A full translation from people’s statement on Feb. 25, 2016, here
Our Position on the Jeju Navy Base Construction Completion Ceremony
On Feb. 26, the Jeju navy base construction completion ceremony is held in Gangjeong Village, land of life. It is clear that the Jeju navy base cannot create an era of peace. The Jeju navy base cannot but be an outpost which threatens the peace of northeast Asia, amid conflict for military domination between the United States and China. Rather, it would be a seed of international conflict and would trigger an arms race. Peace should be kept by peace. The Jeju navy base cannot be the answer for the peace of Northeast Asia.
The completed Jeju navy base was built by merciless state violence which trampled villagers’ human rights and the sacred natural environment. The struggle for the last nine years has been a step towards true peace. During this time, villagers have have made efforts to counter the war base built of cement over the remains of Gureombi Rock where Gangjeong villagers had shared the breath of peace. It has been a history of peace versus state violence pushed through under the guise of a ‘national policy project,’ ignoring even the basic procedures of democracy. We will continue to build this history of peace even after the Jeju navy base construction completion ceremony.
The Jeju navy base, built through the trampling of villagers’ human rights, has ruthlessly destroyed the Gangjeong village community. The responsibility to restore the community lies on the central and island governments which have unilaterally pushed ahead with the Jeju naval base construction. However, neither the central nor island governments have ever made efforts to restore the peaceful community of Gangjeong. The government should make an apology now for the Jeju naval base construction which was continued while the will of Gangjeong villagers was ignored. Won Hee-Ryong, the Jeju Island governor has emphasized in words only the examination of the truth, conflict resolution, and community restoration. From the point of view of the villagers he should suggest a genuine solution. The navy has merely repeated its words that they would support the collection of villagers’ opinions and the resolution of conflicts. It can only fancy itself to have played the role of ‘conflict inducer,’ ignoring the villagers’ opinions, enforcing crackdowns like carrying out military operations, threatening and splitting villagers. How can a military which is not even loved by the local residents be a military for the citizens?
4. Now by the power of Gangjeong villagers themselves, we would make Gangjeong village to be reborn as a ‘village of life and peace,’ not as a ‘military base icon.’ The declaration of this ‘village for life, peace, and culture’ was held before the navy ceremony on Feb. 26. It is the villagers’ noble step for true peace as well as the start of the restoration of the Gangjeong community. And all of us who pray for the peace of Gangjeong will strengthen our solidarity bear the blossoms of the flower of peace. In resistance we will remember and continue our actions and cries for peace in order to stop the Jeju naval base for even one minute, one second. The Jeju naval base was built with the backing of state violence. We will cover it over with the wave of peace.
Feb. 25, 2016
Gangjeong Village Association, Jeju Pan-Island Committee for Stopping the Military Base and for Realization of the Peace Island, and National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing the Naval Base in Jeju Island
“On Feb 26 Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-An visited the naval base opening ceremony. On his way in and out of the base the innocent passersby near the gate were captured by the large number of police and forcefully removed from the road without any notice. The police chief said it was for the safety measures, but the brutality of the operation was only the case of police abuse of power. It seemed that the new controversial anti-terror bill in South Korea had already been put in practice in Gangjeong”
The completion ceremony of Jeju’s naval base took place on February 26th, nearly 9 years after the confirmation of its construction by the state government. Since then, activists and local villagers have obstructed the progress of its development, facing policy brutality and harsh physical and financial discipline along the way. February 26th was no exception, as showcased by treatments of the activists that day in the video.
Not all was a display of primitivism, however. On the same day, the Gangjeong villagers held a memorial ritual right across from the base’s entrance. Under the totem pole, they vowed with the signal that they will protect the village from external forces.
In the middle of the ritual is of course, the village head Jo Kyung Chul (조경철), who recently gave a statement to Hankyoreh news that when he saw the completion of the base, he felt “prostrated, a sense of injustice through the continuous opposition,” while the villagers have retained lasting “disbelief and hostility in the government and the military.”
This division between the people and the government is as deep as the divide in Korean politics as a whole. Both divisions have prompted the opposition to obstruct the formation of a dangerous creation. For the latter, that is the anti-terrorism bill that has recently been introduced by the ruling Saenuri (conservative) party. This anti-terrorism bill has been promoted in reaction to the recent nuclear developments (or its rhetoric at least) from the North. If passed through, the legislative act will endow the National Intelligence Service (NIS) unprecedented power spy in detail the lives of South Koreans.
What monitoring its domestic populations has to do with prohibiting North Korean nuclear tests and development is a wonder of logic. Opposition party members have taken upon this improbable nexus to challenge the bill through filibuster. This method has not been utilized since 1969, which sheds light to how controversial this bill is. The historical revelation also demonstrates the link between the situation of Gangjeong and the general political makeup of South Korea: when a monumentally dangerous force is in creation, a deep divide will naturally result, and the opposition force will find every power necessary to challenge entities designed to harm the people.
Jeju and Okinawa must become demilitarized Islands; Let’s stop the THAAD development for the Peace of Jeju; Peace for the Sea statement from the peace camp; Okinawa, 2015; Saving dolphins is defending the sea; international solidarity on comfort women; Gangjeong Peace School; trial update; Hammer of justice update etc.
By now, many of you must have heard about the recent headlines about North Korea. Its 4th hydrogen bomb test that has been proven successful by its own internal media has disconcerted the international community. South Korean government shown the most alarm (at least the gesture of it), and proceeded to create an assembly happening today with representatives from Japan and the U.S. arriving at Seoul to discuss directives toward the nuclear matter (what’s called 6자회담 or 6 Party Talks). They will take this discussion as a foundation to approach Russia and China for further diplomatic negotiations.
The anxiety and gravity of the situation that has triggered a frenzy of media reports and diplomatic talks seem surprising in light of a another crucial fact that has been conspicuously ignored by mainstream media pundits and diplomats in Korea. This is the overwhelming scientific reports that challenge the recent information about the North Korean hydrogen bomb test. International media, ever since the news about the bomb surfaced, has downplayed the situation. Whether it’s VICE, TestTube, ScienceMag, Reuters, etc., reporters have been issuing statements of skepticism. The 5.1 magnitude earthquake along with the detonation yield of 6-9 kilotons (CNTBTO calculation method) have suggested that yes, the experiment probably involved the nuclear, it probably was a failure or involved traditional fission-based weapon rather than a modern thermo-nuclear device.
In other words, international community, if you exclude governments, does not seem too worried, focusing on assuaging the intensity of the North Korean reports. On the other hand, Korean media has been treading on the opposite by inflaming the issue, and left-leaning news agencies like 한겨레 and 연합 hasn’t done much to combat the intensification and fear-mongering.
The reason is obvious; generating fear in the public through mechanisms utilized by those above is profitable for fomenting nationalism, militarism, and strategic alliance among U.S., S. Korea and Japan. Already, U.S. has exploited the situation by investigating the possibility of sending an aircraft carrier earlier for military exercises to “send a warning message to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un” (Yonhap). Although the joint U.S.-ROK military exercises like the Command Post Exercise (CPX) and Field Training Exercise (FTX) were slated for March, recent nuclear transpirations have ushered the U.S. officials to ruminate on holding the exercises next month.
The irony of the situation is that the carrier that will arrive to South Korea is the Ronald Reagan (currently anchored in Yokosuka, Japan), a nuclear-powered warship, so the western concern about North Korean nuclear projects is met with a certain hypocrisy.
There are more realistic concern for the people of Gangjeong, however. Although it seems impossible for the gigantic carrier warship to be docked at Gangjeong Naval Base, events like these will slowly enable the other U.S. naval forces to come down to Jeju Island. The U.S. needs a reason to send its forces to Jeju, and North Korea provides the perfect rhetoric and excuse.
How to slow down this future is always the same: to call out the excuse and present evidences that challenge the mainstream narrative in order to avoid and prevent overreaction of the media and the government that try to create fear among the public for obvious reasons.
Words by Cho Kyung-Chul, re-elected mayor, facing Nanjing as our future, protest to the entering of the 7th task flotilla, Veterans for Peace solidarity trip to Jeju and Okinawa, Farewell reflections by Tony Flynn and a direct action by Martha Hennessy, Philippine solidarity events for Gangjeong, Miryang commemorates 10 years, deteriorating human rights condition in South Korea, Park Sung-Soo(Dunguri) was released, the saddest day of the year 2015, trial update, Christian message of solidarity and more,
From Dec. 9 to 27, two Catholic workers from the United States Martha Hennessy and Toni Flynn visited the village. While both joining daily activities of 100 bows and mass, Martha Hennessy, grand daughter to Dorothy Day, felt the need of further direct action. Here is her statement read on Dec. 23 when she stopped a military vehicle in front of the base construction gate. (For a photo and statement with Korean translation, see here). Please also see Martha’s interviews as a granddaughter of Dorothy Day with two Catholic media of Catholic Times (here) and Catholic News Now and Here (1, 2)
Photo by Gangjeong village/ Martha Hennessy, Granddaughter to Dorothy Day and New York Catholic Worker carries out direct action on Dec. 22. The Korean letters read, “No need of task flotilla in the Island of Peace.’
However, their visit was also filled with meetings with people and nature here. Here are some of the essays written by the two.
“Advent on Jeju – Dec 12, 2015 Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe” Martha
& Toni’s 1st report from Jeju Island
Photo by Gangjeong villagePhoto by Gangjeong village
Day 4
Gangjeong Village, Jeju Island
The weather in Gangjeong Village is cold and windy with intermittent rain blowing over Jeju Island. In contrast the Catholic peace community is warm, welcoming and grateful to us for joining them throughout December. We are all deep into Advent.
Gureombi Rock- a sacred site- is demolished, the Naval Base is built, and the Peace Community has been defeated in their struggle to prevent the construction and opening of the base.
The once pristine southern area of the island is now heavily militarized. Yet this community of villagers and activists maintain a prayerful presence at the gate, day after day, as they have for several years. This is about witness. This is about faithfulness. Although not all who participate are Catholic, this is where theCatholic Church truly breaks open the Body of Christ. This is where the Eucharist is paired with the crucifixion of the world. And this is
where the belief of Redemption is embodied in the faith of the people.
Each morning we wake up and walk a short distance from St. Francis Peace Center to join others at the gate of the naval base. The police, dressed in bright yellow uniforms, are ever present. We begin the ritual of one hundred bows in the darkness, and finish with the
dawning of the day. The Korean chanting and prayers during the bows mingle with our own inner prayers for our ancestors, family, and community members.
The daily heart and soul of the peaceful resistance culminates at the 11:00 AM Mass across from the gate. During Mass we sit in plastic chairs with priests, villagers, and activists, blocking the entrance to the base. The action proceeds nonviolently throughout Mass in a choreographed ritual between police and peacemakers. At three different intervals, police warnings intermingle with the words of the Mass as we are lifted chair and all, and moved to the side. Each time we return to sit at the gate. The priest then walks across the street bringing us communion and as we receive it, the meaning of the body and blood of Christ comes alive within us. The priest and nuns then lead us in reciting the Rosary, the Hail Marys blending with the roar of concrete trucks rolling in and out of the base. The Mass and Rosary have become inseparable from the activity of the base and the peacemakers’ efforts in the face of militarization.
At the conclusion of events, we walk to the nearby community kitchen where we enjoy the company of Jesuit priests and brothers, Franciscan nuns, local activists, and internationals.
We are served delicious Korean food including kim chi, glass noodles, rice, seaweed, and seasonal greens. We are reminded of Dorothy Day’s emphasis on the goodness of sharing a meal in common. Our lunchtime at the kitchen also serves as a means of decompressing from the intensity of the ongoing daily resistance.
We are steeped in the joy of coming together with our South Korean brothers and sisters during this Advent season. In the midst of resistance love flows out. We are grateful to all who supported us in our efforts to come here and our prayers join with yours.
“4 Vignettes from Gangjeong Village” by Toni Flynn – Calif CW
Photo by Gangjeong village
There is a pattern to our days now. Martha goes every morning at 7 am for the Hundred Bows. The weather is more fierce and I have been struggling with a sinus infection and sore throat so I read the hundred prayers from my room. “While holding in my heart that truth gives freedom to life, makeup first bow.” And each meditation deepens with each bow. (see attached doc for English translation)
After Bows, breakfast of rice, steamed eggs, yogurt and tangerines with Fr. Mun and others. Every one fusses over me wanting to help me get well so I am provided with healing elixirs, teas and various concoctions along with medicine. Martha is full of energy! She participates in every event enthusiastically. I on the other hand pace myself and enjoy one-on- one conversations.
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The naval base is casting a huge shadow over this little village. Word is out that there will be more land used to construct housing for members of the military and their families. Some of the humble facilities set up by the peace activists will no doubt be torn down in the process, such as the community kitchen where all gather together after daily Mass to eat and converse.
Fr. Mun celebrated the 50th anniversary of his priesthood last night at the St. Francis Peace Center where he lives and where Martha and I are guests. So much food as we joined many of his friends to celebrate around a big round table. We dined on fish, snails (ok I passed on the snails), octopus (passed on that too!), seasoned rice, vegetables, and an array of other edible delights.
It was good to see the faithful women, Fr. Mun, the Jesuits and Diocesan priests find cause for celebration because they have all suffered and sacrificed so much over years of time in opposition to military presence.
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Mr. Oh lives in the village. He is, I believe, a Quaker. During every Mass at the entrance to the naval base, he performs a solitary funeral march, dressed in traditional pale yellow mourning clothes and a mourning hat that resembles a French baker’s hat. In silence, he slowly circles the area between the makeshift chapel on one side of the street and the entry to the base on the other side. Mr. Oh. He takes three steps, bows, places his hands on the ground, then his knees, then rises and repeats over and over again, around and around while Mass continues. His grief represents the grief of the community over the loss of their sacred rock, Gureombi; the loss of sea life; the loss of their peaceful existence. Mr. Oh’s beard is gray; his face is ancient, his eyes are piercing. One evening he sang songs and his voice was filled with sorrow, passion, strength. I would not be surprised if his songs were heard across the ocean.
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See attached photo: This is JeJu’s non-violent Joan of Arc. She is a faithful witness at the entrance to the naval base. Two weeks ago a cement mixer truck ran over her foot while she stood at the gate. She has been in the hospital ever since. We visited her there, kindness of Fr. Kim. Joan of Arc is a woman on fire with love of this Island and the villagers. She will soon return to the naval base gate to continue with prayerful yet persistent protest. God bless Joan of Arc and all the brave priests, nuns and activists! Martha and I are already transformed by joining with them during this Advent time.
Photo by Gangjeong village
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“Summary of JeJu’s struggle” by Toni Flynn
The future of Gangjeong Village looks grim as does the future of JeJu Island as a whole. On another side of the Island a second civilian airport will be built. Along with more environmental destruction there is suspicion that eventually this airport will include an Air Force presence. As for Gangjeong Village, activists believe that the newly opened naval base is turning an abstract danger into a definite one by offering practicality to the U.S. and thereby
posing a threat to China. Daily life of the villagers has forever changed. What once was a unified village of peace and pristine beauty is now a militarized area with some in the village approving and some opposing the naval base. There are two family operated convenience stores in the village on two sides of the same street. One shop approves of the naval base and the other supports the opposition to the base. Before the base, these shop owners good neighbors. Now they symbolize a split village. In time, the expansion of the base along with the influx of military people and their families will overwhelm and influence the village people, their schools, shops and their village culture. The base will house not only military staff but submarines, weaponries, and war ships. The peacemakers in Gangjeong ask “How do we avoid war by building and preparing for more war?” These activists say that the struggle in Gangjeong is not only important to the locals or to the larger Korean population, but it.is of significance to all peaceful movements and peace communities around the world. We must all persevere in imagining and implementing alternatives to state violence and wars. Here is a poem for the children of Gangjeong by the poet Shin Kyung- Rim: My dears, you must be so proud of your parents who are struggling to save your village. A
day must come when we will all remember the beauty of this long struggle.
“My visit with Fr Mun” by Toni Flynn
Photo by Gangjeong village
Martha prayed the Hundred Bows at the gate this morning (she does the Bows faithfully every day) and has gone to pick tangerines with the villagers. I stayed back at the Peace Center for a visit with Fr. Mun in his work shop. He is a remarkable man of many talents with a nature that is both passionate and peaceful. His workshop is his sanctuary. There he practices his accordion and smokes an occasional cigarette. Most of the time he carves wood, creating art that speaks of struggle and peace. At breakfast today, Fr. Mun told me and Martha “We have no guns. We resist militarism with open hands.” He added “I used to love walking around in Gangjeong Village viewing the.beauty. Now I hate walking around because of the sight of the naval base structures.” Fr. Mun, Martha and I agreed that the new St. Francis Center is a solid, tangible sign of hope in the midst of all the military buildings – it is four stories high and welcomes everyone. As I started to leave Fr. Moon’s work shop he gave me a gift – a dramatic
wood carving of the suffering Christ wearing a crown of thorns. Below the face of Christ are the words in Korean: Beginning now. Peace.
The destruction of Gureombi Rock is a challenge to the human
civilization and the creation of God” Bishop Peter Kang
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Photo by Gangjeong villagePhoto by Gangjeong village/ Toni and Martha in the April 3rd Peace Park
“Bishop Peter Kang -The Catholic Voice for Peace” by Martha Hennessy
Peter Kang, appointed bishop of Cheju in 2002, speaks fluent English with a gentle British accent. He studied in Japan and Rome and is known for his wisdom and compassion to both the people of Cheju, and those of downtown Seoul where he served for 25 years. He considered it God’s recompense to come to this place of fresh air and natural beauty after the noisy, smoggy city. He became aware of the tragic side of the history of the island when he moved here. As a well-educated Korean he knew little of how the island was used by United States Cold War military interests following the end of the Japanese occupation from 1910 to 1945.
These circumstances led to the slaughter of at least 30% of Cheju’s population from 1948 through 1953. Eighty-four villages were permanently destroyed. Bishop Kang expressed sadness and remorse over this history, that his government had committed such crimes. The majority of Koreans know very little about what really happened. A governmental cover-up has persisted for decades.
In 2000 an investigative study was finally allowed and the full report was completed in 2003. Bishop Kang and others traveled to Washington D.C. in April of this year to present the report to Congress but were invited to meet only with two congressional secretaries. South Korean/U.S. government interests had informed the Congress and biased them against meeting in person with the small contingent. Bishop Kang and the others have not heard from the U.S. Congress regarding the documentation of the slaughter of Cheju islanders.
The people of Korea are under significant pressure to not question the government and military in the interest of national security. Any dissenting voice is painted as “communist” and the military defense has free reign, with U.S. backing. This collaboration with the U.S. is considered essential to the existence of South Korea even as the threats of North Korea are now known to be inaccurate. An attempt was made by the South Korean president in 2002 to regain the right to direct military decisions during a time of war back into the hands of the Korean military. The current president, Park Geun-hye rolled back this effort and the U.S. continues to hold the highest level of control of any military decisions if war is declared.
Bishop Kang has expressed opposition to the building of the naval base on Cheju against the will of the people. It is imposing yet another layer of trauma on the people following the history of the massacres before and during the Korean War. He recently made five points during a homily given for the opening of St. Francis Peace Center in Gangjeong in September.
“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 armed 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 of 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’s progress, for the poor?”
“Lastly, why should there be a military base in Cheju, the far-most from the Korean truce line and tainted by the wounds of the April 3rd [1948] incident? Cheju 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…”
Bishop Kang cited both Catholic social teaching and the United Nations Charter to reinforce his position regarding the Korean/US naval base construction. The Jesuit provincial has permanently assigned two priests and a brother to continue carrying out daily Mass at the gate with the participation of Franciscan and Benedictine nuns, and others from the Catholic community. It is this Mass that allows the resistance to continue to block the military base for two hours every day, making the traffic wait going in and out of the entrance.
We will be holding Mass at the Chapel across from the gate on Christmas Eve, and again at the gate on Christmas Day. Bishop Kang will join in solidarity with the community stating: “the work has only just begun.”
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Bishop Kang for Truth TV – YouTube, Published on Oct 6, 2012 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0_cfYBz7fg
“I interviewed the bishop of Jeju Island, His Excellency Peter Kang on the last day of my stay on Jeju Island. Bishop Kang is an outspoken critic of militarism and arms buildup, and a strong advocate for the Church to be involved in issues of social justice and peace.” Regis
Tremblay
Catholic Priests unite despite navy and police insult. Bishop Kang U-Il says, “Peace is the result of justice and love.” Posted by Save Jeju Now, Nov. 13, 2012 http://savejejunow.org/catholic-priests-kang-u-il/
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Martha Hennessy
Toni Flynn
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Video clips from the daily Mass and Rosary at the Jeju Navy Base main gate
My heart is forever changed by what I saw, heard, and received at the naval base gate in Gangjeong village. The effects of jet lag linger and my mind holds on to the people who remain there, carrying on the struggle. The 100 bows begun in the dark, the Mass at the gate, the recital of the Rosary amidst roaring construction machines, the constant witness. The sound of knocking, grinding, giant jackhammers tearing away at the island still rings in my head. Our peacemaking efforts have taken on a tremendously stronger meaning when practiced in the context of what Father Bill from Tacoma called Eucharistic resistance.
There is always the urgent feeling that we are not doing enough. I would awaken at 5 in the morning; my soul feeling devoured by this scourge taking form near the St. Francis Peace Center. One morning after the 100 bows I crossed onto the concrete breakwater at the sea’s edge and had a bird’s eye view onto the front of the base. The massive wall dwarfed me, leaving me feeling puny and helpless in the face of this insistent, mindless drive towards destruction. Standing at the gates of Mordor my very being clamored for protection and safety. I also felt like throwing myself at it. The construction workers continued with their jobs, oblivious to the wailing of heaven and earth, grieving over this great sin. I trudged back to the Center for breakfast feeling empty, distraught. I can only begin to imagine the toll this has taken on all the people who have sustained their efforts of resistance over the long haul.
On my way home through Seoul, I was able to meet with a small group of representatives from labor unions, mothers for peace, and the Protestant community. Labor leader Han Sang-Gyun is now imprisoned and on hunger strike. Police oppression continues to grow in South Korea, along with civil unrest. The demonization and exaggerated threat of North Korea is used to justify the purchase of yet more military weaponry from the United States. I spoke of the crucified body of Christ as I saw it on the island of Jeju. We all struggle to link the many causes together that make up the picture of global oppression and violence. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Philip Berrigan spoke of the need for a general strike to shut down the economy of nations run amok. But we must have in hand a ready list of clear demands needed to reform the structures of sin. Together, how do we lay out a new world in which it is easier to be good?
Meanwhile I am back in Vermont, helping to care for small grandsons, and waiting for the ewes to give birth, no doubt holding off from the cold spell ahead. We must hold all of these things in our hearts.
Enjoying time with our hosts before our departure from St. Francis Peace Center in Gangjeong.
Photo by K. N./ Following Dec. 1 when a Jeju squadron was created for the 1st time (See here), 7th task flotilla entered Gangjeong on Dec. 22. The submarine squadron entered on Dec. 20. For more photos, see here.
‘Around 9 am, [Dec. 22, 2015], the 7th task flotilla command department including Navy R. Adm Nam Dong-woo, chief of the Navy’s 7th Task Flotilla, arrived in the [currently built] Jeju naval base which would be its new home port, having left Busan Naval Operational Command on Dec. 21, riding on the two 7,600 ton Aegis Destroyers of the Sejong, the Great and Yulgok Yi Yi, and one 4,400 ton Aegis Destroyer of Munmu the Great. . On Dec. 22, the 7th task flotilla, installing the troops’ signboard on the main gate of the [inside of the not-yet-completed] Jeju naval base, had the ceremony on the task flotilla’s relocation to Jeju in the military training ground there.’ (Yonhap news, Dec. 22, translated form Korean article)
‘On Dec. 20, the 93rd submarine squadron( its chief is captain Choi Ki-Young) under the submarine headquarter that carries out underwater operation, moved itself riding on the landing ship (ROK LST) to the [not-yet-completed] Jeju naval base.’ (same as the above)
‘The 7th task flotilla created on Feb. 1, 2010 is composed of Sejong, the Great class aegis destroyers((7,600t, DDG), Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class aegis destroyer(4,400t, DDH-II). It carries out the duties of support for the nation’s foreign policy, such as sea lane protection, military readiness posture against North Korea, and dispatch of Chunghae troop unit etc.’ (same as the above)
Once arrived in the port, we could see an ugly aegis destroyer being moored while another aegis destroyer coming around very close to the Tiger Island, the UNESCO-designated along with its nearby sea. We shouted out, “No Need of Task Flotilla in the Peace Island! Go away, Aegis!” A giant group of birds flew in the sky, as if they felt something dangerous over the sea. The sea looked crying as 70 years before when the Island was blooded by the April 3rd incident.
Photo by K.N. /A warship is coming very closely around the Tiger Island, a UNESCO designated Island. The ship’s sea route interludes the UNESCO biodiversity area. For more photos, see here.
The Aegis missile defense program is a key element in Pentagon first-strike attack planning. Their role is to take out any retaliatory strikes after the US hits China or Russia. The closer the US can get these systems to China or Russia the better chance they have of working in a war time scenario. These are destabilizing systems and used to be illegal under the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty with Russia until George W. Bush pulled the US out of the agreement soon after taking office. (See the whole writing, here)
We are now witnessing once a pristine UNESCO-designated Jeju Sea to become a horrible stage for the missile defense (offense) system, a key for the aggressive ROK-US-Japan trilateral military alliance.
The tasks of demilitarizing Jeju Island and to realizing the Sea of Peace is more urgent than ever. As Bishop Kang U-Il said, “Our real struggle starts from now on.”
Photo by Pang E. M./ re-elected mayor Cho Kyung-Chul
Photo by Pang E. M. /More than 400 people gathered for the vote
Cho Kyung-Chul, the current village mayor was re-elected as the next two years’ mayor on the rainy day of Dec. 16. Around 400 of 1,000 village electorates gathered for the vote, which was the 2nd biggest meeting for an election since Aug. 10, 2007 when more than 430 electorates gathered to vote for Kang Dong-Kyun for mayor. Cho, a strawberry farmer and former co-vice mayor, has been a mayor after Kang Dong-Kyun, since Dec. 2013. On Dec. 16, there were three candidates including Cho. Since nobody got more than half votes on the 1st vote, there was the 2nd vote by which Cho and the 2nd candidate had to compete again. The result was only 18 vote gap between the two. Cho Kyung-Chul, the re-elected mayor had the words of thanks to share with other people. The below are some excerpts (translated) from that. (See the original Korean with more photos, here)
Photo by Pang E. M./ Three candidates
Photo by Pang E. M./ ex-mayor Kang Dong-Kyun is now a chairman for the election management.
“There is what I greatly realized through this election.
It is the realization that even though the naval base is just before its completion, the [three candidates], regardless of con and pro-base, consider the destruction of the Gangjeong Sea and Gureombi rock painful and that they acknowledge that villagers have made noble sacrifice to save the village community.
Further, they resolutely refuse to the navy’s attempt to occupy village or to expand its power. Only with the difference on solving problems, all three candidates expressed strong will of opposition to it. And even the pro-base supports did not raise opposing opinions to the three candidates’ such expressions and voted to one of them.
In conclusion, one can say that regardless of con and pro-base, the Gangjeong villagers have common awareness in resolutely refusing to the extension of naval base or designation of military restriction zone.
I consider those facts very seriously and will do my best not to allow any of the navy attempts on additional encroachment of the Gangjeong village.
Another will that the villagers showed yesterday was a hope for the village where young generation can settle and live and for a village environment where future generations can grow feeling safe.
I also urgently hope a village of autonomy not a village affiliated with the naval base. I will do my best to improve education environment, to make the villagers’ long cherished projects to be smoothly worked out, and to demand projects by which the economy ability of the village can be improved and realized.”
Photo by Choi S. H./ Even the community kitchen was filled by people.
Photo by Pang E. M/ Villagers crowded in the rainy yard, too.
Jeju Islanders Steadfast in Eight-Year Fight Against U.S.-South Korean Navy Base
Veterans For Peace Delegation Joins the Struggle
By Ellen Davidson
A daily ritual begins early in Gangjeong Village on Jeju Island, South Korea, site of a joint U.S.-South Korean deepwater naval base.
Activists surrounded by police as they make “100 Bows” in the early morning at the Jeju Island naval base entrance. Photo by ELLEN DAVIDSON
At 7 am every morning, activists at the entrance to the military base, begin a “100 bows” prayer. Police are lined up around them to make sure they don’t block construction vehicles. On this particular morning, this spiritual presence is augmented by Catholic peace workers, some of whom spent the previous night here in the raw damp. A mattress lies by the side of the road, occupied by Father Mun, one of the most famous radical priests in Korea. When he gets up, he is surrounded by an entourage of police who move with him as he walks, blocking his way if he tries to go too close to the road into the base. At one point, he shakes his cane at them, shouting in Korean that he is not a contagious disease to be quarantined this way.
Father Mun on the mattress where he spent the night outside the U.S.-South Korean naval base. Photo by ELLEN DAVIDSON
Villagers have been protesting construction of the Gangjeong facility and the attendant destruction of the surrounding environment for eight years. Every day, no matter the weather, they are out at the base entrance with their placards and banners, plastic lawn chairs, flower arrangements and carved wooden signs, with which they attempt to block vehicles from entering or exiting the site.
Veterans For Peace delegation organizer Tarak Kauff is set down at the side of the base entrance by South Korean police. Photo by ELLEN DAVIDSON
After the 100 bows are completed, protesters move into the next phase: police step back and allow them to move their chairs into the middle of the gateway, where they sit while the traffic builds up on both sides of the entrance. Every 20 minutes or so, a policeman comes out with a microphone and announces that if they do not leave, they will be removed. When they fail to move, 20-30 police move out and pick up the chairs (with their occupants) and flowers. They carefully deposit the chairs (still containing their occupants) by the side of the entrance and surround them while traffic is allowed to pass through the gate. When the lines of waiting cars, trucks, and construction equipment have all moved in or out, the police withdraw to their shelter behind the fence, and the protesters resume their positions in the middle of the entrance.
At 11 am, Mass begins. The removals of the protesters take place less frequently, as it is no longer “rush hour” to get to the construction site, but there is brisk traffic in and out of the gate throughout the entire day. For an hour and a half, the Catholic Mass is broadcast via speakers across the street. The protesters also have a cordless mic, and they chime in from time to time with a song or a portion of the service.
Following the Mass, the protest gets a little rowdier, with Korean pop music and dancing. Usually, this ends the daily vigil, but today the protesters stay until all the vehicles exited the gate, well past dark. This is because they were especially motivated by the previous day’s events, when a protester had been hit by a construction truck. She was taken to the hospital, where she required surgery to reconstruct her foot, which was crushed, and two other demonstrators had been arrested and taken to Jeju City. Upset by this escalation, Father Mun and others stayed the night, and Father Mun has vowed to fast until the two are released.
Veterans For Peace delegation stands with banner while giant construction vehicles leave the site. Photo by ELLEN DAVIDSON
Another aspect that made this day different was the arrival of a delegation of members of Veterans For Peace. The group of 13 includes one Korean War veteran and two others who were stationed in Korea during their military service. They joined in the protest at the gate in late afternoon, unfurling a banner that said “VFP Supports Ganjeong Village! No Navy Base!” They met with a warm welcome as they took their place among those sitting in the chairs and were carried off to the side by police. “I am thrilled that a Veterans For Peace delegation is here in strength in Jeju ,” said Bruce Gagnon, who first visited Gangjeong six years ago and has been supporting the struggle ever since. “I felt proud while we were standing in front of the gate holding our banner.”
Iraq War veteran Mike Hanes is carried out of the base entrance by South Korean police. Photo by ELLEN DAVIDSON
“I’m excited that two great post-911 veterans are with us,” said Tarak Kauff, one of the delegation organizers. “These younger veterans bring fresh energy and insight to our movement, and they are a critical part of building and strengthening the organization.”
The delegation will be on Jeju for a week, before traveling to Okinawa to join protests against expansion of U.S. military bases there. “We are here to learn more about and stand in solidarity with those feeling the direct ecological and human impact of U.S. base expansion as part of Obama’s pivot to surround and provocatively encircle China,” said Gagnon, coordinator of the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space.
Sung Hee Choi, a leader of the Gangjeong international team. Photo by ELLEN DAVIDSON
And for the people of Gangjeong, a village of 1900 that depends on the ocean for its economic survival, the impact is already evident, as they see the destruction wrought by the base construction on their sacred rocky Gureombi coastline and the endangered coral forests off their shore.
A protest on the 1st squadron created on Dec. 1, controversy on the 2nd jeju airport construction project, remembering Yang Yong-Chan, seeing the future of Gangjeong village from Pyeongtaek’s experience, confronting the provincial governor, international solidarity, questions about port entry and completion rate, trial update, military plans to write history text books, a photo exhibition on the Gurembi Rock, condolence to the victims of violence in the world and more.
