Category: solidarity

Join 2016 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace

UPDATE: Route guide_2016 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace ‘Peace

To join the march, please submit application form, here.

“Hey, peace, let’s walk together”

2016 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace

Aug. 1 (Mon.) to Aug. 6 (Sat.)

The 2016 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace starts with an event on the previous day and is launched in Gangjeong village on Aug. 1. The grand march group is divided in two teams of West coast and East coast. Each of the teams will walk around half of the Island respectively in the east and west coast, enjoying the beauty of Jeju including its olle trails and sea coasts. They will see each other and reunite in Topdong Square, Jeju City on Aug. 6.

With the completion of the Jeju navy base last February, you can see military vessels frequently coming and going in the sea in front of the Gureombi Rock coast now covered with concrete. It has become common that you happen to see soldiers in uniform in the inner roads of the village or in the limousine bus No. 600 which is from the Jeju airport to Gangjeong village.

The navy, as if it had waited for the completion of the base, filed a lawsuit against the people of Gangjeong, demanding so called reimbursement of around 3 million USD allegedly for the delay of construction. Recently, the city of Seogwipo has also sent people an ultimate notice that it would demolish various kinds of facilities, including a protest community restaurant, in the Joongdeok Samgeori (three-way intersection) for the purpose of construction of an entry road to the cruise terminal.

However, nothing can break our will for life and peace. Gangjeong village is preparing to be born again as a village for the value of life and peace beyond the movement opposing to the naval base construction. It is also widening its solidarity with the anti-military base movement around the world. We will never lose unless we give up remembering, gathering, meeting, sharing and having solidarity in Gangjeong village.

We will walk together this year too praying for the peace of Gangjeong and all of us. We would like to have the most beautiful week in our lives with you during the bright days of summer.

☮ Main schedule

July 31 (Sun.)

5pm _ A previous day event for the Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace

(In front of the village community hall, Gangjeong village)

Aug. 1 (Tues.)

8:30 am _ Human chain for peace (The main gate of the naval base)

9:00 am _ A press conference upon the start of grand march (The main gate of the naval base)

9:30 am _ Start of the grand march

Aug. 1 (Mon.) to Aug. 6 (Sat.)

March

Aug. 6 (Sat.)

5 pm _ Life Peace Culture festival, ‘Peace! Let’s Go together’ (Topdong Square, City of Jeju)

☮ March course

West coast team

Aug. 1 Gangjeong~Joongmoon~ Andeok (18km)
Aug. 2 Andeok~ Daejeong~Hankyong (22km)
Aug. 3 Hankyong~Geumneung~Hallim (16km)
Aug. 4 Hallim~Gwakji~Aewol (11km, culture festival)
Aug. 5 Aewol~Hagwi~Shinjeju (14km)
Aug. 6 Shinjeju~Topdong Square (7km)

East coast team

Aug. 1 Gangjeong~Downtown of Seogwipo City~Hyodon (18km)
Aug. 2 Hyodon~Weemee~Namwon~Pyoseon (21km)
Aug. 3 Pyoseon~Shinsan~Seongsan (21km)
Aug. 4 Seongsan~Gujwa-Gimnyeong(19km)
Aug. 5 Gimnyeong~Hamdeok~Jocheon (12km, Culture festival)
Aug. 6 Jocheon~Downtown of Jeju City~Topdong Square (16km)

☮Application

-Participation fee: 10,000 KRW a day/ Official t-shirt is sold separately. 10,000 KRW per t-shirt (ex: Total 70,000 KRW for the whole six day march)

_ Application period: June 13 (Mon.) to July 15 (Fri.)

_ Participation fee is free for preschool children

– Accommodation and meals/ souvenirs provided

☮ Participation fee and sponsoring/support

Internationals can pay on site (cash only)

☮ Contact

Email: jejumarch@daum.net, gangjeongintl@gmail.com
For more information, go to savejejunow.org

* All the participants’ baggage are carried by vehicles

* Everyone should prepare a personal cup, towel, toiletries, sleeping bag, and blanket

* Details will be sent by email later.

…………………………………………

To join the march, please submit application form, here.

Image by Lee Gil-hoon/ forward by Choi Hye-young

Image by Lee Gil-hoon/ forward by Choi Hye-young

June 26, 2016
Solidarity Statement from Jeju Island to BIW Protest

Photo by Oum Mun-hee/ In solidarity with the people, in Maine, against the Christening of Zumwalt Destroyer on June 18, 2016. To be c-incident, a big international missionary group of 40-50 people visited the village during the human chain around noon. We briefly told them what the photo is for and they were willing to join us ! On the day, there were two other same world missionary groups visiting the village in such a big size and different time. Adding to June 17 banner, we also had a sign in English and Korean which is from the Maine activists’ statement on civil disobedience. It reads: “NO ZUMWALT: We stand in solidarity with people around the world who are protesting at bases where the US will port these warships. Not only would these destroyers kill innocent people but their sonar also severely impacts ocean life [..].”

The below is the solidarity statement from Gangjeong on June 14. To read and see photos on Maine protest on June 18, click the words in bold: You Are Not Alone! (June 18) / More Photos from ‘Stealth’ Destroyer Protest at BIW in Maine (June 18)

Dear Friends in Maine, United States,

Hello from Gangjeong village, Jeju Island, South Korea. Despite our struggle against base construction for nearly nine years, there was a ceremony for the completion of the Jeju navy base construction this February. However, despite the navy base, we will do our best to maintain village community. And we cannot get along with the navy as long as it continues to foster conflicts.

We heard that there is a ceremony for the christening of a recently built Zumwalt destroyer in the Bath Iron Works (BIW), Maine, United States on June 18 and that this destroyer is the most threatening naval ship in history, with a production cost of more than 4 billion USD per ship. According to the Korean media, the U.S. Secretary of Defense said that all three Zumwalt-class destroyers, once being made, would be deployed in the East Asia Sea by the end of this year. It is very worrisome as it would intensify tension in Northeast Asia and threaten peace. We heard that you would carry out protest to the christening ceremony on the Zumwalt destroyer and some of you plan non-violent civil disobedience on June 18.

Many of you have visited Gangjeong and have made solidarity with us with deep concern for the struggle in opposition to the Jeju navy base project. Thanks to you, we came to know that our fight is not isolated but connected to all the peace movements in the world. Therefore we send deep gratitude, friendship, and solidarity to you all who are to magnificently expressing faith on peace in protest to the christening of the Zumwalt destroyer. We also resolve that we will endeavor more fully to keep our struggle.

Despite the navy and government manipulation 9 years ago, more than 94% among more than 70% of the electorate of the village strongly opposed the Jeju naval base construction. However, the government ignored villagers’ opinion and enforced base construction destroying democracy, environment and human rights. Further, the government and navy filed a wrongful lawsuit demanding around 3 million USD against the people of Gangjeong and are preparing to evict our community protest site, at the entrance to Gureombi Rock, which is now covered by concrete. The Jeju navy base was built on the destruction of democracy and threatens the peace of northeast Asia. That is why we continuously oppose to it and will do so in the future, too.

The Gangjeong sea with UNESCO-designation and the world’s largest soft coral habitat, a place where the 100 remaining Jeju Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins often came, has changed into a site infested with aegis destroyers and submarines. It is currently only used by military vessels of the South Korean navy. However given that Lisa Franchetti, the ex-commander of US naval forces of South Korea mentioned last August that the US wants to ‘send its ships’ to the ports of South Korea, including the Jeju navy base, it is very worrisome to imagine that the Zumwalt destroyer, the so called most threatening military vessel, might enter the Jeju naval port.

We think peace can be made through peace not through war. Even though the base was completed and oppression on the opponents to the Jeju navy base has been heavy, we will not stop our efforts to oppose militarism and make Gangjeong a ground for life and peace, on behalf of future generations and the living creatures in the sea.

We thank for your noble dedication and solidarity.

In peace,

The Anti-navy base committee of Gangjeong Village, Jeju Island, Korea

Photo by Pang Eunmi on June 17/ Gangjeong people in solidarity with the peace activists in Maine, USA for the June 18 protest against christening of the Zumwalt destroyer, BIW

Photo by Pang Eunmi on June 17/ same as above. In front of the villagers’s tent ‘village hall’ in protest to the navy lawsuit of 3 million USD against Gangjeong people

June 19, 2016
After Eight Years of Protest of Construction of Naval Base, Gangjeong Villagers Sued by South Korean Navy

Re-blogged from here

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

By Ann Wright

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

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

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

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

(image by Photo Ann Wright)   DMCA

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

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

(image by Photo Ann Wright)DMCA

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

That’s why the protests continue at Gangjeong Village!

100 Bows Morning Vigil

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

(image by Photo Ann Wright)DMCA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(image by Photo Ann Wright)DMCA

Human Chain Noon Vigil

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

(image by Photo Ann Wright)   DMCA

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

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

(image by Photo Ann Wright)   DMCA

Navy Week on Jeju Island — Finding Part of Gureombi Rock

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

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

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

(image by Photo Ann Wright)   DMCA

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

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

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

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

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

(image by Photo Ann Wright)   DMCA

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

Peace Farming

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

(image by Photo Ann Wright)DMCA

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

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

Customers buy produce online from the Peace Cooperative!

St. Francis Peace Center

(image by Photo Ann Wright)DMCA

The St. Francis Peace Center in Gangjeong Village has a remarkable history. In the 1970s, Father Mun was jailed for his protests during the military dictatorship and 30 years later he was awarded compensation for wrongful arrest and years in jail. With the compensation money, he purchased land overlooking the pale where the naval base was to be constructed. The Bishop of Jeju Island decided to help build a peace center on the land — and now a wonderful place for those working for peace and social justice is in Gangjeong Village! It is a beautiful building with a 4th floor viewing area so the eyes of the peace house can alert the community to what the war machine is doing!

Ann Wright is a 29 year US Army/Army Reserves veteran who retired as a Colonel and a former US diplomat who resigned in March, 2003 in opposition to the war on Iraq. She served in Nicaragua, Grenada, Somalia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Sierra Leone, Micronesia and Mongolia. In December, 2001 she was on the small team that reopened the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. She is the co-author of the book “Dissent: Voices of Conscience.” (www.voicesofconscience.com). She has written frequently on rape in the military.

June 11, 2016
Gangjeong Village Story: Monthly Newsletter |May 2016 Issue

In this May Edition:

5.15 Okinawa Peace March an Inspiration for Gangjeong; Our daily mass a seed of peace; May 24 International Women’s Day for Peace And Disarmament; Andrew and Debbie visiting Gangjeong; Brando and Omi; One person protest; War vessels for drills and tours; Update of the incident on military drill in April ; International Conscientious Objector Day; Trial updates; Remembering Gwangju; Jeju Forum; Fundraising concert in Seoul; A memorial site to be preserved; Children’s Day; Fr. Mun Kyu-Hyun awarded in Gwangju; Samgeori faces crackdown; 2016 Grand March for Life and Peace ad; In remembrance of Shimabukuro Rina; and Gangjeong Friends ad.

Download PDF

June 8, 2016
Gangjeong Village Story: Monthly Newsletter |April 2016 Issue

In this April Edition:

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

Download PDF

May 8, 2016
Closing Statement by the 1st IPFFIG

Photo by Joyakgol/ People freely gathering for street concert in front of the Peace Center during the period of International Film Festival in Gangjeong

Go to the related sites: here, here and here

Closing Statement by the 1st IPFFIG

Everyone Together For Peace!

We are announcing the closing of the 1st International Peace Film Festival In Gangjeong. We believe that peace from a small village on Jeju Island will spread throughout the world. Even though we didn’t have enough time to prepare this event, Jeju islanders and peace-loving citizens from all over the country have voluntarily helped organizing this impressive and moving event. And thus, we are able to successfully close the peace film festival today.

We are planting trees of peace in a village where there is a massive naval base. It is everyone’s job to nurture and grow the trees so that it becomes a forest where many different lives can peacefully coexist. We hope that every participant of the film festival will become mountains, waters, forests and winds to blow away all barriers.

As the first international film festival on Jeju, and the first peace film festival in Korea, our beautiful arts event will never cease to look hard at the history of pain, and sympathize with the sufferings of our time. We hope we can contribute to transforming Jeju into the island of true peace and Korea into the center of world peace by speaking through our films, by communicating through culture and acting through arts. We will hold hands with the citizens of the world to cast away the cloud of conflict, violence and war.

Let us put down uncomfortable weapons, steaming resentment, boiling anger and far-fetched hatred. Let us sit together and indulge in the dark screen as the sparkling lights show up and shine, because the peace we are working to achieve is none less than passionate tears and bright smiles.

April 26, 2016
The 1st International Peace Film Festival In Gangjeong

Photo by Kim Suo/ The IPFFG Opening dance in the Seogwipo Catholic church on April 23, 2016

April 30, 2016
Collection of Global Solidarity Messages Writing in Protest for the Navy to Drop Its Wrongful Lawsuit

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

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

………………………………………………………………………………

Gloria Steinem and Christine Ahn ( on May 30)

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

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

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

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

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

In love and in peace,
Gloria Steinem and Christine Ahn

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

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

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

(Go to Korean translation site, here)

Antonio (on April 26)

DON’T GIVE UP!!!

YOUR FIGHT IS OUR FIGHT!!!

Regards,

Antonio

@Ilprescelto77

(Go to Korean translation site, here)

Catherine Christie (on April 25)

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

International Rural Churches Association
Voice of the Voiceless

………………………………………………..

April 25, 2016

Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Jung Ho Sub

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

Honorable representatives of the Republic of Korea:

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

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

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

Yours respectfully,

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

(Go to Korean translation site, here)

Nick Deane (on April 26)

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

Thoughts are with you!

Nick

………………………………………

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

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

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

The whole world is watching!

Nick Deane.

(Sydney, Australia)

(Go to the Korean translation site, here)

Ulrich Duchrow (on April 29)

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

In solidarity

Ulrich Duchrow
Professor at Heidelberg University and Moderator of Kairos Europa

(Go to translation site, here)

Catherine Fontanazza (on April 26)

A note to the protestors :

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

Power to the people.

Sincerely,

Kate Fontanazza

(Go to the Korean translation site, here)

Bruce K. Gagnon (on April 5)

To: South Korean President Park Geun-Hye and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon

Dear President Park:

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

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

The responsibility lies solely with the state for threatening citizens’ right to a peaceful existence and causing their pain by enforcing this wrongful government policy. There is no one else as responsible for this as the government. The state rather than the residents bears the responsibility. Without mentioning a word about their own responsibility, it is the height of irresponsibility for the state to shift the blame for the delays in the construction onto individual citizens. The state that should be protecting the basic rights of its citizens is instead declaring war against them.

The biggest crime of all is that the ROK government and the Navy rejected the will of the Gangjeong villagers and have destroyed a 500-year old community. In addition the environmental ‘special preservation area’ is being destroyed as well – violating your own government’s environmental protection designation.

Our international membership stands with Gangjeong villagers and we demand that these outrageous and illegal charges be immediately dropped.

We eagerly await your positive response.

In peace,

Bruce K. Gagnon
Coordinator
Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space
Brunswick, ME , United States
http://www.space4peace.org
http://space4peace.blogspot.com (blog)

Thank God men cannot fly, and lay waste the sky as well as the earth. – Henry David Thoreau

(Go to Korean translation site, here)

Boyette Jurceles Jr (on April 24)

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

In solidarity and more power!

Boyette Jurceles Jr.

Ban the Bases!

And BAYAN

(Go to Korean translation site, here)

Natasha Mayers (on April 29)

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

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

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

Respectfully,

Natasha Mayers

Whitefield, Maine

(Go to translation site, here)

Rachael Berman Melville (on April 25)

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

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

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

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

All the best and peace,

Rachael Berman Melville

(Go to Korean translation site, here)

MIGRANTE International (on April 26)

To the dear people of Gangjeong Village,

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

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

Down with Imperialism!

(Go to Korean translation site, here)

Missionary Society of St. Columban (on April 14)

Forwarded by Fr. Pat Cunningham

(Go to Korean translation site, here)

Nogawa Mio (on April 9)

To South Korean President Park Geun-Hye

(Go to Korean translation site, here)

Stuart Rees (on April 25)

Dear Friends,

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

The world needs to dismantle military vases not build more.

Congratulations on your brave stand.

In Solidarity and with Best Wishes,

Stuart Rees, former Director,

Sydney Peace Foundation

(Go to Korean translation site, here)

Arnie Saiki (on April 29)

To: South Korean President Park Geun-Hye

Dear President Park:

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

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

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

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

(Go to Korean translation site, here)

Veterans for Peace(on April 14)

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

Tarak Kauff

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

(Go to the translation site, here)

Russell Wray (on April 27)

Dear Friends,

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

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

Peace and Best Wishes,

Russell

Russell Wray

Citizens Opposing Active Sonar Threats

Hancock, Maine, United States

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

……………………………..

April 26, 2016

The Honorable Ahn Ho-Young

Ambassador of the Republic of Korea

Embassy of the Republic of Korea

2320 Massachusetts Ave, NW

Washington, D.C. 20008

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

Dear Honorable Ambassador,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sincerely,

Russell Wray

President

Citizens Opposing Active Sonar Threats (COAST)

Hancock, ME, USA

……………………………………………………………………..

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

(Go to Korean translation site, here)

Angie Zelter (on April 24)

Dear Gangjeong Resisters,

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

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

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

Love, peace and strength, Angie Zelter.

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

(Go to Korean translation site, here)

April 27, 2016
An Appeal for Protest
The buildings shown behind the banner are military residence inside the base

The village representatives have been doing tent sit-in in protest to the unjust navy lawsuit since April 10th despite the police threat on the first day. For more, see here and here.

April 23, 2016

Dear friends of Gangjeong Village:

This weekend, our village is honored to host the 1^st International Peace Film Festival in Gangjeong (April 23 to 26). Unfortunately, we also find ourselves in grave danger and need your urgent help. Although our peace movement has been recognized internationally as an “exemplary non-violent struggle” by organizations like the International Peace Bureau and Veterans for Peace, we are currently struggling for our very survival.

Please read the letter from Bruce Gagnon below, which describes the staggering US$2.9 million lawsuit currently threatening the village. We are appealing for the support of you and your organizations: (1) Please forward this letter, along with your own brief message of protest, to Korean embassies and consulates. (2) Then share through your networks to raise awareness and to ask for others to join in protest. You may also refer to a protest letter by the St. Columban Missionaries in Britain, here. (3) Finally please send us any short solidarity messages, images, videos which we will share with people here. (gangjeongintl@gmail.com)

We are asking that these be sent ideally during Aug 26-30^th, the launch period for this protest. Also, if you have not done so, please join No Naval Base on Jeju on Facebook for more updates and information, or visit savejejunow.org.

The reasons we chose April 26th: It symbolizes the overturning of democratic processes that the navy had used in order to create a cover story for building the base. On that day in 2007, it organized an ad hoc general meeting among a tiny fraction of the residents to make the deceptive claim that the village approved the base. In protest, the villagers responded by holding their own plebescite four months later, when 94% of more than 70% electorates of the village population voted to oppose the base project*. However, the government has never recognized the village’s legitimate democratic vote. Instead it relied upon the fraudulent “approval process” that took place on April 26, 2007: Not only was there anti-democratic voter-suppression, with no advance publicity or public discussion, there was not even a vote; instead, approval was absurdly measured by clapping. By bringing attention to the anniversary of this date, we seek to emphasize how the base has been forced upon the village through lies and repression despite overwhelming popular opposition to it. The date is also the last day of the 1^st International Peace Film Festival in Gangjeong.

For our April 26-30th protest campaign, the key message is that: (1) the lawsuit against Gangjeong is wrongful; (2) the navy’s lawsuit must be dropped (3) Also, we denounce the history of unjust measures that have been used to install the base.

We greatly appreciate your time and apologize for the very short notice.

Thank you always for your solidarity.

Sincerely,

The Gangjeong Village Association

======

To: South Korean President Park Geun-Hye and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon

Dear President Park:

We have learned that your government, the South Korean Navy and Samsung Construction division are currently demanding damages from local groups and residents on Jeju Island for the alleged costs incurred due to the residents’ opposition to the Navy base construction: US $2.9 million. Your government has listed the Gangjeong village association, five groups and 116 residents and activists as the defendants.

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

The responsibility lies solely with the state for threatening citizens’ right to a peaceful existence and causing their pain by enforcing this wrongful government policy. There is no one else as responsible for this as the government. The state rather than the residents bears the responsibility. Without mentioning a word about their own responsibility, it is the height of irresponsibility for the state to shift the blame for the delays in the construction onto individual citizens. The state that should be protecting the basic rights of its citizens is instead declaring war against them.

The biggest crime of all is that the ROK government and the Navy rejected the will of the Gangjeong villagers and have destroyed a 500-year old community. In addition the environmental ‘special preservation area’ is being destroyed as well – violating your own government’s environmental protection designation.

Our international membership stands with Gangjeong villagers and we demand that these outrageous and illegal charges be immediately dropped.

We eagerly await your positive response.

In peace,

Bruce K. Gagnon
Coordinator
Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space
http://www.space4peace.org
http://space4peace.blogspot.com (blog)

Thank God men cannot fly, and lay waste the sky as well as the earth. – Henry David Thoreau
- We also thank St. Columban Missionaries in Britain for its protest letter this April. See here.
April 24, 2016
A Protest Letter by the Columban Missionaries in Britain
- The letter was forwarded by Fr. Pat.
April 24, 2016
Korean Lawyers Defend Village on Jeju Island from Samsung & Navy

Image by Oum Mun-Hee/For more photos, see here. Villagers’ press conference in front of the Island government hall on March 30 to demand the navy to drop down the unjust suit on reimbursement against people.

The Navy’s damage claim against Gangjeong residents is a declaration of war against its own citizens

By Lawyers for a Democratic Society (Minbyun)

The ROK Navy is claiming a sum of 3.4 billion won [approximately 3 million US dollars] in damages against 116 individuals including residents and clergy and 5 organizations. The Navy is demanding this money in compensation for the losses incurred by the construction company due to a 14-month delay in construction in the naval base due to residents, etc. obstructing the work. We (Minbyun) found that this case is an unjustified declaration of war against the people.

If the state suffered property loss, would it be fair to take individual citizens to trial to claim reparations? In pursuing its objective, the state has the power to seek criminal punishment and to take many steps including administrative measures, fines, penalties, non-compliance charges, etc. and the imposition of various administrative monetary sanctions. If such a state were to suffer financial losses due to a delay in construction and were to claim compensation from individual citizens, this could be used as a weapon to block all those who are critical of any state policy in the future. In this kind of situation, who would be able to oppose state policy?

When ominous heavy equipment destroys the foundation of life with no hesitation, citizens have no other power but to use their own bodies to stand in front of it. Before carrying out so-called ‘state policy’, the state should listen carefully to its citizens’ voices. When the reckless development of the state and large construction companies threaten the right of citizens to a peaceful existence, the right of citizens to oppose this must be guaranteed as their natural and constitutional right since sovereignty rests with the people. To condemn this action as illegal is to delegitimize the foundation of democracy.

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

The responsibility lies solely with the state for threatening citizens’ right to a peaceful existence and causing their pain by enforcing this wrongful government policy. There is no one else as responsible for this as the government. The state rather than the residents bears the responsibility. Without mentioning a word about their own responsibility, it is the height of irresponsibility for the state to shift the blame for the delays in the construction onto individual citizens. The state that should be protecting the basic rights of its citizens is instead declaring war against them.

The Navy read and copied an enormous amount of criminal case records in the prosecution office in order to prepare this civil case. Individual criminal case files contain very important personal information so they only can be provided to a third party based on legal grounds. For example, in cases where the parties have applied for a trial or where the need to conduct an investigation is recognized, it is possible through a decision of the court. Even before the Navy can properly file a lawsuit on legal grounds, it must reveal whether it copied individual criminal case records.

Minbyun defines this claim for reimbursement not as one simple trial but as a provisional seizure used to strangle workers. Like this, it has a historical connection to the suppression of labor. It has a dishonest intention to extend dangerous statism to the judiciary. Minbyun will organize a legal team to fight for the 121 people and will make efforts and take measures to inform the public both domestically and internationally about the unconstitutionality and illegality of this case. The state should stop threatening citizens with this case. It should get out from behind this case and get down on its knees in front of its citizens and apologize for causing them pain.

March 30, 2016

Lawyers for a Democratic Society (Minbyun)
Han Taek-geun, Chairperson

Take Action: Please call the South Korean embassy or consulate nearest you and complain about this outrageous action to destroy Gangjeong village. Here is the link to find the ROK consulate nearest you in the US. Do it today!

…………………………

To see the original Korean commentary by MINBYUN, see here. The translation above was done in collaboration by the members of the Gangjeong Village International team and posted here under the permission of the MINBYUN.

The above is also re-blogged from here.

To see the article on villagers’ conference on March 30, see here

April 6, 2016