In a not too distant history more than 30 000 people died on Jeju.
Some estimates say that as many as 80 000 were massacred in what is referred to as the April 3d incident or the Jeju uprising.
Only 3 years before, in 1945, the US used atomic nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ending the pacific part of WWII. The war in Europe had ended a couple of months before and with that the Japanese occupation of Korea. A new political map of Korea was drawn mainly together with The Soviet Union.
The name, April 3rd incident refers to civilians being shot by the police during a demonstration in 1948. It also marks the starting point of a 7 year brutal battle between the South Korean Army and the villagers of Jeju island
The South Korean government, under the direction of the United States, maintained a systematic slaughter of the residents of Jeju Island. The people had preferred a united Korea and refused to participate in the fight over the country’s political system; this nonviolent stand was perceived as a serious threat by the United States and South Korea, and so, the people were attacked and massacred. The rebellion included the mutiny of several hundred members of the South Korean 11th Constabulary Regiment.
Most people died through fighting or execution. The visual artist and Jeju born Gillchun Koh portrays paths to death during the uprising in the “4.3 Peace Museum”.
Many people also fled to Japan and were unable to return back to Korea for many years.
The trauma of war and conflict is still fresh. It is possible that the announcement of Jeju as an island of peace, coming after an apology from the President helped the reconciliation process.
It is also possible that building a peace museum for the killed, which include a special place for the 4000 people still missing and not accounted for, makes it a little easier for the now living relatives and friends. A place of remembrance. A physical place to visit. A site where the names are engraved.
But still.
For many, the thought of the construction of an American Naval base in their village. With warships and 7000 soldiers. Brings back memories of terror. Many have living relatives deeply traumatized by the war, occupation and the uprising. They know the cost of thinking that approaching and solving conflicts with weapons and violence is very high.
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These are only the 4000 graves of the missing people from the Jeju Uprising.
*Reblogged posts do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Save Jeju Now
Jan. 10, the villagers’ first monthly Unity Day in 2013 was a day to be remembered, as the military and police even ignored the national legislature by exercising police violence to two National Assembly members who joined people’s press conference and struggle in protest to illegal construction that is being done despite the National Assembly ruling on 70 days’ construction stop for a thorough verification on the base design. You can see avideo on the day here.
At 10:30am , the villagers declared their will to stop illegal construction in the press conference where representatives of the National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval Base in Jeju Island, Jeju Pan-Island Committee for the Stop of Military Base and for Realization of Peace Island, catholic priests and protestant reverends and two National Assembly members such as Jang Hana and Kim Gwangjin joined.
Mayor Kang said, “The National Assembly has broken its own promise on through verification on base layout to people by passing all the 2013 Jeju naval base budget. Even though it attached the subsidiary conditions on 70 days in its passing the whole budget, the navy is still enforcing illegal construction and mobilizing state power, committing human rights violation on people.”
The banner reads, ‘Construction on credit is illegal! Struggle of 30,000 bows to stop construction! The navy should stop illegal construction and take responsibility for thorough verification!’ People will carry on 1,000 bows everyday in rotation. Mayor Kang Dong-Kyun is the one who is doing the bows everyday. For more photos, on the day, see here.Right before the press conference, a group of ultra right wing members such as the navy fellow association visited the naval base project committee. Even during the conference, the tension due to the construction trucks to enter the gate was continued. For more photos on the day, see here.
Regarding the incident on the violence on the National Assembly members, see the below translation of an article by reverend Jeon Yeon-Gil in the Gagjeong village. Rev. Jeong was released on Dec. 12, 2012, after 98 days’ imprisonment in jail. He was one of the five activists who climbed up on a caisson dock in the Hwasoon port, in protest to the Jeju naval base project.
Kim Gwangjin, Jang Hana, the two National Assembly members were encircled by the police
On Jan. 10, two National Assembly members, Jang Hanna and Kim Gwangjin visited the site of the naval base construction in the Gangjeong village.
The two National Assembly members visited the village to urge [ the navy] to properly keep the ‘70 days’ construction stop’ that the ruling and opposition parties have agreed with each other. The two National Assembly members have made prior talks with the chief of the base project committee and demanded construction stop to the Ministry of National Defense. However, seeing that construction is still being enforced, the two have stated that they would block construction even with their bodies, visiting the site in person, so that the recommendations by the National Assembly can be carried out.
Kim Gwangjin, the National Assembly man demanded saying in the Press conference on the day that, “the agreement by the ruling and opposition parties was that there should be inevitably a construction stop for a thorough verification. The matter on the execution of budget is decided only after verification. It means there will be no subject to provide construction cost during the 70 days if it is proved out to be an improper project later as a result of verification. Immediately stop an illegal construction, being enforced without allocated budget!”
National Assembly member, Jang Hana stated, “it is with so bitter lamentation to see the reality that the National Assembly recommendations are considered merely as a sheet of paper. To see the behaviors by the Government and [ ruling conservative] Saenuri Party, they do seem to have concern with neither 70 days’ construction stop nor thorough verification. They were merely betraying people to pass the whole budget. We clearly state that there would be no verification without construction stop nor possible execution of budget without verification. Since construction has not been practically stopped, the verification period of 70 days has not even started. It is a time when even more members of the Democratic United Party, a party of the subjects of promise to the citizens so that construction can be practically stopped and verification could be thoroughly done.”
However, it happened that the police forcefully encircle and detain the National assembly members who demanded a thorough execution on the National Assembly recommendations and legislature works in the site. [See the two National Assembly members’ Jan. 11 protest statement below]
Photo by Jeon Dae-Hyub/ Kim Gwangjin, National Assembly man is forcefully dragged out by the civilian-costumed policemen, Around 3:20pm, Jan. 10, 2013.Photo by Jeon Dae-Hyub/ Kim Gwangjin, National Assembly man is forcefully dragged out by the civilian-costumed policemen. Around 3:20pm, Jan. 10, 2013National Assembly woman Jang Hana is protesting against the navy’s illegal construction and the police’s illegal encircling of people. Lee Dong-Min, chief of the Seogwipo police station was also in present. Around 3 pm, Jan. 10, 2013.National Assembly woman Jang Hana being encircled by the police, along with other people, Around 3 pm, Jan. 10, 2013.National Assembly man, Kim Gwangjin shouted knocking the base project gate in protest to navy’s illegal construction and the police’s violent roughing on him and people. Around 3:30 pm, Jan. 10, 2013. The navy did not open the gate for him.
Looking at that, a villager Kim expressed his piled up agony, “ Has there any coup recently happened in the Republic of Korea? How do the police dare to forcefully encircle and detain the National Assembly members in their legislature works? I so deplore the reality of South Korea. It seems Gangjeong became the lawless world where neither law order nor democracy system work, only with police violence being rampant.”
Two National Assembly members, Jang Hana and Kim Gwangjin made peace bows along with the villagers to demand construction stop in front of the base project until 6pm.
Leaving the village, two members expressed their will saying that “given that construction is not stopped by two of us, we will do our best for our promise to the citizens to be carried out by making more members including [Park Gi-Choon, representative of the Party] to visit here. We will come again with more National Assembly members.”
You may see another essay with lots of photos on the day’s incident, here.
Photo by Rev. Choi Hyn-Kuk/ Night time entry and exit of construction vehicles, and police mobilization to rough out protesting people went on to the fury of people.Around 9:30pm, even an old female villager was pushed inside the police circle. Not to mention illegal construction, the night time construction went on.
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Statement by Kim Gwangjin, Jang Hana, members of National Assembly, on Jan. 11, 2013
We denounce the Jeju naval base project enforced with illegal construction and violence by the police that used physical powers even to the National Assembly members, shielding the project.
1. Yesterday (Jan. 10), Kim Gwangjin and Jang Hana, members of the National Assembly (Democratic United Party), visiting the Gangjeong village, strongly criticized that the 24 hour construction is still going on in the Jeju naval base project without observation on the National Assembly subsidiary conditions.
2.After the press conference on the day, the navy entering the enforcement on construction including the entry and exit of construction vehicles from 3 pm, brought in conflicts between the villagers who have been carrying on 1,000 bows and police. The police pushing away the villagers to a side with the mobilization of physical power, encircled and detained them.
3. During the process, National Assembly man Kim Gwang-Jin and woman Jang Hana, pointing out the problems following the navy’s enforcement on construction, demanded the stop of construction including the operation of construction vehicles. However, it was not received. Rather, Kim Gwang-Jin, the National Assembly man was dragged out and Jang Hana, National Assembly woman was detained and encircled for a long time.
4. We strictly warn once again. The currently being enforced Jeju naval base project is an undeniably illegal construction even without contract action therefore the dispatch of force that protects it is illegal. We will ask legal and political responsibility to the commander who ordered physical power even to the National Assembly members who visited the site. Given that such violence is done even to the National Assembly members in their legislature works, it is unquestionable to imagine how it would be to the villagers and activists in the site. We will make a prompt correction on the police violence in the lawless world of the Gangjeong village
5. Also, the Ministry of National Defense who unreasonably enforce construction even breaking the National Assembly order items, should take the 1st responsibility on the situation. An illegal enforcement of construction is a defiance in the front against the authority of Constitution by which the National Assembly composed by the citizen representatives has the rights to legislation and budget and balance. We strongly demand it to promptly make an order on construction stop and to carry on full verification
Today there were many watch dogs by the gates of the naval base.
Unification day. And it has been a hectic day.
But first. Two concepts that are hovering over the base.
Civil Disobedience (Resistance to civil government) Henry David Thoreau argues that individuals should not permit governments to overrule or atrophy their consciences , and that they have a duty to avoid allowing such acquiescence to enable the government to make them the agents of injustice.
Direct Action occurs when a group of people take an action which is intended to reveal an existing problem, highlight an alternative, or demonstrate a possible solution to a social issue. This can include nonviolent and less often violent activities which target persons, groups, or property deemed offensive to the direct action participants. Examples of direct action can include strikes, workplace occupation, political violence, nonviolent resistance, sabotage, property destruction, blockades etc.
My morning started with meeting this friendly Baptist minister from Seoul.
The things got less friendly.
The religious leader from Seoul was removed from the gate and the trucks could pass.
The police came en masse. They never seem far away and they probably aren’t either.
And as the day went on….More people being lifted from in front of the gate and place inside so called detention circles.
Then there was a big manifestation. The mayor spoke. Urging the goverment to listen to the National Assembly’s decision to halt construction for 70 days, starting from January 1st. Two supporting politicians from the democratic party were part of the demo in fron of the gate.
There were plenty of photographs taken.And plenty of people in the manifestation.
The 100 bows for peace were made.
There were many people visiting Gangjeong today. Maybe that is why the police decided to wait until the afternoon to open the gates again.
Things started to heat up. Activists gathered at the gates, the alarm went across the village. Police started lining up(first casually, then in a more tight formation) along the peace camp tents, making it difficult or impossible to leave or get to.
It got more and more hectic as more and more activist were moved into circles where they were surrounded by police.
And when you are inside a cicle many activist choose to just sit quietly.
When you are dragged from making your peace bows, your shoes often end up someplace else.
On Jan. 8, members of the Seongdong Center for Independant Living visited Gangjeong, joining the peoples’ struggle to stop the illegal construction. They stayed all night in front of construction gates to block the construction vehicles.
A witness who watched the struggle of the disabled visitors, most of whom are women, testified that the police were embarrassed by their courageous and active protests. He also stated that the police were violent and violated their human rights. The police forcefully lifting their wheelchairs, encircled an each person, and detained them. During the process, many of the disabled women’s cries of pain and distress could be heard.
We are so grateful to these brave people who showed their warm and inspiring solidarity with Gangjeong. We also thank the Seongdong Center for Independant Living, especially Mr. Choi Ho-Sung and Mr. Kim Sou-Oh.
Jan. 7 was a busy day for the Gangjeong Village. The Gangjeong Village Association warned to the police through its official letter to Jang Jeon-Bae, Chief of the Jeju Provincial Police Agency, titled, “The police should immediately take off their hands from the Jeju naval base project of illegal construction,’ saying that “if the police continue to repress our just claims and activities with their mobilization of state power, we cannot but file for the judiciary disposal against the related personnel.” (You can see the original Korean statement, here and related article here.)
Otherwise, the village representatives meeting with Woo Keun-Min, Island governor, for about an hour in the Island government hall in the Jeju City at 5 pm, delivered a villagers’ opinion letter to him. The letter included the contents on the demand on the construction stop during the 70 days’ verification period and on the thorough verification on the simulation on 150,000 ton cruises planned within this month and ‘civilian-military complex port for tour beauty-the National Assembly subsidiary conditions attached to its passing of 2013 Jeju naval base budget. It is told that the Island governor Woo, showing positive attitude on the villagers’ demands, expressed his will to deliver the villagers’ opinions to the Office of prime Minister. (Please refer to a Korean article here.)
In the evening at 8 pm, there was a general meeting by the villagers and activists who, fully filling the meeting room, discussed about the tasks and plans of the struggle in the future. Various discussion on how to unify centered on the villagers, how to inform the truth to the Island people and how to express our will etc. The details of content will be known through the future struggles in time.
The below is a collection of photos taken by many people from the morning of Jan. 7 to the early dawn of Jan. 8. They are the photos on the people’s picketings against illegal construction despite the National assembly demand on 70 days’ construction stop. Many young activists contributed to make the pickets on Jan. 7.
Around 9:30 am, the company thugs removed all the timbers of the barricade for the entry of construction trucks. Meanwhile, people’s 100 bows went on.Around 10:23 am: The company thugs and security guys remove the trucks whenever there are little people in front of the gates, not necessarily for the entry for trucks. It is the talk with one security man (not the man in the photo). “Sir, why do you remove our stuffs. Are you properly getting wages for your works? We hear that the Government did not allocate construction costs from Jan. 1 because of the National assembly subsidiary condition on 70 days.” “It is a voluntary work.” “Are you serious? You don’t have your family members whom you should feed?” A peace activist uses his body to protect timbers.Around 10:30 am, Jan. 7/ Various construction vehicles come and go. Where did the bidgets for those come from?Around 10:30 am, Jan. 7/ Suspicious automobiles..Around 11:10 am. Jan. 7, 2013/ During the Catholic mass, a construction truck is waiting for exit inside the gate of the construction area.
Around 12:55 pm, Jan. 7: The police threaten people that they would arrest the young man and a Catholic priest under the charge of obstruction of business. The Catholic priest is holding a sign that reads, “Stop the illegal construction that is being enforced without allocation of budget since Jan. 1, 2013!” The young man is holding a sign, “Here is the Gangjeong village. Here is our village that we have to save to the end.”
Director Cho Sung-Bong has the praising remark on the young man. “Love you, Dauri”. . .Young photographer, Dauri, is in direct peace action at the main gate of Jeju naval base building site. . .He has been arrested 6 times. . . has been on trials on charges of trespassing Gureombi rock three times and on charges of obstruction of business three times. . . Gangjeong is the school of Human rights, peace. ..and arts for him who has come as an 18 year old young man. He is now 20 years old. . .Photo essay by Cho Sung-bong, click here. (Regina Pyon)
Jan. 7, around 12:59pm: Despite illegal construction, police illegal detaining of people is continuously going on.Jan. 7, around 12:59pm: We want to ask the policeman, “What will be if it is your hometown.” The young man is holding a sign, “Here is the Gangjeong village. Here is our village that we have to save to the end.”Jan. 7, around 1pm: A young woman activist made a testimony, “ While a giant size vehicle hit me who was taking a record on the sidewalk, the police, letting alone the vehicle, illegally detained me.” You can see the Dungree video on the giant vehicle passing on the side walk and damaging it. (Click here, around 01:15-01:59)Jan. 7, around 2pm: About 10 dredge ships on the sea.. where did the construction budget come from? The navy has said it has left only 1.5 billion won at the time of National Assembly examination on budget.. Also the Ministry of Strategy and Finance said it allocated only 16.2 billion won, which is applicable only for management cost and 20 days (90 days of the 1st quarter fiscal period minus 70 days). Several photos taken at similar time were linked together. Do you know that there are people who cannot sleep because of night time construction? Somone who lives far from the coast says it has been twice that she could not sleep at all because of night time construction noise on the sea from Jan. 1 to 7.Jan. 7, around 7:20 pm: Three cement mixer trucks, a dump truck, a crane entered. A lightening car for the night time construction was turned on. The police continuously encircle people while saying it is for people’s safety. Are the police, government employee saying that they are not aware it is an illegal construction? Are they really the government employees who get wages from our tax? It was uncommon when a chief of police women, upon the protest by people, ordered her policewomen to release their arms that they tied together to detain a woman activist. Are the police hesitantly acknowledging that they could be punished under the charge of illegal detention? (maximum 7 years’ imprisonment and 10 years’ qualification pose)Photo by Saltcandy Yohan/ Jan. 8, around 01:23 am The peace keepers are making all the efforts to stop the illegal construction.Photo by Park Inchun, post by Novie Na/ Jan. 8, around 3:15 am
An outsiders perspective on how things possibly went down this morning.
– Hallo, is this the police? I need your help.
– Yes, again.
– There are three people blocking the entrance to the gate. I know you have been here 7 times a day since 2007. Yes, that is 12 775 times but they are still here.
I have trucks on the inside that need to get out.
And there are trucks on the outside that need to get in.
We need to move all the junk.
All the chairs.
And we need to move the people.
We need to do it now.
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This happens every hour during the day. And every second hour during the night. On an average. Persistance and determination like this is hard to find.
Many of the conscripts look very young. Many look a bit scared or at least confused. They come from the mainland and are circulated every 2-3 weeks. It is doubtful they know what is going on in front of the gates.
Police covering their faces is a thing I have rarely seen. It is not legal either. You, as a representative for the state force should identify yourself.
You are also obliged to identify yourself when you are filming. In the name of security.
Some activists decide to open up a discussion about that.
If you film me and don’t tell me who you are, I will cover my face.
For more than 1825 days these activists have been practicing civil disobedience in the name of peace, determined to stop the building of the base and they are in good company.
On Jan. 5, the criminal case department of the West district of Seoul Prosecutors’ Office made a decision of non-prosecution on Kim Ji-Yoon (29), a proportional representative of young people of the United Progressive Party. Kim has been charged of damage on the honor of the navy with her expression of the ‘pirate base,’ regarding the Jeju naval base project.
The person in the Prosecutors’ office said her expression is merely a subjective evaluation so cannot be acknowledged as crime. For the charge of the crime of damage on honor to be established, concrete facts should be stipulated. The prosecutor said.
The prosecutor also said that the charge of the insult on the navy cannot be acknowledged as an insult to the whole group of the navy. He also said that another reason of non-prosecution is the cancellation of charge last December by the navy-reserving groups who originally charged Kim.
Kim has posted in her tweeter last March that reads, “I oppose the Jeju pirate base. Let’s save the Gangjeong village and Gurembi Rock)
”Endless labor of Sisyphus to make barricades. . .leading to tears. ..Gangjeong, however, is still young here. . .” Image: Cho Sung-BongAround 9 pm, Jan. 3/ A cold night. A young man in his 30s stops a construction truck alone. The police threaten him that they would arrest him under the charge of ‘obstruction on business.’ The young man protests in state asking why the police ignore 70 days’ verification and construction stop period and side with the navy that enforces construction, despite the National Assembly subsidiary opinion. The sign reads, ‘Construction stop for 70 days! Carry the [National Assembly] agreement by the ruling and opposition parties!’Jan. 4, 2012/ A peace activist with a civil disobedience sign. For more photos, see here.
The navy says it can do enforcing construction ON CREDIT, despite the agreement by the ruling and opposition parties on 70 days’ construction stop and verification.
According to Jang Hana, National Assembly woman, the Ministry of Strategy and Finance considering 70 days’ construction stop period according to the National Assembly subsidiary condition on Jan. 1, 2013, compiled only 16.2 billion won for the 1st quarter period, regarding the execution on the National Assembly-passed 2013 Jeju naval base budget (about 200 billion won) . The 16. 2 billion won is applicable only for remaining 20 days of the 90 days , a quarter of a whole fiscal period. Still the navy is pushing for the construction saying it would get the budget later after ON CREDIT -construction anyway (See the Jeju Sori article). Prof. Shin Yong-In, a legal advisor to the village strongly refuted on it on Jan. 4. Here is a translation of most part of his article. You can see his Korean writing here.
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Why the Navy’s enforced construction is Illegal. The civil disobedience campaign is not guilty!!
By Shin Yong-In
By the law, a long term continuing construction needs construction contract every year before construction (item 2 of article 69, enforcement decree on the law on the state contract). Therefore, for the navy to do construction in 2013, the navy should conclude the 2013 construction contract with the construction companies and then start construction.
Related to it, to understand the matter of illegality on the currently enforced construction, broad understanding on the procedures on the execution of budget of annual expenditure is needed above all.
By the common procedure on the execution of budget of annual expenditure, the Office of Budget of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance allocates budget, then the department of the National Treasury allocates funds, and each ministry and office execute allocated and placed budget.
And by the law, the conclusion on construction contract is possible only after the budget allocation (article 20 of the law on the management on the national treasury). While at least contract cost is needed to conclude contract, the provision of contract fund is possible only after allocation of fund. It means the navy can neither conclude construction contract nor carry on construction until the budget is allocated to and received by it. If the navy concludes construction contract without the allocation of budget or fund, it is an ILLEGAL construction.
On Jan. 3, 2013, the government has allocated Jeju naval base budget for the 1st quarter (1st 90days) and the amount is about 16 billion won. Since the 2013 Jeju naval base budget is about 200 billion won, the government should originally allocate 50 billion won, a quarter of the whole amount for the 1st quarter period. The reason that the government allocated only 16 billion won not 50 billion won is because it allocated the budget only for the operation and construction costs after 70 days ( so construction costs for remaining 20 days). In other words, it did never allocate the budget for the 70 days’ construction costs.
Otherwise, nothing on the allocation of fund has been carried on in relation to construction. According to the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, the allocation of fund is told to be done after the government carries on the three items of the National Assembly recommendation and report the result of it to the National Assembly. In other words, the navy should receive allocation of fund after its report to the National Assembly then start on construction even though it is allocated of budget.
The interesting point is there will be no allocation of budget on the currently being enforced construction even after the navy’s report of the result to the National Assembly since there has been no allocation of budget as mentioned in the above. If the [government] expend the construction cost later, it will be an illegal expense. In other words, the construction companies cannot receive construction cost even after the navy report the result to the National Assembly. It becomes a construction for free not a construction on credit.
To summarize again, there was no budget allocation on 70 days and there will be no allocation of funds during the period. Then how can they do construction? Does the navy personnel plan to make it up with their private money?
Otherwise, the position of the Ministry of Strategy and Defense is that contract and construction can not be processed, either. It says contract cannot be done because contract is done annually and [the navy]can not do a year unit contract only with 16 billion won; and the [navy] cannot provide [construction companies] contract cost because allocation of fund related to construction cannot be done before its report to the National Assembly, too. The ministry just explains on the reason that it carried on allocation of budget in part; it is because without allocation of budget in part, all other works excluding the construction on facilities would stop. Therefore the Ministry explains that it allocated budget of only 16 billion won applicable to the operation of the project committee and 20 days’ construction cost(after 70 days), considering the project committee operation and possibility of construction resumption after the navy’s report to the National assembly.
Whatever, even with the position of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, the navy’s currently enfporced construction is clearly ILLEGAL.
Therefore I see the civil disobedience activity to stop construction with one’s body is NO GUILTY. For a charge of obstruction of business to be established, the business should be a just business. However, since the construction being enforced without allocation of budget or funds is illegal, it is not a just business. Therefore, the charge of obstruction of business cannot be established.
Also the police’s circling of people to illegally detain innocent citizens is applicable to the crime of illegal detention by the criminal law. Therefore I think it is necessary for the Democratic United Party to accuse the police with the charge of illegal detention. If it is done, will it be possible for the police to detain people, continuously cooperating with the navy?
I am closely observing this state of things. By now, the navy has kept at least formal legality even though it has carelessly committed substantial illegality. However, in case of this situation, it is not keeping even a formal legality.
Prof. Shin also says the police does not have the right to arrest people under the charge of obstruction of business. If the police threaten people, people can say to the police that they could be punished under the charge of illegal detention, which can be punished seven years’ imprisonment and 10 years’ qualification stoppage at maximum. It is according to the article 124 of the criminal law (illegal arrest, illegal detention), he says.
Photo by Jang Hyun-Woo on Jan. 4, 2013/ Illegal Construction is going on. For more photos on maritime construction, see here.…………………………………………………..
Two former and current National Assembly men (Democratic United Party)visited Gangjeong
Jeong Bong-Ju, a former National Assembly man and a member of Nakkomsou and Kim Gwangjin, a current National Assembly member visited Gangjeong, Both are the members of the Democratic United Party.
Jeong has been in prison for a year for his raising suspicion on the BBK in relation to the President Lee Myung Bak. Jeong is also a member of Nakkomsou who visited the Jeju City in Dec. 2011. With his spicy and humorous criticism on the politics, he has been popular, especially among young generation.
The both expressed their concerns on the navy’s illegal enforcement of construction despite the National Assembly subsidiary condition on 70 days.
Meanwhile in the village, the daily protest and 100 bows still went on despite the police interruption.
In the photo, the National Assembly man Kim Gwang-Jin entered the naval base project committee building complex. For more photos by Jang Hyun-Woo, see here
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# The incident of the stock manipulation by the BBK: Kim Kyung-Joon, a Korean American (Christopher Kim) manipulated the stocks through the company, BBK, founded in 1999. Kim claimed that President Lee Myung-Bak is the real owner of the BBK and he, himself, is a victim, too, while President Lee claiming that he was also victimized by Kim, too. The prosecutors indicted Kim while made no guilty decision on the President Lee. (See here)
Following the release of Fr. Lee Young-Chan on Dec. 26, Mr. Kim Bok-Chul was released on Jan. 3. Both were released on bail.
Photo by Jang Hyun-Woo/ Fr. Lee Young-chan was released on bail on December 26. Activists and Jesuit priests including the head of Jesuits Korea prefecture Fr. John Shin Won-shik (right) are receiving him at Jeju prison. For more photos by Jang Hyun-Woo, See here (Post by Regina Pyon)Photo by Jang Hyun-Woo/ Fr. Lee Young Chan in mass, next day of his release.For more photos by Jang Hyun-Woo, see here.
A Video on Fr. Lee Young-Chan, made by Dungree after Fr. Lee’s arrest on Oct. 26, 2012, remembering Fr. Lee’s struggles against the naval base project.
Kim Bok-chol was released on bail on January 3. He is in the center with blue jacket. Photo by Jang Hyon-woo. (Post by Regina Pyon)Photo by Jang Hyun-Woo/ Mr. Kim Bok-Chul who was arrested on June 14, 2012, is finally free out of jail on Jan. 3, 2013.
For Mr. Kim Bok-Chul, Jan. 3, 2013 was his 206th day in prison. He is the longest prisoner against the Jeju naval base at one term. Dr. Song Kang-Ho was jailed for two weeks in 2011 and 181 days in 2012. Mr. Kim Dong-Won was jailed twice, for about 94 days in 2011 and 118 days in 2012.
On Jan 2, the prosecutor made an opinion of two year prison on him. The court decision will be on Jan. 23.
Video by Dungree: Interview with Mr. Kim Bok-Chul, after his release (Source: click here)
When he was in jail, Mr. Kim Bok-Chul, a laid-off railroad worker and reporter of the ‘Voice of Seoul,’ fought against the bad human rights conditions in the prison. Now being released from the jail, he wants to make an appeal against unjust arrest of him on June 14, 2012 when he was protesting on the police’s violent dealing of an activist
With the release of Fr. Lee Young-Chan and Mr. Kim Bok-Chul, Mr. Park Seung-Ho is currently the only remaining prisoner. He hit his 112 day in jail on Jan. 4, 2013.
Mr. Park Seung-Ho was born in 1966(?). After his arrest in the 3 way intersection in the village on Sept. 14, 2012, for the reason that he had not responded to the police call. It was during the period of the WCC (World Conservation Congress) Jeju (Sept. 6 to 15, 2012) when most people were busy for the protests against the naval base project.
Video still frame by Dungree/ Mr. Park Seung-Ho’s arrest on Sept. 14, 2012
Mr. Park Seung-Ho (No. 290)
Please send him letters of support with the prisoner number to the address at:
Jeju Prison 161 Ora-2 dong, Jeju City, Jeju, the Peace Island, Korea
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Dr. Song Kang-Ho was released on Sept. 28, 2012 (181 days in jail). See here.
Mr. Yoon Choong was released on Oct. 24, 2012 (44 days in jail). See here.
Mr. Kim Dong-Won was released on Oct. 26, 2012 (118 days in jail). See here.
Rev, Jeong Yeon-Gil and Mr. park Suk-Jin on Dec. 12, 2012 (98 days each). See here.
Fr. Lee Young Chan was released on Dec. 26, 2012 (63 days in jail)
Mr. Kim Bok-Chul was released on Jan. 3, 2013 (206 days in jail)
See the Gangjeong villagers’ statement on budget on Jan. 2 and related National Assembly subsidiary conditions under the below photos.
Photo by Cho Sung-Bong/ The sirens rang about three times even before 7 am on Jan. 2, 2013. The siren rang around 9 am again. The daily war of Gangjeong started again. Despite the National Assembly stipulation on 70 days, the navy enforced construction even on the New Year holiday.Photo by Cho Sung-Bong/ Mayor Kang Dong-Kyun protested to the police for their permission on the entry of construction trucks, showing them the National Assembly condition. For the National Assembly conditions, see the below.Photo by Kang U-Jin/ Around 4 pm. Jan. 2/ Some people including Prof. Shin Yong-In staged a civil disobedience movement, demanding the navy’s observance on the National Assembly conditions.Photo by Paco Booyah/ 5 p.m. Jan. 3. 100 bows in front of the destruction site. The sign reads, “Stop the illegal construction without a through verification on simulation.’[Around 9pm, Jan. 3]/ A cold night. A young man in his 30s stops a construction truck alone. The police threaten him that they would arrest him under the charge of ‘obstruction on business.’ The young man protests in state asking why the police ignore 70 days’ verification and construction stop period, while the police siding with the navy that enforces construction, despite the National Assembly subsidiary opinion. The young man had to fight himself enduring a cold night alone in front of the gate. Behind a sheet of paper by the National assembly, Gangjeong is bleeding again… The sign reads, ‘Construction stop for 70 days! Carry the [National Assembly] agreement by the ruling and opposition parties!’Photo by Cho Sung-Bong/ The Pan-Island committee press conference on Jan. 3/ The banner reads ‘The enforcement of construction is illegal. The government and navy should immediately stop illegal construction!’ For more photos, see hereCaisson built by Daelim Co. is being put into Gangjeong sea in the morning of January 4. . . More photos by Hallabong, click here. (Post by Regina Pyon)
The Gangjeong village statement on Jan. 2, 2013
Position of the Gangjeong villagers on the subsidiary conditions on the 2013 Jeju naval base budget
In the examination on the 2013 budget on the Jeju naval base project, the National Assembly passed the budget with the subsidiary condition (* See the bottom). The Gangjeong Village Association cannot but ask whether the National Assembly neglected its role as the monitoring institute on the government by itself to pass the whole budget(* 200 billion won) proposed by the Ministry of National Defense despite the fact that it is the project of which a thorough verification, the subsidiary condition agreed by the Budget and Balance committee of the National Assembly in 2011 has not been carried on.
However, we judge that the subsidiary conditions of 2013 budget is in fact a declaration on construction stop. We should consider the contents that [the Government] should not carry on the execution of budget until it satisfies the three conditions as the [demand] to the navy to stop the expense plan on the naval base budget first. However, the navy, enforcing 24 hour construction from the beginning of the Jan. 1, New Year, is staging conflicts with villagers and peace keepers. Even the Ministry of National Defense espoused a thorough performance on the subsidiary conditions through its press release. Therefore the navy’s obstinate enforcement of construction is an arrogation and insubordination.
The reasons that we should consider the subsidiary conditions as the construction stop in fact are as the below.
Firstly, it is because of the very first item of [the conditions] that reads that [the Government] should wipe out concerns that the base would be operated mainly for the military port.
According to the enforcement of decree on Protection of Military Bases and Installations Act revised in 2012, all the area of the Jeju naval base project is designated as the military protection (restriction) zone and the port-entry/ exit of the cruise ships should be permitted from the Unit commander.
Not only that, according to the decree revised, the whole crews and passengers are defined as the subjects to be controlled. How can there be a guarantee that the port will not be operated mainly for a military port when the law is defined as such?
To wipe out the concerns that the port would be mainly for a military port, at least the zone designated as a trade port should be excluded from the Military protection area.
The [next] government of Park Geun-Hye [whose being fairly elected is matter of suspicions] should examine the issue in a forward-looking manner and should revise again the revised enforcement of decree on Protection of Military Bases and Installations Act.
Secondly, it is for the [second] item that demands a through verification on the possibility of entry/exit of 150,000 ton cruise. To be sorry, the item is not stipulated with the phrase of ‘possibility on the 150,000 ton cruises’ smooth entry and exit of port.’ While ‘smooth entry and exit of port’ can mean that it is possible for the cruise to enter and exit the port by its own exertion, the definition of simply ‘a possibility of entry and exit of port’ brings about a serious matter. The cruse can enter the port with the support by more than 4 tug boats that would be mobilized, unless there is a warning on the high wind and sea wave.
However, it takes tremendous costs to manage a port that operates four tug boats of each is more than 3,000 HP. It is told that more than 150,000,000 won is needed only for an yearly wage for a captain of a tug boat. It is expected to take 4~5 billion won to operate a pilot for the arrangement of four tug boats.
If we are realistic to expect entries of 150,000 ton level cruise twice a year and the economic income would be about 0.6 billion won for one-time entry, it means the [Island Government] should operate a pilot with 4~5 billion won only for 1.2 billion economic income that would come from the entries of cruises twice a year. Further the costs of operation on waiting room for cruse and maintenance/ repair of harbor and bay will be additionally burdened. Moreover, the loss amount cannot but be more increased since the sources of direct earnings for the Jeju Island government will be merely of the ship cost for coming alongside the pier and entry ticket for the watching facility of the public institutes.
Even though we suppose smooth entry & exit of port by cruise (which means the possibility for the cruise to enter and exit by its own exertion), it is tremendous costs for the waiting room and harbor & bay-maintenance/repair that would be expended only for the 150,000 ton level cruise coming no more than twice a year. Plus with the expectation on the restoration costs following the damages by typhoons, the effect on the chronically deficient Jeju economy cannot but be aggravated far from positive effects on it. The Jeju naval base being constructed under the excuse of invitation of 150,000 ton cruises that are only 4~5 throughout the world will bring about the result that would push the economy of the Jeju more falling into its bottomless pit.
Even if we might suppose that the 2nd item of the subsidiary conditions of the National Assembly means the verification on the smooth entry/ exit of port for 150,000 ton cruises, the time-limited condition of 70 days makes no sense for a thorough verification.
It is because it is a simulation that should be processed premised on the altered 30° navigation route, which passes through the vicinity of the Beom Seom (Tiger Island) [the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve]. If then there should be a three-dimensional modeling on harbor and bay, backed by observation on area-detailed water depth and analysis on the current, regarding the water area near the 30° altered navigation route. According to experts, it is a work of which the process only takes three months at minimum to six months at maximum.
We have warned many times that the 30° navigation route and vicinity water area themselves would be the obstacles on the port-entry for 150,000 ton cruise since those places are of many reefs with low water depth. Moreover, the water area of train rock water area is a zone of tremendously strong current. Will there be anybody who can trust the verification if the verification on the opening of a navigation route in such area of natural environment is processed without basic investigation process and three dimensional modeling due to time limitation of 70 days?
Thirdly, it is on the matter on the conclusion on the protocol on the joint use on the rights to official regulations on the harbor and bay and on the costs for maintenance and repair on the harbor and bay facility.
Above all, it is illogical to say so and so on the rights to official regulations when the military legally holds the control rights on the port-entry and exit.
Regrading the costs on the maintenance and repair on the harbor and bay facility, it is also prospected that even the operation cost on the cruise waiting room could be hard to be met given the realistic numbers of the entry by 150,000 ton cruises even though cruse makes entry and exit by its own exertion. Plus with the costs on the maintenance and repair on the harbor and bay facility, the Jeju Island cannot but have the blame shifted to itself. The Jeju naval base built under the show of so called civilian-military complex port for tour beauty will be only a worry that destroys the economy of the Jeju, far from making the Jeju as the 2nd Hawai’i or the tourism herb of the Northeast Asia.
Even with the use of tug boats, the governor cannot but risk loss. If the governor still passes such project that deceives the Jeju Island people saying so and so on joint allotments, without an objective, scientific and thorough verification, he would pose himself as destroying the Jeju economy and threatening the people’s lives. He should keep in mind that he would be the public enemy for the Jeju Island people, then.
Park Geun-Hye, the President-elect, claiming the great unity of people, made a pledge that she would drive for the project to be a civilian-military complex port for tour beauty, following the will of the Island people. She also emphasized that she is a politician being responsible for her words. Then she should stop the construction on the Jeju naval base and carry on thorough verification and investigation on truth, following the subsidiary conditions that the Saenuri Party (* the ruling conservative party) agreed with. She should revoke the base construction project itself if it turns out that the Jeju naval base does not fit to the South Korea’s international relationship or to the position of the Jeju Island; and if it becomes clear that it is against the will of the Island people or harms the Jeju economy.
Therefore the Gangjeong Village Association demands as the below.
1, The National Assembly should switch over itself from the subjects of solution from the subjects of resolution. As the ruling and opposition parties made an agreement on the subsidiary conditions, they should take responsibility for management and supervision on the performance on the subsidiary conditions by forming a special committee. Park Geun-Hye, President-elect and the Saenuri Party should take an active cooperation with them as they made an agreement to the subsidiary conditions also.
2. As the Ministry of National Defense declared on the thorough performance on the subsidiary conditions of the National Assembly, the navy should immediately stop the construction and should enter for a thorough verification on scientific and reasonable verification with transparent and objective measures.
3. Woo Keun-Min, the Jeju Island governor should not compromise on the Jeju naval base issue which is the biggest matter and core of conflict in the Jeju Island. He should fulfill a thorough verification to the end.
Finally, greeting the beginning of 2013, the Gangjeong village Association, the representative institute of the Gangjeong village, states again that it will firmly maintain its position to revoke the naval base project, that has experienced conflicts for the Jeju naval base issue for six years; and will make all the efforts for construction stop and re-examination of the project, while fulfilling its role as the subject of dissolution on conflict and restoration on community.
[Final Updates] Republic of Korea’s national assembly passed the bugdet bill for 2013 fiscal year and confirmed the naval base constuction budget scale and it’s collateral conditions.
A meeting was achieved between the leaders of both parties just before a general session of national assembly and made final agreement between the leadership of both party. They made an agreement and concluded they attached some collateral conditions to the 2013 naval base construction budget bill. The collateral conditions are shown on this photo. This is an agreement between the leadership of the rulling party and the opposite party and signed by the representatives from both parties.
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Jeju Naval Base(Jeju Civilian-Military Complex Port for Tour Beauty) Additional Agreements
1. The Ministry of National Defense should try dispel worries about the controversies this Jeju Civilian-Military Complex Port might be used as 100% military installation.
2. The Ministry of National Defense, The National Assembly, The Central Government and Jeju Special Self-governing Province Authority should take a deep verification and an investigation process about the capacity of Jeju Civilian-Military Complex Port for the entry and departure procedures of 150 thousand tons Cruise Ship.
3. The Ministry of National Defense should make an written agreement about the control of Jeju Civilian-Military Complex Port, the responsibilities of maintenance with the Jeju Special Self-governing Province Authority.
The above three collateral conditions should be satisfied and executed within 70 days [from the date of signing] and should be reported to the National Assembly within 70 days. If the agreement of the hearing schedule from the National Assembly weren’t made, a written report can be submitted to the National Assembly.
Additionally, the National Assembly can have an authority to split the naval base construction budget into two part, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration’s Budget and the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs’ one so there can be better collaborations and cooperation for the full functionality and capacity as a Civilian-Military Complex Port.
The floor leader of the ruling SAENURY Party
LEE, HAN GOO
The floor leader of the opposition DUP(Democratic United Party)
PARK, KI CHUN
