Save Jeju Now

No War Base on the Island of Peace

Category: Reports

  • I Believe Cassandra: Opposing the International Fleet Review on Jeju Island and Leveraging a Decade of Dissent

    Publicity for the International Fleet Review altered by Gangjeong peace activists to create a protest banner.

     

    This article originally appears in the Medium here

    For a related urgent enforsement “No Fleet Review in Jeju”, please fo to here.

     

    By Nan Kim

    Nan Kim is a Medium member since Oct 2018. She is the author of Memory, Reconciliation, and Reunions in South Korea: Crossing the Divide/professor of contemporary history/anthropologist/public historian/working mom

     

    Air shows. Water shows. Fleet Week. Depending on your views, these can be regarded as a nuisance or a form of entertainment here in the United States. But on South Korea’s Jeju Island, a place once officially designated as the Island of World Peace, the impending arrival of the first International Fleet Review is nothing short of appalling for residents still haunted by the trauma of intense militarized violence that had once gripped the island decades ago.

    South Korea will host the International Fleet Review over four days beginning October 10th, when warships from 15 nations, including the Philippines and the United States, will arrive at Jeju Island. For the Fleet Review to happen this year, of all years, is a bitter irony in that 2018 saw a great many earnest and somber 70-year commemorations of “April 3rd” (사삼 “sasam” in Korean). Sasam is the short-hand vernacular term to denote the period of massacres beginning in 1948 when tens of thousands of civilians were sweepingly labeled as communists, which served as a pretext for their being summarily killed by rightist state- and paramilitary forces in a campaign of “island pacification” synonymous with mass death. It was a traumatic episode that had been lost for a time to oblivion, as all accounts and evidence of the massacre were heavily censored for a generation under South Korea’s past authoritarian governments.

    But eventually through the work of survivors, activists, and other advocates determined to ensure that the tragedy of the April 3rd massacres would not be forgotten, public opinion in South Korea and beyond had transformed to the point that sasam has come to be publicly memorialized in official and unofficial ceremonies every year. Moreover, by the “post-Cold War” period of the 1990s, it became widely recognized that Jeju Island had to remain demilitarized for the sake of regional peace and stability. This is because of Jeju’s sensitive location at the crossroads of Northeast Asia, particularly given its past use as a military outpost by the Imperial Japanese Navy during WWII. Part of the island’s tragic history is that, toward the end of Japan’s occupation of Korea (1910–1945), Japanese colonial forces built airfields on Jeju so that bombers could refuel in order to carry out aerial attacks against cities on China’s eastern seaboard including Nanjing and Shanghai.

    Peace in the region therefore hinges upon a peaceful Jeju, and among those who visited the island to attend peace conferences and high-level summits in the 1990s were Mikhail Gorbachev (1991), Jiang Zemin (1995), and Bill Clinton (1996). It was during that period when Moon Chung-in — a Jeju native and currently special advisor to the South Korean President — also proposed that the island be made “a hub of peace” along the model of Geneva. Jeju’s identity, which had revolved at the time around tangerine farming and a burgeoning tourism industry, would be burnished by Jeju’s official governmental recognition as an “Island of World Peace” in 2005.

    But the delicate balance of regional stability that had relied upon Jeju’s demilitarization would be dangerously altered by the realization of plans for the Jeju Naval Base, which has been vigorously opposed by peace activists for the past 11 years throughout the period of its construction until its opening last year. Given that military alliance agreements mean that US warships and nuclear submarines can readily port at Jeju, Gangjeong peace activists persist in their protests out of moral conviction and a collective refusal to back down in their opposition to conditions that they argue raise the risks of a future disastrous war.

    Morning after morning in Gangjeong Village, a dynamic group of peace activists have held a daily protest of creative dissent, to call out those enabling a dangerous elevation of military tensions. Year after year, hundreds converge on Jeju Island to take part in a march to participate in Gangjeong’s “Peace for Life Movement” (saengmyŏng pyŏnghwa undong). That includes visitors like me, who have spent time in the village and have been deeply moved by the dedication of the activists there, while marveling at the rhythms of its remarkable community. That is, sustaining a protest movement over several very challenging years has only been possible through resilience, courage, and a deeply artistic sensibility. Such creativity explains how they have continually repurposed discouraging circumstances into new material for direct actions, moving forward to sustain their dissent of ethical witness for yet another day.

    But when I visited this past summer, I was surprised and alarmed by how those rhythms had been disrupted. As an outsider, I could only begin to understand how wrenching had been the process of having this imminent Fleet Review imposed upon the village. It has divided the village community anew, opening deep wounds that recalled the original divisive battles over a decade ago surrounding the base construction.

    When I first visited Gangjeong Village in 2014, it appeared to me as a wholly civilian agricultural village. Over the years, I have witnessed the steady encroachment of the base’s presence, along with the appearance of more and more navy personnel, whose expanding appropriation of space has amounted to a militarized form of settler colonialism. One could understand how the phenomenon would be profoundly galling and distressing for the vast majority of the village residents, who had originally voted against the base construction, only to have their opinions ignored. But for survivors of the April 3rd massacres and their family members, the appearance of military vehicles and uniforms have been re-traumatizing — not to mention the imminent arrival of a procession of warships.

    This was not supposed to happen. These Jeju residents are the ones who survived a traumatic violent past and lived through decades to reach a more humane equilibrium. How can all of that have come to pass, now only for these survivors to see this dismaying, incomprehensible regression to militarism? That militarism has effectively displaced many Gangjeong residents from their own community while generating risks to countless others, a situation that goes against the spirit of the recent North-South Korean agreements in the name of building peace. Meanwhile, resistance to the base is a cause that has been marginalized by other Jeju residents, those persuaded into supporting the base construction by government lobbying and the lure of economic stimulus.

    In a further challenge for the Gangjeong activists, an extremely frustrating aspect of this controversy is the difficulty they have faced in rallying those who are in fact their long-time allies and advocates. That’s partly because the very name “International Fleet Review” sounds so bland and apparently benign. Alternative descriptive phrases could be “parade of warships” or “military festival,” but neither serves to convey the urgency and seriousness of what the Fleet Review represents. When the whole world seems plunged into crisis, this controversy over the Fleet Review is an issue that risks falling off of the radar of otherwise-enthusiastic supporters.

    Yet, the peace activists at Gangjeong are now putting all their strength and leveraging their formidable tradition of moral protest to oppose the Fleet Review, and they need more help — particularly from friends and advocates abroad — to support their cause. According to the Gangjeong activists, they are protesting the Fleet Review to oppose the ceremonial event that formally marks the relapse of Jeju into an international military outpost. The peace activists on the island therefore seek to warn against the ruinous dangers that such re-militarization would augur, if we only pay attention.

    Lately, here in the U.S., we find ourselves living through a time to remember Cassandra, the Trojan figure in Greek mythology who would utter prophecies that were true but not believed. I can begin to imagine how she must have felt, amid a host of feelings that could have taken hold at the worst points of any given day. But whether it be anger, or disbelief, or horror, or dread, such emotions need not be in vain. That is, not if we can stand up for each other and offer our support to those who have summoned the courage to face down a gauntlet of doubt or indifference and to speak the truth.

     

  • Gangjeong Village Story: Monthly Newsletter |October 2016 Issue

    october-2016_-page-1In this October Edition:

    Gangjeong Case at The International Tribunal on Evictions; The 5th Anniversary of the Gangjeong Life and Peace Mass; Cultural relics found, buried, destroyed again at Jeju naval base site; No life can live near Jeju naval base The National Assembly inquiry on the navy lawsuit; Trial update; Peace Festival and Keep Space for Peace Week; Calls for Park Geun-hye to resign in wake of “Choi-Gate”: Three COs declared Not Guilty: Security meeting amid protest etc.

    Download PDF

  • We Must Support One Another

    Re-blogged from here, August 6, 2016

    Written by Bruce K. Gagnon

     

    The Grand March for Life and Peace concluded last night with a rousing rally in Jeju City along the sea wall (that reminds one of the Malecón in Havana).As our east team met the west team in the center of the city each side carried one of two large banners depicting wooden totems that now stand in front of the peace center in Gangjeong village.  The two banners were brought into the busy traffic clogged intersection and symbolically joined.  From there the two merged teams walked the last few miles to the rally site.  The totem banners were erected onto the large stage and as dark came, and the stage lights hit the banners, the beautiful colors came alive in a brilliant display.  I was very moved to stand on that stage and deliver the message representing the international guests.

    finaljeju

    As you can see in the short video above, taken of the west team during a storm, not even a down pour bothered the walkers.  Very few pulled out umbrellas or raincoats – most just keep moving along to the music coming from the sound trucks.

    There is so much to say about this walk including the many things I learned and about the Korean people that we had the great fortune to meet during these days.  I will likely write a series of posts, with many more photos, in the coming days as time and the words make themselves available to me.

    In the meantime I must say thank you to all our new friends and co-walkers for this incredible experience.  Despite the fun and the excitement of the walk what must come first is the reminder that the people in South Korea are witnessing their democracy being dismantledeach day by the right-wing Park government.  They are seeing their country, already long a US military colony, become even more so as Washington rushes to prepare for war with China and Russia.

    People here, like in Okinawa and Guam, know they are a prime target in a conflict because of the US bases on their islands.  They are doing all they can NOW while they still can.  They wonder why people in the US and in Europe are largely so silent and inactive when it comes to the massive expansion of the US-NATO war machine into the Asia-Pacific (including new NATO partnership agreements with South Korea, Japan, Australia and New Zealand).

    In my short talk last night I told the hundreds who were assembled at the final rally the story of our protest in Bath, Maine last June when 12 of us (Zumwalt 12) were arrested at the Bath Iron Works shipyard for blocking the road and gate into the ‘christening’ ceremony for a new warship.  I said that warship was likely to visit Gangjeong village at some point.  I told the people that they inspired us in Maine to act – in fact five of the 12 of us who were arrested have been to Gangjeong village over the past few years.  I said we’d continue to support them into the future.

    The only way we can prevent WW III is to become bolder during this dangerous time of military expansion and the drowning of democracy.  The people of Korea who have come to Jeju Island in large numbers (union members, human rights activists, peaceniks, parents of the Sewol ferry students killed in that terrible accident, Korea Green Party members, priests & nuns, environmentalists, and community leaders) are showing that it is possible to build effective coalitions in order to protect democracy, peace and our Mother Earth.

    We all have much to learn from the biggest little village on the planet called Gangjeong.Bruce

    …………………………………………

    See Bruce K.  Gagnon’s records on the march (Click the words)

    [Video]2016 Jeju Peace March(With English subtitles)

    Lessons from Jeju Grand March for Life & Peace (Aug. 7)

    [Music video]Drop the Lawsuit Against Jeju Activists! (Aug. 6)

    [Music video] Walk Around Jeju Island (Aug. 6)

    We Must Support One Another (Aug. 6)

    Peace Walk Day 3 – Jeju Faces Even More Militarization (Aug. 3)

    Day 2: Jeju Peace Walk Update (Aug. 2)

    Day 1: Walking for Peace on Jeju Island (Aug. 1)

  • Jeju Islanders resist airport megaproject

    Reblogged from here

    Jeju I
    You’re trashing our home town and we’ll have nowhere to go! Photo: pagansweare.com

    By Rose Bridger

    June 10, 2016

    Communities on Jeju, South Korea’s ‘island of peace’, are resisting a second airport that’s threatening the island’s farming, nature, culture and way of life, writes Rose Bridger. Linked mega-projects include an ‘Air City’ of shopping malls, hotels and offices, plus high-speed transport corridors, luxury resorts, casinos, theme parks and golf courses – all catering to wealthy outsiders.

    Government and corporate powers are combining to impose aviation-dependent tourism megaprojects in Jeju. But islanders’ resistance gives hope of a more sustainable tourism, enabling visitors to enjoy the island without contributing to its destruction.

    In November 2015, a sudden announcement of a new airport on the South Korea island of Jeju, came as a huge shock for residents of five villages – Onpyeong, Sinsan, Susan 1, Nansan and Goseon.

    They were not involved, or even consulted, in the decision-making process about the airport, and are and worried that they face displacement from their lands, homes and villages and total disruption of their lives.

    Most of the site, 70%, is a farming area, placing agricultural livelihoods and food production at risk. Little consideration had been given to the impact on rural communities that have thrived in the area for many generations.

    Villagers immediately became distressed at the prospect of being forced to relocate, worried that they might receive a low level of compensation that would be insufficient to build a new life.

    Situated 100 kilometres off the southern coast of South Korea, with a dramatic volcanic landscape featuring black sand beaches, waterfalls and lava caves, Jeju is already a major tourist attraction.

    The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transportation stated that the airport, aUS$3.5 billion project to be built by 2025, would enable a dramatic increase in the number of visitors. Initially with one runway the new airport would be large enough to accommodate 25 million passengers annually. If the airport were to operate at full capacity this would constitute an enormous influx of tourists to an island with a population of just over 604,000.

    Yet planners envisage that the airport could be expanded to accommodate an even higher number of passengers, with the possible addition of a second runway 20 or 30 years into the future.

    The largest project in the island’s history

    Governor of Jeju, Won Hee-ryong, said the new airport would be “the largest project in the island’s history.” And it would be the starting point for an even larger megaproject; the province has plans for an ‘Air City’ around the new airport, a complex of shopping malls, convention facilities, hotels and financial centres.

    An ‘Air City’ is another name for an ‘aerotropolis’, urban development that is built around an airport and designed to be aviation dependent. Pursued by governments and corporations worldwide, many aerotropolis projects are meeting with resistance from communities facing displacement and destruction of farmland and ecosystems, including in Taipei (Taiwan), Bhogapuram (Andhra Pradesh, India), Kulon Progo (Indonesia), Kilimajaro (Tanzania) and Istanbul.

    A second Jeju airport would jeopardise the pristine natural environment that is key to the island’s distinctiveness as a tourist destination. The tranquillity of Sunrise Peak, a 182 metre high cone rising from the sea with a large, green crater on the island’s eastern edge that is UNESCO protected and a particularly iconic visitor attraction, would be ruined if aircraft fly over it.

    The area earmarked for the airport has unique ecological and geological features, including 18 subterranean lava tunnels. Honinji Pond, one of the most sacred historical sites, where, according to legend, farming began on the island, is close to the proposed site.

    In contrast, various mega tourism projects would be supported by construction of a second airport, most notably Jungmun Tourist Complex and Jeju Myths and History Theme Park. Jungmun Tourist Complex, transformed a small fishing village into one of South Korea’s biggest resorts with upmarket hotels, coachloads of daytrippers, watersports, yachts, shopping, and an 18-hole golf course.

    Upon completion Jeju Myths and History Theme Park will be one of South Korea’s largest integrated resorts. Originally conceived as a celebration of Jeju heritage, it was approved in spite of considerable local opposition because the project plans morphed into theme parks based on other ancient cultures such as Persia and the Inca Empire.

    There was also disquiet over plans for an underground casino, pursued with a lack of transparency, and concern that little of the profits will reach the community.

    Resistance against the new airport

    From a provincial government announcement it appeared that a second Jeju airport had already been granted the go-ahead. Banners proclaiming ‘Second Airport Plans Confirmed‘ were displaced in Jeju City. But representatives of communities opposing the airport insisted that the project was not finalised; it had yet to receive the required validation from the Ministry of Strategy and Finance and the National Assembly.

    By late December banners opposing the airport extended 20 kilometres along roads leading to the five affected villages. Hundreds of people, young, old and students, participated in a series of demonstrations against the airport. Protests drew on shamanic traditions, channelling a multitude of spiritual energies including the three founding fathers of the island and Yougdeung, Goddess of the wind and sea.

    Resistance was pitted against a considerable weight of pro-airport propaganda. Prominent advertisements extended beyond the affected villages and were highly visible in Jeju City. The media presented reaction to the airport plan as a split of opinion, but the vast majority of locals, who stand to suffer the worst of the negative impacts, were opposed to it.

    Unity in resistance against the new airport was still evident in the affected villages in January. Red and yellow protest flags emblazoned with slogans such as “Gieonara!” (Get out!) and “Second Airport Out! Oppose! Stop!” adorned buildings and cars. Protesters challenged the flouting of democratic process.

    They blocked the entrance to a briefing meeting, demanding a full public debate and that the full study upon which the site for the airport was selected be made public. Campaign leaders spoke of their concern that the destruction caused by the airport would be compounded by urban sprawl from the ‘Air City’ and vowed to continue their fight for the future of their communities.

    Island of peace resists naval base

    Jeju islanders have form in sustaining long-term resistance against destructive megaprojects. Construction of an enormous naval base, with space for 24 warships, at the tiny village of Gangjeong on the southern coast of the island. It incorporates infrastructure for mass tourism: a port with space for the largest luxury cruise ships. Due to open in 2017 it is expected to handle 1 million cruise passengers by 2018.

    The naval base has met with a nine-year non-violent struggle. Construction went ahead even though the result of a referendum was a resounding ‘no’; 94% of the village population of 1,900 people voted against it.

    Rejection of the naval base plan was inevitable. Jeju is widely known as the ‘island of peace’, a culture with deep roots originating in response to the 1948 massacre of between 30,000 and 80,000 people, men, women and children. They were killed by Jeju authorities, at that time under the command of occupying US forces. Brutal repression was triggered by an uprising of locals opposing north-south division of Korea. Bodies were buried in mass graves across the island.

    The movement against the naval base opposes militarisation of the island and South Korea, and planned use of the facility by the US military to support its strategic interests in the region. Jeju Naval Base forms part of an arc of US naval and military bases encircling China, aiming to counter the emerging superpower’s military build-up.

    Unique marine ecosystems are being destroyed. The sea of Gangjeong is a key habitat for the few remaining Bottlenose dolphins living around Jeju island and the world’s largest soft coral forest began dying after construction commenced in 2011. Marine food sources and fishing livelihoods are being destroyed.

    As explosives were laid at the site, to blow up rocks and the sea bed in preparation for construction, a large area of traditional diving grounds, where women have harvested abalone (marine snails) and other shellfish for many generations, was roped off.

    Every day, except Sundays, protesters gather at the site entrance, physically blocking bulldozers and delivery of construction equipment such as cement mixers. They have successfully stalled the project many times. Villagers and activists responded to blocking land access to the construction site by taking to the seas, swimming and kayaking, to block cassions and dredging barges and monitor the environmental damage that is being inflicted.

    Peaceful protest has been criminalised. About 600 people have been arrested, 400 of them charged with offences, but resistance continues in spite of imposition of fines and imprisonment of two activists. Some anticipate that, if construction of a second Jeju airport goes ahead, an even greater protest movement will rise up against it.

    Mega resort complex halted by landowners

    Jeju islanders have succeeded in halting construction of a luxury resort and residential complex. The site is in Yerae, Seogwipo City, on the southwest coast of the island. On 30 March 2015, the Supreme Court upheld a suit filed by a group of landowners, overturning land expropriation and requesting cancellation of construction.

    A groundbreaking ceremony for the complex had been held on 7th March 2013 and the resort, the largest single foreign investment in the South Korean tourism industry, began to take shape, a major destination targeting northeast Asia. Plans showed that it would be geared towards visitors traveling by air, accessible for over 10 million people via a two hour flight.

    The resort complex, called Jeju Airest City, is a joint venture between the Berjaya Group, a Malaysian hotel and resort conglomerate, and a public-private entity, the Jeju Free International City Development Center (JDC).

    A promotional video shows the vision for the project, eulogising Jeju’s pristine environment, then proceeding to illustrate how large areas would be ruined with enormous buildings that supposedly evoke iconic natural features. The focal point, the ‘Casino Town’ complex, features a gigantic tower, the upper reaches vaguely resembling the contours of Sunrise Peak.

    Obliteration of natural landscape would be further compounded by construction of the largest shopping mall in Jeju, hotels and condominiums, entertainment venues, corporate premises, a medical centre and a cosmetic surgery centre.

    In an interview for an architecture website the Project Director of Berjaya Jeju Resort Limited makes it clear the site for was not just selected for desirability and strategic location, emphasizing support from the government, both national and local, as an important factor, along with various incentives for foreign investors.

    Property developers and investors worldwide were so enamoured of Jeju Airest City, that, in 2012, it won a ‘Gold Award for Best Future Mega Project’ at the MIPIM Asia Awards and a 5 Star Award for Best Mixed-use Development at the International Property Awards.

    Landowners’ suit upheld the law

    The landowners’ suit against Jeju Airest City succeeded in upholding a law stipulating that recreation zone development must contribute to the welfare of residents. The Supreme Court ruled that the project aimed to generate profit for specific parties and that the developer had misled landowners over the use of the site.

    Inclusion of luxury condominiums and a casino meant that the project failed to satisfy requirements for serving the public good, and should have been categorised as an ‘amusement park’ rather than a ‘residential type complex’. By not being explicit about its intentions for land usage Berjaya had avoided paying landowners their rightful premium.

    Initially, Berjaya ignored the Supreme Court ruling, continuing construction until finally abandoning the project in July 2015. Jeju Airest City had been about 60% completed. Now it lies dormant, but the Jeju province moved to resurrect the project, attempting to push it through the legislature by amending the law to bring management of amusement parks under its auspices.

    One of the landowners who refused the increased compensation offer, Kang Min-cheol, chair of Yerae Ecological Village, warned that the resort complex was indicative of a wider picture of inexorable pressure for intensive urban development modelled on Hong Kong and Singapore, urging people to seize the last chance to save Jeju from “reckless development”.

    High-speed transport network, tourism hotspot

    In February, following the second airport announcement, and in the face of continued resistance against it, another tourism-oriented megaproject plan was announced. A consortium supported by the provincial government called for a high-speed transportation network of rail and bus routes linking Jeju Island’s main commercial and tourism centres.

    The scheme raises severe environmental concerns, including the impacts of construction activity and road building. Scope for consulting affected communities will be limited if, as envisaged, design plans are finalised within a matter of weeks.

    The proposed route consists of four key nodes. Jeju City would be linked with upcoming tourist hotspots: Seogwipo, Jeju Myths and History Theme Park and the second airport. Amap of the proposed high-speed route indicates plans for an aerotropolis around the second airport site, where the only words written in English appear: ‘Air City’. The high-speed transportation network would support development and growth of the second airport and an aerotropolis surrounding it.

    Aviation growth could also be served by a broader programme to make Jeju a luxury tourism hotspot. Announced by Governor Won Hee-ryong at the beginning of March, the focal point is a so-called ‘celebrity town’, provisionally named ‘Star Village’, in Seogwipo.

    Won Hee-ryong indicated special backing for the aviation sector, pointing out the high fuel use of aircraft and stating that financial support from central government would be required. He also called on President Park Geun-hye to take steps that would serve to expedite development of a second Jeju airport: minimising the assessment review period and allocating $4.1 million for a development plan.

    Government and corporate powers are combining to impose aviation-dependent tourism megaprojects in Jeju, posing grave threats to the environment and cultural heritage.

    But islanders’ track record of resistance gives hope that a path for more sustainable tourism can be forged, enabling visitors to enjoy the island without unwittingly contributing to destruction of its treasures.

     

     

    Rose Bridger (@RoseKBridger) is a founder member of the Global Anti-Aerotropolis Movement (GAAM) and the author of Plane Truth: Aviation’s Real Impact on People and the Environment, published by Pluto Press.

    Also on The Ecologist

     

  • After Eight Years of Protest of Construction of Naval Base, Gangjeong Villagers Sued by South Korean Navy

    Re-blogged from here

    On the 100 bows and dances mentioned in the main content of the article, click respectively here and here.

    By Ann Wright

    Ann1

    The South Korean Navy filed a civil lawsuit against 116 individual anti-base protesters and five groups including the Gangjeong Village Association, demanding $3 million in compensation for alleged construction delays caused by protests over the past eight years.

    In one of the longest, strongest protests against more military bases in our world, the villagers of Gangjeong, Jeju Island, South Korea have achieved international recognition of their spiritual and corporal resistance and persistence in trying to preserve unique natural features of their community, the Gureombi Rocks.

    Samsung was the primary contractor for the $1 BILLION dollar project and who filed a lawsuit against the government for slow down of work caused by the protests. Samsung’s profit margin was impacted by the protests!

    Villagers are very angry about the lawsuit that, if upheld, would bankrupt everyone named. To show its displeasure to the Navy, the village moved its City Hall to a tent on the main road across from the entrance to the base. The Vice-Mayor holds city meetings in the tent and sleeps there!


     Ann2
    (image by Photo Ann Wright)   DMCA

     

    Lawyers for the activists wrote that the navy’s lawsuit is “an unjustified declaration of war against the people. When the reckless development of the state and large construction companies threaten the right of citizens to a peaceful existence, the right of citizens to oppose this must be guaranteed as their natural and constitutional right since sovereignty rests with the people. To condemn this action as illegal is to delegitimize the foundation of democracy.”

    To buy off public support for the $1 BILLON dollar unnecessary naval base, the South Korean government built a huge sports complex for use by the local community. The facilities are located on the upper part of the area condemned for the naval base. The area has a track and field sports stadium, a 50-meter indoor swimming pool, indoor gymnasium, library, computer center, two restaurants, a 7/11 convenience store and a hotel on the top floor.

     

    Villagers commented that major sports facilities were built in the nearby city of Segiwopo and have been used by them for years. They say that these facilities will not make up for the loss of the cultural and spiritual areas dynamited and concreted forever.

    That’s why the protests continue at Gangjeong Village!

    100 Bows Morning Vigil

    Every morning for the past eight years, at 7am, rain, snow or good weather, Gangjeong Village activists reflect through 100 bows to the universe on their lives of activism for a peaceful world while confronting the war machine at one of its gates.

    The thoughts represented in 100 Bows span all religions and spiritual traditions. A few of the thoughts include:

    1. While holding in my heart that truth gives freedom to life I make my first bow.

    7. As I hold in my heart that possessions create other possessions and wars only give birth to other wars and cannot solve problems, I make my seventh bow.

    12. As I hold in my heart that the way to life-peace is to accept the world’s pain as my own pain I make my twelfth bow.

    55. As I resolve to let go of chauvinistic nationalism which makes other countries insecure, I make my fifty-fifth bow.

    56. As I resolve to let go of the superiority of my religion which makes other faiths insecure, I make my fifty-sixth bow.

    72. As I resolve to respect all lives without any prejudice and bias, I make seventy-second bow.

    77. As I remember that the beginning of violence starts from my opinionated ideas and hatred towards others because of differences, I make my seventy-seventh bow.

    100. As I pray that the light that I kindle leads all sentient beings to live in peace and happiness, I make my one-hundredth bow.

    Human Chain Noon Vigil

    One day I was at Gangjeong Village this week we endured a cold wind and rain for the noon time “Human Chain” at the entrance of the Naval Base at Gangjeong Village. The winds were fierce — the southern coast is known for its very strong winds and one of the reasons why many were perplexed that the naval base was proposed for an area of the island where high winds and high seas are most frequent around the island.

    Ann6

    (image by Photo Ann Wright)   DMCA

     

    Other days I’ve been here, the weather was nice for the singing and dancing in the roadway to remind the South Korean Navy that the opposition to the construction of the naval base has not ended, despite the construction being complete.

    The great spirit continues to challenge the navy base and militarism with the noon dance. For those who have visited Gangjeong, both events and the sounds remain with us — as we remember that each day dedicated activists in Gangjeong Village continue the struggle against militarism.

    Ann7
    (image by Photo Ann Wright)   DMCA

     

    Navy Week on Jeju Island — Finding Part of Gureombi Rock

    While I was in Gangjeong Village, the South Korean Navy had “Navy Week on Jeju Island.” Navy weeks are designed as a public relations event to get favorable public opinion. Most activists would not have been allowed on the navy base even if they had wanted to go — which they did not want to do. I wanted to see where the massive amount of concrete poured into the area had gone — so I produced my passport and I and another recent arrival were passed onto the base. We saw Aegis missile destroyer ships, helicopters, landing craft and demonstrations of martial arts.

    But the most important thing we saw was what we think is the only remaining part of Gureombi Rock. Behind the first building on the left side of the main road past the entrance gate, is a small lake with one side of what appears to be a very small piece of the Gureombi Rock! The other side of the lake is composed of rock fill, but the northern side seems to be original rock.

    The coastline surrounding Gangjeong Village consisted of one contiguous volcanic rock called Gureombi which was a 1.2 kilometer-long rock formed by lava flowing into the sea and rocks rising from the seabed. The estuary informed in this area was Jeju Island’s only rocky wetland and acted as home to several endangered species and soft coral reefs.


    Ann8
    (image by Photo Ann Wright)   DMCA

     

    In 1991, the Jeju Provincial government designated the coastline surrounding Gangjeong Village an Absolute Conservation Area (ACA). In 2002, the area where the naval base construction is currently ongoing was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Conservation Area. In December 2009, Jeju Island Governor Kim Tae-hwan nullified the ACA designation to proceed with the naval base construction. The Jeju Branch of the Korean Federation of Environmental Movements have criticized the Navy’s Environmental Impact Assessment noting that several endangered species are absent from the report.

    During its recent archeological excavation of the Gangjeong coastal area the Jeju Cultural Heritage Research Institute discovered artifacts dating back to 4-2 B.C.E. inside the naval base construction zone. According to the director of the Korean Cultural Heritage Policy Research Institute only 10-20% of the site was dug up during construction, violating the cultural properties protection law.

    At a talk that I gave two days later, many from the village discussed how to ensure that the tiny portion of Gureombi Rock remains intact and continues its cultural and spiritual ties to Gangjeong Village.

    I mentioned that in some military bases in the United States, there are plaques to remind us of those who lived there before the U.S. government took over their lands.

    And even in the family housing area on the naval base, there are two murals that represent the indigenous peoples.

    Ann9

    (image by Photo Ann Wright)   DMCA

    We hope that some type of mural will be created on the naval base depicting the importance of Gureombi Rocks so that hopefully the remaining rocks will not be blown up or concreted over!

    Peace Farming

    How do anti-war, peace activists in Gangjeong village support themselves? Some work in the Peace Farm Cooperative! One rainy morning Joan of Ark took us to two peace cooperative farms. The first was in the protected, covered greenhouse where they grow corn and beans-I asked how big the greenhouse was and she said 800 pyeongs — apparently a word indicating how big a grave should be — the length of a person’s body. An interesting way of measuring!

    Ann10

    Then we went out of the village to their second farm in a …cemetery — or actually next to a cemetery where they grow corn and peanuts. The grass in the cemetery is allowed to grow over the gravestones and once a year a family may come to clear out the area around the gravestone. After 30 years, the family may have the ashes removed to another place.

    Currie, an activist from the US, mentioned that in the US, some people want to be buried in a natural area where grass and weeds are allowed to grow, not in a formal cemetery.

    Customers buy produce online from the Peace Cooperative!

    St. Francis Peace Center


    Ann11 (image by Photo Ann Wright)DMCA

    The St. Francis Peace Center in Gangjeong Village has a remarkable history. In the 1970s, Father Mun was jailed for his protests during the military dictatorship and 30 years later he was awarded compensation for wrongful arrest and years in jail. With the compensation money, he purchased land overlooking the pale where the naval base was to be constructed. The Bishop of Jeju Island decided to help build a peace center on the land — and now a wonderful place for those working for peace and social justice is in Gangjeong Village! It is a beautiful building with a 4th floor viewing area so the eyes of the peace house can alert the community to what the war machine is doing!
    Ann Wright is a 29 year US Army/Army Reserves veteran who retired as a Colonel and a former US diplomat who resigned in March, 2003 in opposition to the war on Iraq. She served in Nicaragua, Grenada, Somalia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Sierra Leone, Micronesia and Mongolia. In December, 2001 she was on the small team that reopened the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. She is the co-author of the book “Dissent: Voices of Conscience.” (www.voicesofconscience.com). She has written frequently on rape in the military.

  • Gangjeong Village Story: Monthly Newsletter |April 2016 Issue

    April 2016_Page 1In this April Edition:

    The first Gangjeong film festival ends with success; The Navy should drop the wrongful lawsuit; Global Days of Action on Military Spending; Jeju and Ukraine in a larger picture of US military operation; The Power of Film; Yonaguni Solidarity; Activities to remember 16 April;  Dolphin’ monitoring;  Protest to navy soldiers arriving in the village; trial update; Koh Gilchun’s art on April 3rd; There should be no air show and no war exercise; protest against the navy’s concerts; Gangjeong Peace Film School; Gangjeong Friends candle vigil; and more.

    Download PDF

  • 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.

     

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  • Collection of Global Solidarity Messages Writing in Protest for the Navy to Drop Its Wrongful Lawsuit

    Since the navy filed a lawsuit on the rights to indemnity against  116 anti-base individuals and 5 groups including Gangjeong Village Association,  some internationals were willing to send  protest letters to the South Korean government. Following an April 24 appeal for protest to the South Korean navy lawsuit (See here), many more peace activists in the world have joined them. They thoughtfully sent us their solidarity messages  to Gangjeong and/or forwarded us their protest letters to the South Korean government/ embassies. We are updating this site, as well as sharing the original and translated messages with Koreans. Thanks so much to the friends who took their precious time for Gangjeong. We appeal  other friends in the world again to please help us by paying attention to the appeal for protest in the site.  The name of senders are listed here by alphabet order of family name.

    Christine and Gloria Steinem(May 30)/ Alliance of Scholars Concerned about Korea (ASCK) Steering Committee (on April 29)/ Antonio (on April 26)/ Catherine Christie (on April 25)/ Nick Deane (on April 26)/ Ulrich Duchrow (on April 29)/ Catherine Fontanazza  (on April 26)/ Bruce K. Gagnon (on April 5)/ Boyette Jurceles Jr. (on April 24)/ Natasha Mayers (on April 29)/ Rachael Berman Melville (on April 25)/ MIGRANTE International (on April 26)/ Missionary Society of St. Columban (on April 14)/ Nogawa Mio (on April 9)/ J. Narayana Rao (on April 28)/ Stuart Rees (on April 25)/ Arnie Saiki (on April 29)/ Veterans for Peace (on April 19)/ Russell Wray (on April 26-27)/  Angie Zelter (on April 24)

    ………………………………………………………………………………

    Gloria Steinem and Christine Ahn ( on May 30)

    Dear Gangjeong Villagers,
    We send our greetings, respect and gratitude for the superhuman courage, peacefulness and tenacity you have shown in opposing the construction of a naval base on your home of Jeju Island.

    Like millions of people around the world who fight against ecological damage and global warming, we support you who are on the frontline of resistance on behalf of us in every country who value the unique natural and cultural heritage of Jeju Island. Peace movements around the world join in thanking you for resisting a U.S. and South Korean naval installation that would militarize and endanger the safety and peacefulness of the people JeJu Island and our world.

    We write now because we are shocked to learn that, not only have you been forced to endure violence and imprisonment for your actions in the service of peace and environmental justice, but the South Korean Navy is now demanding $2.9 million in damages from 117 Jeju island residents, activists and local citizens for exercising a human right to nonviolent protest and free speech.

    This is in direct contradiction to Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees freedom of expression. We urge the South Korean Navy and government to immediately drop demands for this unlawful penalty that would negate an inalienable right to free speech and assembly, and send the anti-democratic message that all who oppose state actions are subject to ruinous fines.

    Your actions have inspired all who value democracy, peace, and the environment. Your courage is contagious. We thank you, and we stand with you.

    In love and in peace,
    Gloria Steinem and Christine Ahn

     

    Alliance of Scholars Concerned about Korea (ASCK) Steering Committee (on April 29)

    “We stand wholeheartedly with the residents of Gangjeong Village. Since 2007, the people of Gangjeong have used every democratic measure and every non-violent means of protest in order to oppose the construction of the new naval base there and to challenge the re-militarization of Jeju Island. Gangjeong residents and peace advocates have a right to freedom of expression‎ by protesting the base, which jeopardizes peace in the wider region by rendering Northeast Asia far more vulnerable to the risk of future military conflict.

    “We now call upon the ROK Navy to withdraw its unfounded US$2.9-million lawsuit against the residents and peace advocates in Gangjeong Village. There must be an end to the anti-democratic procedural- and human-rights violations that led to the building of the new naval base on Jeju. The wrongful lawsuit against Gangjeong must be dropped immediately.”

    (Go to Korean translation site, here)

     

    Antonio (on April 26)

    DON’T GIVE UP!!!

    YOUR FIGHT IS OUR FIGHT!!!

    Regards,

    Antonio

    @Ilprescelto77

    (Go to Korean translation site, here)

     

    Catherine Christie (on April 25)

    Gangjeong Village, the small rural farming-fishing village on Jeju Island which has had a naval base built on its waterfront, destroying the marine environment, destroying the community spirit of the village. They are enduring a lot of stress, and all of a sudden the Navy has decided the village should pay for the days it took over to build the base. A suit has been brought against the village and its members, that mean all municipal assets would be forfeit. What a ridiculous move by the Navy! I ask all to call on the Korean government to withdraw this dangerous and foolish action. My association, IRCA, said I could write in their name to support this rural village of faithful and hardworking people. Below is the letter, challenging the government, I hope, to move on thi [..]

    International Rural Churches Association
    Voice of the Voiceless

    ………………………………………………..

    April 25, 2016

    Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Jung Ho Sub

    Ministry of National Defense, Minister Han Min Koo cyber@mnd.go.kr
    President of Korea, Honorable Park Geun Hye webmaster@president.go.kr
    Saenuri Party: Rep. Kim Moo Song
    Democratic Party: Rep. Kim Jong In
    Peoples Party: Rep. Ahn Cheol Soo
    Governor, Jeju Province: Governor Won Hee Ryong jujmaster@jeju.go.kr

    Honorable representatives of the Republic of Korea:

    This letter is written to vehemently call for the dropping of the Republic of Korea Navy’s action against the Village of Gangjeong, Jeju Island, in its filing of a lawsuit seeking indemnity rights, or compensation for losses incurred during the construction of the Jeju Naval Base, officially opened in Gangjeong Village on Feb. 26, 2016. The Naval lawsuit demands 3 Million USD in its suit – a suit which will mean the destruction of this village, as it will have to liquidate all municipal assets to cover this, as well as the many citizens who will lose their property. This is an incredibly unjust and arrogant legal action.

    I humbly point out that there were a number time when concerns were raised about this particular construction, not just from the Gangjeong villagers and other related groups. A number of times the Governor of Jeju of the time, Hon. Woo Keum-Min, issued suspension orders stopping construction for hearings on issues like environmental assessment and because the company had neglected to install, or had installed, faulty silt protectors that failed to protect the marine environment. And then there was Dec. 30, 2011, when the National Assembly, in its end of the year deliberations, cut 96% of the 2012 budget for the Naval Base construction. That was amazing, and many people thought the plans would be significantly changed at the time, one editorial suggesting perhaps the construction area would become a coast guard facility. As well a typhoon that struck the area early in the construction period which caused damage to the caissons being installed, necessitating that the job be done again.

    I write on behalf of the International Rural Church Association which is concerned about this rural farming-fishing community in Korea that is struggling to survive in the face of great changes. Often rural communities bear the brunt of development of industrial-military or resource extraction facilities. IRCA stands on behalf of sustainable rural communities throughout the world, and in this regard, we strongly urge the government of Korea to reject this action of the Navy and its lawsuit against Gangjeong village.

    Yours respectfully,

    (Rev.) Catherine Christie,
    Past chairperson, International Rural Churches Association
    Seoul, ROK

    (Go to Korean translation site, here)

    Nick Deane (on April 26)

    I sent the message below to the Korean Embassy in Canberra, Australia.

    Thoughts are with you!

    Nick

    ………………………………………

    Unjust measures have been taken against those who are peacefully protesting the construction of naval facilities on Jeju Island.

    The lawsuits taken out against local residents are wrong and should be dropped.

    We neither want nor need more war-waging facilities, on Jeju or anywhere else!

    The whole world is watching!

    Nick Deane.

    (Sydney, Australia)

    (Go to the Korean translation site, here)

    Ulrich Duchrow (on April 29)

    Dear friends,
    thank you for your amazing persistance in the struggle. As I am travelling in Brasil and not at home in Germany I can only send a very short message of solidarity to you. In October/November  2013 I took part in a solidarity mission of “Peace for Life” in resistance against the military base on Jeju Island. So I know the brutal oppression of the people in Gangjeong.
    I wish you full success in your struggle against the lawsuit .

    In solidarity

    Ulrich Duchrow
    Professor at Heidelberg University and Moderator of Kairos Europa

    (Go to translation site, here)

     

    Catherine Fontanazza  (on April 26)

    A note to the protestors :

    Keep up the work, your non violent protest is very important  and I will be writing to President Obama about your situation.

    Power to the people.

    Sincerely,

    Kate Fontanazza

    (Go to the Korean translation site, here)

    Bruce K. Gagnon (on April 5)

    To: South Korean President Park Geun-Hye and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon
    Dear President Park:
    We have learned that your government, the South Korean Navy and Samsung Construction division are currently demanding damages from local groups and residents on Jeju Island for the alleged costs incurred due to the residents’ opposition to the Navy base construction: US $2.9 million.  Your government has listed the Gangjeong village association, five groups and 117 residents and activists as the defendants.

    The insistence that the construction delay was caused by residents is groundless. There are multiple complex reasons for the delay in the construction schedule.The principal reasons include disputes and controversy over the legality of the work, suspension orders issued over illegal construction work, losses and damage to structures caused by the natural environment, the strong wind and waves of Gangjeong’s coastline, Typhoon Bolaven, Typhoon Neoguri, etc. It is sophistry and exaggeration to claim that the residents blocking construction vehicles from entering and leaving the base for only a few minutes at a time caused the delay.

     The responsibility lies solely with the state for threatening citizens’ right to a peaceful existence and causing their pain by enforcing this wrongful government policy. There is no one else as responsible for this as the government. The state rather than the residents bears the responsibility. Without mentioning a word about their own responsibility, it is the height of irresponsibility for the state to shift the blame for the delays in the construction onto individual citizens. The state that should be protecting the basic rights of its citizens is instead declaring war against them.
    The biggest crime of all is that the ROK government and the Navy rejected the will of the Gangjeong villagers and have destroyed a 500-year old community.  In addition the environmental ‘special preservation area’ is being destroyed as well – violating your own government’s environmental protection designation.
    Our international membership stands with Gangjeong villagers and we demand that these outrageous and illegal charges be immediately dropped.
    We eagerly await your positive response.
    In peace,
    Bruce K. Gagnon
    Coordinator
    Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space
    Brunswick, ME , United States
    http://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

    (Go to Korean translation site, here)

     

    Boyette Jurceles Jr (on April 24)

    Thanks for the updates.  Philippines will surely respond to this. We will also circulate your appeal to our global network.

    In solidarity and more power!

    Boyette Jurceles Jr.

    Ban the Bases!

    And BAYAN

    (Go to Korean translation site, here)

     

    Natasha Mayers (on April 29)

    Dear President Park and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon :

    Please drop the charges against the villagers of Gangjeong, Jeju Island, Korea.

     The South Korean government, Navy and Samsung are demanding damages from these villagers for the alleged costs incurred due to their opposition to the Navy base construction.  The Gangjeong village association, five groups and [116] residents and activists have been charged with paying $2.9 million (US dollars). The world has witnessed the brave non-violent resistance of the villagers to the destruction of their community and to the environmental ‘special preservation area’. The State (and typhoons) bear the responsibility for construction delays for rejecting the will of the Gangjeong villagers.

     Respectfully,

     Natasha Mayers

    Whitefield, Maine

     (Go to translation site, here)

     

    Rachael Berman Melville (on April 25)

    I’ve just emailed the letter to President Park via the US and UK embassies and posted via Facebook links to your recent post.  I wanted to send along an image of a painting that I created in 2009 (part of a solo show I had at the Jeju Hallasumokwan).  I believe this image has been used previously in your campaign as I sent it in previously (although years ago).  It is based on a photograph I took at Gangeong Villiage in 2009.  I took the shot through the foreground of an artpiece that was installed on the coast.  A beautiful metal piece.

    GangjeongPort

    I hope it is still there?  Do you know it?  I wonder if you know the name of the artist who created this piece.  I would love to credit them if I use the image in the future.

    I lived on Jeju for a year in 2009 and felt deeply the concerns the residents of Gangeong and Jeju regarding the Naval Base construction.  I have stayed connected through your newsletter and facebook posts.  I always feel I wish I could be in Jeju now to help support this cause.  I hope the small actions I have taken and hope to continue taking in the future will help Jeju reclaim it’s waters, it’s Gangeong Village, and it’s reputation of Peace Island.  There is so much injustice in this world, so much war, destruction, and power struggle.  Jeju is an amazing, inspiring place – they are proud of being ‘Peace Island’ and want to keep it that way. So do I!

    Thank you for keeping those who can’t be present in Jeju up to date with what is happening and continuing to spread the word and get the international community behind the cause.

    All the best and peace,

    Rachael Berman Melville

    (Go to Korean translation site, here)

    MIGRANTE International (on April 26)

    To the dear people of Gangjeong Village,

    Migrante International, a global alliance of Filipino overseas organization, salutes the people of your village for its courage and staunch defense of your village and your rights.

    We stand with you in solidarity against the militaristic machinations of the US government.

    Down with Imperialism!

    (Go to Korean translation site, here)

    Missionary Society of St. Columban (on April 14)

    Forwarded by Fr. Pat Cunningham

    JEJU-LETTER

    (Go to Korean translation site, here)

    Nogawa Mio (on April 9)

    To South Korean President Park Geun-Hye 

    Mio

    (Go to Korean translation site, here)

    Stuart Rees (on April 25)

    Dear Friends,

    Military interests in using Jeju as a base is  another expression of violence which should be opposed by every non-violent means.

    The world needs to dismantle military vases not build more.

    Congratulations on your brave stand.

    In Solidarity and with Best Wishes,

    Stuart Rees, former Director,

    Sydney Peace Foundation

    (Go to Korean translation site, here)

    Arnie Saiki (on April 29)

    To: South Korean President Park Geun-Hye

    Dear President Park:

    It is a travesty for any country based on the principles of democracy to sue citizens for engaging in their right to peaceful protest.

    This lawsuit lacks courage and wisdom.  Demanding damages from the people of Gangjeong Village reveals the pettiness of a supposed “advanced economy.”  The fact that Samsung—the sixth largest corporation in the world whose revenue was (US) $305 billion in 2014—would seek damages from groups that only sought to protect their community; and that as President you would undermine the will of this community, only shows the world that your vision of Korea cares more about global corporate governance than people.

    I love Korea and am honored to have stood beside Gangjeong Village protesters when I visited Jeju. As much as I lament the loss of Gureombi Rock and the destruction and insecurity that you have brought to the community, I equally object to your anti-democratic values.

    Arnie Saiki
    Coordinator
    Moana Nui Action Alliance
    Los Angeles, CA, USA

    (Go to Korean translation site, here)

     

    Veterans for Peace(on April 14)

    “Letter from Veterans For Peace (based on and adapted from Bruce Gagnon’s original letter) hard copies are being sent to the SK Pres. and all consulates in the US and the Embassy. “

    Tarak Kauff

    Veterans For Peace
    Board of Directors
    Managing Editor
    Peace In Our Times

    VfP1

    VfP22

    (Go to the translation site, here)

    Russell Wray (on April 27)

    Dear Friends,

    Like so many others, I am appalled by the news of the lawsuit that you are all facing now. I am appalled, but not surprised, because the ROK government and Navy, and the Samsung Corporation have already made it very, very clear how little they care for democracy, human rights, and the right of humans and non-humans to a healthy, living environment. Still, this latest assault upon you good people leaves me feeling very sad, …and angry!

    I am so glad to have had a chance to spend some time (not enough!) with you in Gangjeong this past December as part of the Veterans For Peace delegation. It was an honor to be there with you. I miss you all and though I am not there with you now physically, I am there in my heart and in solidarity. I wish you all good energy to keep up the fight for what is good and beautiful …

    Peace and Best Wishes,

    Russell

    Russell Wray

    Citizens Opposing Active Sonar Threats

    Hancock, Maine, United States

    RA

    “Below is a copy of a letter that I sent to the ROK embassy in D.C.  I also sent the same letter, but addressed to the Boston consulate. Also emailed both the embassy and Boston consulate . Have telephoned as well, many times….nobody will speak with me about it, no one will call me back.Very frustrating….”

    ……………………………..

    April 26, 2016

    The Honorable Ahn Ho-Young

    Ambassador of the Republic of Korea

    Embassy of the Republic of Korea

    2320 Massachusetts Ave, NW

    Washington, D.C. 20008

    Re: Fining those who oppose the naval base at Gangjeong Village

    Dear Honorable Ambassador,

    I am writing to you today on behalf of Citizens Opposing Active Sonar Threats (COAST) regarding the US $2.9 million fine being leveled at Gangjeong Village residents, activists, and organizations by the government of the Republic of Korea, its Navy, and Samsung. We believe this fine to be a gross injustice; one which is being directed at people who have already had to face the great injustice of having the Navy base in Gangjeong Village forced upon them against their will, resulting in the destruction of their village, their way of life, and their once-beautiful environment.

    The people who opposed the construction of this base had, and continue to have, every right to do so, given the very plain fact that the South Korean Navy used deception and bribery in an attempt to make it appear as if the village supported the base construction. But we know that this “village approval”, with only 87 of Gangjeong’s 2,000 villagers present, was a total sham, with most of the villagers not even having heard of this meeting until after it took place.

    Following that, the village held a referendum on the matter, with 94% of the eligible voters voting against the base. Clearly, the people of Gangjeong did not want or approve of the base! Their opposition to the base was, and still is, entirely justified.

    Furthermore, it is clear that their were numerous factors involved in construction delays other than protests. These other factors account for a far greater portion of the delays than do the protests. Some of these other factors include the Navy’s very bad decision to cite the base at Gangjeong, given its susceptibility to extreme wind and waves.There were the typhoons Bolaven and Neoguri, and their resulting damage to the construction, as well as suspension orders that were made due to the illegality of the construction.

    To place the blame for construction delays solely on the people and organizations opposing the base is beyond unreasonable.

    Regarding the base at Gangjeong Village, the  government of the Republic of Korea and its Navy have trashed the democratic process and inflicted great injustice, pain, and destruction upon its own people and environment. When the people of the world hear the real story of this, they will know that the notion that South Korea is a democracy that is committed to human and environmental rights is simply false on each count.

    COAST strongly urges the South Korean government to drop the charges and fines against these people and organizations immediately, and to begin the conversion of the base from militaristic to peaceful, life-promoting purposes. Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to your response.

    Sincerely,

    Russell Wray

    President

    Citizens Opposing Active Sonar Threats (COAST)

    Hancock, ME, USA

    ……………………………………………………………………..

    And a same  email  to the South Korean Consulate in Boston , with Bruce K. Gagnon’s April 9 letter being forwarded , too. 

    (Go to Korean translation site, here)

    Angie Zelter (on April 24)

    Dear Gangjeong Resisters,

    I am very distressed to hear that you are being targetted by the Government, Military and Corporations, for your lawful, peaceful, humanitarian resistance to war and destruction. Your protests are part of a world-wide movement for peace, real security and global citizenship. The navy’s lawsuit that so wrongfully tries to stop your resistance shows just how successful you have been and is part of their long history of denying civil rights and trying to destroy your struggle and resistance. Please know that you have friends all over the world that stand with you and care about you. I do hope that you can keep up the strength to go on resisting.

    We are in a time of global stress when the forces of peace and justice are facing the forces of militarisation and corporate greed. It is a time of deep conflict and change and we all need to keep strong and hopeful and not lose heart.

    I love and respect all your hard work for peace and think of you as colleagues and friends connected together in our joint struggles for a better world. As we, here in the UK, continue our struggle to resist the replacement of the UK’s nuclear weapons with our own civil resistance, we will remember and honour your struggle and do what we can to let people know about the outrageous US$2.9 million lawsuit currently threatening the village.

    Love, peace and strength, Angie Zelter.

    Angie Zelter, is the founder of Trident Ploughshares (Right Livelihood Award Laureate), Faslane 365, International Women’s Peace Service-Palestine and various other organisations. She is author of ‘Trident on Trial – the case for peoples’ disarmament’, ‘Faslane 365 – a year of anti-nuclear blockades’, ‘World in Chains’. She is active in organising civil resistance against nuclear weapons and the arms trade to uphold international law.

    (Go to Korean translation site, here)

  • The ‘Bomb’ of $ 3million USD

    April 10th
    Photo by Hankyoreh/ The villagers set up the sit-in tent on April 10th . The tent is called ‘Gangjeong Vilage Hall.’ The two are mayor Cho Kyung-Chul (right) and vice-mayor Ko Kwon-Il (left)

    The ‘Bomb’ of $ 3million USD is murder

    : The navy should drop the wrongful lawsuit on damage claim

     
    By Ko Kwon-Il

    April 15, 2016

    Even though spring, which germinates life, has returned, a fierce cold winter wind is still striking Gangjeong village. The navy has filed an absurd lawsuit claiming 3.4 billion Korean Won [approximately $3 million US dollars] in damages against Gangjeong village. 

    Since April 10th, Gangjeong villagers have started a tent sit-in in front of our national service monument located in the village, demanding that the navy’s lawsuit on their right to reimbursement be dropped. We are not exceptional, and we dream of living ordinary lives of farming, feeling happiness as our children grow, and living happily together with our parents. However, we are being forced to take to the streets again.

     In contrast to the navy’s celebration of the completion of the Jeju navy base on February 26, 2016, we had our own ceremony, declaring Gangjeong a “Life, Peace, and Culture Village,” and entering a new stage of our opposition movement, which began in 2007. It is in an attempt to ensure peaceful lives in our village. However, the navy’s merciless filing of the lawsuit makes it impossible for us to live peacefully.

    There are 121 defendants named in this $3 million lawsuit. If each were equally liable, individual liability would be about $24,800 per person. That is a tremendous amount itself.

    Another problem is that the right to indemnity is demanded in the way of joint obligation, by which the 121 defendants do not pay equal shares of the damages sought, but are differently ranked according to the size of their assets, as in the case of joint surety. Further, it is possible to focus on one individual in demanding the amount.

    Also, it is expected that the trial could take more than three years, as it is a civilian case. The $3 million In damages would be subject to a 15% annual compound interest rate. If the trial lasts more than 5 years, the interest will become greater than the principal. In this case, about $49,000 would be imposed per person. If the amount is focused on small numbers of individuals and groups, they cannot avoid bankruptcy.

    No matter how you regard it, the attitude of the navy and the government can hardly be considered normal. They are trying to force us to take responsibility for the financial damages claimed to have been caused by the delay of construction allegedly due to the opposition movement against the navy base.

    However, due to the fact that local residents were not properly consulted and did not approve of the construction of the base, it is the state that is responsible for any delays in the construction process. The civilian complaints and resistance were direct results of the state’s aggressive policy and construction of the base.

    Therefore, from the moral point of view, it is right for the state to be fully liable for damages. Regarding it as a social cost, it has been natural for the South Korean governments to be in such way in their enforcement of national policies so far.

    However, the current government demands damages for construction delay from the Gangjeong village association, villagers, and the people who have worked with them to raise questions on the Jeju naval base construction.

    It is the South Korean navy who has conducted the project unilaterally without any prior explanation to the villagers, not to mention the absence of proper environmental assessments or position validity reviews. It is the right and duty of the people to voice differing opinions on the hasty and undemocratic project. Even with the alleged additional costs caused from it, it is solely the responsibility of the navy and state again.

     

    Outspokenly telling us to die, can it be really a state?

     

    The $3 million in damages that the Korean Navy claims is problematic, also. Our resistance to the base could not have caused that much in damages. The damages are primarily the results of suspension orders from the Jeju provincial government due to the hearing regarding docking capacity for two 150,000-ton cruise ships and the uninstallation and damage of silt protectors. It is unfair that the indemnity right is to be exercised against us, but not against those who delayed the construction due to fraudulent or incompetent work. 

    Also, Samsung C&T demanded 36 billion won ($31.2 million USD) in compensation from the Navy for delays in the construction schedule; a 27.3 billion won ($23.8 million USD) settlement was finally reached after mediation by the Korean Commercial Arbitration Board. This was paid to Samsung C&T with funds from the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) of the Ministry of National Defense.  

    Around $23.8 million USD covers the costs for the direct damage from the breakdown of 6 caissons (huge concrete structures used in the breakwater) and damage of 1 caisson during Typhoon Bolaven, as well as for the settlement of civilian complaints following the disassembly and production of caissons, the additional purchase of a 20,000-ton floating dock, and extension of caisson production process

    The Korean Commercial Arbitration Board decided in favor of the settlement on the grounds that much of the delay was due to natural disasters, but we believe the ROK Navy must be held accountable for ignoring the natural conditions of the site they selected and for recklessly pushing ahead with the construction.

    The Jeju Naval Base construction and the punitive lawsuit has broken peaceful, 450-year-old Gangjeong village to pieces, causing residents much pain and suffering. It is such an atrocious and cruel violence that the lawsuit can be considered “economic murder.”

    The Park Geun-hye government has pushed her people into the death by saying ‘keep calm’ throughout the Sewol Ferry Tragedy and the MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) situation. In Gangjeong, it is outspokenly telling the residents to ‘die.’ Can we say it is truly a state?

    It is already the 14th day since we began our sit-in protest. For nearly 10 years, we have been trampled down by state power. Many have been arrested and imprisoned. We have faced bombs of fines while appealing for the settlement on the naval base issue. But we drew the line at the idea of selling the village association hall, which our ancestors did not give up even under Japanese imperialism.  

    We said: No matter how heavy and difficult the fines are and how our problems could be smoothly solved by selling our village association hall, we will not sell it, since it is our spiritual pillar. 

    But all those village common properties which we have tried very hard to save would disappear unless the navy lawsuit on indemnity rights against us is dropped.

    When can we Gangjeong residents take our normal daily lives back? It is a time for the ROK government and navy to answer.

     By Ko Kwon-Il

    April 15, 2016

     
     Ko Kwon-Il is a vice-mayor, as well as the chairman of the Anti-base committee against the naval base, Gangjeong village. His writing above appears in Korean, here , here and here.

    *The above was translated by the two village international team members and proofread by Brando.  The final was a little edited for readers’ easier understanding. 

    7
    Photo by Choi. S. H./People lit some candles when the tent was surrounded by the police right after the villagers’ installing it. For more on the story, see here.

    For more on the navy lawsuit, see

    Gangjeong Villagers billed 3 MILLION USD by the Korean Navy

    Navy files suit for losses against locals that opposed naval base in Jeju

    Korean Lawyers Defend Village on Jeju Island from Samsung & Navy

    Gangjeong Village Story: Monthly Newsletter |March 2016 Issue(1st page)

    Why the village moved its association hall onto the street?

     

     

  • Why the Film festival was forced to change the venue?

    hani
    Image source: Hankyoreh, April 06, 2016

     

     

     

    (From the ipffig. org facebook , April 18, 2016)

    Announcement Regarding the Change in Venue of IPPFIG Film Screenings Originally Scheduled to Take Place at Seogwipo Art Hall

    The organizers of the 1st International Peace Film Festival in Gangjeong (IPFFIG) wish to notify all those concerned that we have been given no choice but to relocate the screenings that had been scheduled to take place at Seogwipo Arts Center. Although it had been one of our main venues planned for the festival, the Arts Center has abruptly withdrawn permission to use its space, and it thus canceled an existing agreement negotiated with IPFFIG representatives several months earlier.

    This was a hastily announced decision by the Arts Center that we believe is deeply unjust and unprofessional. We will seek legal redress for this unacceptable situation, but in the meantime we have resolved to ensure that all selected festival films will be screened instead in Gangjeong Village.

    Regarding the context of this controversy, Seogwipo Arts Center is a public space for culture and art in Seogwipo City, which is run by the local government and supported by our taxes. Since last December, we have been in close contact with Seogwipo Arts Center, and we completed all the necessary steps in the application process to arrange for screenings to take place at that venue for the duration of the festival.

    More recently, we were contacted by officials at the Seogwipo Arts Center with unreasonable requests that were evidently an attempt to vet our selection of films, a form of censorship which we resisted. While we were busy preparing for our official press conference that would be held in Seoul on April 6th, the Arts Center officials hounded us with requests to receive our list of the films. Eventually, we were required to send them that information by March 20th, after which point the officials pressured us further, asking for a detailed description of each film. Even though we were concerned that they were attempting to limit freedom of expression, we submitted the descriptions of the films, hoping for the best result. We waited for their response, but we did not receive a clear answer from the venue.

    On April 5th, the day before our press conference, a member of IPFFIG’s Program Committee finally heard from an Arts Center official, who explained that the reason for the delay in their decision was because the program included a few films which criticize the government’s policies and also because the mention of Gangjeong Village in the event’s name is itself political in character. We were appalled by this unfair pressure from the government and made this issue official by notifying the press about this development. It became national news and has been regarded as part of the Korean government’s ongoing repression of the cultural scene in the same way that organizers of the Busan International Film Festival have been embroiled in a censorship controversy involving the Busan local government since last year.

    Despite the public pressure in support of IPPFIG, Seogwipo Arts Center notified us on April 12th with their final decision to withdraw permission to use its space.

    The International Peace Film Festival in Gangjeong denounces such censorship of the arts and the unjust violation of the right to freedom of expression. Accordingly, we are preparing to take legal measures, including a petition for a provisional injunction that would require the Seogwipo Arts Center to take responsibility for all the damages it inflicted upon us in this process.

    We believe that gathering to watch films means engaging with urgent social issues and allowing free expression of thought and opinion in response to our shared social and cultural milieu. The International Peace Film Festival in Gangjeong is an event for those who love film, appreciate culture, and think seriously about the challenges facing our society. We seek to embrace the social suffering of Gangjeong Village and Jeju Island and, through an engagement with provocative films, to open a space for experiencing emotions and conversations about social conflict and also about possibilities for the future. Therefore, we are profoundly honored to hold this film festival in Gangjeong Village, as we do our utmost to establish it as an enriching cultural event for Jeju people who yearn for peace.

    April 15, 2016
    International Peace Film Festival in Gangjeong
    • 관련 기사 :
    [서귀포신문/기고] 예술을 유린하는 비예술의 극치 (김경훈)

    http://m.seogwipo.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=120948

    [제민일보/사설] ‘강정영화제’도 포용 못하는 행정
    http://www.jemin.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=392445

    [제주투데이] 서귀포예술의전당은 ‘관장님 전당?’http://www.ijejutoday.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=197159

    [한겨레] 정부비판 이유로.. 서귀포시, 강정평화영화제 대관 불허
    http://www.hani.co.kr/a…/culture/culture_general/739557.html

    ……………………………………………….

    Regarding the Seogwipo Arts Center’s April 12th withdrawal of permission to use its screening hall during IPFFIG, the village association also made a statement (see the original Korean statement, here) three days later. It expressed its outrage, saying “while the village was still recovering from shock and fury because of the navy’s US $2.9 million, [the Seogwipo Arts Center’s] behavior is like adding oil to the fire or pouring hot water on a wound.”

    According to the Village Association, the Arts Center gave the rationale for its rejection “that the festival has been organized through prior discussion between the IPFFIG organizing committee and anti-base committee of Gangjeong village; that it is a political event because it calls for the demilitarization of Jeju as “the Peace Island’; that seven films among those to be screened are about Gangjeong; and that some works oppose the government policies since they are either critical of the Pyeongchang Olympics; opposed to nuclear power plants; or warn the danger of GMOs.’

    The Village Association concludes that the Seogwipo Arts Center failed to honor its commitment to IPFFIG and went against a signed agreement because of a biased political judgment that discriminates against them, which violates the spirit and mission of the Arts Center as a public venue intended for use by citizens.