime of the Jeju naval base construction site- by the typhoon Bolaven in 2012, three caissons were also pushed or slanted down by the typhoon Neoguri ( with the maximum wind speed 19.5 m/s ) in 2014. Fundamental examination on the matter is necessary.

To resolve the conflict on the Jeju civilian-military complex port, the should-be–clearly-examined in the truth investigation raised by the current Won Hee-Ryong Island government (See the Oct. newsletter, Page 1) are the propriety matter of the village general meeting (* which was manipulated by the navy) at the time of the invitation of the Jeju naval base project; validity matter of environment impact assessment; propriety matter of annulment of absolute preservation area not to mention validity matter of location selection; layout errors in relation to the safety matter of 150,000 ton cruise navigation; and suspicion on the data manipulation raised in the process of simulation and the substance of external pressure. To resolve those matters, the Government and National Assembly should be responsible to act.

Before more construction progress, there should be through verification on the reason of the postponement of layout change on the west side jetty and safety matter of 150,000 ton cruise navigation. Also there should be a prompt environment and legal examination whether the planned sea route (changed) can properly work as the Jeju naval base sea route.

Further, there should be total reexamination on the location and military validity as there is a big concern that the Jeju naval base is fundamentally to be used as an outpost for the ROK-US-Japan trilateral military missile defense and naval cooperation targeting China and is to aggregate nuclear arms cost and military confrontation in the Northeast Asia.

Source:

People’s Solidarity for Particpatory Democracy

Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea

Civilian Military Watch

Love you, Gureombi (Gangjeong village website)
November 22, 2014
2014 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace

The official English poster for the 2014 Grand March for Life and Peace

The time for the annual Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace is almost here! From July 29 to August 2, Gangjeong friends and supporters will march across Jeju from Jeju City to Gangjeong. Then in Gangjeong there will be a festival and celebration.

The Grand March is one of the highlights of the year here in Gangjeong. Watch a video from the 2013 Grand March or the human chain around Gureombi following the march. And here are some pictures from the 2012 Grand March.

Join us! Internationals are welcome! See the poster above for details and contact us at gangjeongintl@gmail.com & peace@pspd.org for info! It will be very helpful if you inform your participation to us through email in advance for the logistics purpose though your participation fee can be paid in the march site.

For the international friends who can physically join the march: For more concrete guide, please see the below. Any peace flags and talents that you may bring and share with the marchers would surely encourage the villagers and activists here. Thanks for joining us in march!

For the international friends who cannot physically join the march: Even though you may not be able to physically join the 2014 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace, you may join us by sending us international solidarity messages(up to 100 words)/photos/videos through gangjeongintl@gmail.com by no later than July 23. As in 2012 and 2013, the village international team thankfully receives solidarity messages from the friends in the world upon the 2014 Grand March for Life and Peace which is followed by the Peace for the Sea International Peace Camp(Aug. 3 to 6), and boosted by other campaigns like writing a letter to Pope campaign . All the messages you send will be publicly shared. Please check the solidarity messages collected in 2012 (Click here) and 2013(Click here) . We want to let you know how Kang Dong-Kyun, ex-mayor of the Gangjeong village, has much appreciated all your messages, sitting and reading all the translated messages printed in 20 pages, with awe and gratitude, without moving for a while. None of your messages will go in vain. We also want to display some of your messages with translation in the Village Peace Center where many villagers and activists always gather. Thanks for encouraging us.

………………………………. Guide to 2014 March ……………………………….

1.     Accommodation and meal:

Tent and food are provided during march but you may bring your personal tent and/or sleeping bag(s). Please bring your personal washing tool (tooth brush, tooth paste, shampoo, towel etc) , You may also bring jacket, umbrella etc.

2.     Brief schedule July 29 (Tues.):

Please gather across the main gate of the Jeju Island government hall by noon. If you join march in the middle of it, please contact Jungjoo (English,010-8560-3734), Emily (Chinese, 010-6469-9413 ), and Dongseok(Japanese, 010-9334-0933) for information.

Aug. 1 (Fri.):

There will be a Peace Bus in the Jeju airport at 2 pm. The bus directly goes to the village where there will be events (see the below) Once arrived in the village around 5 pm, there will be a Great gathering for people’s talk in the Gangjeong soccer field from 8 to 9 pm. Then movie night after it.

(* 6-7 pm: dinner 7-9 pm: Great gathering for people’s talks (Maningongdonghoe)

9:30 pm ~ : Movie night with Yang Yoon-Mo and Grace)

Aug. 2 (Sat.):

In the morning, there will be various program such as peace mass and human chain. From 7 pm, there will be a Cultural Event for the Stop of the Jeju Naval Base Project and Citizens’ Prayer for Peace in the Gangjeong Soccer Field.

(* 9-11 am: Gangjeong village tour

11 am -12 pm: Life and peace mass

12-1 pm: Human chain, Peace ribbons

1-2 pm: Lunch

2-6 pm: Peace prayer tower building, Peace-Protection Totemic Pole building, Writing wishes, peace prayer ceremony, Ieodo-ro Peace Market, Treasure-search (peace book village team), water play in the Gangjeong stream(watermelon party)

6-7 pm dinner

7-9 pm Cultural Event for the Stop of the Jeju Naval Base Project and for Peace Prayer )

Aug. 3 (Sun.):

   Breakfast together at 8 am. You may join Seeding Flowers, Wish tower-building. The official events end on Aug. 2. Therefore Aug. 3 program is optional.

3.     Schedule in detail

July 29(Tues.): Jeju Island Government Hall-A small park in the Halla University four way intersection- A Funeral House, Hagwi Agricultural Cooperative(Nonghyup)-Youngmowon-Gosungri Sports Field-Hangpaduri July 30(Wed.): Hangpaduri-Yusooamri Small Park-Saemangreu Research and Training Institute-Saebyul Oreum(Oreum-climbing. Please notice that there is no bathroom here)

July 31(Thur.): Saebyul Oreum-Dongkwangri Welfare Hall-Seogwang Elementary School-Deoksou Elementary School-Sanbang Mt. Resting Place-Hwasoon Beach

Aug. 1 (Fri.): Hwasoon Beach-Andeok Valley-A Small Park-Cheonje Fall-International Convention Center-Yakcheon Temple-Gangjeong Soccer Field (Arriving around 5 pm)

4.      Guide on the Peace Bus (At 2 pm, Aug. 1, Jeju Airport): The bus directly goes to the village to join the events that start 7 pm on the day. If you need to use this bus, Please contact gangjeongintl@gmail.com andpeace@pspd.org in advance for the reservation of the bus seats! It is mandatory!

5. Elementary school students For the elementary school students, participation fee is free but a t-shirt should be purchased at the price of 10,000 KRW. Please contact gangjeongintl@gmail.com and peace@pspd.org in advance.

6. Support for the participation fee For the participants who come from the outside of the Jeju and join more than three nights four days, 20,000 KRW of participation fee will be supported.

June 25, 2014