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No War Base on the Island of Peace

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  • Urgent: How you can help us to cut the budget overnight. Please take 1 minute/ People’s emergency press conference

    The National Defense Committee of the National Assembly will have its final meeting in the morning of Nov. 16, Friday, in Korean time. Its’ Nov. 12 meeting was dissipated because of wide gap between the ruling and main opposition party. But since then the Democratic United Party (DP), the main opposition party has shown its compromising attitude that it is considering to agree with the ruling Saenury Party (New Frontier Party) to pass all or part of the proposed budget on the Jeju naval base project, to the indignation of people. The people here have mobilized themselves to protest to the members of the DP through email, phone and SNS. There was people’s emergency press conference on Nov. 15. How you can help us overnight in short time? Please see the part 2 of this article.

    Photo by PSPD/ People’s press conference in front of the National Assembly on Nov. 15, 2012

    1. People’s emergency press conference on Nov. 15

    On Nov. 15, there was people’s emergency press conference to demand ruling and opposition parties to cut the whole  201 billion won of 2013 Jeju naval base project budget in front of the National Assembly at 1:30 pm. The Press conference was hosted by the Gangjeong Village Association, Jeju Pan-Island Committee for the Stop of Military Base and for the Realization of Peace Island (26 groups), National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing the Naval Base in Jeju Island (125 groups). Please watch Dungree video Here (Youtube). You can see the original Korean statement here (posted by the PSPD).

    Some points in the press conference statement read:

    Even though the Budget and Balance committee of the National Assembly 2011 has recommended the government and navy “to objectively verify on the safety matters of entry & exit of port and coming alongside & out of port by the 150,000 ton cruises through the 3rd institute,” the government and navy have ignored it. Despite that, the members of the ruling and opposition parties in the National Defense committee are to pass 200.9 billion won on the 2013 Jeju naval base project, without asking the matter on the execution on the National assembly recommendation item. The Jeju naval base project currently being enforced is in violation of the 2007 National assembly subsidiary opinion of ‘Civilian-Military Complex Port of Call,’ (* the Lee Myung Bak government has enforced the project under the title of the Civilian-Military Complex Port for Tour Beauty) and also in violation of the 2011 Budget and Balance committee of the National Assembly recommendation item, the demand of verification on the possibility of entry & exit by 150,000 ton cruises. It is a case when a strict response by the National Assembly is needed in the sense that those are of ignorance of the authority of the National assembly that monitors the Administrative. Therefore it is reasonable that the National Assembly cut all 2013 budgets on the Jeju naval base, according to the agreement between the ruling and opposition parties. […] However, Han Ki-Ho (* a former high-rank  army commander), member of the Saenuri Party, the person concerned in the ruling and opposition party’s agreement [in 2011] as a member of Budget and Balance Committee and now a chairman of the National defense committee  shows shameless appearance to condemn the voice on budget as if it is from that of pro North Korea.

    Photo by Tommy Shin Jung-Hyun/ People’s press conference to cut the Jeju naval base budget in front of National Assembly on Nov. 15, 2012

    There are some useful points to remind in the people’s protest letters to the two big ruling and opposition parties. Here are some excerpted translations.

    Protest letter to the Saenuri Party: Excerpts

    The government stated only today that it would accept the opinion by the Jeju Island government on simulation verification(It is in fact ‘revelation’ not ‘verification by the words of the Office of Prime Minister)‘. However, it has already been proved out that the [projected] port is difficult not only for 150,000 ton cruise’s entry-exit and coming alongside the pier but also for military vessels to properly enter and exit, through the meeting minutes by the ‘technical verification committee on the entry/ exit of cruse’ set up following the navy resource and National Assembly recommendation. Also construction has been unreliably, roughly-and-readily being done. So caissons that are to be used for port & bay construction have been completely destroyed, too. It is judged that the safety of port itself would not be guaranteed either.

    The Saenuri party thinks the Jeju naval base is certainly necessary for national security. However, if the Saenuri Party truly thinks security, it should take the lead to cut all budgets on the Jeju naval base project. It is because the Jeju naval base currently being constructed in Gangjeong has no validity for project purpose. It cannot even properly be used as a military port.

    The government takes protection of southern sea area and sea transportation lane as the purpose of the Jeju naval base project. However, there is no need to be stubborn to build the naval base in Jeju to protect the southern sea water. The government has already measure of the 3rd fleet in Mokpo that does not need another base in Jeju. Further the task of sea transportation lane is originally the duty of coast guard and it is never appropriate that military vessel steps for that, given the geographical conditions and relationship with nearby countries.

    Furthermore, it has been turned out through navy resource that the main facilities of the Jeju naval base are being designed and built according to the US military demand to fit for the vessels such as the US nuclear aircraft carrier [and submarines] that the US retain

    Protest letter to the Democratic United Party: Excerpts

    The remarks by Park Ji-Won, floor representative of Democratic United Party, who said that ‘[the party] would confirm on the test result on the entry/exit of port and then allocate budget,’ is never realistic, given the time to be taken for verification and schedule on budget review. Further in the situational condition that the Office of Prime Minister and navy enforce construction (destruction), ignoring the resolution by the National Assembly who demanded verification through simulation, there is no other alternative than to cut the whole budget (* so construction is to be stopped) to enforce verification. We worry  to see the words by [Moon Jae-In], Presidential candidate and [Park Ji-Won] floor representative to be over turned in a week.

    It seems that the reason that the Democratic United Party changed its position on the matter of cut on the Jeju naval base budget is because it judged that it would influence not  good effect in the Presidential election due to expected repulsion by the navy and conservative class and political aggression by the Saenuri party. However such position is defensive and passive without clear and reasonable basis.  In last [April 11] election, all the three Democratic United Party members who oppose naval base have been all elected in Jeju. If the candidate and Democratic United Party actively make public to citizens on various problems on the Jeju naval base in the mainland, it can get superior position in public opinion. The Democratic Party should take a lesson of a case that the people have rather punished the Grand National Party(former Saenuri Party) when the DP actively responded to the GP with the ‘war power vs. peace power’ frame,  facing against the GP who intended to win over DP in June 2 local election, abusing the Cheonan ship incident for hunting so called the ‘pro north-Korea’ groups.

    Photo by Hwang Hyun-Jin/ Humorous one man protest in front of National Assembly. ‘With 200.9 billion won, you can feed each of 50 million South Koreans with four strings of Kimbab (rice ball kind)

    Photo by Cho Sung-Bong/ Despite the Island governor’s demand to the navy on Oct. 30 to pose the input of caisson until the finish of simulation on 150,000 ton cruise, the navy thoroughly ignored that. The navy-contracted company is moving caisson on Nov. 14.  See more photos by Cho, here.

     

    2. URGENT: Please take 1 min. to help us. Please copy and paste the below and send it to these address below, with your name. You may change contents, of course. Thanks so much in advance.

    moonriver365@gmail.com, intoan429@hanmail.net,  2030minju@hanmail.net, kjy1@assembly.go.kr, jp311@assembly.go.kr, kmageneral@gmail.com , esh337@hanmail.net,  jinsj@assembly.go.kr

    ( Email address source: click here   )

    Title: Cut the whole budget on the Jeju naval base. The world is watching

    Dear Democratic United Party members of National Defense committee of the ROK National Assembly.

    Please cut all the budgets on the Jeju naval base project. I heard that your party is considering to agree with the ruling Saenuri party to pass the budget in all or part in the National Assembly.  It is a shame that your party considers it despite all illegal, undemocratic, environment destructive, human rights- violating matters of the Jeju naval base project that became clear to the eyes of internationals.  I was also shocked to hear that the Jeju naval base is nothing but the US base as the Commander of the US navy forces of Korea has intervened in the base design for US nuclear aircraft carrier and US submarines.

    Do you truly want the South Koreans’ tax paid for the US war base against China? It will greatly disturb peace in the North East Asia and world. Please remember that your deed will affect not only Koreans but voiceless creatures and people in the world.

    It is unbelievable and shame if your party agrees to pass the budget. Please stand on your original position of cutting all the budget of 201 billion won on the naval base project 2013.

    Thanks for listening.

     

    Photo by Carol Rekinga/ The hungerstrike of Sung Sim Jang, for more photos, click here
    Photo by Kang Han, Catholic News Now and Here/ Construction site, Nov. 13, 2012 (post by Regina Pyon)
    Photo by Kang Han, Catholic News Now and Here/ protest mass in front of construction gate, Nov. 12 (Post by Regina Pyon)

     

    3. Peace activists resist tenaciously and cry for stop of violence

    Please watch this 7 min. video taken by Kim Goon, a peacekeeper that daily appears in the protest site of the naval base construction gate. . The peacekeepers in Gangjeong persistently protest to stop the cement mixer trucks .The video was taken at 3:10pm, Nov. 14. They are fighting for the Jeju naval base project budgets not to be executed but cut, despite the police violence and humiliation.

    “All parts of our body are bruised… We have little time to inform about the field news since the start of 24 hour construction… All of us are longing the day when our routine life of being roughed out by the police will end…. We just hope to save the Gureombi, Gangjeong village and ourselves.” (Kim Goon)

    ( Youtube/ Source: Click here )

     

    Update on Nov. 16

    The police from Seoul were more violent on Nov. 16. They are the maneuver units of No. 21(male) and 24(female). The police were also violent on Nov. 15, probably because the Democratic United Party members showed compromising attitude on budget. A young activist was carried to a hospital during the protest on Nov. 15.

    ………………………..………………………

    Reference

     

    http://cafe.daum.net/peacekj/GeUz/169

    [11월 15일 기자회견] “2011년 국회 여야 합의-검증 없이 예산 없다”- 제주 해군 기지 예산 전액 삭감 촉구 긴급기자 회견

     

    http://www.headlinejeju.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=164947

    제주해군기지 시뮬레이션 검증 ‘합의’…”주야간 검증”

    총리실, 제주해군기지 시뮬레이션 검증 요구 전격 수용

    2개 케이스 시현…주야간 검증…책임연구원 교체키로

    2012.11.15  09:47:42

     

    http://www.jejusori.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=122564

    강정마을회 “민주당 전액삭감 입장 끝까지 지켜야”

    “새누리당 이상일 대변인 발언은 정치적 공세···민주당은 예산 전액삭감 입장 유지해야”

    2012.11.15  11:17:35

     

    http://www.jejusori.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=122559

    정부, 해군기지 15만톤 크루즈 시뮬레이션 수용

    2012.11.15  09:46:23

     

    http://www.catholicnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=8445

    “강정마을, 예수처럼 쓰러져도 평화의 표지 될 것”

    ‘24시간 공사’ 이어지는 해군기지 앞 끈질기게 지키는 사람들

    2012.11.15  11:14:37

  • Emergency Update and Appeal: The DP is withdrawing from its promise to people! Please pressure them to cut all budgets on the naval base project!

     

    Photo by Tommy Shin Jung-Hyun/ Village mayor Kang Dong-Kyun makes a speech against the Jeju naval base project in front of the US embassy in the center of Seoul on Nov. 13, 2012: “US, listen to me!”

     

    Citing an article of Chosun Ilbo on Nov. 14, the Jeju Sori on Nov. 14 reports that the Democratic United Party is withdrawing from its official position of ‘whole cut’ on the 2013 Jeju naval base budget. It is considering ‘conditional pass,’ of about 200 billion won budget for 2013 naval base project. Its reasoning is told that because ‘it is afraid of bad influence to the Presidential election in December, if it cuts the 2013 budget on the project.’

    To the people’s indignation, the party has attributed its failure in April 11 general election to its changed position into the critique on the currently enforced naval base project to the dislike by the general South Korean citizens for whom security consciousness is presumed by the party to be important. Such analysis has gotten much criticism from the progressive who analyzed the party’s failure as the Party’s remaining unchanged without true renovations and the Party’s weak efforts to persuade people.

    The Pan-Island Committee for the Stop of Military Base and for the Realization of Peace Island stated in its refuting statement on Nov. 13.

    “While the technical verification committee is not neutral, the suspicions on the flaws of base design and on the unreliable caisson production has not disappeared. The matter on simulation has not properly done under the Lee Myung Bak government. It should be righteous that all the naval base budgets should be cut.”

    Photo by Cho Sung-Bong in his  Ohmynews article, Nov. 13 / The illegal naval base construction (destruction) is destroying environment in thorough violation of the EIA and wasting people’s tax enormously.

     

    “The Democratic United Party has promised on the construction stop and re-examination of the project, but is now being shifted to have an opinion of ‘partial [or all] pass with subsidiary conditions. To say ‘subsidiary opinion’ so and so is an attempt to dissipate its Presidential candidates’ promise to people.”  (* How self- contradictory for the Democratic United Party to say it is, reminding that the Party has cut the budget in 2012 because the navy did not kept the National Assembly’s subsidiary conditions in 2007.)’

    Regarding budget, while Presidential Candidate, Moon Jae-In (Democratic United Party) stated his position on Nov. 8 that the Party Opinion on the naval base project is to stop construction first then re-examination of the project.

    The Pan-Island committee has a plan to carry on one-man protest to demand the ‘whole budget cut,’ in front of the Jeju branch of the Democratic United party, Jeju City from the morning of Nov. 14.

    People here are mobilizing themselves to send protest messages to the facebooks and tweets of the members of the National Assembly.

    How you can help us to cut the budget? Please pressure the ROK National Assembly to cut the whole budget of naval base. Contact english@assembly.go.kr, or Moon Jae-In, Permanent Advisor, Democratic United Party, Presidential candidate: moonriver365@gmail.com

     Otherwise, please leave messages in the below sites to pressure the National Assembly members (Democratic United Party)

    Moon Jae-In’s Facebook page

    Ahn Kyu-Baek’s Facebook page (Ahn Kyu-Baek is a coordinator of the National Defense Committee of the National Assembly, Democratic United Party)

    Kim Woo-Nam’s Facebook Page (Kim Woo Name is the Jeju-based National Assembly man, Democratic United Party)

    Kang Chang-Il’s Facebook page   ( Kang Chang-Il e is the Jeju-based National Assembly man, Democratic United Party)

    Kim Jae Yun’s Facebook page (Kim Jae-Yun  is the Jeju-based National Assembly man, Democratic United Party)

    Jang Hana’s Facebook page (Jang Hana is the Jeju-origin National Assembly woman, Democratic United Party)

     

    # The Jeju based or origin National Assembly men/women (All are Democratic United Party members)  are making their best efforts to cut the budget. Please encourage and support them to put more pressure to their party colleagues. Thanks Abigail for providing above  facebook  information.

     

    TWEET/ EMAIL  ADDRESS/ PHONE NUMBER of the National Defense Committee (Democratic United party):

     

    Ahn Kyu-Baek (Floor vice- representative of the Party)  @AGBhope        intoan429@hanmail.net     02-788-2601

    Baek Goon-Ki      @kmageneral       kmageneral@gmail.com      02-788-2893

    Kim Gwang-Jin      2030minju@hanmail.net        02-788-2029

    Lee Suk-Hyun      @lsh4u     esh337@hanmail.net        02-788-2951

    Kim Jae-Yun     @kimJaeyun      kjy1@assembly.go.kr      02-788-2066

    Jin Sung-Joon (Floor vice- representative of the Party)

    Kim Jin-Pyo (Floor representative of the Party)

    ( Source: Click here  and here)

     


    Photo by Kang Ho-Jin, Nov. 13/Peace activists are holding one-man protest in front of the National Assembly to cut the budgets on the naval base project. With 200 billion own, there are so many things that you can do for people’s welfare: Free meals and education for children, tuition support for students, irregular workers’ position change to regular workers etc.
    Photo by Cho Sung-Bong in his  Ohmynews article, Nov. 13 /People are desperate to stop 24 hour construction(destruction) that started on Oct. 25. The photo is on Oct. 26 when people are desperate to stop construction vehicles in front of the main gates of the construction site.

     ………………………………………………………..

    Reference

     

    http://www.jejusori.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=122509

    민주, 제주해군기지 예산 조건부 통과? 이상기류

    2012.11.14  09:43:36

     

    http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2012/11/14/2012111400247.html

    민주 “제주해군기지 예산 통과시킬 것”

    2012.11.14 03:00 | 수정 : 2012.11.14 09:20

    http://www.jejusori.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=122496

    민주당 해군기지 예산 조건부 통과? 범대위 발끈

    2012.11.13  18:40:22

     

     

  • Save the vigil tents! Vigil tents in Gangjeong and Seoul/ National Assembly could not conclude on budget yet

    1. Villagers say, ‘No way!’ to the threat of demolition of vigil tents

    Photo by Park Yongsung/ Villagers keeping the tents overnight against 24 hour destruction, Nov. 11

    While villagers set up two vigil tents across the construction gates against 24 hour construction (destruction) on Nov. 11. Sunday, the City hall of Seogwipo City is threatening villagers to be  volunteering to remove them. If not the City will enforce demolition of them, it bluffs.

    Currently the facilities set up by the villagers across the gates are: A tent built just across the main gate, a stage vehicle (Both of them have been set up long time ago) and the two recent tents mentioned above.

    The Seogwipo City decided to demolish tents reasoning that since the tens were set up in the side of road, they are the obstacles for traffic and that there have been complaints by some people who are inferred to be navy-contracted company personnel and pro-base villagers.

    Villagers’ two new vigil tents, Nov. 12, 2012

    It is known that the Seogwipo City has not decided way and time of demolition: whether it will mobilize a form of ‘administrative execution’ that needs three times notices to people with demand on volunteering removal or ‘emergency removal’ (according to the law on roads) that does not need such notice.

    The Seogwipo City hall personnel said that if emergency removal is decided, the demolition will be enforced within this week at fast.

    Upon such threat, Go Gwon-Il, Chairman of the Villagers’ Committee to Stop the Naval Base refuted, “It is senseless for the Seogwipo City to say that it would demolish only our tents while it does neither restrain nor punish the navy’s illegal construction(destruction). If the Seogwipo City enforces it, we will stop such unjust execution with all our energy.”

    Jang Sungshim met her 6th fast as of Nov. 12.

     

    2. Press conference on the opening of collective vigil tents in Seoul

    Photo by Lee Woo-Ki, People’s press conference in Seoul, Nov. 12. For many more photos on the Seoul press conference by Lee Wooki, see here.

    Meanwhile, the people in Seoul held the press conference on opening  joint vigil tents’ zone in the center of Seoul in the morning of the same day. The tent zone, succeeding the collective spirit of the Great March for Life and Peace: We are the SKY is hosted by people under the title of ‘Let’s live together!:A vigil zone formed by the unity of the Ssangyong workers, Yongsan families, Gangjeong village and non-nuclear-declared villages.’ See the photos by Lee Woo-Ki here.

    Otherwise, the Chosun Ilbo, the most conservative right wing media in South Korea, had a criticizing article on the Seoul vigil tent zone on the top of its 1st page that it is illegal. The article also criticized that Park Won-Soon, mayor of Seoul has no intervention on it and supports tent zones.

    Upon this, a peace activist joked on it, “Thank you Chosun Ilbo, you are introducing us very big while we have suffered from little media coverage during our great march. You please us at the end.”

    Photo by Park Yongsung/ The most conservative right wing Chosun Ilbo had a top article on the people’s Seoul vigil tents in its website on Nov. 13, 2012
    A Newsis photo shown in the article in the top of the most conservative right wing Chosun Ilbo website, Nov. 13, 2012.

     

    3. Talk on budget could not be concluded in the National Assembly on Nov. 12. Next talk is Nov. 16

    The media reports that the National Defense committee of the National Assembly could not conclude on the talk on the 200 billion won of the 2013 Jeju naval base project budget on Nov. 12, Monday.

    In detail, it reads:

    The National Defense committee of the ROK National Assembly has planned to have the 2nd meeting (following the 1st meeting on Nov. 8) by its Budget and Balance sub-committee on the Jeju naval base project budget 2013 (earmarked by the Defense Acquision Program Administration) in the morning of Nov. 12.

    However, because of wide gap between the ruling and opposition parties, the sub-committee could not be held on the day. While the Democratic United Party demands the ‘whole cut’ of budget, claiming that  the Jeju naval base project construction is being enforced in inappropriate way, the ruling Saenuri Party (New Frontier Party) confronts it, demanding ‘part cut’ and saying the project should be driven as planned.

    Kim Jae-Yoon, member of the Defense Committee (Seogwipo-City based, Democratic United Party) said that “The party opinion of the Democratic United Party is to totally cut the [2013] Jeju naval base project budget that was not kept of the National Assembly subsidiary opinion [in 2007]. I am determined to cut the budget”

    The National Defense Committee has a plan to re-open the Budget and Balance sub-committee in the morning of Nov. 16 through agreement and tuning between the coordinators of the parties.

     

    EMERGENCY UPDATE and APPEAL (Nov. 14): See HERE

    Citing an article of Chosun Ilbo on Nov. 14, the Jeju Sori on Nov. 14 reports that the Democratic United Party is withdrawing from its official position of ‘whole cut’ on the 2013 Jeju naval base budget. It is considering ‘conditional pass,’ of about 200 billion won budget for 2013 naval base project. Its reasoning is told that because ‘it is afraid of bad influence to the Presidential election in December, if it cuts the 2013 budget on the project.’ [..]How you can help to CUT THE BUDGET? Please see the link.

     

    Photo by Lee Wooki/ Village mayor Kang Dong-Kyun holds a sign that denounces Han Ki-Ho, a member of National Defense committee of the National Assembly and ruling Saenuri Party(New Frontier Party)who condemns the anti-base people as if they are pro North Korea. Dungree made a satire video on Han Ki-Ho. Watch it here.
    Photo by Christian Carl/ ‘No Naval Base on Jeju’ – our demand on today’s Nat’l Workers’ Rally in Seoul…

     

    ……………………………………………….

    Reference

     

    http://www.jejusori.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=122430

    여야, 제주해군기지 예산 놓고 연이어 격돌

    2012.11.12  13:47:04

     

    http://www.headlinejeju.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=164705

    해군기지 공사장 앞 천막 철거소식에 강정주민 반발

    서귀포시, 천막 강제철거 결정…강정 “절대 안돼”

    2012.11.12  11:11:31

     

     

     

  • Catholic Priests unite despite navy and police insult. Bishop Kang U-Il says, “Peace is the result of justice and love.”

     

    Photo by Jang Hyun-Woo, Catholic priests united facing the navy and police violence and insult in front of construction gate, Nov. 12, 2012. For many more resourceful photos on the day by Jang Hyun-Woo, see here.

     

    Catholic priests unite against the navy and police violence 

    While the civil disobedience movement declared by Prof. Shin Yong-In, in front of the construction site in Gangjoeng started on Nov. 12, Catholic priests made voice on the same day as well.

    Since Fr. Lee Young-Chan(Jesuit) was arrested and imprisoned on Oct. 24, the Catholic priests have been holding a special mass beside their daily 11 am mass in front of construction site,  every 4pm, Monday.

    At 4 pm, Nov. 12, Catholic priests, clergy men and women who belong to the Catholic Solidarity for the Realization of Jeju, Peace Island, visited the village before the evening mass held by Bishop Kang U-Il in the Jeju City on the day.

    It was about 30 minutes later that four buses marked with ‘Korea National Defense University: KNDU’ and ‘ROK navy’ were to visit the Jeju naval base project building complex. When their entry became impossible because of the mass, police were mobilized and the police roughed out and moved away priests from the site, saying that the priests were doing of  ‘obstructing business.’ Priests were released only after the buses passed into the building complex despite people’s protests.

    Photo By Jang Hyun-Woo/ The signs on the bus read, ‘Korea National Defense University: KNDU’ and ‘ROK navy’

    The Catholic priests denounced the police and navy : “It never happens in the world that the police mobilize, stop the mass, and confine priests indiscriminately without notice while religious events are processed. The police have not made any reflection despite the incident of damaged Eucharist by such police behavior last August.”

    Photo By Jang Hyun-Woo/ Nov. 12, 2012

    People including Mr. Go Gwon-Il, Chairman of the Villagers’ Committee to Stop the Naval Base denounced the police: “Though their identities are uncertain, some of them in military costumes or suits in the buses even derided the priests being detained in the police circles. The Catholic priests were shocked. However such scenes are happening everyday in Gangjeong.”

    Photo By Jang Hyun-Woo, Nov. 12, 2012/ The young peacekeepers are suffering by the police’s roughing out of them
    Photo by Catholic News Here and Now and caption by Regina Pyon/
    Catholic Solidarity for the Peace island, Jeju, starts signature campaign until Dec. 2 (1st week of Advent) demanding ‘the release of Jesuit priest Lee Young-chan S.J and four other prisoners of conscience’ and ‘the overall re-examination of Jeju naval base construction’. . . In this photo, Catholic priests are blocking the cement mixing trucks after the mass of November 12 at the gate of Jeju naval base construction site.

    Supporting imprisoned Fr. Lee Young-Chan, Bishop Kang U-Il makes a voice

     

    Photo: Jeju Sori, Nov. 12, 2012/ Bishop Kang U-Il

     

    “Peace is not merely having no war or guaranteeing balance between the hostile powers. Peace is a serenity of order. Peace is the result of justice and fruit of love” (Clause No. 2304, Catholic creed, read by Bishop Kang U-Il).

    There was a ‘Nation Situational Mass to Release the Prisoners by the Naval Base project,’ in the Central Catholic Church, Jeju City at 7:30 pm, Nov. 12. The mass was sponsored by the 15 dioceses of the Justice and Peace Committee of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea, Catholic Human Rights Committee, Catholic Solidarity for the Realization of Peace Island, Jeju.

    More than 20 Catholic priests and Catholic nuns have been arrested in their protests against the naval base project in the Gangjeong village. In  March, Fr. Kim Jung-Wook was first imprisoned (released after about 40 days) as a Catholic priest and on Oct. 24, Fr. Lee Young-Chan was imprisoned. Both are the Jesuits.

    Bishop Kang U-Il said, “The [projected] Jeju naval base is a strategic military facility for our country to be with the United States to dominate the superiority in the North East Asia, against China.”

    “The situation in Gangjeong this time is the God’s homework and task given to the Korean churches to examine themselves,  which have passively taken on God’s raised question on war. The God is inviting us so that we make all the efforts for peace.”

    Photo: Jeju Sori, Nov. 12, 2012 
    Photo: Catholic News Now and Here/ Catholic mass for the release of Jesuit priest Lee Young-chan S.J. and prisoners of conscience. . .About 900 people attended the mass held in Jeju cathedral. (caption by Regina Pyon)

    Nov. 12 poster by the Jesuits Korea (Caption by Regina Pyon): At 7.30 p.m. on November 12, Catholic mass is held officiated by Bishop Peter Kang U-il at Jeju cathedral for the release of Jesuit priest, Lee Young-Chan S.J, and imprisoned peace activists. It was organized by the Catholic Solidarity for Peace Island Jeju, that 15 national justice and peace commissions and representatives of lay and religious committees are participating. Bishop Peter Kang is also chairperson of Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea.

     

    Bishop Peter Kang U-Il’s homily on Nov. 12

    Full text of Bishop Peter Kang’s homily “There is no just war.” can be read here.

    (informed by Regina Pyon)

    (Source: Click here)

     

    Remembering Fr. Lee SJ and the four brave activists who are serving time in prison for their peace activities and putting their bodies in the way of trucks involved in the construction of a naval base which is destroying the coastal environment and the village community of Gangjeong.This base is being built in an already volatile region and will only serve to increase military tensions. . .this video was played during the Catholic mass at Jeju central cathedral celebrated by Bp. Peter Kang on Nov. 12. Video by Dungree (Caption by Regina Pyon)

    (Source: Click here)

    ……………………………………………………..

     

    Reference

     

    http://www.jejusori.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=122451

    “경찰, 이제는 하다못해 종교행사까지 방해하나”

    2012.11.12  17:56:55

     

    http://www.headlinejeju.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=164740

    “해군기지 시국미사 중 경찰투입…또 종교행사 침탈”

    강정마을서 또 충돌…천주교 신부들 분노

    2012.11.12  18:12:33

     

    http://www.jejusori.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=122456

    “한국 교회가 제주해군기지 건설에 문제제기 해야”

    2012.11.12  20:32:46

     

    http://www.catholicnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=8435

    [강우일 주교 강론]”정당한 전쟁은 없습니다”

    11월 12일, 제주 중앙주교좌성당 시국미사

    승인 2012.11.13  18:43:58

     

    http://www.catholicnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=8428

    강우일 주교 “강정 해군기지, 교회에 던진 하느님의 부끄러운 숙제”

    제주중앙성당에서 이영찬 신부 등 구속자 석방 위한 시국미사 봉헌
    천주교연대, 이영찬 신부 등 구속자 석방 위한 서명운동 시작

    2012.11.13  02:59:22

     

    http://www.catholicnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=8441

    이영찬 신부와 활동가 석방을 위한 서명운동 시작 – 가톨릭뉴스 지금여기

  • Law Professor begins Civil Disobedience Campaign against Unjust Law

    Prof. Shin Yong-In on Nov. 12, 2012. The sign reads “The civil disobedience movement is a motion to make just law stand.” Image: Jang Hyun-Woo

    Starting a civil disobedience movement for the peaceful settlement of the conflict of the Jeju naval base project and for the realization of just law.

    By Prof. Shin Yong-In (Translated by Save Jeju Now)

    Nov. 11, 2012

    The Jeju naval base project has numerous problems such as doubtful selection of location, resolution on invitation by conciliation and betrayal, ignorance of Gangjeong villagers’ opinion, unreliability of the Environmental Impact Assessment by and large, cancellation of absolute preservation areas without notice, suspicion on the flaws in the base layout, unreliable and illegal construction, falsehood in the so called Civilian-Military Complex for Tour Beauty.

    Still, the government and navy are not only enforcing naval base construction with the police force at the head but are recently enforcing 24 hours construction to secure the 2013 budget, indiscriminately confining and arresting Gangjeong villagers, peace activists and even clergymen who make efforts to stop construction.

    In the state power’s oppression such as the above, the responsibility of court is also big. The court forgetting its constitutional mission of being the last fortress to keep the basic rights of people, has given indulgence to the wrong executions of the power by taking unjust trial to unilaterally raise the hands of government and navy. As a result, Gangjeong became the site of a lawless world where democracy is damaged and human rights are trampled down as illegality and law-evasiveness take power to themselves.

    In the situation when every legal effort to stop unjustly dominating power became meaningless, there is nothing that I, a law school professor and lawyer can do to stop the forceful naval base construction.

    Even now, there are Gangjeong villagers and peace activists in front of the Gangjeong construction site, who struggle risking the danger of punishment, by delaying naval base construction (destruction) even for 5 minutes. They are the people who follow the law of consciousness in the situation when the laws of the positive and of the conscious clash each other. They are in fact already doing the civil disobedience movement. Their courageous resistance make me feel shame, who have been confined inside the fence of the positive law, and make me ask what the true law is.

    Henry Thoreau, a harbinger of the civil disobedience movement has said:

    “We should be men first, and subjects afterward. It is not desirable to cultivate a respect for the law, so much as for the right” (Henry David Thoreau, Resistance to Civil Government, 1849)

    Now, aspiring for the peaceful settlement of the conflicts in the Jeju naval base project and for the realization of just law, I will start the civil disobedience movement until the government and navy stop the enforcement of naval base construction. I will stop, with my body, entry and exit of construction vehicles in front of the main gate of naval base construction site more than once a week. For the beginning, I will stand in front of the construction gate from 10 am to 6pm on Monday, Nov. 12.

    I respect law. But when the law is not just, the law is merely violence. Therefore it is the natural right and responsibility of democratic citizens to disobey to the illegal law. It is nothing but to stop to be human being to give up that. Therefore the civil disobedience movement that I am to do is never the movement to ignore law. It is the movement to make the true law stand. It is an effort to save the Constitution being invaded by unjust power.

    Before the start of the civil disobedience movement, I declare the below principles based on the spirit ofSatyagraha by Mahatma Gandhi.

    Firstly, I reject every violent way. I will act whatever happens with non-violent and peaceful way. Violence kills life while non-violence respects lives and make them live.

    Secondly, there is a saying that ‘You shall hate crime but not the criminals.” Even though I am infuriated from the unjust execution of power by the personnel of the government, navy and police, I never hate them. Hatred kills life. I also believe that the government, navy and police personnel are dignified beings like sky, with reason and consciousness as human beings.

    Thirdly, I will be willing to suffer from any disadvantages following civil disobedience. If the police rough out and confine me, I will be willingly taken. If they want to arrest me, I will be willing to be arrested. If they imprison me, I will be willing to be imprisoned. The government can confine my body but not my spirit. If the government attempts to detain my body more and more, my spirit will freely fly up.

    Through the civil disobedience movement, I hope the government, navy, court, police can change like the below.

    I hope the government no more betrays and disdains citizens but recognize them as the SKY, being afraid of them and serve them.

    I hope the court no more wait-and–sees the government but takes trial faithful to the Constitutional mission of control of powers and protection of basic rights.

    I hope the navy is born again as the navy for citizens to whom it serves, not as the navy for their own, who fights against the citizens.

    I hope the police outgrowing from the role of maid to power, to be the true cane for the people from whom they get love and respect.

    I also appeal to all  Jeju Island people and citizens to have courage and join the civil-disobedience movement. I urgently ask them to join us until the conflicts in the Jeju naval base project is peacefully settled and just law stands.

     

    Shin Yong-In, Professor of Law School, Jeju University

     

    Around 3:30 pm, Nov. 12/ Prof. Shin is carried away by the police from the protest site
    Headline Jeju, Nov. 12, 2012 Prof. Shin was detained in police circles more than 7 times on the day.
    Photo by Song Chang-Wook. Prof. Shin ends his first day with the 100 bows early in the next morning, 7am, Nov. 13.

    References:

    제주 해군기지 공사차량, 온몸으로 저지하려 합니다
    제주해군기지 갈등의 평화적 해결 위한 시민불복종 운동을 시작하며
    http://www.ohmynews.com/nws_web/view/at_pg.aspx?CNTN_CD=A0001800686
    12.11.11 16:02l최종 업데이트 12.11.11 16:02

     

  • In remembering the spirit of Yang Yong-Chan, people’s emergency rally was held on Nov. 10

     

    Photo by Jang Hyun-Woo, caption by Regina Pyon/ Jang Sung-shim (Catholic name Lucia) is shaving the head in front of Jeju naval base building site on 15th civic action day on November 10. She was on her fourth day of fast even without water and salts staying day and night at the gate demanding the cancellation of Jeju naval base project. . . For more photos of Jang Hyun-woo, see here.

     

    Amid heavy rain and strong wind, about 150 people had an emergency rally in front of the Jeju naval base project building complex on Nov. 10, Saturday. See the Nov. 10 poster here. The construction trucks stopped to pass the gates in the morning. 2nd caisson on the Gureombi Rock was recently completed so no night time construction trucks on the day (and no construction trucks passing the gates on Sunday, too)

     

    Rally in front of the Jeju naval base building complex, around 4pm. Nov. 10.

     

    Jang Sungshim, a Jeju navtive and a Catholic follower who has been carrying on fast at the construction gate shaved her hair in protest to the enforced naval base project. In her ‘ statement on the fast and hair-shaving to revoke the US Jeju naval base project and to free all prisoners,’ she mentioned.

    “The [National Assembly] has cut 96 % of the 2012 budget [on the Jeju naval base project]. From what source the navy is enforcing construction then? The navy is using the transferred budget from 2011. It is the most ridiculous and clearly illegal. In my knowledge, budget that was not executed on the applicable year should be returned back to the national treasury. Why do the National Assembly members neglect on that part?”

    Kim Jong-Il, former secretary of Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea saying that the navy is enforcing 24 hour construction(destruction) to get the budget on naval base next year, emphasized the importance of current struggle to cut the budget, to form the ground for the revocation of naval base project and to totally re-examine the project.

    He said that the anti-base people will organize 14 teams and struggle to stop construction in twice shift in every 12 hours.

     

    Photo and caption by Emily Wang/ Save Our Sea team’s beautiful sailing kayak in front of naval base in Gangjeong’s day. It’s much more beautiful, peaceful and useful for our lives than the warships. One builds up dreams and the other destroys dreams.

     

    Otherwise, mayor Kang Dong-Kyun said:

    “During our monthly Great March for life and Peace, we found that there are so many painful sites beside ours. We should start the healing of such pains from Gangjeong. Since we have justice of a claim, cause, and purposeful life, we can stop the Jeju naval base project without fail.”

    “Martyr Yang Yong-Chan threw down his body resisting the injustice. Remembering the spirit of Yang Yong-Chan, I hope the Jeju naval base project is to be revoked.”

    Kim Sung-Geun, representative of Committee to Cherish the Memory of Yang Yong-Chan said, “The biggest thing that martyr Yang left to us is the heart of love for Jeju. We should make the world where ecology, peace and Jeju Island people are centered, not the society mastered by neo-liberal developmentalism, capital and money.”

    “To stop the Jeju naval base is to keep the martyr’s love,” ‘To save Gangjeong is to save peace.”

     

    Dance after the rally, Nov. 10, 2012

    The commemorating event on Yang Yong-Chan was held indoor of the village Peace Center from 7 to 9pm because of heavy rain.

     

    Photo & caption by Emily Wang/ Today is the 16th Gangjeong’s day against naval base and also the 21st anniversary of Mr. YANG Yong Chan’s death. He sacrificed himself for the love of his hometown jeju island against the capitalism’s careless “Development Law” applied in the beautiful pristine island. His death couldn’t stop the “development law” but has inspired a lot of jeju islanders to love this land purely and bravely.

    A banner that illustrates Yang Yong-Chan’s immolation in the City of Seogwipo in 1991 and aftermath with the collected photos.

     

    Post by Christian Karl/ ‘No Naval Base on Jeju!’ – Performance during today’s Workers’ Culture Festival in front of Seoul Stn…

     

    ………………………………………………………………

    Reference

     

    http://www.headlinejeju.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=164610

    ‘삭발투쟁‘…전국시민행동 “제주해군기지 중단하라“

    제15차 제주해군기지 백지화 전국시민행동 집회
    해군기지 강력저지 결의…양용찬 열사 21주기 추모제도 열려

    2012.11.10  17:50:58

     

    http://www.jejusori.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=122370

    강정으로 간 양용찬 열사 “불의에 저항하라“

    2012.11.10  16:30:34

  • URGENT CAMPAIGN: PEOPLE, RISE UP! Let’s STOP 24 hour construction and CUT the whole budget, TOGETHER! Let’s REVOKE the naval base project!

    URGENT CALL! URGENT ACTION!: Campaign of the Appeal for participation in realizing a newspaper advertisement to stop 24 hour enforcement of construction and to cut all the 2013 budget on the Jeju naval base project/Source: Campaign by the National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval Base in Jeju Island (125 groups) and PSPD
    1. Sit-in tent in the center of Seoul heats people’s war to cut the budget on the naval base project

    The struggle to stop 24 hour construction and cut the whole 2013 budget of 200.9 billion won on the Jeju naval base project is not only held in front of the construction gates in the village but in the center of Seoul as well. Some people who joined the Great March for Life and Peace: Let’s live together! All are the SKY! (Oct 4 to Nov. 3) remained in Seoul and set up a sit-in tent across the City Hall to promote the campaign to cut all the budgets on the naval base project, 2013. The tent is also an expression of solidarity with the laid-off workers of Ssangyong Automobile Co. Mr. Kim Jung-Woo, leader of Ssangyong workers met his 31st  day protest fast as of Nov. 9, 2012. Village mayor Kang Dong-Kyun, committed to widen and deepen the struggle through solidarity to revoke the Jeju naval base project and change the Government through December Presidential election became Mr. Kim’s strongest ally, as well as one of the symbols of people who are oppressed by the current government in the same vein of Capitalism, developmentalism and militarism.

    Photo by Hwang Hyun-Jin, sit-in tent in the center of Seoul
    Photo by Hwang Hyun-Jin, sit-in tent in the center of Seoul

    On Nov. 9, Great news was told to the participants of the great march and people in the Gangjeong village. All the workers of the Hanjin Heavy Industry, Busan, who have struggled for years were all reinstated (Kim Jin-Suk is probably the most known symbol of the struggle). The march participants have visited the workers on Oct. 17, which happened to be the commemorating period (Oct. 17 to 31) on the two martyr workers, Kim Joo-Ik, Gwak Jae-Yol, 9 years ago. Dungree’s video reminds the event of Oct. 17 and emphasizes the importance of the solidarity among the oppressed.

    Video by Dungree: Cut all the budgets on the Jeju naval base project, a fraud project in the name of national policy! http://youtu.be/ihgEsfZkxac  (Source:Click here)

     

    In the video, Mr. Kim Jung-Woo in his sit-in tent celebrates the victory of Hanjin workers and urges them to keep the democratic union and struggle field whatever happens in the future. In the next tent of the Gangjoeng village, Hong Ki-Ryong, executive Chairman of the Pan-Island Committee for the Stop of Military Base and for the Realization of Peace Island strongly says, “Whoever is elected as the President in December, if budget is passed in the National Assembly, no government can stop or control it. That is why we should struggle to stop it with all our energy. I want to send my sorriness and thanks to the peacekeepers in Gangjeong who currently put up with violent oppression. We will do our best by pressuring on whether it is the National Assembly and Presidential House.” The finale of the video is the song by the Gangjeong Flower band. “Please stop at the exit No. 2 in the City Hall station.” The title of their song is called, “Stop, stop!’ “If you oppose all the wars in the world, stop the naval base construction! If you want peace, absolutely no naval base construction! If you want peaceful Jeju, let’s stop the naval base!”

     

    2. The law voice from the struggle field: Please come to Gangjeong! Let’s stop 24 hour constriuction and cut the whole budget, TOGETHER!

    Here is a video made by a young female peacekeeper, Mooming, herself who has daily struggled in the field to stop the 24 hour construction vehicles without enough sleep but with unlimited optimism and humor. Her video details the human rights violation by the police, people’s joyful creation of events in spare time and emphasizes the urgency of people’s unity, by coming to Gangjeong.

    “Please come to Gangjeong. For reference, the black and white pictures in the video are by Kon Ca. I take anger, cry and laugh everyday in front of construction gate. 24 hour construction, 24 hour police. I am sorry that I cannot wake up for 24 hours even though I wish to do being all the time there together with people. It is because even though the polices’ roughing out of us feels hard, the daily life there is GOOD as to the degree that I wish to record ALL.”

    Video by Mooming  http://tvpot.daum.net/clip/ClipViewByVid.do?vid=cG59efARhQM$

    (Source: Click here )

    Details of the video

    On Nov. 2, Presidential candidate Ahn Chul-Soo visiting the village remarked regarding the Jeju naval base project that the President Lee Myung Bak should apologize to the villagers in person. However, even less than 30 minutes of his leaving, police were mobilized. (*Young peacekeepers humorously call them as Baechoo (meaning cabbage) because of their light green color jackets, “The Baechhooes are seen with some rotten baechooes among them)

    The police’s consciousness on human rights is near to zero.

    Example: Policemen who obstinately drag a leg of a peacekeeper (00:25)

    (Screams are heard, “Don’t fold down hand!) Example: Hand of Police who takes a man by the throat (01:10)

    Example: For the police, the only concern is to remove the people from the site even though people’s cloths are taken off! (01:24) (Screams are heard, “Please, policewoman, I feel pain!”)

    Example: The police use techniques to pull and lift up leg. They think our legs are big radishes! (01:36)

    Example: The police use a technique of pressuring our body with their knees (02:24)

    Example: The police (especially policewomen) grab our cloths rather than body parts. Then our cloths are taken off! (02:40)

    (# In the early morning of Nov. 10, a female peacekeeper informs that policemen grabbed a woman’s legs widened openduring the process of removing protesters from the protest sites so that the woman cannot but feel insulted and have a feeling of shame.

    However, the peacekeepers know how to spend their spare time building joyful and creative community between the struggles. The youngsters love computer game while some young artists sing together with guitar, draw painting on the fence and make necklaces for funding resource. A movie director prepares a set to record nearby.

    Night time snack is another joy~! No Construction (destruction) but yes, night time snack!

    And finally bonus for the audience: Dance with Gangjeong style. The changed lyric of the Gangjeong style from Gangnam style has become so popular. Even the police enjoy it. They must recite the lyric of Gangjeong style themselves! “Bastards, if you want to arrest us, arrest us! We will fight to the end!”

  • Jesuit Priests’ Mass for the Release of Fr. Lee Young-Chan

    Catholic Mass for the release of Jesuit Priest Lee Young-Chan and for the realization of the Island of Peace, Jeju on November 9 at Jesuits Korea Center in Seoul. Image: Seo Kyung-Ryeol

    “Jesuits Korea have dispatched several Jesuits members to Gangjeong village to protect peace and justice and preserve natural heritage, where its community has been destroyed and endangered due to the construction of naval base. In March 2012 Fr. Kim Jeong-Wook was arrested and imprisoned for 30 days. Br. Park Do-Hyun and Fr. Kim Sung-Hwan are facing trials. Fr. Lee Young-Chan has been arrested and detained since October 26.”

     

    On Oct. 30 the Justice and Peace Committee of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea(http://english.cbck.or.kr/) also issued a statement calling for the release of Fr. Lee.

     

    Reactions in the Catholic Church

    On Oct. 30 the Justice and Peace Committee of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea(http://english.cbck.or.kr/) issued a statement calling for the release of Fr. Lee. The statement gives the reasons for the Catholic Church demanding that construction of the naval base should be stopped.

    “First, the process of seeking the agreement of the Gangjeong residents did not utilize a democratic procedure. Second, construction is destroying the coastal ecosystem and natural treasures such as the Gureombi Rock. Third, it looks like this project can only increase the sense of military tension in the Korean peninsula and N.E. Asia and thereby instigate a crisis.”

    The statement also cites the fact that a national audit carried out by the Korean Congress showed that the construction billed as a “Government-civilian joint tourism harbor” was from the start impossible and a mere cover-up for a exclusive naval base plan. It also refers to procedural illegalities that have shown up in the processes of site selection and construction. The committee states clearly “We want the immediate release of Fr. Lee Young-chan and the peace activists, and the end of the national authorities’ use of violence at Gangjeong Village in Jeju.”

    The Korean Province of the Society of Jesus (http://jesuits.kr/) held an expanded consultation on 1 Nov and officially stated its position on 5 Nov. The statement cites the call issued by several general congregations of the Jesuits for Jesuit members to engage in struggles for justice, and work for reconciliation. The most recent 35th General Congregation states “We now want to deepen our understanding of the call to serve faith, promote justice, and dialogue with culture and other religions in the light of the apostolic mandate to establish right relationships with God, with one another, and with creation.” (Decree 3, art. 12) The Korean Province statement thanks Fr. Lee for his dedicated service and solidarity for promoting justice and peace, and promises him positive support for his action. It promises continued material and emotional support to the Jesuits engaged in the action at Gangjeong Village, and desires that this problem have more of an international dimension. “With the understanding that this problem is international in scope we will spread awareness of it and join in close solidarity with the Jesuits of North America and also to our own region, the Jesuits of the Asia-Pacific.”

    ( Source from the  facebook of Jesuits Korea)

  • To stop construction is not enough. Whole budget should be cut.

    Photo by Cho Sung-Bong/ Jang Sung-Shim started fast even without water on Nov. 7 in front of the main construction gate, demanding to revoke the Jeju naval base project and free all the prisoners. “I put all myself to this.” Accidentally, Nov. 7 was the very date that martyr Yang Yong-Chan immolated himself in 1991.

     

    1. Moon Jae-In says, ‘stop construction, re-examine project,’ but no mention on ‘budget cut.’

     

    On Nov. 8, Moon Jae-In, Presidential candidate of the Democratic United Party, visited Jeju. He did not stop by the Gangjeong village, but mentioned on his position on the Jeju naval base project. His mention can be compared to mention by another Presidential candidate, Ahn Chul-Soo, who visited the village but still insisted on the need of the project and Park Geun-Hye, Presidential candidate of the ruling Saenuri party, who wants the Jeju, as the 2nd Hawai’i mixed of tourism and militarism.

    Here is the translation of people’s commentary on the remarks by Moon Jae-In on Nov. 8:

     

    We welcome the remarks by candidate Moon Jae-In, that ‘he would re-examine the Jeju naval base project after the stop of its construction.’

     – The Democratic United Party should show its will to cut the 2013 budget on the project

    – The [technical] simulation demanded through the ruling and opposition party agreement has not been satisfied. Candidate Park Geun-Hye and the Saenuri Party (New Frontier Party) should join the budget cut.

     

    1. Candidate Moon Jae-In visiting Jeju promised that he “would first stop construction and re-examine the project contents according to democratic procedures.’ We welcome the words, noticing that he confirmed again the position of construction stop and re-examination, the party opinion of the Democratic United Party.

    2. Candidate Moon Jae-in pointed out that “the Lee Myung-Bak government is unilaterally enforcing construction despite the fact that the 2012 budget was cut by the agreement between the ruling and opposition parties because the Jeju naval base project is being enforced violating the [2007] National Assembly resolution to build it as a ‘civilian-military complex port of call (*which is focused on civilian port with the ability of two 150,000 ton cruises’ simultaneous coming alongside the pier).’ It is a very timely indication.

    3. However, candidate Moon Jae-In did NOT mention on the 2013 Jeju naval base budget. When the National Assembly cut the budget for 2012 last year, the National Assembly decided to verify on the actuality of the Civilian-Military Complex for Tour Beauty(Jeju naval base) by the agreement of ruling and opposition parties. However during the discussion process by the [technical] verification committee under the Office of the Prime Minister last February, flaws in the base design have been confirmed. And it has been turned out that the proposed changed base layout that the Ministry of National Defense has suggested later has, in fact, many problems in many aspects such as in cruise ships’ turning and entry & exit of port. Further, no objective simulation on which the Jeju Island and navy agree with each other, has been carried out by now. Even though it is reasonable that the National Assembly cut the whole 2013 budget based on the ruling and opposition parties’ agreement [in 2007], no party, no candidate has not mentioned on it yet.

    4. Candidate Moon Jae-In and Democratic United Party have to clearly declare their position and carry it into practice for the whole budget cut on the 2013 Jeju naval base project to stop construction (destruction), beyond the reconfirmation on its position of construction stop.

    5.Together with Moon, the ruling Saenuri Party(New Frontier Party) and its candidate, Park Geun-Hye should join Moon to cut the 2013 budget on the Jeju naval base project by the agreement between the ruling and opposition parties, as verification work proposed by the agreement between the ruling and opposition parties have not been carried on and numerous problems in the Jeju naval base construction such as base design flaws and unreliablce harbor & bay (caisson) production have been confirmed again. Candidate Ahn Chul-Soo (independent) should make his concrete position on the matters of the stop of the Jeju naval base construction and of the 2013 budget cut.

    Nov. 8, 2012

     

    Gangjeong Village Association

    Jeju Pan-Island Committee for Stop of Military Base and for Realization of Peace Island (26 groups)

    National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval Base in Jeju Island (125 groups)

     

    ( # In December, 2012, the National Assembly has tremendously cut the budget of 127.8 billion won (96 %) through its review, remaining only 4.9 billion won such as for the land design (3.8 billion won) and compensation fee(1.1 billion won) among the whole proposed budget of 132.7 billion won related to the Jeju naval base project.  It has especially never reflected acuall construction fees therefore in fact, put brakes on the promotion of the project. Instead it detourly demanded the government ‘solution of conflict, first.’  However, the transferred budget of 107.5 billion won from 2011 to 2012 was used this year for the forceful naval base construction.  Even though it is principle that usused budget should be returned back to the national treasury but the navy law-evasively used it asserting that the project is of emergency.  As of September, the navy could use 50 billion won, compared to its original paln of 78 billion won. The people’s protests delayed the execution of 28 billion won. )

     

     

    2. Field struggle is a great basis to cut the budget

     

    Photo by Cho Sung-Bong/ No! Jeju US Naval Base!

     

    Otherwise, Bora Lee, an assistant of the National Assembly woman, Jang Hana (Jeju-based, Democratic United Party) left a beautiful writing to the peacekeepers in the struggle field last night. Here is:

     

    To my friends who would be in front of the construction gates right now.
    All the time of struggles by which you have delayed one construction truck even for a few minutes has filed up one by one neatly.

    That is why there is still 50% budget unused bccause you have stopped the execution on that amount of budget on the Jeju naval base construction.

    And that has become the very basis that even the members of the National Defense committee cannot easily approve the 2013 budget.

    Whenever the committee members are embarrassed because of non-executed budget, I remind each face of you, peacekeepers, being in front of construction site.

    It is all thanks to you, peacekeepers, who have endured merciless construction (destruction) and no-time defined police’s roughing out of you.

    Even though you may suffer from cold weather and grief, I am told of hopeful news little by little. It is thanks to you who have sleeplessly put up with those hardships there.

    Tomorrow is the day that the National Assembly committee makes decision on the naval base budget.

    It is a hard season for everyone. However NOW is the only chance.

    So please stir up ourselves a little more.

    (  Bora Lee, assistant of National Assembly woman, Jang Hana)

     

    Photo by Cho Sung-Bong/ 20 year old “Pyonghwa (meaning ‘peace’)’ rearranges stuffs of signs and woods etc.. after police leaving. People put up various materials including bicycles and motorcycles in front of construction gates to delay the construction (destruction) trucks.

     

     

    3. No conclusion on budget cut in the National Assembly yet. But budget matter is critical now.

     

    Update: On Nov. 9, the National Defense committee of the National Assembly could not reach to the conclusion on the budget of the Jeju naval base project (Related to the DAPA: Defense Acquision Program Administration) despite the meetings by its sub-committee on Budget and Balance on Nov. 7 to 8. The positions between the ruling and opposition party was quite different.

    The latest news read:

     

    ‘The Committee of National Defense, planning to have an overall meeting in the morning of Nov. 9, was to dispose the agendas on the proposals on 2013 budget and extension of dispatch to Arab Emirate, for the Ministry of National Defense (MND), Military Manpower Administration (MMA) and DAPA.  However, the ruling and opposition parities confronted each other regarding the budget of 200.9 billion won for the Jeju naval base project (harbor and bay construction, purchase of land etc.) that was earmarked by the DAPA. Eventually the committee passed budget proposal only for the MND and MMA. It is known that the Democratic United Party is demanding the whole  budget cut, claiming inappropriateness of the Jeju naval base project whicle the ruling Saenuri Party is confronting against it claiming that it cannot accept it.’  (Maeil Broadcasting Network, 2012-11-09 12:35)

    ‘The National Defense committee set the schedules on the overall meetings on coming Nov. 12 (Mon.) and 16 (Fri.). Personnel in the office of Kim Jae-Yoon (Jeju-based, Democratic United Party) said that “We could only confirm the different positions between the ruling and opposition parties in the meeting of sub-committee on budget and balance held yesterday. There is not so enough time, given the schedules by the Budget and Balance Special committee)’ (Jeju Sori, 2012.11.09 10:37:12)

     

    Photo by Cho Sung-Bong/ People’s daily prayer and protest for peace continue in front of construction gates even though they would be soon disrupted by the police. No US Nuclear Aircraft Carrier, No Jeju naval Base against China!’ A peacekeeper Deulkkot has made two dolls of the Catholic priests. Fr. Lee Young-Chan was arrested on Oct. 24 and is in prison: 18th day as of Nov. 10.
    Photo by Cho Sung-Bong/ People’s dance after the daily candle vigil at 8pm in front of construction gate, despite more severe police’s  roughing out of people with the 24 hour construction that started on Oct. 25.

    …………………………………………………………………………

     

    Reference:

     

    http://www.spark946.org/renew/prog/bbs/board.php?bo_table=jeju&wr_id=532

    [2012. 11. 8] 공사 중단, 재검토 문재인 후보 제주 발언 논평과 예산삭감 평화행동

     

    http://www.peoplepower21.org/Peace/968531

    [논평] 문재인 ‘제주해군기지 공사중단후 재검토’ 발언, 민주당 2013년 예산삭감으로 의지보여야

    http://www.jejusori.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=122305

    문재인의 해군기지 해법은? “先공사중단” 명쾌

    8일 제주해군기지 해법 제시…“신공항이 먼저, 해저터널은 그 다음”

    2012.11.08  18:19:01

    http://www.headlinejeju.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=164463

    문재인 “해군기지 공사 중단하고 재검토 할 것”

    제주선대위 출범식서 “해군기지 문제, 민주적 절차 따라 재검토”
    신공항 건설-4.3평화공원 조성 주력 약속…”단일화 이뤄내겠다”

    2012.11.08  17:05:12

     

    http://www.jejusori.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=122324’

    해군기지 2천억 삭감이냐? 고수냐? ‘정면충돌’

    2012.11.09  10:37:12

  • Jeju Court Decides to Imprison Jesuit Priest, Fr. Lee Young-Chan

    Fr. Lee Young-Chan prays in front of the main construction gate of Jeju naval base project right after forcefully being carried away by the police (Aug. 3, 2012). Image: Catholic News Here and Now

    The review on the legality of confinement of Jesuit priest Fr. Lee Young-Chan, was held on November 6. However, the request for his release was dismissed and the legality of his arrest was confirmed. While the review was being held, a prayer gathering of fellow priests, nuns and peace activists was held in front of the Jeju District Court in Jeju City. Jesuits Korea issued a statement on his arrest and appealed for solidarity and support for Fr. Lee, saying that the Jeju naval base project is an international issue and they will continue to raise awareness of this issue especially among North American and Asia-Pacific region Jesuits. They will also hold a Catholic mass on November 9 at 4:30 p.m. at the Jesuit Center in Seoul concerning the current situation and for the release of Fr. Lee and other imprisoned peace activists. Fr.Lee was arrested on October 24 on charges of Obstruction of Business while he was protesting against the arrest of another peace activist at the gate of Jeju naval base construction site.

     

    Image: Jesuit Fr. Kim Seong-Han
    Fr. Lee has climbed on top of cement mixer trucks many times in protest of the Jeju naval base project. Image: Cho Sung-Bong

     

     

    Current Gangjeong Prisoners of Conscience as of Nov. 8, 2012:

    Mr. Kim Bok-Chul,  (No. 598) – 150th day in prison
    Rev. Jeong Yeon-Gil (No. 187) – 64th day in prison
    Mr. Park Suk-Jin (No. 188) – 64th day in prison
    Mr. Park Seung-Ho (No. 290) – 55th day in prison
    Fr. Lee Young-Chan (No. 407) – 16th day in prison

    Please send support letters addressed to: Jeju Prison,  161 Ora-2 dong, Jeju City, Jeju Island, Korea (include prisoner name and number)

     

    Remebering Fr. Lee Young-Chan’s struggle

    Video by Dungree

    http://youtu.be/SrmKt-rl2cI  (Source: Click here)

     

    Photo by Bae Gi-Chul and caption by Regina Pyon/ Lunch time after Catholic mass at lower gate.. .While they are surrounding like this, part of the police start action to remove other activists at upper gate to make a way for cement mixing trucks and other vehicles on Nov. 8

    …………………………………………….

    References:

    이영찬 신부 구속적부심 기각, 구속 확정
    “이영찬 신부의 구속은 해군기지 강행 의지 드러낸 것”
    예수회, 9일 오후 4시 30분 서울 신수동 예수회센터에서 시국미사 봉헌
    http://www.catholicnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=8402

    Fr. Lee’s letter from prison, “Jeju as Island of Peace”‘
    이영찬 신부의 옥중서신 “제주를 평화의 섬으로”
    http://www.catholicnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=8386

    Statement of Jesuits Korea on the arrest of Fr. Lee Young-chan. 
    예수회 “이영찬 신부 헌신적 활동에 감사, 적극 지지”
    1월 9일 오후 4시 30분 예수회센터에서 이영찬 신부 석방 촉구 미사
    “많은 사람들과 제주 해군기지에 대한 문제의식 공유하고 행동할 것”
    http://www.catholicnews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=8393