No War Base on the Island of Peace
For Posts in English
In this September Edition:
Catholic Conference, anniversary of Catholic solidarity and the fence around Gureombi, International Day of Peace, remembering an Japanese anti-base activist, North East Asia Regional Peace-building Institute, hunger strikes, Okinawa updates, trial updates, international solidarity, and more!
On Sep 20th, there’s a mass gathering in Henoko, Okinawa to protest against the military base construction and the violence conducted by the coast guard in order to enforce the military base construction. Gangjeong villagers and activists also participated directly in the gathering in Henoko to show our friendship and support to the Okinawa struggle for peace.
A solidarity message was delivered from Gangjeong Village Association, Gangjeong Peace Keepers, Gangjeong International Team, and Inter-Islands Solidarity for Peace Team to Henoko. Here’s the solidarity message:
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We people in Gangjeong are eager to express our outrageous anger to what’s going on in Henoko, Okinawa. We have watched many of photos and videos of the violent action conducted by the coast guard of Okinawa against the innocent peace activists.
It’s not a crime to defend the nature, peace, and be-loved hometown but it’s doubtlessly a crime to defend the base construction plan no matter how it is legal or illegal in the law system under a state. The action of the coast guards in Henoko seem to us the military itself but the enemy target is the peace-loving civilians who they declared to protect for.
It’s a lie that the military and military base protect people. It must be a real ironic lie for Okinawan who have learned the painful lesson to be a base islands under the war.
We have learned from our Okinawa friends that the nightmare of war experiences and state violence in Okinawa has been extended through the long-lasting existence of military bases, just like the enforcement of the naval base here has reminded many the nightmare of 43 and the history of forced militarization of Jeju by the Imperial Japan government. We are both together standing on the top of the uneven historical trauma and probably again the crossroad of the war.
We people in Gangjeong want to make a possible new way together with you.
Just like the thing we pray every day in Gangjeong during our struggling that the world peace will begin from our small village, so does Henoko. We people in Gangjeong request the cancelation of Henoko Bases, not only in Henoko, but all the military facilities in Okinawa islands while we are also struggling here to make Jeju a real DMZ peace island.
Henoko friends, you are in our heart in our daily struggle. Our solidarity for you is really from many Okinawa friends’ inspiring friendship for us. Peace is our way.
2014 Sep 19th in Gangjeong
Gangjeong Village Association, Gangjeong Peace Keepers, Gangjeong International Team, and Inter-Islands Solidarity for Peace Team
Peace for the Sea International Peace Camp, aimed to build up the inter-island solidarity for peace among three islands, Okinawa, Taiwan, and Jeju, in East Asia has been successfully held from Aug 3rd to 6th in Gangjeong village, Jeju Island with around 50 participants from Indonesia, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Spain, Unites States, Korea, not to mention Okinawa, Taiwan, and Jeju.
On Aug 3rd, participants visited Jeju 43 Peace Park to get the basic introduction of the traumatic history of Jeju island.
On the morning secession from Aug 4th-6th, people learned and exchanged the different stories on Okinawa, Jeju, and Taiwan following the different topics on each days. Every day, the presenters from Okinawa, Taiwan and Jeju brought us their different but connected island stories. And in the last day, we even have the Peace activist from Hawaii to present one of the most representative case of the evilness of the US militarism in Hawaii. And through the volunteering discussion in the late night of Aug 5th and part of the time in morning secession on Aug 6th, the peace camp participants made the common statement and presented it in Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and English language in the press conference during the Daily Human Chain Time in front of the Naval Base Construction gate with the shouting in 4 languages of NO Base, No Violence, No Killing, No War, No Nukes, No Destruction of Nature.
The following is the statement by the Peace Camp participants.
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“Peace for the Sea, From the Islands to the World”
Statement by Korean and Overseas Delegates to the 2014 Peace for the Sea International Peace Camp
We have gathered here in Gangjeong Village as witnesses of conscience who have also formed new bonds of friendship. We are peacemakers from across four different continents who have gathered to help promote inter-island solidarity among Okinawa, Taiwan, and Jeju. As part of our “Peace for the Sea” International Peace Camp, we feel moved to join together to issue this statement of solidarity.
We believe that the building of this naval base is wrong and a clear violation of local and international law. As members of the global community who love Korea, we are appalled that the construction of this naval base is poised to destroy the fragile ecology of an island renowned throughout the world for its natural beauty and geological significance. The projected impact of this base would forever change the character of the island and could potentially cripple Jeju’s thriving tourist economy. We emphasize in the strongest terms that militarizing this island stands to ruin Jeju’s pristine environment with toxic pollution, and would dishonor the island’s character as a sacred island of peace and a place of collective healing from historical trauma.
Here in Jeju, we are furthermore inspired by the courage and integrity of those who have long opposed militarism and state violence in Okinawa and Taiwan and on other islands in East Asia. We share parallel backgrounds and many common experiences, and we stand in solidarity as we engage in a common struggle against anti-democratic militarism.
We also share a close kinship with the sea, and we embrace our duty to protect the right to peaceful oceans, which is our common human inheritance.
We therefore challenge the manifestations of state violence on Okinawa, Taiwan and Jeju. Given that reducing military tensions in Northeast Asia is essential to promoting peace throughout the world, all three islands must be demilitarized and restored to their former long-standing existence as peaceful communities at the maritime crossroads of Northeast Asia. For the sake of a more secure future in the region and for the world, we urgently call for a newly Demilitarized Peace Area without military bases in Okinawa, Taiwan and Jeju.
This statement was written collaboratively among all of the participants of the International Peace Camp.
August 6, 2014
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In the afternoon from Aug 4-6, the ocean activities had been carried out in the Gangjeong port, Gangjeong river and Gangjeong sea. The activities includes having fun in the Gangjeong river, swimming and riding the kayaks in the sea, Peace Demonstration in the sea…
In the night, the peace festivals were held. In the first day’s “Welcoming night”, Gangjeong villagers, Go, GwonIl, the vice mayor of Gangjeong, and Jeong YoungHee, the chairwoman of Gangjeong anti-base committee gave the welcoming speech to these domestic and international peace delegates. In the second day’s “Cultural Night”, people learned and enjoyed the Gangjeong, Okinawa, and Indonesia traditional dances. And in the movie night, we watched the Gangjeong documentary–“Gureombi, the Wind is blowing” and had the dialogue with Director Cho, SungBo. In the last night, the music concert was held and the closing speech had been done by the other Gangjeong vice mayor Mr. Choi, Yong-Beom and the video message from the Jeju Bishop Mr. Kang U-Il to the Peace Camp participants. Through these festival nights, people got time to exchange and share our cultures from different islands and areas and some also use this time to give the solidarity to the palatine people who is now suffering by war.
All the participants in this peace camp are the precious presents who make the inter-island solidarity for peace be on the way of realization. We exchange our promise not to let one struggle alone against militarism. And the 2nd, and 3rd Peace Camp in Okinawa and Taiwan are under preparation.
See more photos of peace camp here: http://savejejunow.org/?p=10112
See the message from Bishop Kang U-il to peace camp paticipants here: http://savejejunow.org/?p=10145
Collection of links: messages with Korean translations (see here)
As in 2012, 2013, many international peace activist friends have thankfully sent us solidarity messages. (click for 2012 messages and 2013 messages) The below is the collection of each message. The Columban JPIC has been willing to initiate a petition for solidarity with Gangjeong (click here). Bruce Gagnon, coordinator of the Global Network against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space (space4peace.org) and Angie Zelter (tridentploughshares.org), 2012 Nobel Peace Award nominee, have sent us video messages and they were screened in our Aug. 2 cultural event, the end of our march program. Some early messages were put in our march literature that was distributed to the march participants today. Some messages were put in excerpts in our July-August newsletter (click here, page 5) and will be put in our Peace Center to remind people here of your friendship and solidarity.
Thanks so much Eun-young Lydia Park to translate many messages. Thanks so much, all the international friends who sent us messages, again.
Angie Zelter(UK) and Bruce Gagnon (US)
Sherrin (Australia)
Keep fighting the good fight. Though i can’t march by your side my thoughts and prayers are with you every step. Much love Sherrin
–> See the Korean translation, here.
Bayan (New Patriotic Alliance – Philippines) and Ban the Bases (Philippines)
Dear Friends in Gangjeong Warm greetings from Bayan ( New Patriotic Alliance – Philippines) and Ban the Bases! Attached are photos of our solidarity action for the Gangjeon 2014 March for Peace and Life. We carried paper placards that made the following calls: Save Jeju Island! Ban the [ROK]US Naval Base Now! Resist US Militarism and War!Ban the US Bases Now! Stop [ROK]US Naval Base in Jeju! We wish success to the Gangjeon March for Peace and Life on July 29 – August 02.Long Live International Solidarity! Yours Sincerely, Rita Baua, International Solidarity Officer Boyette Jurcales, Coordinator, Ban the Bases
–> See the Korean translation and more images, here.
HOBAK & friends/diasporic Koreans in the Bay area (United States)
stay strong, gangjeong! we stand in solidarity with you, and others around the world struggling for self-determination! 투쟁! sending love, hobak & friends/diasporic koreans in the bay area
–> See the Korean translation, here. 
KEEP (Korea Education & Exposure Program)-ROK 2014 (United States)
We, the KEEP-ROK 2014 delegation, stand in solidarity with the people of Gangjeong in the struggle for peace and justice. 해군기지결사반대! 생명평화강정마을! As Koreans in diaspora living in the US, we absolutely object and denounce the naval base construction, the extreme militarization of the Asia Pacific, and the immense violence perpetrated by US imperialism. Your strength and fierce resistance is deeply inspiring, and our spirits are with you on the Peace March! Love & Solidarity, KEEP-ROK 2014.
–> See the Korean translation and more images, here.
Jack and Felice Cohen-Joppa (The Nuclear Resister, United States )
To our friends who so steadfastly oppose the construction of a naval base on the Island of Peace: With every step of your peace walk, our thoughts are with you. Every day when you sit in the road at the entrance gate, our thoughts are with you. During each act of conscience and resistance, many of us – near and far – stand in solidarity with you. Every day we remember and are thankful for the activists who are in a prison cell. Your persistence and faithfulness is an inspiration to so many around the world. Our struggle for a peaceful and disarmed world is one struggle! Jack and Felice Cohen-Joppa, The Nuclear Resister, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
–> See the Korean translation, here.
Paul Schneiss (Germany)
Dear friends, i am traveling… [..] Today sleeping all day. Bu never forget Gangjeong. Wherever I go I talk about Gangjeong. My experience of Gangjeong. And your experience as I know. And the Gangjeong peoples life and hopes and decidedness and courage… Peace does not come by itself, we have to fight for it (fight and peace?!). So please send me pictures and stories from the march. I will put those on our Homepage.[..] Peace be with you, Paul Paul Schneiss, Heideberg, Germany
–> See the Korean translation, here.
Christine Ahn (United States)
My dear villagers Greetings from Washington, D.C. Where I am just leaving a historic march and rally at the White House on the occasion of the 61st anniversary of the Korean War armistice. Hundreds of Koreans from the us and South Korea along with their American allies marched to urge president Obama to end the Korean War and to sign a peace treaty. At the rally in front of the White House I challenged Obama’s notion that the Korean War was a victory. How are 10 million families separated victory? How is the militarization of korea a victory? How is the repression of democracy on both sides of the Dmz a victory? There were over 50 youth there and I told them seeing their faces gave me great hope, that we need them to carry the torch for peace so that like me who learned from my elders they can help educate my two year old jeju whom I named after the fierce resistance against the naval base. From Washington, D.C. To honolulu hawaii coast to coast across the United States the people are moved and inspired by your courage and belief in a different future, a peaceful future that isn’t militarized. Thank you for risking your whole lives for peace. May justice rain down on you soon. With love Christine Ahn, Executive Director of the Korea Policy Institute, co-founder of the National Campaign to End the Korean War
–> See the Korean translation, here.
Koohan Paik ( Hawai’i)
There are so many heroes in Gangjeong, that it is difficult to count them all. By “hero,” I mean a person with great courage and strength who makes unlimited sacrifices for the good of all humanity. One such hero is Father Mun Kyu-hyun. During last year’s march, he was asked by the film director Oliver Stone why he crossed the DMZ to North Korea, even though he knew that it would result in long-term imprisonment. Father Mun grinned bashfully and tilted his head. Then he explained, “That is the road to peace.”
The Grand March for Peace and Life is another road to peace. Every summer, people come from all over Korea and even the world, to join the Jeju Islanders in this weeklong march. The parade of yellow-shirted men and women, boys and girls, never fails to inspire all onlookers. They are inspired because they are seeing something rare in our world — a vision of real democracy. Korea is so lucky to have Jeju Island, and all the brave, strong, beautiful heroes who will never stop fighting to save her. Thank you, Gangjeong, for inspiring me, too. Koohan Paik, Hawai’i
–> See the Korean translation, here.
Sato, M. (Japan)
Seeing the current insanity towards ordinary people in Gaza and Uklaine, struggles in Gnagjeong remind us of the conscience and the sensibility of human beings. As we citizens here are powerless, Japan is being arbitrarily and fundamentally changed, from defensive to offensive. One predictable consequence to that might emerge on the Korean Peninsula. The tragic horrible history must not be repeated. In our hearts, we would walk for peace and young lives. We would stand by those courageous local citizens in Gangjeong.
–> See the Korean translation, here.
The Sea of Okinawa
Mariko (Japan)
Yufuin (Japan)
Matsuno, Kiyoko (Japan)
I wish I could join the Walk, but it might be too hot for me.
In the near future I would like to visit Gangjeong again.
We, me and my friends in Osaka, always remember you and
think of you.
Your work for peace encourages us to keep fighting against
militarism in Japan.
Only peace can make the world peaceful, not weapons.
Thank you for all the work you, Gangjeong people, do for peace.
Best wishes,
Kiyoko Matsuno, Japan
–> See the Korean translation and more images, here.
Lindis Percy ( UK)
MESSAGE OF SOLIDARITY TO THE GRAND MARCH FOR LIFE AND PEACE 2014
Sent by Lindis Percy – Coordinator on behalf of the CAMPAIGN FOR THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF AMERICAN BASES (CAAB) www.caab.org.uk also on Facebook and Twitter
We send you greetings, solidarity and love as you march for life and peace. We will be with you in spirit – every step of the way!
We are so inspired and impressed by your persistence and resistance – peaceful and steadfast. You shine a light in a very dark and troubled world. Along the way many people will have had their minds and hearts opened by you as to what the US military are doing on the beautiful island of Jeju.
Your flag flies at the Tuesday weekly demonstration when we gather at the American base – NSA/NRO Menwith Hill. PEACE friends.
With much love
Lindis
–> See the Korean translation and more images, here.
Kelly, Kathy (United States)
Dear Friends,
From here in Kabul, we’re grateful to catch courage from you. Wars and threats of increasing violence afflict Afghanistan, and so we are all the more grateful for your insistence that we can nonviolently resist the war makers. Thank you for your vibrant, creative and tenacious witness. Your commitment to peaceful seas inspires us here in landlocked Afghanistan as we share in your dreams and your efforts to be guided by your visions of a better world.
Sincerely,
Kathy Kelly
co-coordinator of Voices for Creative Nonviolence
–> See the Korean translation and more images, here.
Hakim with the Afghan Peace Volunteers (Afghanistan)
“No Naval Base!”
Your yellow banner of protest adorns the wall of our library in the Borderfree Community Centre of Non-violence in Kabul, Afghanistan.
The Afghan Peace Volunteers seek to emulate your beautiful community’s resilience in resisting the global military industrial complex.
With you, we wish to sing against the militarization of Mother Nature and our common spaces, and dance with you for a world without war.
When you walk, know that you’re strengthening us across all borders.
Thanks for showing us that even if we were the defenseless underwater soft coral not seen by the world, we can remain soft, we can insist on being colorful, and we can link hands to enrich a part of the vast, untamable sea.
With love and peace from Afghanistan,
Hakim with the Afghan Peace Volunteers
–> See the Korean translation and more images, here.
Australian Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition Pax Christi Australia, and MSC Justice & Peace Centre (Australian Province)
To all those taking part in the 2014 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace, we send a message of solidarity and hope.
Unable to be with you in body, we stand with you in heart and mind, and thank you for the opportunity to do so.
We condemn the cultural and environmental damage that Gangjeong is suffering at the hands of the ROK and US navies, and the injustices being imposed on its people, especially activists.
Your bravery, creativity and determination not to be silenced are sources for strength and inspiration for peace activists throughout the world.
We share your goal of preserving Jeju’s status as the world’s Island of Peace.
We share your goal of bringing to an end the construction of the naval base within you precious waters.
We share your dream of a region whose constituent nations pursue peace together through disarmament, mutual respect, cooperation and dedication to non-violence and justice.
We share your passion for peace.
AUSTRALIAN ANTI-BASES CAMPAIGN COALITION
PAX CHRISTI AUSTRALIA (Fr. Claude Mostowik)
MISSIONARIES of the SACRED HEART JUSTICE & PEACE CENTRE (AUSTRALIAN PROVINCE)
–> See the Korean translation, here.
The Liem Family (United States)
Gangjeong villagers and internationalists: your eight years of struggle and sacrifice against the interests of the South Korean and U.S. military/industrial complex are an inspiration to peace and earth-loving people everywhere.Your unbreakable will and spirit, not Korea’s corporate prestige, technological achievements or K-Pop, are the nation’s true gifts to the world.
In solidarity for people’s justice on the Island of Peace,
The Liem Family (Joan, Ramsay, Deann and Paul)
–> See the Korean translation, here.
Kyle Kajihiro, Hawaiʻi Peace and Justice and the DMZ-Hawaiʻi / Aloha ʻĀina network
Aloha dear friends in Jeju!
From Hawaiʻi Peace and Justice and the DMZ-Hawaiʻi / Aloha ʻĀina network, warm greetings and solidarity!
Congratulations on the commencement of your 2014 Grand March for Life and Peace! Thank you for your tireless efforts. As you begin your march, the U.S. military and the militaries of twenty-two other countries continue their RIMPAC military exercises in our islands, an example of the unbearable costs and consequences of endless war.
Do not believe the lie that mili-tourism has been good for Hawaiʻi. While some people reap the benefits of the military-industrial complex, most local residents and the environment pay a very high price: environmental destruction, displacement from the land, rising costs of living, sexual violence, and accidents. You walk for all the people of the world who dream and struggle for peace and justice. Peace for Jeju! Peace for the world!
In solidarity
Kyle Kajihiro
–> See the Korean translation, here.
Columbans and friends in Chile
Columbans and friends in Chile support the campaign against the building of the naval base in Gangjeong,Jeju! They are in solidarity with you this week as you walk for the life and peace of the beautiful island of Jeju! This is the message I was asked to convey to you below! The link below to the protest letter handed in at the Embassy in Santiago is in Spanish! ‘This morning, a group of representatives of the columban family in Chile (Lay missionaries, co-workers, friends of Saint Columban and Columban Youth) presented a letter in solidarity with the people of Jeju Island to the embassy of Korea asking the government to stop the construction of the naval base in Jeju, all this in the context of the celebration of “2014 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace” you can see the report in Our website, here. or in our facebook, here. Cesar Correa Valenzuela Justice Peace & Integrity Of Creation Co-ordinator Society of St. Columban. Chile Familia columbana entrega carta a embajada de Corea por situacion en la isla de Jeju. #columbanos Puedes revisar la carta en
–> See the Korean translation and more images, here.
Yuichi Kamoshita(Japan) : An impression on joining march after it
Since I started to think about a Peace in my life, Korea, China, and Taiwan as well as Asian counties
where were invaded by Japanese imperial army and corporations are often in my mind. As our grand
or great-grand parents helped to invade these countries. I always have some pain in my deep heart.
The millions people of Korea lost their lives and livelihood.
Also, millions of Chinese, Germany, Russian, Japanese and more countries.
There are no borders that all civilians are victims and people still suffer from that war.
We still have difficult relationships between countries.
And this issue is always played on the political games which disturb a mutual understanding between
civilians.
In order to avoid this brain washing, we civilians need to avoid the mass-medias who are sponsored by the government and big corporations or powers.
The importance of international solidarity in grass roots level is now getting higher.
Communicating and sharing the experiences by visiting each other would be a very helpful to lift up
our awareness of understanding other life styles which a fact of all societies are depend on the natural environment and human culture from ancestors.
I joined the Grand March 2014 in Jeju. I had mainly 3 reasons to walk this island.
1, Of course, to express against naval base,but also offering a prayer for the victims of 4·3 and victims of Japanese colonization.
2, to feel Jeju, to understand the way of life. the great nature gives a life to the people of this island.
3, to meet and communicate with people of Korea and international friends.
And as I understood that this is a most front line of the peace action.
By visiting Gangjeong village and joining the movement, I was inspired by the leadership of religious
people, and a presence of international team. also a lot of young people take a part of this movement
which I couldn’t see in Okinawa’s movement.
It is my hope that more religious people stand up and dedicate their lives to the peace and social
activities.
Now Okinawa’s struggle is facing a turning point. a construction of expounding the Camp Schwab at
Henoko now started. at the same time Takae (Yanbaru forest)
Jungle warfare training center(U.S marine corp.) has been expounding the helipads by cutting down the forest life.
I consider that people of Okinawa need more international solidarity now.
Humbly,I ask people of Korea to come to stay in Okinawa for support and encourage the movement.
I also would start working for inter-island solidarity.
Kamsa Hamnida.
–>See the Korean Translation, here
In this this July and August Special Edition:
The Pope visits Korea, more caissons broken by typhoons, World Council of Churches calls for a stop to the base, special section on the 2014 Grand March, special section on the 2014 Peace for the Sea Camp, update on Milyang, Emergency Jeju DMZ forum, youth camps in Gangjeong, Gangjeong housing co-op, prison updates, trial updates, international solidarity, and more!
Last fall, from October 30 until November 8, 2013, The World Council of Churches (WCC) held its every 7-years global assembly in Busan on the southern tip of the mainland of Korea. With the theme of “God of Life, lead us to Justice and Peace”, it was perfectly suited for Gangjeong, and activists and villagers from Gangjeong, as well as nationwide and international supporters attended the assembly, hosting both a workshop on Inter-Island Solidarity and an Exhibition Booth about Gangjeong’s struggle.
At the time, Gangjeong’s struggle was also brought before the assembly as an issue to be discussed in the official statements released each time by the WCC. The public issues committee and the WCC delegates which had the delegated authority to choose which issues would appear in official statements, voted to choose Gangjeong. Gangjeong and its supporters were overjoyed, however due to unresolved issues, there was not time to finish and release the official statement by the end of the assembly and it was pushed back to July 2014 when the WCC central committee would meet again to resolve remaining issues.
Well, finally, from July 2-8, the central committee met in Geneva, Switzerland. There they finished the remaining statements and released them including the one related to Gangjeong. In an official statement entitled, “Statement towards a Nuclear-free World”:
The World Council of Churches central committee, meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, 2-8 July 2014, therefore calls on member churches and related ministries and networks to:
[…] 8. Oppose the expansion of military bases, nuclear forces and missile defences in Asia or targeting Asia, and raise awareness of public resistance to such military expansion including the new naval base at Gangjeong Village on Jeju Island, Republic of Korea.
According to the WCC, they represent over 500 million Christians in more than 110 countries, making them one of the worlds largest religious councils. This clear mandate for its member churches, ministries and networks to oppose the Gangjeong naval base is a major win for the Gangjeong struggle!
Please spread this great news around and encourage those you know in WCC related churches, networks and ministries, to join in this new mandate of the WCC!
The Gangjeong international team has requested to Australian Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition for an article in June 2014 newsletter. The excerpts from the long version was put in the 2nd page of it. We put the whole article here as it provides much information. Thanks to Julie Marlow and friends in the Australian Anti-Bases Campaign to take time on the article.
Won Hee-Ryong, a conservative and right wing, and a new Island governor(who was elected on June 4 and started his term on July 1)has written a reply to the Gangjeong Village Association’s question on the possibility of realization of civilian-military complex port on May 24 that he thinks co-existence of civilian and military port is possible, making examples of Sydney, San Diego, Manhattan, and Rome. His whole short answer was:
Sydney Harbour: an unlikely exemplar of military/civilian cooperation
By Julie Marlow, Australian Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition
Won Hee-ryong, Jeju’s new Governor, has stated that Sydney Harbour is an example of a port comfortably combining civilian and military uses. This is highly debatable, particularly on past and present environmental evidence.
The new Governor also has suggested that the big cruise lines enjoy an accommodating relationship with Sydney Harbour’s naval base. This is simply wrong. The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has made clear that guaranteed access to its terminals by cruise ships is incompatible with the ‘primacy’ of naval operations.
Sydney Harbour has been a naval base since 1788, when Britain’s Royal Navy first arrived and hoisted the British flag. The harbour’s colonial history is tragic, with its Indigenous people largely displaced within a few generations, many murdered or dead of introduced diseases.
A more recent disaster—Sydney Harbour’s dioxin contamination— also has a strong military component. Australian-produced Agent Orange, manufactured by Union Carbide at a site on the western reaches of the harbour, was sold to the US and Australian armed forces for chemical warfare during the Vietnam-America War. Carcinogenic and teratogenic dioxins, originating from the Union Carbide site, now extensively contaminate the harbour’s marine life and sediment, and will continue to do so for decades. Since 2006, commercial fishing in the harbour has been banned and recreational fishers are warned not to eat fish caught in its western waters, and to strictly limit what they eat of their catches in other areas.
Sydney Harbour’s sad history belies the claim made by Won Hee-ryong. So does the nature of Australia’s current military build-up. Most of the build-up is in the north of the country and along the west coast, following recommendations of the government’s 2012 Force Posture Review, developed in sympathy with the USA’s Global Force Posture Review. Nonetheless, Sydney and the east coast are not being spared. Naval activities in the harbour are increasing and these activities are resource-greedy and polluting. It is hard to see how such activities can easily dovetail with civilian uses of the port.
Military activities are among the most environmentally risky of all human activities, yet, here in Australia, assessment of defence environmental impacts is neither independent nor transparent. The Department of Defence has exceptionalist status in regard to environmental legislation, as set out in EPBC Act Policy Statement 1.2 Significant Impact Guidelines May 2006http://www.environment.gov.au/resource/significant-impact-guidelines-12-actions-or-impacting-upon-commonwealth-land-and-actions.
Sydney Harbour, home port for Australia’s newest and biggest warships
The most conspicuous military presence in Sydney Harbour is the Garden Island defence precinct, comprising the RAN’s Fleet East Base and facilities of arms corporations, Thales Australia in particular. Fleet East Base is Australia’s principle east coast naval base. Thales, providing extensive maintenance and other services to the base, operates Australia’s largest dry dock, which artificially connects Garden Island to the mainland. Other corporations have a presence on the base, such as the Naval Ship Management (Australia) Pty Ltd, a joint venture between UGL and Babcock.
Fleet East Base is the home port for at least 12 of Australia’s larger warshipshttps://www.navy.gov.au/establishments/fleet-base-east. The latest to arrive is Australia’s biggest ever warship, the 27, 000-tonne, 230-meter long ‘Nuship Canberra’, an amphibious assault ship called a Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD).
Under strong pressure from the US military, with which Australian armed forces are becoming ever more deeply integrated, the RAN is rapidly expanding. Garden Island’s share in the expansion is a substantial revamp to accommodate more large vessels, including a second LHD and three Air Warfare Destroyers (AWDs) equipped with Aegis Combat Systems (sister ships to the US AWDs to be docked at Jeju). Sydney’s AWD and LHD training and sustainment facilities are costing $170.2 million. Favoured status of Defence means legislative environmental approval for this work is not required.
The navy is also considering using Fleet Base East as a supplementary home port for the planned expanded submarine fleet.
Foreign, especially allied, warships are frequent visitors to Sydney, and given the US military’s so-called re-balance to the Asia-Pacific, likely to become more frequent. These vessels require berthing and servicing at Garden Island, adding to its environmental footprint. Further, despite the City of Sydney’s status as a nuclear-free zone, nuclear-powered and unconfirmed nuclear armed US Navy ships arrive without compunction. Years of protest by peace, anti-nuclear and green groups has been of no avail.
Increased naval operations at Garden Island as well as infrastructure upgrades inevitably add to existing pollution and disturbance of contaminated sediment. The NSW Government’s recent $21-million harbour decontamination project included attempts to clean up sediment around Garden Island. However, “heavy metal contamination in soils and shallow sediments around the [Garden Island] precinct” continues to be reported
http://www.defence.gov.au/id/_Master/docs/ncrp/nsw/1022,%20Garden%20Island%20Precinct,%20NSW.pdf)
Commercial/military clash over use of ship terminals
Berths at the Garden Island naval base are among the most accessible in the port, and the RAN keeps a jealous grip on them. Contrary to the suggestion by Jeju’s new Governor, RAN shares its berths with the commercial sector very reluctantly and on an ad hoc, temporary basis.
Today’s huge cruise ships are too tall to pass under Sydney Harbour Bridge. Since 2007, the cruise industry, the fastest growing segment of Australian tourism (and admittedly an environmentally undesirable industry), has been calling for guaranteed access to the navy’s terminals. In 2012, the Australian Government directed the navy to make available three berths to passenger ships per year, but this arrangement does not meet demand and is bound to stop as soon as the next procurement of naval vessels arrives.
In its April 2013 review of cruise ship access to Garden Island, the Department of Defence concluded: “The current and future naval capability requirements at Garden Island are essentially incompatible over the longer term except on the existing ad hoc arrangements that we are following. The provision of the guaranteed shared access sought by the cruise industry would impact on the primacy of the naval operations from Fleet Base East.”http://www.aph.gov.au/parliamentary_business/committees/house_of_representatives_committees.html?url=pwc/cpofitout/report%202/chapter5.htm
Conclusion
Sydney and eastern Australia is a climate change hotspot. Sea levels are rising and the East Australian Current is strengthening. Larger storm surges are predicted, as is the possibility of a southward shift of tropical cyclones.
Such hotspots are proliferating throughout the Asia-Pacific. Climate change is the outstanding security risk of the region, indeed the world. The environmental destructiveness that is caused by the construction of the Jeju Naval Base and, to a lesser extent by naval upgrades in Sydney, demonstrates that the military expansionism of the US and its allies ROK and Australia, can only compound the crisis that is facing our planet.
If you remember the seven destroyed caissons (*a caisson is a huge concrete structure for building breakwater) by the big typhoons in 2012, you will also remember how unreliable the caisson construction has been; how wrong the base location is as the village is located on the very way of typhoon; how dumbfounding is waste of people’s tax for war base; and how the sea has been polluted by the navy who has illegally destroyed those seven without any environmental concern… Here are a few words (excerpted) by some witness who are observing another damage on caissons by a medium typhoon that hit Jeju on July 9…
…………………………………………
‘It is the 1st typhoon since the [navy’s] caisson construction in the area of South breakwater, an area operated by the Samsung C & T.’ (By Kim Kook Nam, peace keeper, July 9)
‘Neoguri, the 1st level typhoon in Okinawa has become weaken into the 2nd level when it affected the Jeju Island. [..]’ (By Go Gwon-Il, co-vice mayor, July 9)
‘Due to the typhoon Neoguri influence, two caissons at the end of the naval base (currently built) south breakwater were completely separated. A one-story caisson at the end of south breakwater, which is barely exposed on the sea surface, is slant, as well, while the two caissons next to it become separated from the existing ones with the great gap from those and looking slant, too. It is likely to take lots of time for those to be restored..” (By Fr. Kim Sung-Hwan, July 10, 8:30am)
‘According to Koh Sung-Shik, Yonhap news reporter who inquired to the naval base project committee, the 1st caisson has been filled with about 40% inside while the 2nd with 100%[..] There seems no way except for smashing those. Steel rods in those became all crooked with the concern of getting rusty in the sea water.. (By Go Gwon-Il, co-vice mayor, in the morning of July 10)
The naval base project committee got tens of billions of damage by total destruction of seven caissons when the typhoon Denvin and Bolaben hit the Jeju in 2012. At the time, the navy said, “The naval base caisson is laid out to stand against big typhoon every 50 years.” (Jeju Sori, July 9)
”The damaged caissons shown from the land is No. 1 and 2. But when I accessed to the site, today, the No. 3, following 1, 2, became slant, too, toward the Beom Island(Tiger Island) about 15 degree. The last picture is the front of No. 3. ( Writing and photos By Kim Kook Nam, Peace Keeper, on July 10)’ (See also Yonhap News, July 10)
‘1. Three caissons in the south breakwater were damaged and distorted. Though the size is different, each costs from 1.5 to 3 billion KRW. It is our tax.
2. The same scene with No. 1, taken from the Moetppuri,[ the eastern tip of the base project]
3. All steel rods along the south breakwater became to be laid
4. Same with tetra pods that have been piled up at the end of the east breakwater.
The villagers used to say,
“The Gangjeong Sea will settle what we cannot do with our struggle.”
(Writing and photos by Cho Sung-Bong, July 10. For more photos by Dir. Cho, see here. )
A Jeju media reminds the words of Yang Hong-Chan, the chairman of the villagers’ anti-base commitee in the earliest period of the struggle: “Do you know why there is no tree in the sunny south side on the top of the Beom Island? It is because the sea wave even over rides the top of it during big typhoons. How there can a base be built up in such location? ( Jeju Internet News, July 10)
Typhoon Neoguri from cho sung bong on Vimeo. (For the photos, see here)
“As the people who oppose the Gangjeong naval base construction(destruction), Jeju, by now, we have practiced opposition to the naval base project, living with the Gangjeong villagers. Through peaceful methods, we have resisted to the barbarity and violence of the Jeju naval base construction while looking for solidarity with the Jeju Islanders, nationwide citizens and peace-loving people in the world. [..]
Above all, [we] declaring not to pay fines- a legal punishment which is accumulated by our practice, state to face against it with our prison labor.
Second, we will not stop opposition struggle against the naval base project even after prison labor and will more heighten the degree of our struggle taking solidarity with all the people fighting against capital.
Third, for the peace of the North East Asia and Earth that is imminently being threatened, we will more gather our power into peace movement in solidarity with the peace activists in the world facing against the United States’s world domination strategy.
We go to the Jeju Prison today. They shall never fail our will to oppose the Jeju naval base project that pushes the future of the Jeju with never just but mean ways. We will resolutely resist till the day when the Jeju naval base construction is stopped.
(Excerpt from the statement by Lee Jong-Hwa, Park Seung-Ho, ‘People opposing to the naval base project, Gangjeong, go toward the Jeju Prison, July 3, 2014)
“We will set up the type for struggle.”
Today on July 3, two Gangjeong peace keepers, Lee Jong-Hwa (48, See the page 3 of here) and Park Seung-Ho (47), refusing to fines, volunteered to be present in the Jeju Prosecutor Office around 6:15 pm. They are to be imprisoned in the Jeju Prison by their will.
The two have been arrested in front of the naval base project committee building complex in June 2012. The two were charged of obstruction of business, while added by another minor charges such as insult.
Each of them is determined to be imprisoned for one or two months.
In this month’s issue:
Soft corals of Gangjeong dying, Jeju after the elections, Sydney Harbor, Solidarity with Okinawa for the Battle of Okinawa, police disturb Catholic mass, village bus gets painted, nonviolent direct action workshop in Gangjeong, remembering the Korean war, noisy construction, prison updates, trial updates, international solidarity, and more!
