From October 30 until November 8, The World Council of Churches (WCC) will hold its every 7-years global assembly in Busan on the southern tip of the mainland of Korea.
According to the WCC website:
“The WCC brings together churches, denominations and church fellowships in more than 110 countries and territories throughout the world, representing over 500 million Christians and including most of the world’s Orthodox churches, scores of Anglican, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist and Reformed churches, as well as many United and Independent churches. At the end of 2012, there were 345 member churches.”
And regarding the assembly:
“The assembly is the highest governing body of the World Council of Churches (WCC), and meets every seven years. It is a moment when the fellowship of member churches comes together as a whole in prayer and celebration.
The assembly has the mandate to review programmes, to issue public statements and determine the overall policies of the WCC, as well as to elect presidents and a Central Committee that oversees the council’s work until the next assembly.
Along with the WCC member churches, partner organizations and other churches have a strong presence at the event. This makes an assembly of the WCC the most diverse Christian gathering of its size in the world. It is a unique opportunity for the churches to deepen their commitment to visible unity and common witness so that world may believe.
The WCC was established at its 1st Assembly in Amsterdam, Netherlands (1948). Since then assemblies have been in held in Evanston, United States (1954); New Delhi, India (1961); Uppsala, Sweden (1968); Nairobi, Kenya (1975); Vancouver, Canada (1983); Canberra, Australia (1991); Harare, Zimbabwe (1998); and Porto Alegre, Brazil (2006).
The theme of the 10th Assembly is: “God of Life, lead us to Justice and Peace” . Which as you can see is a very good theme for a village like Gangjeong, known as the Life and Peace Village, which is struggling for Justice. With this in mind. Gangjeong Village and its supporters will have a presence at this years WCC.
As you can see in the above graphic. There will be both a Madang Workshop and an Exhibition Booth.
Madang Workshop:
The Workshop will take place on Wednesday, November 6 from 2:15-3:45 p.m. It is called, Inter-Island Solidarity for Peace: Establishing Peace Against maritime Militarization.
This is workshop will be a discussion about strategies, failures and successes of anti-militarism and anti-base movements. The main focus is on building a better and stronger network between islands who are suffering similar injustices. Guest speakers will be joining from Jeju, Okinawa, the Philippines, Hawaii, and Lanyu (in Taiwan). We are hoping that many other islanders and people struggling against unwanted military bases and land seizures will join as for the discussion as well.
Exhibition Booth:
We will also have a booth for the duration of the WCC assembly from morning until evening. It is Booth #50. It is in the blue section under the name “Gangjeong Village Association”. There will be pictures, displays, videos, brochures, newsletters, postcards, books, handicrafts, and friendly people.
If you are at the WCC Assembly in Busan, please come by our booth and also think about joining our workshop!
Open Letter to the WCC:
Finally and perhaps most importantly, the Gangjeong Village Association, The Jeju Pan-Island Committee for Stop of Military Base and for Realization of Peace Island, and The National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval Base in Jeju Island have issued an open letter calling for the World Council of Churches to issue a public statement for peace against Asia-Pacific maritime militarisation. The letter is reproduced below and also can be found at this link. Please spread this to anyone you know who might have connections with the WCC or is attending this assembly:
Calling for the Issue of a Public Statement for Peace against Asia-Pacific Maritime Militarization:
“Guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:79)
We are writing to urge the delegates of Member Churches of the World Council of Churches (WCC) to seriously consider issuing a public statement on building peace in the Asia-Pacific against maritime militarization. Today, we are witnessing a rise of militarism under the name of peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific. Tension between the economic and military expansion of China and the corresponding the U.S. “Asian Pivot” strategy has sparked an escalation in the war-profit industry and an arms race for global military dominance. This has left in its wake conflict and suffering, and the destruction of land, cultures, and traditions across the Asia-Pacific. These false idols of security and economic expansion runs counter to the justice, peace, and life that are the core values of the World Council of Churches and Christians everywhere.
A key example of the impact of this militarization can be seen in Gangjeong Village, Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. One of the oldest and most naturally beautiful villages of Jeju, the unique eco-systems of Gangjeong are a showcase of God’s creative spirit, home to numerous endangered species and the world’s largest temperate soft coral forest. Since 2007, without the villagers’ consent, it has become the site of massive naval base construction. If built, the Jeju naval base will be a critical outpost of the ROK-Japan-U.S. maritime military alliance targeting China. As a result, Jeju, ironically known as “the Island of Peace”, will become a primary target, leading to devastating loss of life and destruction.
Dedicated to the care of creation and the spread of life, the struggle against the base in Gangjeong is an open and truly ecumenical/inter-faith resistance for justice. Catholics, Protestants, Quakers, Anabaptists, Buddhists, and Shamanists have come together to create a vital community, marked by vibrant practice of faith and respect for different traditions without dilution or conflict. Despite police crackdowns on religious expression and assembly, Catholic priests hold daily mass in front of the construction site, Protestants have prayer services, and Shamans perform traditional rituals. The ingredients that hold it all together are a steadfast desire for God’s justice, a dream of life together, and a commitment to nonviolent peacemaking. We hope that the struggle against the Jeju naval base construction, which is a microcosm of the maritime militarization of the Asia-Pacific, can be a call to Christians and all people of God to return to the path of peace.
It is now urgent for churches to respond to the escalating maritime militarization and violence in the Asia-Pacific region that runs counter to the call of the people of God to peacemaking. As mentioned in an “Ecumenical Call for Just Peace,” churches should become builders of a culture of peace while recognizing the promise of peace is a core value of all religions. The farmers of Gangjeong Village on Jeju Island are at the forefront of such a faithful realization of the Kingdom of God. Let’s not turn their plowshares into swords.
Therefore, we call upon the World Council of Churches to:
• Issue a public statement at the 10th Assembly of World Council of Churches, formally expressing its grave concern regarding maritime militarization in the Asia-Pacific which is a threat to regional and global just peace;
• Urge the government of the Republic of Korea to stop the Jeju naval base construction and focus on peaceful approaches to cooperation;
• Call upon the government of the Republic of Korea to protect and promote all human rights including the right to peace and environment of the people of Gangjeong Village;
• Appeal to the churches and national ecumenical councils in the region to take serious measures to stop the arms race and make the Pacific the Sea of Peace.
Yours Sincerely,
Mr. Dong-Kyun Kang / Ms. Young-hee Jeong
Village Mayor / Chairwoman
Gangjeong Village Association / Village Women’s Committee
Mr. Gi-Ryong Hong / Ms. Ri-ri Hong
Co-convenor / Co-convenor
Jeju Pan-Island Committee for Stop of Military Base and for Realization of Peace Island
Mr. Taeho Lee / Ms. Hye-ran Oh
Co-convenor / Co-convenor
National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval Base in Jeju Island
* Contact Details: Ms. Gayoon Baek, National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval Base in Jeju Island, gayoon@pspd.org Mr. Paco Michelson, Gangjeong International Team, gangjeongintl@gmail.com
Please spread the word, come join us at the WCC Assembly in Busan, and thanks for your support!
From Oct. 8 to 17, 2013, Gangjeong village mayor has joined the Human Rights defenders’ forum in Dublin, Ireland, as well as traveled London, Leeds and Paris etc. Thanks so much to the organizers of his speech trip in Ireland, UK, and France.
I am Dong-Kyun Kang, the Mayor of a small village called Gangjeong in Jeju. I am so grateful for this opportunity to speak to you. It’s very meaningful. So far, I’ve heard many stories from around the world which make me very scared and worried for our descendants.
Given that fresh spring water is such a precious and scarce resource on Jeju island, the 450 year old village of Gangjeong situated in the southern part of the island was always the envy of other villages as its possession of an abundant spring water supply which always flowed freely ensured it was always ranked first among Jeju’s villages. During the construction of the naval base, many international activists have visited Gangjeong and others in the process have been denied entry and deported. Other peace activists have been prevented from leaving the country. I’m keenly aware and saddened that many have suffered from many forms of repression and for their sacrifice I feel so grateful and promise to stand with you in solidarity.
You’ve now seen that in recent history there have been two major events in Korea – in 1948 and 1950. As you are aware there was the major upheaval of the 1950 Korean War which broke out in June 25 – a tumultuous national tragedy. One could be forgiven for thinking that this was a family feud that led to the country being divided but the reality was that the war was the result of an ideological battle between the major powers at the time and Korea was its victim. This continues until the present time.
The April 3, 1948 Jeju uprising led to the brutal suppression of the population by state security forces which resulted in the massacre of the islanders of Jeju and behind the slaughter was the US government, the self-proclaimed keeper of the peace! A conservative estimate puts the number who died from the mass killings at over 30,000 out of a population of 280,000 people at that time.
Fortunately, in 2005 President Roh apologized on behalf of the state to the people of Jeju and acknowledged for the very first time the states brutal suppression and massacre of the people of Jeju. He went on to declare Jeju as an ‘island of world peace’. Peace can only be sustained through peaceful means. Peace obtained through force and violent means is not sustainable and in time will be forced to surrender to a larger force or power. However, I believe that dialogue and mutual understanding between people who work together in mutual respect to build a sustainable future is the key to a sustainable peace.
The location of Korea positioned in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and particularly the strategic location of Jeju Island is key to understanding its strategic importance to the world’s major powers. However, behind the construction of the naval base in Jeju is the US government. Will Jeju genuinely remain an island of peace or an island of military bases heightening tensions between the world’s major powers? This is a central question that needs addressing.
The naval base project is a national security project. I think one defines genuine national policy as seeking to put the interests of its citizens and their happiness and genuine well-being first and foremost. Likewise national security is not only about the state’s administration and its military but should seek to ensure genuine human security for all its citizens. Genuine national policy and national security should seek to secure the confidence and trust of all its citizens which in turn forms the true pillar and foundation for its policies. Working together hand in hand with the people should be the central tenet of its policies.
Aside from the naval base construction creating the strong possibility of a situation of crisis for Korea and Jeju into the future, the village community of Gangjeong is being destroyed with its people being evicted. With the construction of the naval base the navy claims that the national security of the state is its primary objective followed by the economic development of the region and its third objective – the navy and residents coexisting in mutual cooperation and to the benefit of all. However, the construction of the naval base rather than enhancing and bolstering national security will have the opposite effect of increasing already existing tensions between global powers in the region resulting in Jeju being caught in the crosshairs of conflict in the future. How therefore can the building of a naval base bolster regional economic development in such a tense and dangerous environment?
The state in implementing its policies should first consult the people who will likely be impacted the most and endeavour to seek the consent of its citizens through due process which is the most important consideration and an important building block of any democratic society. Even with the project underway listening courteously to and reflecting on the opinions of the other is surely important in trying to achieve real cooperation. The need for transparency in implementing state projects is paramount. However, the naval base has been enforced from the beginning without any consultation on the decision making process and devoid of any semblance of transparency leaving the Gangjeong villagers in the dark about what was going on. Those villagers opposed to the base are in the process of having their lands expropriated without any dialogue or due process of consultation. The villagers are completely perplexed and dismayed by the conflict that has arisen in their village with the naval base decision having separated families and divided parents with siblings becoming enemies and yesterday’s friends becoming today’s enemies resulting in the collapse of the community.
Fully aware of the stark implications of proceeding with plans to build the base the central government and navy planned and designed the base together with the backing of the US government. As a means of promoting the base and quashing any form of dissent, protestors have been treated with great hostility and denounced as leftists and North Korean sympathizers by the military. The brutal enforcement of the base with complete disrespect and arrogance has resulted in the military losing whatever respect it may once have had.
Together with the mobilization of the police and state power is the major issue of the lack of due legal process and the arrests of over 700 activists, charges having been filed against 400 activists with 25 cases of activists having been imprisoned to date. There has to be a fair way to resolve such conflicts but the legal system and court process has failed to provide this. With the full power of the police state brought to bear on villagers and activists alike it is undeniable that people will get hurt as they are literally being dragged away like animals battered and bruised. However the courageous and brave efforts of so many over the course of a 7 year long struggle are not in vain but are the source of a precious groundwork that is the basis for a bright future for Gangjeong and Korea alike. These continuing efforts will continue to bear fruit long into the future. The majestic natural environment of Jeju is commonly referred to as beauty inherited from the gods and is home to the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and three UNESCO World Natural Heritage sites. In 2012 The New Wonders Foundation voted Jeju Island as one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. In September 2012 the World Conservation Congress opened in Jeju where it was hoped that it would promote the international consensus of Jeju as a ‘World Environmental Capital City’. However, this ideal is being undermined by the destruction of the environment caused by the building of the naval base which is a grave threat to genuine national security.
Some concluding remarks.
The 7 year long struggle has left many exhausted and bruised after enduring much pain and suffering along the way. There have been moments of despair but the determination to struggle and defend our village and home and pass it on to future generations has been the enduring legacy and mainstay of the struggle and has been a sacred calling. A new hope springs from the end of despair. This new hope comes from people seeking their true human fulfilment as beings living in harmony with nature, living together in peace.
Instead of Jeju being designated an island of military installations we will work to ensure that it will be known as an island of peace, an island of natural beauty and conservation. Also, together with all the villagers of Gangjeong and the people of Jeju we truly desire that global citizens and true lovers of nature and world peace will have the freedom to gather in this beautiful place without the impediment of a ghastly and ugly military base which aggravates existing tensions between global powers. Therefore, what I truly wish is for everyone around the world to sing the peace song of Gangjeong and to keep it in their hearts. Ladies and Gentlemen, Please join together in solidarity and help us.
Please help us! No Naval Base! Thanks so much for your attention.
*Reblogged posts do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Save Jeju Now
We so thank for all the international solidarity messages for 2013 Grand March for the Life and Peace of Gangjeong and Gureombi Human Chain. Though late, here are collected international solidarity messages. We especially express our gratitude to the international peace activists who have been unjustly denied entries to Korea for their support for our struggle opposing the building of the Jeju naval base but sent warm and strong messages of support. Some of them such as Nagaya Yukiko collected her friends’ messages as well with Korean translations. We also thank translators, Jo Yak Gol and Park Youn-Ae, Park Jin-Hwan for kindly helping or volunteering translations. We also thank friends such as Amy Woolam Echevera who gathered signs for us from the friends all over the world. And friends in the UK and Australia for having solidarity actions for us. If there are any missed messages here though you have sent us, please let us know (gangjeongintl@gmail.com) . Thank again for all your warm friendship and support.
Kitty Axelson-Berry (USA)
Your sea is our sea, your soil is our soil, your protest is our protest, and may we always remember that and real-ize that. All of my best wishes for a world at peace, with the security that only peace can provide.
In militant unity with the valiant people of Jeju Island, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan ( New Patriotic Alliance ) in the Philippines joins them in their struggle to stop the construction of the US Naval Base in said island, a World Heritage site.
Bayan earnestly wishes for the peace march of July 29 to Aug. 03 and the human chain on August 04 between the east and west side of the naval base construction to be successfully carried out by the people of Jeju Island and the local and international groups.
Bayan condemns the trampling by US imperialism and its puppet, the ROK government of President Park Geun-hye, of the strong desire of the people of Jeju Island for peace not only in their island, but also in the Korean peninsula and Asia.
Stop the Construction of the US Naval Base! Release All Prisoners Opposed to the Construction of the Naval Base! Fight for Peace in the Korean Peninsula and the Asia Region! US Out of Jeju Island, Korea, and the Rest of Asia! Long Live International Solidarity! The People United, Will Never be Defeated!
I am writing to you from the National Green Party’s Annual Gathering here in the US. Last night I showed the film The Ghosts of Jeju to some of the people and they were very moved. I know I speak for the Green Party members that I know all over the US and the Green Party Peace Network that I started with another Green, we are behind your struggle and are so saddened and angered by both what has and is now going on in Jeju. We send our thoughts, prayers, strength and love to you all in your continued struggle and will continue to show and pass on this wonderful film that Regis Trembly did from his visit in Jeju. You are in our hearts and souls. Stay strong and safe. Love, jacqui [Maine].
Hi you all, It’s a long distance, I live in a far away country. Moreover I am no longer able to participate in a walk. But my heart, my spirit is with you. I hope you stlll can hold on against all odds – there’s a chance peace will come – if many of us all over the world keep struggling to obtain it. Peaceful greetings Bernard De Witte, Belgium
We the people gathered in Sydney, Australia for the Hiroshima Day Rally on Aug 4. 2013 condemn the Government of the Republic of Korea for building the Korea-US naval base on Jeju the island of peace. This new base will further threaten the peace of the Northern Pacific area.The construction of the base is an act of environmental and cultural vandalism.We support the struggle of the people of Jeju to protect their island.We stand with you today Aug 4, 2013 as you join hands to encircle the construction site. We wish you every success. Hope all went well! Peace From Sydney Denis Doherty and Radhika Raju
Hello friends of Jeju Island, we are having a march and rally on 4 August 2013 and will be speaking about the issues you ate facing in Jeju Island! in solidarity – The Hiroshima Day Council Sydney.
Kristin Douglas sent us a world peace flag to represent her. The Gangjeong village international team members are holding it during the Life and Peace march on Aug. 3 (Photo by Lee Wooki)
Amy Woolam Echeverria Dear Friends,
My name is Amy Woolam Echeverria and I am a colleague of Columban Fr. Pat Cunningham. For quite some time we have been following the situation in Jeju through Pat’s updates which have informed our advocacy efforts for peace here in the U.S. We hope you receive the attached international letter of solidarity in time for your events on August 4.
Please know of our ongoing concern and work to accompany you in your struggle for peace.
If we can be of support in any way, please let us know.
In peace and solidarity,
Amy Woolam Echeverria
Amy Woolam Echeverria
International Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation Coordinator
International Letter of Solidarity to the People of Jeju Island
August 4th, 2013
To The People of Jeju Island,
We, the undersigned faith-based, peace, environmental, and other civil society members and organizations, are concerned for you, our brothers and sisters, as the proposed military base on Jeju Island continues to threaten the lives and environment of your people. We offer solidarity as you fight for the right to protect the village of Gangjeong from expanded militarization. We recognize the fragileness of the Earth, and particularly the unique habitat on Jeju Island. As a United Nations World Heritage Site, Jeju Island is known for its unique marine life and biodiversity. We worry that increased militarization in the region will result in oil and waste contamination to the surrounding waters and land. We know the construction will destroy the coral reef habitat in the area that many species depend on. We will advocate for the protection of this precious ecosystem. We feel pain for your families because we know that the gifts of water, air, and soil that sustain many lives and are critical to Jeju Island culture may be destroyed as a result of the base construction and the military operations that will follow. We extend our hearts for the lives lost in the 1948 massacre on Jeju Island and will not stand to see a military harm its own people a second time. We take to heart the words of Bishop Kang Woo Il of the Jeju Island Diocese, “A military base on this island – with all of the latest weapons collected in one place, including the Aegis and aircraft carriers, creating a great concentration of military power – it simply does not make sense to be on Jeju Island … We also see this as a peace issue for the whole nation, and not even just our country, but also an issue for China, Japan and Korea – countries that have not yet been able to overcome the conflicts between them … We believe that this is not healthy for the peace of Korea, for Northeast Asia, and for the whole world.” The 60th anniversary of the armistice reminds us that we are called as humanity to be peacemakers and protect the way of life and environment of those affected by expanded militarization and long-standing international dispute. We know from past experience that the arrival of military personnel may harm women and the overall public health of those residing in your community. Utilized by South Korean and potentially the United States militaries, this base will pose a threat to the current security of the Gangjeong Village and the entirety of Jeju Island. We stand with you, planting our feet firmly, in hopes of halting the transformation of your beautiful home and environment into an international military target. Please be assured that we will continue standing in solidarity with you in your struggle to maintain your way of life, livelihoods, and fragile island ecosystem in the face of the harmful effects of militarization.
International Letter of Solidarity to the People of Jeju Island
Name/ Organization/ State,Province/Country
-Amy Echeverria Columban missionaries, Maryland. USA -Christine Hong, National Campaign to End the Korean War, CA USA -JT Takagi Third World Newsreel, NY USA _Monica Kim University at Albany, SUNY New York, USA _Dorothy Ogle, National Campaign to End the Korean War, Colorado USA _George Ogle, National Campaign to End the Korean War Colorado USA _Joe Ring CA USA _Koohan Paik International Forum on Globalization California USA _Ramsay Liem Boston College MA USA _Khanh Pham Viet Unity _Daniel Kim New York.United States of America _Haeyoung Kim University of Chicago IL United States _Elaine H. Kim Asian American Studies UC Berkeley California USA _Sarah Park SOOBAK California United States _Sooyoung New York USA _Namhee Lee, ASCK (Alliance of Scholars Concered about Korea), CA USA _Juyeon Rhee, Nodutdol for Korean Community Development New Jersey U.S.A _김수복 6.15 공동선언실천해외위 뉴욕 NJ 미국 _Ki Yom Sun-Yoga New York United States _M.Brinton Lykes Center for Human Rights & Intl Justice, _Boston College MA USA _Catherine M Mooney MA United States _Nan Kim, Alliance of Scholars Concerned about Korea (ASCK) Wisconsin US _Jodi Kim CA USA _Jinsoo An UC Berkeley CA USA _Byung C Kang, All saint Episcopal Church In Great NECK, NY New York USA _Terry K. Park CA USA _Deanna Wolf Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach MD USA _Jennifer Kim Chicago, IL USA _Mike Dodd Columban Fathers NE USA _Gerald Wilmsen Columbans Wisconsin USA _Victoria Compton Office for the Missions, Diocese of Springfield in IL Illinois USA _Will Donahue, Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach IL USA _Maria Torres TX Estados Unidos _Tracy M Oberle, Columban Fathers-Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach MICHIGAN United States _Kristie B Vollentine Pontifical Mission Societies LA USA _Father ‘Rick LaBrecque Catholic Diocese of Charleston South Carolina USA _Alice Sather MN USA _Connor Duffy Pennsylvania United States _Martin Witchger, Washington, D.C. United States _Charles Haddox Texas United States _Kadey Wright Tx United States _John Nuelle, United States Catholic Mission _Association Washington DC USA _Jan Gregorcich School sisters of Notre Dame Wisconsin USA _Rev. Robert E. Mosher Columban Fathers Texas USA _Charles Rue Columban Mission NSW Australia _Ray SCANLON Columbans Victoria Australia _Albert Utzig St. Mary’s Catholic Church California USA _Frank Carroll Columban Fathers MA USA _Brother Jim Moore Conventual Franciscan Friars Maryland USA _Deacon Greg Kovalesky St. Paul Catholic Church Tampa, Florida USA _nelson belizario st simon stock parish _kevin cawley Cawley Family NY United States _Serafina Vuda Columban Fathers California United States _Eli McCarthy Conference of Major Superiors of Men MD USA _Pat Cunningham Columban JPIC Korea Seoul Korea _Elizabeth Nye, Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach, Washington, D.C. United States _Teresa Vyhanek Minnesota USA _John Kerr Province of the Immaculate Conception Pennsylvania U.S. _Thomas Kim KPI CA _Mary Ellen Dowling New York USA _thomas glennon Nebraska united states _John Converset JPIC Office, Comboni Missionaries NJ USA _Fr Peter O’Neill Missionary Society of St Columban Hsinchu City Taiwan _Ronald Miranda Illinois USA _Ronald Miranda Illinois USA _youngho jeju korea _Linda Dimmock Alabama USA _Rick V Elefano St. Gerard Family Life Center Philippines _William Schmitt Columban Fathers Nebraska U.S.A. _Provincial Council of the Clerics of St. Viator Illinois United States _Br. Michael Gosch Clerics of St. Viator (Viatorians) IL US _Ann Scholz Maryland USA _Richard Steinhilber Columban Fathers Nebraska USA _Fr. Chuck Lintz Columban Mission Society Rhode Island U.S.A. _Gerry G Lee Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns DC USA _Luke Patterson New York United States _thomas glennon Nebraska usa _Ellen Teague Columban JPIC UK London England _Charles Haddox Texas United States _Katie Michigan United States _William J. Morton, SSC Columban Border Ministries Texas USA _ Sainiana Tamatawale Columban Lay Missionary Suva FIji Islands _Chloe Schwabe, Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach District of Columbia USA –>Click the link for Korean translation and all 5 page letter copies ( Korean translation by Jo Yak Gol)
Josh Fisher(USA)
I lived on Jeju-do for two years and fell in love with the island. To learn that the fight for the sanctity of Jeju-do is still ongoing is distressing. Here in Chicago, I am thousands of miles away from the picket lines I’d rather be standing on. In order to do my part, I’ve decided to rerelease the original performance of Build Your Base. This was performed in the Gangjeong Village Hall on June 26, 2010.
Friends of Gangjeong in the city of Birmingham, United Kingdom (UK)
1. Friends of Gangjeong in the city of Birmingham, United Kingdom are organising a human chain and picnic on Sunday 4 August. Here is the leaflet (to be double sided) we will be giving to the public. (Andrew, UK)
2. To the beautiful people of Gangjeong, your struggle for peace is endlessly inspiring. It’s a joy to see daily photos from the Grand March for Peace. Here in the UK there will be a human chain event for Gangjeong in the city of Birmingham on Sunday 4th. (Andrew, UK)
I write this message of solidarity from Darwin, Australia where local activists are beginning to expand their efforts to protest the US deployment of 2,500 Marines as part of Obama’s “pivot” into the region.
Before I came here I was in the Philippines and visited the former US Navy base at Subic Bay. I learned that about 5 US warships each week are coming back into that port.
My thoughts are with Gangjeong village as you prepare to begin the peace march and human chain. I send you my heartfelt greetings and wish I could be there with you.
Please know that your story of peace, love, and respect for nature is spreading around the world. You are not alone.
Blessing to you all. We join hands with you.
In peace,
Bruce K. Gagnon
Coordinator Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space Brunswick, ME
‘In 2010 i swam around Jeju to raise environmental awareness. Seeing Jeju from the sea makes you realise how much habitat destruction and inappropriate deelopment has already occurred. Sadly, the only clean water i swam through in ALL OF JEJU was at Gangjeong. It breaks my heart to see this development continue. I wish i could be with you all on Jeju to join the walk and hold hands in solidarity and support. Thank you for not giving up.
A solidarity message from Sakota Hidefumi(46) who was denied entry to Korea on Aug 26, 2011, with his 6-year-old son and Yamaguchi Yukiko(56), a AWC organizer in Kansai region. Mr. Sakota Hidefumi is a peace activist and Korean language translator from Japan.
Dear, Gangjeong villagers and peace activists. I support your struggle. And I oppose the construction of the Jeju naval base by Korean government. Your struggle is justice. Samsung’s comstruction and Police crackdown is injustice. I demand immediate release of wrongfully imprisoned people, and Korean government must lift the entry ban on foreign activists.
I am sending my solidarity message to you with Gangjeong struggle in my mind. I am so regretful that I cannot participate in your creative actions due to Korean government’s unjust entry ban. However, I believe that we can do a lot of things to spread Gangjeong voice against Jeju naval base into the world. Let’s continue to fight for our freedom and all people’s liberation from the oppression of military base. Your struggle is our struggle.
Name: Ikeda Takane (AWC-Japan) Denied entry to Korea and sent back to Japan on Jan 26, 2012.
This is Leon from the environmental network Kalikasan PNE in the Philippines. [I was at the] International Conference on US Strategic Pivot to Asia-Pacific Militarism, Intervention and War in Manila last July.
Hope we’re not too late to send you our solidarity statement in time for the human chain. Wishing you a successful action and we’re looking forward to working with you on the bases campaign! Leon Dulce National Campaign Coordinator Kalikasan-People’s Network for the Environment http://www.kalikasan.orghttp://kathangkatotohanan.wordpress.com ……………………………………………………………….
Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment “The Struggle for the People is the Struggle for the Environment.” National Secretariat Office 26 Matulungin St. Central District, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines (02) 924 8756 | kalikasan.pne@gmail.com | www.kalikasan.net
Defend land, culture and the environment from the scourge of US troops and bases!
Statement of Solidarity to the Gureombi Human Chain
by the Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment
04 August 2013
We, the Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment, join in spirit and in solidarity the Gureombi Human Chain organized today by the people of Gangjeong Village in Jeju Province to protest the construction of a United States-Korean naval base on Jeju Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its lava tube systems and other volcanic island features, majestic waterfalls and mountain streams, lush marine ecosystems, unique culture and historical significance. Beyond this, Jeju is also known as the Island of World Peace, as designated by then President Roh Moo-Hyun in 2006 as an apology for the massacre, rape, torture and other war crimes inflicted upon the people of Jeju during the height of Cold War in the Korean Peninsula. The island’s harrowing experiences were a reminder of the hysteria and paranoia whipped up by the US and its South Korean lackeys before and during the Korean War – memories that are already being relived by the people of Jeju who are being battered and imprisoned by Korean military and police as construction of the base continues at a steady pace. The naval base project is clearly part and parcel of the plans of the US military forces’ pivot away from Iraq and Afghanistan towards Asia, with plans of repositioning 60 percent of all US naval forces to the Asia-Pacific by 2020. After all, It is an ideal deterrent by the US to the growing economic and geopolitical dominance of China, giving US military forces a staging area only 490 kilometers away from Shanghai and 940 kilometers from Beijing. Under the same pretenses of maintaining peace and order in the region, Filipinos have experienced the same military interventionism being displayed by the US in Jeju Island. Last October 2012, a tanker serving under a US Navy service contractor dumped over four million liters of hazardous domestic waste and toxic bilge water in Subic Bay, a former US base but also an important marine ecosystem and tourism area in our country. As if not content with causing damage to just one natural wonder of the world, the US Navy’s minesweeper USS Guardian ran aground PH’s Tubbataha Reef Natural Park, a coral expanse in the very heart of the globally critical and biodiversity-rich Coral Triangle area in the Pacific Ocean, destroying 2,345 square meters of 10 meter-deep coral reefs. The US has, to date, payed no compensation for social and environmental justice in these environmental crimes. We remember the effects of the toxic pollution left by US military forces in the Subic Naval Base and Clark Air Base years after they were discontinued in 1991: More than thousand people have died and many more were affected, mostly women and children, because of illnesses and diseases caused by the US toxic contamination. Today, the US-Aquino regime in the Philippines wants to reopen the Subic Base and providing US troops full access to all port facilities in the Philippines. Likewise, no compensation has been given to the victims and no cleanup and rehabilitation has been conducted to date by the US government. US imperialism and militarism will continue to take no heed of the ‘collateral damages’ it is causing to the environment and the people to achieve economic and territorial dominance in the Asia-Pacific region – and this holds true from the Island of Vieques in Puerto Rico to the Island of Okinawa in Japan and back to our own shores. The US Pivot to the Asia-Pacific only promises more. We say: no more! We look forward to working with the Gangjeong Village campaign, together with the global anti-imperialist movement in building a bigger and more sustainable people’s solidarity in defending land, culture and the environment from the scourge of US troops and bases. Let the conclusion of the 2013 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace be the spark of a qualitative leap in the heightening of people’s struggles against US Imperialism, in all fronts and across all borders! Resist the growing ecological threats presented by US military forces in our lands and seas! US bases, troops and military exercises, out of the Asia-Pacific now! The people united will never be defeated! Long live international solidarity! (Source) –> Click the link for Korean translation (Korean translation by Park Youn-Ae)
Tarak Kauff (USA)
Tark Kauff was forcefully and violently denied entry along with Eliot Adams and Mike Hastie on March 14, 2012. For more info on it, click here. Despite such ordeal, here is his warm message.
Solidarity for the Gangjeong Peach March from Veterans for Peace. Many of us here in the states have been incredibly inspired and moved by the intensity, courage and long unceasing commitment of your struggle to resist U.S. and South Korean militarism at the expense of your island and people. You set an example of sacrifice for many of us. I was turned away from Jeju Island once, if I can I will try again as soon as possible. I want to learn from you all and stand in real solidarity with you all. I feel like you are family that I need to see. All power to you in the struggle. In the meantime I am sending a t-shirt and a hat and maybe something else if I can get it together.
Peace, justice and love,
Tarak
Tarak Kauff
Board of Directors
Veterans For Peace
“Treat the earth well: it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children. We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.”
The Korea Policy Institute sends our deepest gratitude for your incredibly courageous and persistent efforts to resist the further militarization of your village and Jeju Island. For years now, across the pacific ocean, we have been watching and learning about your struggle. Whether on Facebook or hearing directly from Gangjeong villagers such as Jeong Young-hee or Mayor Kang Dong-kyun, or traveling ourselves to Gangjeong, we have been moved and encouraged by what you have created and continue to build in your resistance.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice Agreement. We know that an unended Korean War due to the absence of a permanent peace treaty is what justifies the further militarization of the Korean peninsula, and as a consequence Jeju Island. Your struggle to halt this militarization, to protect your 400-year old village, Gureombi, and the natural beauty which makes Jeju Island paradise island, is truly valiant.
We are inspired by your unwillingness to accept injustice, despite the daily brutal violence you endure, including imprisonment and heavy fines. Your fearlessness in the face of all of this is a true testament to the selfless human spirit that is willing to sacrifice for justice, to protect the environment, and preserve the precious resources we have today for future generations.
Please know we are with you and will continue to write and spread the word about your struggle. You are not alone. We are with you every step of the way.
I feel honored to have come to know you, peace activists of Gangjeong, because you have shown me so much–about the hope and dream for a peaceful world and about your unwavering courage and passion to keep working to make it happen. You are the ones whose words of peace have wings to fly all over the world! Your struggle is our struggle. We must stop the insanity of war! Keep Jeju the Island of Peace!
Greetings to you brave people in your struggle to save Gangjeong. Thank you for your courage and tireless efforts to protect the environment and your traditions. You are an inspiration to the whole world.
You have inspired me to devote much of my life to making banners here in Maine for groups fighting for peace and justice, the environment, and other causes I want to support,
I would return to struggle with you, but know that I would not be allowed into your country again.
I am attaching some images that I made that you might like to use.
Last summer, I visited Gureombi rock right after a typhoon hit. So I couldn’t see the real, exquisite Gureombi that other people told me about. But, Gangjeong villagers explained to me how peaceful the rock was before the construction, how fun it was for kids to play at, and how rich and fertile the sea was. Fishing was so easy… Let’s take back the peaceful days. For that, I am sending my solidarity heart from Japan. I will be with you. Location: Kyoto, Japan Name: Minami Mamoru
Nagaya Yukiko and other AWC Japan activists including those who were denied entry
Nagaya Yukiko (Yamaguchi Yukiko) from the Japan AWC was unlawfully denied entry to Korea on Aug 26, 2011 along with Sakota Hidefumi and Sakota’s son. They were translators and were stuck and illegally held at the airport for 3 days and deported back to Japan on Aug 28. They tried to use their rights to file a formal objection, but the Korean Immigration told lies, saying there is no such a process in Korea. You can read the full report of the case in here. Afterwards, Nagaya Yukiko started protest in front of the Korean embassy in Osaka and other places on every Wednesday. She has strongly protested Korean government’s unlawful denial of her entry and Jeju naval base construction. We thank Nagaya Yukiko for her continuous efforts to put solidarity messages together and translate them into Korean language.
I am sending my solidarity message to all the comrades who walked around the Jeju island and arrived Gangjeong village. I cannot forget the grand nature where river and sea meets in Gangjeong that I saw two years ago. I heard that Gureombi is a warm rock. I also cannot forget the scene where children played games, becamed tired and fell asleep on the rock while grown-ups were holding protest gathering. I want to send my utmost respect and solidarity heart to Gangjeong villagers and peace activists who have repetedly been arrested and imprisoned for such a long time to defend their life ground, Gureombi rock and the sea. Korean government is opressing and destroying because it is afraid. So that’s why we have to strengthen and broaden our solidarity in spite of any interference. And with the power of solidarity, we will kick out US military bases from Asia and put an end to the Korean-US-Japan military ruling system! Location: Kyoto, Japan Name: Nagaya Yukiko (Yamaguchi Yukiko) (denied entry on Aug 26, 2011)
しかし、韓国政府は、こんな小さな存在の―日本人の親子を入国を拒否しました。カンジョンの海軍基地に反対しているからという理由で。カンジョンを訪れて半年後、再び大好きな韓国を訪れた私たち親子を、強制送還しました。こんな不条理な仕打をしてまで作る海軍基地はどんな만들어지는 해군기지가 어떤 역할을 하는 건지 주민 분들이 잘 알고 고발하는 것을 두려워하는 겁니다. 저희는 두려운 게 하나도 없으니까 이렇게 바다 건너 연대하고 있습니다未来に必要だというのでしょう。まったく必要ありません。
I visited the naval base construction site with my daughter in summer two years ago. I felt empowered just standing on it. I witnessed with my eyes the greatness of Gureombi rock and the sea that give us rich products, raise diverse life. I realized that building a war base that gives no good for human race, on such an abundant sea, was an absolutely absurd thing. (we don’t need war base in anywhere else, for sure) I came back to Japan before I delievered my solidarity heart and encouragement to the villagers who have vowed to recover the Gureombi rkac and the sea, while putting their life in line. As a Japanese, I felt powerless because I couldn’t do much when the Gangjeong people were fighting everyday. However, I decided to help as much I as could, so after I came back to Japan, I told the stories of Gangjeong village to my friends. To my surprise, Korean government did not allow this tiny little mother and daughter to its country. Just because we oppose the Gangjeong naval base project. We wanted to visit again Korea that we liked after 6 months we visited Gangjeong village. But it deported us. Do we actually need a naval base being constructed in this unjust ways for our future? No, absolutelu not. In my deportation, I learned how important existence each and every one of us is. Each person can raise voice and become a link that connects the strong stryggle chain. I want to send our hearts to the human’s wall that will defend Gureombi rock and the sea. Let’s keep up the struggle until we win. Location: Nothern Kyushu, Japan Name: Nakamura Sukae (denied entry on Mar 27, 2012)
I want to share my solidarity heart with human’s wall around Gureombi. Even though military base builders and law enforcers keep us from entering your country, how can they stop our solidarity with Jeju people, Korean people? We will always be together with you in the struggle. Let’s build Asia free from military threat so that women and children can live safe! Organization: AWC-Japan Name: Ouchi Teruo (denied entry on Jun 29, 2012)
I want peace with people in Asia together in solidarity, not divided. I want to express my solidarity to human’s wall around Gureombi rock. Location: Ehime Prefecture, Japan Name: Tamura Megumi
To visit Gangjeong is to know and to love Gangjeong and her people. With each passing day, more people around the world stand in solidarity with you. Your spirit and energy is infectious in spite of seemingly insurmountable odds. Your struggle is our struggle as we rise up against the crimes against humanity and the natural world! War, capitalism, militarism, and imperialism must be replaced with peace and justice for all.
TomiyamaMasahiro and Okinawan peace activists(Okinawa)
Tomiyama Masahiro is the co-chairman of Okinawan-Korean People’s Solidarity against US military base. He was denied entry to Korea twice, Apr 6 of 2012 and Sep 5 of 2012, a day before the World Conservation Congress opening ceremony. Several other Japanese peace activists such as Yagi Ryuji and Okinawan musician such as Wumisedo Yutaka were repeatedly not allowed to enter Korea, two times respectively. We also thank Park Jin-hwan for translating the messages into Korean.
Solidarity Message to 2013 Gangjeong Grand Peace March
Okinawan-Korean People’s Solidarity against US military base (full name) Okinawan-Korean People’s Solidarity (in short) Co-chairman : Tomiyama Masahiro
Dear comrades who gather in Gangjeong village to stop the construction of Jeju naval base. I send this solodarity message from Okinawa. In Okinawa, on Sep 10 last year, about 100,000 people attended the Okinawa general demonstration and began a pan-Okinawan action to fight for shutdown of the world’s most dangerous Futenma US base, to stop the Henoko new base construction and to withdraw the deployment of the flawed Osprey aircraft. As the whole Japanese society is leaning toward right-wing, an Okinawan progressive candidate won the Jul 21 Upper House election as Itokaz was elected as a member of Parliament by beating a conservative candidate. However, the far right-wing Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party won a huge nationwide victory in the election. And the government is getting ready to deploy 12 more Osprey aircraft that have caused continuous problems, such as crashing to land and killing people. The new administration is pushing pressure on Okinawa governor to get a permission to reclaim the Henoko sea area to build the military base on it. The construction of an Osprey takeoff and landing base in Takae is resumed and going on despite people’s protest. Abe administration ignores the will of people and makes Okinawa succumb to the central government. It incites nationalistic sentiment among general public by bringing territorial disputes, aiming to change the Constitution for the worse with a clear purpose to establish full-scale military forces. We must stop this Abe’s dangerous and violent moves. Beyond the border, all people in Asia and across the world, let’s come together with peaceful hands. Let’s bring our hearts together across the barrier. Let’s accomplish the big success of Gangjeong Grand March and human’s wall across the fences of Gureombi.
I wish I could be there with all the brave people of Gangjeong and their Korean and international supporters. Your important struggle against the destruction of the environment and the increased militarization of East Asia is a model for people worldwide who are trying to build a more peaceful and just world. Thank you for all you are doing! In solidarity and hoping to return to Gangjeong soon, David David Vine Assistant Professor Department of Anthropology American University Washington, DC USA
I trust your 2013 Ganjeong Grand March for Life and Peace has started off great. Here is my solidarity message to the marchers and the people of Jeju Island. May the Ocean praise you for taking the peaceful paths to protect your islandMay the Ocean provide you with wisdom and plentyMay the Ocean calm the troubled worldMay the Ocean protect you and help you prevailMay the Ocean connect Jeju and Okinawa forever in solidarity Hideki Yoshikawa Citizens’ Network for Biodiversity in Okinawa Save the Dugong Campaign Center
Dear Gangjeong people, This is Emily. I send my congratulations and my big hugs to you for your success on the Peace March and Human Chain. While you were in the march, I am also attending a oceanic peace forum to talk about Jeju base and working for the inter-island solidarity for just peace for our region. The awesome grand march photos were shown in my presentation as well. Peace is the way without boundary, so I believe we are walking together. You are not alone. This is a big solidarity from Taiwan. A solidarity t-shirt will arrive in Gangjeong soon. Good Job!
On August 3rd, the International Dialogue Conference on “Seeking Peace from Oceanic Perspectives” was held in Taipei, Taiwan. Emily Wang was one of the speaker in the secession of “An Oceanic Deconstruction of Geopolitics” to share about Gangjeong and the idea of Inter-Island Solidarity for Just Peace.
Distribute the Gangjeong NewspaperPeople were writing the messages to Gangjeong
The following is the speech draft of Emily Wang.
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By Emily Wang
My name is Emily Wang. I am an island peace activist from Taiwan Island and also I’ve ever lived and worked for peace on Timor Island for 1 year, and Jeju Island for almost 2 years, and I just got deported by the South Korea government in April 2013 due to my involvement in the Peace Movement in Gangjeong Village, Jeju Island where a major naval base is being built up. Thanks to the deportation, I got depressed for a while because I had to leave my friends and family. But also it gives me a chance to move forward in my next steps as an island peace activist.
Today’s topic is “An Oceanic Deconstruction of Geopolitics”. I would like to begin by sharing about “islands”, and I think the long suffering of many islands will provide an inspiring source to deconstruct geopolitics and for the peace in our region.
One of the crucial challenges of many peaceful and beautiful islands face is the trend of military expansion and militarization, largely by the U.S. Military. This has led to conflict, suffering, and environmental destruction in such places as Okinawa, Hawaii, Diego Garcia, Sprately Islands, Jeju (Korea), Guam, and others.
The situation which the islands face has been getting worse since the US launched the “Asia Pivot” strategy. Many islands are going to be further militarized, for example in North East Asia, Jeju and Okinawa. Besides Northeast Asia, there is other bad news to worry about. For example, The Philippines’ government now plans to invite back the US military they once kicked out to use their base again. The US is strengthening its partnership with these countries and following the strengthened partnership, these countries self-colonize themselves from the center to further marginalize and victimizes the small islands.
These islands are like “LilyPads” in the ocean used to allow military bases encircle the land to prepare for possible war in the future. Compared to a huge base, lots of small bases are spread across these lily pads, a strategy that is more flexible, attracts less attention, and allows for easier defeat of grass-roots resistance. In the past continuing until now, we have seen many islands face hardships in resistance due to the isolation of these small islands. Therefore, we need to develop inter-island solidarity for just peace among vulnerable islands and their peoples, for the protection of their lands, cultures, and traditions, as well as to find common strengths and resources for peace and just life. “Just peace” is our pursuit. We want to stop the current on-going militarization and while preparing other islands to prevent this possibility in advance. These struggles are not NIMBYs. One success shouldn’t come through another island being victimized.
I was a peace school teacher in Timor Island in the past, and recently I visited Timor again to share this idea of inter-island solidarity for just peace. During this visit, I heard that the US had a plan to use Timor-Leste’s Atauro Island for a base, while promising to build lots of infrastructure for this newly-independent country. So far, the government rejected, but this worry remains in my mind. Now, I am at the Northeast Asia GPPAC meeting, but I am also talking about another beloved island far away. These islands are too spread out, too small, and have so far mostly faced lonely struggles. I think especially for islands, we should not let national sovereignty divide the continuance of ocean.
In Northeast Asia, we dream of first starting with a Peace Island Triangle consisting of Okinawa, Jeju and Taiwan. What I mean by peace island is demilitarized peace islands. No bases, no militaries, no conscription, no state violence, and no domestic colonization or marginalization…
A long time ago, Jeju, Okinawa, and Taiwan were embraced by the ocean and developed unique cultures. Then influence and exchange came from the main lands or big islands. Mostly islands have been “marginal” places for the “center” of the main lands or big islands, but islands as their own center have gone on their own paths from generation to generation. Then western imperialism struck our region and most of the world. Still Islands often had distinct experiences from the main lands under imperialism.
Okinawa, Jeju, and Taiwan were colonized by Imperial Japan and become the stepping-stones for the expansion of Imperial Japan. In the final moments of World War Two, Imperial Japan further fortified these islands in expectation of invasion by the US Allied Forces, dragging these marginalized islands into the war as the frontline to protect the centers of power. It brought disastrous ground battles in Okinawa and air raids in Taiwan. Jeju was highly militarized through forced labor as well but following the battle in Okinawa, did not see war at that time. However they later faced the terrible extended 4.3 Massacre.
Due to the geographic location of the island, during Japanese colonization, perhaps 200,000 Jeju people at one time or another were moved back and forth between Jeju and Osaka, the foremost industrial city in Asia at the time. There they found jobs and, for some, better education than was allowed in Korea. Frequent ferries, some organized by Jeju transportation cooperatives, carried people to Osaka from eleven ports around Jeju. In Osaka, some Jeju residents were active in organized labor and Japanese socialist and communist organizations even in leadership positions. Some 60,000 people returned from Japan to Jeju within a short time of the Japanese surrender in August 1945. The experienced and educated returnees played an important leadership role in the emerging governmental structures on Jeju.
However, soon the division of the Korean Peninsula by the United States and the Soviet Union turned Jeju into a battlefield for subsequent cold war conflicts on the peninsula. In 1948, with U.S. and U.N. support, South Korea held elections that established a separate state in the south, thus solidifying Korea’s division. When the US tried to install a Pro-US government in the south with a separate election, the Jeju people bravely stand up to protest and boycott this election and the division of Korea. When U.S. backed leader Syngman Rhee took power following the elections, he initiated a massive “Red” cleansing campaign targeted the Jeju general population. Thousands of people were killed. It is estimated that 70 percent of entire island’s villages were razed to the ground and 30,000 people—ten percent of the island’s population—were murdered.
For years, any mention of the massacre could lead to imprisonment and torture. Relatives of those who had been labeled as Communists were prevented from taking public service positions or jobs in many companies. Many are still afraid to talk about what happened. For 50 years, successive governments in Seoul silenced the Korean people’s memories of systematic murder, rape and torture. It was not until 2006 that the late President Roh Moo-Hyun officially apologized for the massacre and designated Jeju “Island of World Peace”. As one exits the Official 4.3 Peace Park Museum, a sign reads: “The Jeju April 3rd Incident will be remembered as a symbol of the preciousness of peace, unity and human rights.” But the government’s memory is short. Plans for a major naval base on Jeju had been in the works since 2002 at different locations, but opposition from local residents’ halted construction several times. The struggling of the islanders to defend their lives, lands, community is again leading to them being painted as “Reds”.
This sad history once led the people to dream of making this island a Peace Island, but we realized that without continuous non-violent efforts to realize this goal and to carry on peace education, even the islanders themselves can erase these precious memories through public education and mainstream media. Also, we learned that without walking together with the international community, our peace cannot be a just peace.
I am an islander. I’ve talked much about the victimization of islands but it is not because I hate people from mainlands or big islands and I don’t deny the suffering of mainlanders as well. The reason that I promote island peace building is because I want to build peace as who I am. Actually, my island, I mean Taiwan, itself is also a “big island” which marginalizes and victimizes smaller islands like Lanyu, where our government shamefully secretly throwsaway nuclear waste. Unlike Okinawa, Jeju, and Taiwan which have relatively long histories through the storms of power-shifting between surrounding powers, Lanyu had long been a self-governed island without interruption from outside until its colonial encounter with Imperial Japan and the Chinese Nationalist government. Social activism on the Island began from the suffering of this small island. I expect Lanyu, the Chinese name, or Ponso no Tao, as its called by its indigenous islanders can become a light to connect Taiwan to the Peace Island Triangle.
Only if peace and justice become a common goal among us, can we break our current boring and rigid situation, and blossom our creativity through peace-building.
The suffering islands are our hope. We should hold hands together with these islands regardless if you are foreigners or mainlanders. I want to emphasize that talking about Islands and Islanders is not to make division. I just want to remind us that there are some people who are embraced by the ocean but sadly this embrace by the ocean turned into the isolation by the ocean. These are issues that we should face together. I hope that islands will not only again be embraced by the ocean but also be embraced by the surrounding big lands.
I truly hope we don’t make a stupid fake peace in our region by holding hands with the US while refusing to face the historical issues that caused our region to become one of the most militarized in the world. There are many things we islanders can do as we dig through the layers of our history and seek to find a common future peace across the ocean, between the islands within it.
Photo by Save Jeju Now/ Ultra right wing veteran group arrived at the main construction gate.Photo by Save Jeju Now: Mayor argues with Koo Seul-Hwan, director of the Seogwipo Coast GuardPhoto by Save Jeju Now/ mayor barely stands up after mess.
On July 1, Son Jeong-Mok, Vice-chief of the Joint Naval Operation visited Gangjeong for ‘reconciliation,’ saying he wants to talk with both of pro and con base villagers. However, on the very day, two people, Dr. Song Kang-Ho and Br. Park Do-Hyun were illegally taken away and arrested on the sea when they monitored illegal construction (destruction), by the coast guards who should do the very job of monitoring on illegal construction (destruction). A world being reversed too grotesquely.
It was around 1 pm when the people ended the press conference in protest to the illegal arrest of two in the morning and had a break following Catholic mass and human-chaining in front of construction gate. A large size VIP white bus that reads ‘Choongnam branch of the Vietnam War Veterans Association’ (an ultra-right wing group) suddenly stopped in front of main gate and then it vomited its tens of members in a pale green uniform t-shirts.
It was even heard that a thug(so called company ‘security’ guy) said to them that it is not the main entrance but the main gate of the naval base project committee building complex is. Mayor Kang Dong-Kyun who happened to see them strongly protested to their unwelcoming visit to his village. Then some veterans rushed to him and rudely touched their hands to his body, slandering him as “commie”-such astonishing and dangerous situation! It was such suspending and anxious situation from the worry of possible injuries of people!
Please imagine. Not only mayor Kang himself, but many Gangjeong villagers, and Jeju island people have suffered from the unreasonable and violent label of “commie family,” put on them while their innocent members of families and relatives were falsely accused as “commies” and killed during the 4·3 incident. The truth is that they were only innocent farmers or fishermen. Now the Gangjeong villagers who merely aspire to save their hometown suffer from the dual bridles that connect the past and current, being called as “Pro-North Korean” as if a nightmare is revived.
The ghosts of Won Sei-Hoon and the Vietnam War veterans’ such unreasonable and violent remark is a kind of ideological oppression to break down people’s will for peace and democracy. It could be called as ‘psychological military operation.’ During the 4·3 and Vietnam War, the oppressors labeled people as “commies,” and mass massacred them, as if they are following ‘textbook.’ However, the Vietnam War veterans seem not to know that they are also the victims of history by the manipulated ideology. The traces of ROK veterans’ atrocities in Vietnam are still vivid.
In Gangjeong, it is a thing to put nail to the villagers’ hearts that already suffer from the destruction of Gureombi Rock and sea which are like mother’s bosom. Further many villagers feel pain for the news of arrest of two on July 1.
The protest by villagers, including mayor who insisted truthful apology from the veteran who committed such slander, facing the veterans and policemen who attempted to hide the man of remark and to pacify incident, was strong. According to Fr. Kim Sung-Hwan, Koo Seul-Hwan, Security director, and Yang, Intelligence director of the Seogwipo Police Station threatened villagers who were to enter inside bus for protest that they would ‘accuse’ them and said to them they should not do ‘illegal activity.” Fr. Kim points out though, “However they just leave the illegal construction (destruction).”
The policemen eventually forcefully removed villagers who were protesting in front of bus to demand apology and were to make bus enter inside the naval base project committee building complex. The villagers fought hard till 3 pm when the incident ended. Following the arrest of two on the first day of July 1, July 2 was another hard day for the people in Gangjeong. The village siren rang again. Mayor who happened to be surrounded by the policemen fell on the ground and could not be seen of his appearance for a short time, to people’s concern.
The positive thing is that many villagers appeared. The people in the field could more confirm their solidarity will and human love. The people who crave for justice are beautiful and shining.
Maybe the traitors of history forgot the fact that the people rise up for democracy and justice if there is oppression!
As of July 8, 2013,
Yang Yoon-Mo(prisoner No. 301), 158th day of imprisonment and
Kim Young-Jae(prisoner No. 435),88th day of imprisonment.
Dr. Song Kang-Ho and Br. Park Do-Hyun, 8th day of detention in the Jeju Coast Guard. The court made decision to imprison both on July 5.
Release all the conscientious prisoners!
Immediately stop war base build-up of environmental destruction and infringement of human rights!
1. McNabb, a returned US base in Jeju, is most oil-contaminated among
16 returned bases in Korea
A radar in the McNabb US base, Moseul Peak, Hamo-ri, Daejung-eup, Seogwipo City, Jeju (source)
The Jeju Sori, June 3, 2013, reports that the vicinity soil of a returned US base, McNabb, located in the peak of Moseulpo, Hamo-ri, Daejung-eup, Seogwipo City, Jeju, is seriously contaminated by the oil leaked from the base. The McNabb is one of 16 returned US bases in Korea on July 15, 2006.
It has been the only remaining US base in Jeju until its returning back to Korea.
According to Jeju Sori, the CBS Nocut News reported on June 3 that the degree of TPH (Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon) was measured 42,500 mg/kg, in the vicinity area of the base, as a result of the investigations on basic environment twice, from Oct. to Nov., 2011 and from Dec. 2011 to March 2012.
The number of 42,500 exceeds about 85 times of 500 that is the standard TPH in the area. Its soil contamination by oil is proved out to be most serious among 16 returned bases in Korea, by the investigation by the Ministry of Environment.
The TPH not only brings serious environment contamination. It makes impossible of plant survival itself but also contains poisonous material fatal to human body.
The investigation on environment basis on the 16 returned US bases has been carried out twice respectively from April 2008 to March 2012.
Those 16 US bases are among 23 US bases returned back to Korea in 200[6] and are the bases sold to local self-governing institutions or decided to use for other usage.
Reference:
According to Jang Dong-Hoon, an Island Provincial Council member then, has mentioned on July 25, 2006 that the amount of soil contamination of the whole area of the McNabb base was 2,938 ㎥. The TPH was 17,415 ㎎/㎏, greatly exceeding the standard of 500 ㎎/㎏. He also reported that part of underground water was also contaminated by oil belt.
“According to the report by the Ministry of National Defense in May, the degree of soil contamination of 24 of 27 US bases planned for returning back to Korea, proved out to exceed standard and the underwater contamination of 15 of those are serious.” (Source: Jeju Ilbo news on July 26, 2006)
The McNabb US base in Moseulpo (*named after captain McNabb, vice-general of Alddre Air field in 1953. Source) was built in 1953 with the creation of ‘UN Air Force Base,’ in 1952.
Its whole size is about 39,000 ㎡ (* You may compare the size with the real area of the Jeju naval base project, which is about 480,000 ㎡). It was actively used as a radar base from 1958 to 1973 and its numbers of working military force used to reach to maximum 150. It was used as guerilla training and rest facility for the soldiers of the Eighth United States Army (* which commands the US Army forces of Korea) and 2nd United States Infantry Division (* which stations in Korea) since the building of the Jeju training center for the Eighth United States Army.
However, as the residing US military withdrew from the McNabb base in 1995 and name was changed to the Jeju rest home of the welfare center of the United States Forces of Korea , it was used more as a rest home rather than training center. As four residing managers there were moved to the welfare center of the Eighth United States Army in January 2005, the rest home was closed.
As a result of the 9th ROK-US SPI (Security Policy Initiative) meeting in Seoul from July 13 to 14, 2006, it was returned back to Korea along with other 15 bases nationwide on July 15, 2006. (source: Hankyoreh, July 15, 2006)
The US bases in Seoul, Dongdoochun, Ujungbu, Hanam, Paju and Jeju, returned back to Korea (Source/ Original source; Ministry of Environment)
The Island people demanded at the time, “The McNabb base was used as a Japanese base during the Japanese occupation of Korea ( *1910 to 1945) then as the 9th regiment of the ROK National Defense security unit that suppressed the 4.3 uprising during the term of the US Military Government after the liberation of Korea from Japan, then used as the US base for 53 years after the Korean War. It is a vivid site of 100 years’ modern history of Jeju. We hope the facilities can be used in the future to contribute for the image of Jeju, the “Peace Island.” ( Source: Hankyoreh, July 15, 2006)
The government stated on July 14, 2006, that “The 15 US bases nationwide returned back to Korea would be returned back to local self-governing institutes again after the curing of contamination there.”
However, it was about one and half month later that the Jeju Ilbo reported that the Ministry of National Defense stated in relation to the returning of McNabb base that the Ministry would neither transfer nor sell the base to the local self-governing institute (Jeju Island) but the ROK air force would utilize it.
Despite the Island people’s opposition, it was returned back to the Ministry of National Defense on April 13, 2007 and it was decided that the camp McNabb is used by the ROK air force base in April 2008.
At the time, personnel in the US base relocation team of the Ministry of National Defense, clearly stated that “since there has been a ROK air force unit (radar base) inside the camp McNabb, the military’s usage plan on the base has already come out. The Ministry has no plan to sell or hand over it to the Jeju Island.”
Even after the returning back of the base, the area is still restriction-controlled as it is owned by the ROK Ministry of National Defense and used by the ROK air force (Source: Ohmynews, Dec. 3, 2009)
Though the air force headquarter personnel stated that it has no concrete plan on the usage of the base in the future, some suspected that the McNabb base would be a powerful candidate area for the idea of creation of the Jeju unit of the ROK air force search and rescue corps, reflected in the mid term national defense plan from 2007 to 2011.
Anyway, the decision to hand over the McNabb base to the Ministry of National Defense was different from the other returned bases that were handed over to the local self-governing institutes, some of which were to be developed into history or civic parks. (Source: Jeju Ilbo, Aug. 30, 2006)
Such decision also affected to the delay of the basis investigation on environment, in the vicinity areas of provision zones from the US forces of Korea.
The basis investigation on environment on the vicinity areas of Camp McNabb, located in Jeju, was barely carried out at the latter part of 2011, after 4 years since the government measure on it was set up in October, 2007.
Further the investigation target area was also limited. The investigation was to be carried out within 100 m areas from the border lines of air force base. The inner area of military unit became to be excluded from the investigation in 2011, for the reason that the inner area belongs to air force.
And eventually, the result of the investigation turned out that the vicinity of the McNabb base is the most contaminated among 16 returned based, compared to the investigation on soil contamination in 2005 when it was reported that while the inner area of the base was partly contaminated, the outer area of it was not. (Source: Jemin Ilbo, Aug. 18, 2011)
3. Will the McNabb base be used again for militarize Jeju?
As mentioned above, the returned McNabb base is currently OWNED and managed by the ROK Ministry of National Defense. There has already been a suspicion that the McNabb would be used for the creation of Jeju unit of search and rescue corps, reflected in the mid term national defense plan from 2007 to 2011. The future usage of the base could be very related to the old Alddre Airfield located in the south of it, nearby.
The old Alddre air field has never been completely returned back to the Jeju Island, but owned by the Ministry of National Defense and is suspected to be used for the active military air field if Jeju is to be militarized.
Old Alddre air field, to be suspected to be planned for a new air force base (source)
It was the old Alddre air field that mattered along with other 9 articles on April 27, 2009 when Kim Tae-Hwan, ex-governor of the Island signed on Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Related to the Construction of the Civilian-Military Complex Port for Tour Beauty with the Ministers of National Defense and Land, Transportation and Maritime Affairs then. The MOU itself turned out to be dual in September, 2011 when Kang Chang-Il, Jeju-based National Assembly man disclosed that the title of the document owned by the Jeju Island and Ministry of National Defense (MND) were different.
In the document owned by the MND, the words of ‘Jeju naval base,’ was clear with the words of Civilian-Military Complex Port for Tour Beauty in parenthesis, which made people make sure that the currently enforced naval base project would be PURE military base. For the whole translation of MOU, see here or here.
It was in that fake MOU that the condition on the use of Alddre Airfield was stipulated.
Article 5 (Use of the Alddre Airfield etc.) (1) The Minister of National Defense allows the Jeju Self-Governing Island, through the discussion with the Jeju Self-Governing Island, to use the area of the popularly known as the Alddre airfield that is located in the Daejung-eup, City of Seogwipo and in the jurisdiction of the City of the Ministry of Defense, for the regional development of the Jeju Self-Governing Island, according to the legal procedures. (2) The Ministry of National Defense confirms that he has no plan to deploy fighter airplanes in the Namboo (* meaning ‘southern’) Search & Rescue troop unit of the air force
The old Alddre air filed was built on the wide field under the Songak Mt (84m), Sangmo-ri, Daejung-eup, Seogwupo City, Jeju, by the Japanese military in 1930s. In 2002, it was designated as No. 39 modern age cultural heritage by the ROK government in 2002.
The Japanese built large size military facility in the Jeju Island since 1920s (Some say the beginning year was 1926). The Alddre air filed was completed in Daejung-eup in the middle of 1930s and fighter planes sortied from there bombed Nanjing, China 700 km distance from it in 1937 when the Sino-Japanese War occurred. ( * Therefore some people used to call the Moseul Peak as the Kookje bong meaning ‘international Peak’)
200 mm rockets arranged before the destruction of Alddre air field, Daejung-eup. Moseulpo (source)
Total 20 hangars of 20 m width, 4 m height, and 10.5 m length were built there. Akatombo, a training airplane was also secretly stored there. (Source)
The old Alddre air filed is currently a tourist place, part of the route 11 in the Jeju Olle. Many parts of the field are used for farming such as growing potatoes (Jiseul in the Jeju dialect) as the MND has rented the land to farmers. However, the suspicion on its revitalized military usage in relation to the matter of new airport location has been raised at least twice in the National Assembly, by now.
Map of the Olle route 11 (source by the Jeju Island government)The old Alddre air filed now used for farming (Photo by Save Jeju Now on April 7, 2013)
A sign of restriction by the ROK air force. It says it is a military zone. Some people said they couldn’t see it before. Still the visit of the area was OK in April, this year. (Photo by Save Jeju Now on April 7, 2013)
Roh Hoe-Chan, Progressive United Party, has made a remarkable claim in the National Assembly inspection session in May 2007, that “the Ministry of National Defense and Jeju Island have agreed that the Island provides 300,000 pyeong (about 99 ha) to an air force in case the 2nd new air port is built on the condition that the air force concedes the Island old Alddre air field of about 600,000 pyeong (about 198 ha). It meant the Air Force is ready to use the Alddre Air field as an area for the South zone search and rescue corps unit unless the Jeju provides an alternative area to the Air force. (* For reference the Jeju naval base project is of about 48 ha.) (Ohmynews on Sept. 3, 2012/ See here or here for the source of citation)
It was Oct. 18, 2012 again that the issue was raised in the National Assembly inspection on the ROK air force on the ‘South zone search and rescue corps’ that is being discussed to be installed in the old but currently unused Alddre air field, Moseulpo.
Kim Jae-Yoon, Democratic United Party, a member of the Defense Committee of the National assembly claimed that it is a tactic ultimately to build an air force base. He claimed that the Jeju, the Island of peace is at the risk to be degraded as the ‘Island of military base.’
Saying that “when I demanded the air force on the material on the ‘South zone rescue and search corps unit, the air force replied me that it is planning a creation of it for national security and people’s safety,” Kim interpreted that “However, given that rescue and search corps unit is a non-combat corps that is in charge of search and rescue, its words that it creates it for the securing of national security connote that the rescue and search corps unit is, after all, combat corps.”
Will the Jeju be militarized? The matter has already been concerned about. With the recognition on the McNabb base near the Alddre airr field, the issue has to be more considered in coming future.
Source of maps: See here or here. (Please change the word of Alttre to Alddre)
To remind, it is important to note that the vicinity area in the McNabb base and Alddre air field is one of the big massacre sites of 4.3 period (1947 to 1954)
During the Korean War (1950 to 1953), it was the site where about 210 innocent, many of them in their 20s were brutally killed and buried, stamped as communists and arrested by the vicious law on preliminary detention-the trace of Japanese imperialism- under the US puppet Rhee Syng-Man government. The tragedy of 4.3 was lingering throughout and even after the Korean War. It was only under the civilian government in the 21st century that their honors were finally recovered., with the common tomb nearby cherished by their descendants.
If the Jeju is militarized again and war breaks out in Korea, we will see another repetition of history in Jeju. That is why it is important for us to make efforts for the Jeju to be demilitarized.
For more photos on the massacre site called Seotalorem and the common tomb called Baekjoilsonjimyo (meaning 100 ancestors but one common descendants) , see here.
On June 24, 2013, around 2 pm, an activist, member of SOS (Save Our Sea) team and an international took a kayak to monitor along with a silt protect belt outside west breakwater being built as part of the Jeju naval base project in Gangjeong, Jeju. It was around 3 pm that they discovered a dredge barge, Woosung GD No. 2 of the Woosung Industry Development Inc. ( * sub-contract to the Samsung C & T) was working on dredge in the condition that silt protectors were not properly installed. Therefore a SOS activist demanded coast guards in a monitoring ship nearby to stop that construction (destruction). However, the coast guard said that they cannot do because they cannot find proofs of illegal construction. Even though the SOS activist told the coast guards that he would directly show how the dredge works by corporations are poor and illegal, the coast guard ignored his words.
Photo by Song Kang-Ho, SOS/ The ship GD No. 2 enforced maritime construction without proper facilities to reduce pollution. Further the supervising committee of the construction group made an explanation of lies that it permitted construction after confirmation together with the Samsung C & T (source)
While the activist was to access a dredge barge crossing the line for the prohibition area for maritime leisure activities, their kayak was turned over, hit in the left side by a silt-protector-monitoring ship owned by the construction groups. Right after it, the international was carried out to the port by a ship owned by construction group and the SOS activist approached to the dredge barge by swim.
While he swam to the silt protectors, the sea water was full of hazy floating material for him not to be able to distinguish front and there were no canvases under the silt-protectors, which must be there. In other words, fake silt-protectors with no function had been being installed [..] It means the supervising committee of the naval base construction has been conniving it and the cost guard has been in dereliction of their duty. Even though the SOS team informed such illegal dredge work to the coast guard, the work continued by 5 pm on the day. Even the coast guard personnel said that, “such thing happened as the construction groups were too hurrying from anxiety, facing typhoons.”
Photo by Song Kang-Ho, SOS/ There were no canvases underneath those fake silt-protectors. Pollution stuffs were floating, hazy to sight.Photo by Song Kang-Ho, SOS/ No canvases to reduce pollution underneath fake silt-protectors.
2. Bubbles of sea contamination
Here is another post by Mongye, member of Save Our Sea team, on June 25 activity:
‘In the Samsung work area, silt protectors are not installed to surround the lines of caissons (huge concrete structures), but they are installed at the both side of them (* What is the use of those silt-protectors, then?)
On June 25, the working company did not take out water inside caisson when they worked on putting cement in those. They were hurrying. As a result of it, lots of contaminating stuffs such as muddy water flew into the sea.
We witnessed that lots of bubbles were formed near the caissons. When we took kayaks on the sea, they were already widely spreading. They were even flowing into the port.
When we approached close to caissons with monitoring camera, the company workers were careful not to leak contaminating stuffs when they were doing same works.’
3.The supervising committee of the naval base project committee even lies to the Island government: Is it for protection of illegal destruction by Samsung C & T?
Joan Kim, peacekeeper in Gangjeong, wrote in Ohmynews on June 27, 2013. Here is an excerpted translation:
[..] On June 24, the Samsung C & T was working on dredge work despite damaged dual silt-protectors in its work area on the sea, the 1st work area of the naval base project. However, the supervising committee of the project ignored it and allowed Samsung’s construction (destruction) even though it confirmed the fact that silt protectors are being damaged before its work.
Photo by Save Our Sea team/ The non-restored damaged silt-protectors never properly function to reduce contamination. Muddy water is flowing to the pollution of the sea.
Further the committee lied to Island government officer who was to check the situation, saying that, “this work is not a dredge work bur related to caisson work,” and “as a result of our confirmation with Samsung C & T, there is no problem in dual silt-protectors.”
The Island government confirming the fact that there are no canvases underneath the protectors through a June 24 video taken by a SOS activist, made a directive to the project committee to pose the related dredge works until dual silt-protectors are properly installed.
However, the next morning of June 25, the Samsung C & T still enforced maritime construction(destruction) despite still damaged silt-protectors.
On the day, the Samsung C & T having crane in the ship of Woosung GD No. 2, worked on dredge and carried dredged earth to the ship of Samyang No. 13. At the time, two silt-protector-monitoring ships of the supervising committee were in operation nearby. In other words, the supervising committee ignored the Island government directive. As on June 24, along with its connivance on illegal destruction, the committee intended to hide the situation on June 25.
The Save Our Sea monitoring team called for complaint to Jeju Island government officer. When the Island government called to the supervising committee, the committee said “It is not a dredge work but a work to replace machine.”
However, the committee finally acknowledged the fact that the Samsung C & T has been working on construction(destruction) despite damaged dual silt-protectors only when the Island government checked the fact visiting construction site.
The Island government made directive to the committee again to pose dredge work until silt-protectors are being recovered. [..]
Behind the illegal destruction by the Samsung C & T, there is a supervising committee who ignore its illegality and does not take any measure on it for whatever reasons. [..]
Otherwise the Jeju Island government decided to report the situation to the Youngsan River Environment Office belonging to the Ministry of Environment that the committee not only violates the consultative items of the environmental impact assessment but also repeats full of lies of explanations.
Update: Mr. Lee Jong-Hwa was released from the court after 55 days in jail as of June 21. The court sentence on him at 10:30 am was 6 months imprisonment but two year’s probation.
Photo by Park Young-In, fwd by Lim Wang-Sung and Abigail Yu on June 21, 2013
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Magaret Sekaggya, UN Special rapporteur on the situation on Human Rights visited Gangjeong on June 4, 2013. In the press conference on June 7, she mentioned in relation to Gangjeong that the residents’ opinions have been ignored and their greatest complaint is on the absence of consultation by the government with them; that it was turned out that the ROK state power abuses its power through the use of violence and over-excessive arrest, accusation (especially with the charge of ‘obstruction of business’), detention, imprisonment and charge of fines/ damage compensation; that the people’s basic right in rally and protest is limited and expression of freedom is oppressed; and that unjust process of deportation against international activists have been done. Her official report on the situation of human rights including those of Gangjeong is to be reported next March.
Will her points be reflected in the coming days in the fields including court where currently three conscientious prisoners from Gangjeong are among many of the charged for struggle?
Here are summaries on the latest trials on the three. All are currently held in the Jeju Prison. Each of them hit 141 days, 71 days, 55 days, respectively as of June 21, 2013: Mr. Yang Yoon-Mo ( Prisoner No. 301), Mr. Kim Young-Jae (No. 435) and Mr. Lee Jong-Hwa (No. 125)
1. Yang Yoon-Mo’s trial on June 5
Trial on Yang Yoon-Mo was held in the Jeju court around 10:30 am on June 5, the next day of her visit.
It is a different one from the trial that he was directly arrested from the appeal court on Feb. 1, this year. The prosecutor has accused him under the charges that he damaged the gate of the project committee building complex on Sept. 14, made injury on Aug. 15, and made obstruction of business by joint power on Aug. 12, 17 and Oct. 15, last year.
Upon those charges, lawyer Kang Gi-Tak said that it is not by joint power; it is not damage but scratch therefore the demanded repair fee of 800,000 KRW (about $ 800 USD) is unreasonably huge; Yang has never used slanders and grabbed by the throat of personnel. He has neither put injury; It can never be an obstruction of business since it is a self-defense in protest to interruption on Catholic mass, further there was no entry/exit of construction vehicles; there was no direct blow on the victim; it is a self-defense on illegal and unjust naval base construction (destruction). He also expressed disagreement on many accusation items. He also said he could not acknowledge the record by the CCTV since it is in violation of the law on the protection of personal information (He said the CCTV-recorded proof materials submitted by the accusers are illegally collected.) In the next trial at 2 pm, July 17, there will be examination on witness and submission on proof document etc.
2. Kim Young-Jae’s trial on June 10: The matter of the CCTV
There was a trial on Mr. Kim Young-Jae (Jeju Prison, No. 435) who hit his 60th imprisonment day on June 10. The trial is on the cases of climbing a Samsung C & T-built caisson dock in Hwasoon port in protest of naval base building on Sept. 6, 2012, the opening day of 2012 WCC Jeju, and of obstruction business that he was charged in more than 16 cases. In the seat of the accused, Fr. Kim Sung-Hwan who was one of five along with Mr. Kim Young-Jae on Sept. 6, 2012, joined Kim Young-Jae. Another person, Mr. Lee Young was not present for personal reason.
The other two, Rev. Jeong Yeon-Gil and Mr. Park Suk-Jin have had separate trials as they were both imprisoned on the day. Both were released after 98 days last year. Mr. Park Suk-Jin was imprisoned again on May 15 for the charge of violation on bail condition but was released by court decision on May 30. He got three year’s probation.
Considered of the schedule that all three can join, the next trial is 2 pm, Thursday, July 25. On the day, Mr. Kim Young-Jae would hit 105th day in prison unless he is not released on bail.
The points mentioned by a lawyer in relation to the charge on ‘obstruction of business’ were similar to the cases of Yang Yoon-Mo. Lawyer Kang Gi-Tak who is also a lawyer to Yang pointed out that:
There could be a damage for an accused as the accusation document does not mention on specific sites and concrete charges on each individual despite the fact that the Sept. 6, 2012 incident was a joint protest by five.
In relation to other cases charged of obstruction of business, it cannot be called as obstruction of business. Even though it is conceded to the danger and/or influence applicable to the obstruction of business, it was the influence to the 3rd party therefore not direct act to the sufferers ( * truck drivers)
The remarkable point in the trial on the day was the lawyer Kim In-Sook’s investigation on the CCTVs (closed-circuit televisions) and the testimonies by the personnel from Daelim and Samsung regarding the process of recording and collecting photo and video material. (For the issue of the CCTV in Gangjeong, please see the bottom)
Photo by Koh Gilchun on May 15, 2013 (source)/ A CCTV on the gate of the naval base project building complex
There were three witness-two from Daelim and one from Samsung). All of those are the subjects who accused Mr. Kim Young-Jae and probably others, too, for the charge of obstruction of business. Mr. Choi from Daelim has been in charge of interior jobs of the company since Feb., 2010. Mr. Lee is a managing director of construction since June, 2011 and Mr. Park is a director of quality control in the Samsung C & T since Feb., 2011.
The lawyer Kim In-Sook’ investigation to each was focused on the CCTV. While she is informed that there are about 10 CCTVs in the project building complex and parts of those were installed by Samsung and Daelim, she asked them:
_Who MANAGE(s) the CCTV? From when to when? By the word, ‘management,’ she said that it meant everything including recording, zoom manipulation, safekeeping, submission of CCTV-recorded materials to police & prosecutor etc.
_ What is the purpose of the CCTV?
_What is the reason of submitting copies not the original materials? How can you prove that those copies are same with the originals? (She mentioned that there has never been raised an issue of original or copy before)
_How is the process of submitting materials to police and prosecutors?
It was clear to many people that the accusers/ witness were avoiding specific mentions in their testimonies/ replies to her.
But some of their answers were that:
_They do not know well about the matter of installation on the CCTVs.
_It is a security company called “Geoam,” that is in charge of management and has workered in Gangjeong for about two years (* An activist later told us that it has been about a year that the company Geoam worked in Gangjoeng) The Geoam manipulates zoom.
_The purpose of CCTV is to leave the evidence of damages INDOOR from outside
_The original is saved in the machine. They or their junior worker (in that case they confirm the final) or Geoam they ask to find CCTV materials on the specific accused on the specific dates; and they copy the found or received materials in the CD or USB driver themselves. One of them says it is same with the original since he does not know editing technology. Mr. Park from Samsung said that he himself has taken lots of records with camcorder/cameras and original records are kept safe.
Given the testimonies and article in the bottom, it would be interesting to watch the next trial and court’s final decision someday in the future.
Otherwise, Mr. Kim Young-Jae volunteered a remark at the end of the trial. He said to the judge:
“Please know that it is an only protest way for the peace keepers to sit in as a barricade themselves in front of the construction main gate. Since most construction vehicles are used for illegal construction(destruction), my act is a self-defense to protest to such illegal activities. That should be pointed out are: undemocratic behavior, unjust cancellation on absolute preservation area and injustice of environmental destruction.”
Letter from Kim Young-Jae on June 11, 2013 (source)
3. Trial on Lee Jong-Hwa on June 11
On June 11, there was a trial on Mr. Lee Jong-Hwa who hit 45th day in the Jeju prison (No. 125) on the day. He has another trial pending in the higher court.
The prosecutor demanded a sentence of 1 year imprisonment. The court decision will be at 10 am, Friday.
Mr. Lee Jong-Hwa said on June 5, the next day of the visit by the UN Human Rights rapporteur that he had considered fast upon her visit but gave up considering the heath of Yang Yoon-Mo who is recovering from 52 days’ fast that he ended on March 23.
Otheriwse, on June 5, a woman who had been arrested in Seoul on May 31 and then taken to Jeju Prison on June 1 was released from the court on June 5. She is told not to have responded to police call for her protest during the blast of Gureombi Rock last year. She got sentence of 2.5 million KRW fines. She did not want to disclose her name.
Mr. Lee Jong-Hwa (Jeju Prison, No. 125) expressed thanks to the friends who have sent support letters to him in prison. He hits 51th day in prison as of June 17, 2013. (source)
The below is a summary on the trial of Mr. Lee Jong-Hwa on June 5
Judge:
The accused entered into the Jeju for farming in 2011. He is a writer and his activities are nothing to do with the Jeonjoo branch of the Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea. The accused stated that he would act as possible as through legal procedures in relation to the opposition activities against the naval base project.
Lawyer Heo:
The accused was indicted for the charge that he has not responded several times to the police call. But it was because he was in other trial when he could not be present to the police call on April 26, 2013. The reason that he worked in the oil station was because of his plan to live in Jeju. Even though the prosecutor says that he committed obstruction of business by power, what he did was merely to take 100 bows in front of the construction main gates. Further it was merely 3 to 30 minutes that he was sitting there. In other words, the time of obstruction of business was short with small damage.
Statement by Lee Jong-Hwa (This is the summary. You can find his full statement on the day here. You can also see his writing to prepare for trial, here):
‘During the imprisonment, I thought there needed a re-examination on the justice matter on government policy, thinking of the damage that the villagers have suffered from.
I was in charge to educate youth prisoner under trials. They are the ones who became to commit crimes as their parents are irregular or laid-off workers. I feel pain that our children is utilized as the tools by the divided situation of Korea. If we use such lots of resource and money for human beings’ co-prosperity and peace co-existence, that our Constitution states, the children in the juvenile reformatory would get the jobs and painful things would be reduced.
As Gorbachov has visited, Jeju is an Island of Peace to be demilitarized. I came to Jeju for farming but now I do my best for peaceful Gangjeong. I think this place should be a site for communication and I hope prosecutors consider it together. Our anguish together here in this court would be the basis for belief and hope.
Whatever court decision comes to me, I will not give up to express my righteous faith, which is legal right given to me, and to realize human being’s co-existence and peace and “Hongikingan (* meaning ‘benefit all human beings’), the ideology on which our country founded.
The Judge said, The accused has no other crime record except for light fine sentences and no other past record in relation to violation in rally or protest. The court decision will be at 10 am, June 21, Friday.
At the end of trials on both days of June 10 and 11, people held one man protest in front of court for one hour respectively.
At the end of trials on both days of June 10 and 11, 2013, people held one man protest in front of court for one hour respectively. The signs read 1. ‘UN Special rapporteur on Human Rights points out excessive use of state power and unjust arrest and imprisonment (in Korean) and ‘ UN Human Rights Rapporteur demands End to Unjust Deportation of internationals!’
Reference: The Matter of the CCTV
The Newscham, Jan. 30, 2013 reports regarding 24 hour CCTV for monitoring and control of people, installed in the whole Gangjeong village. The below is an excerpted translation of the article.
[..] When it was disclosed on Sept. 13, 2012 that the police installed camera and notebook computer, for recording the area of the main gate of the naval base project committee building complex, it brought a huge shock.
In the areas of the Jeju naval base project committee building complex main gate, construction site main gate, and the fence to the Gangjeong port, CCTVs are installed and operated for 24 hours. The CCTV-recorded stuffs are used as evidence to accuse villagers and activists under the charge of obstruction of business. The Daelim and Samsung C & T accuse villagers with the evidence of CCTV stuffs. However, the CCTVs are being illegally operated and infringe villagers’ privacy.
In the direction board of the CCTV installed in the main gate of the project committee building complex, it reads “it is recording main facilities of INNER site for the facility safety and crime prevention for 24 hours.” However, different from the direction board, the CCTVs are recording toward OUTSIDE not the INNER field main facilities. Not only that. It is manipulated in recording and monitoring by option such as by zooming or continuous focusing on one-man protest. It is in violation on the items of prohibitions on discretionary manipulation and filming others than those for purpose, stipulated in the law on the protection of personal information.
The subjects of installation, operation, and monitoring are not clear, either. On Oct. 9, last year, Lee Sang-Kyu, National Assembly man, disclosed the fact that a security service company employed by the Samsung C & T was cancelled of permisiion on Dec. 22, 2011, for its connection to violence; but it resumed operation gettimg the permission on security business again merely changing its company name to Reall S & G; and then was cancelled of permission again. However, in the CCTV direction board in front of main gate of the naval base project building complex, representative of Reall S & G whose license was cancelled is still marked as the subject responsible for management
Then, which subject(s) is continuously monitoring for 24 hours the screens of the CCTVs that record the main gate of the project building complex, entry-exit door of construction (destruction) gate, vicinity of the fence to the Gangjeong port. Paik Shin-Ok, a lawyer, has stated that there has been a testimony [in the court] that the navy and Samsung C & T workers are monitoring those in real time. If the subject of installation and operation is not the navy but the navy is monitoring those in real time, it is clearly a crime act since it is violation of prohibition on provision to the 3rd party, stipulated in the law on the protection on personal information.
This speech was originally written and translated to be used by Mayor Kang at the 2013 Moana Nui conference, held in the beginning of June in Berkeley California. Upon the actual event, much of the speech was improvised, but some was based off the original speech found here. Special thanks to Fr. Pat for the translation from Korean to English.
Hello!
I am Dong-Kyun Kang, the Mayor of a small village called Gangjeong in Jeju. I am so grateful for this opportunity to speak to you. It’s very meaningful. So far, I’ve heard many stories from around the world which make very scared and worried for our descendents.
Given that fresh spring water is such a precious and scarce resource on Jeju island, the 450 year old village of Gangjeong situated in the southern part of the island was always the envy of other villages as its possession of an abundant spring water supply which always flowed freely ensured it was always ranked first among Jeju’s villages.
During the construction of the naval base, many international activists have visited Gangjeong and others in the process have been denied entry and deported. Other peace activists have been prevented from leaving the country. I’m keenly aware and saddened that many have suffered from many forms of repression and for their sacrifice I feel so grateful and promise to stand with you in solidarity.
You’ve now seen that in recent history there have been two major events in Korea – in 1948 and 1950. As you are aware there was the major upheaval of the 1950 Korean War which broke out in June 25- a tumultuous national tragedy. One could be forgiven for thinking that this was a family feud that led to the country being divided but the reality was that the war was the result of an ideological battle between the major powers at the time and Korea was its victim. This continues until the present time.
The April 3, 1948 Jeju uprising led to the brutal suppression of the population by state security forces which resulted in the massacre of the islanders of Jeju and behind the slaughter was the US government, the self proclaimed keeper of the peace! A conservative estimate puts the number who died from the mass killings at over 30,000 out of a population of 280,000 people at that time.
Fortunately, in 2005 President Roh apologized on behalf of the state to the people of Jeju and acknowledged for the very first time the states brutal suppression and massacre of the people of Jeju. He went on to declare Jeju as an ‘island of world peace’.
Peace can only be sustained through peaceful means. Peace obtained through force and violent means is not sustainable and in time will be forced to surrender to a larger force or power. However, I believe that dialogue and mutual understanding between people who work together in mutual respect to build a sustainable future is the key to a sustainable peace.
The location of Korea positioned in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and particularly the strategic location of Jeju Island is key to understanding its strategic importance to the world’s major powers. However, behind the construction of the naval base in Jeju is the US government. Will Jeju genuinely remain an island of peace or an island of military bases heightening tensions between the world’s major powers? This is a central question that needs addressing.
The naval base project is a national security project. I think one defines genuine national policy as seeking to put the interests of its citizens and their happiness and genuine well being first and foremost. Likewise national security is not only about the state’s administration and its military but should seek to ensure genuine human security for all its citizens. Genuine national policy and national security should seek to secure the confidence and trust of all its citizens which in turn forms the true pillar and foundation for its policies. Working together hand in hand with the people should be the central tenet of its policies.
Aside from the naval base construction creating the strong possibility of a situation of crisis for Korea and Jeju into the future, the village community of Gangjeong is being destroyed with its people being evicted. With the construction of the naval base the navy claims that the national security of the state is its primary objective followed by the economic development of the region and its third objective – the navy and residents coexisting in mutual cooperation and to the benefit of all. However, the construction of the naval base rather than enhancing and bolstering national security will have the opposite effect of increasing already existing tensions between global powers in the region resulting in Jeju being caught in the crosshairs of conflict in the future. How therefore can the building of a naval base bolster regional economic development in such a tense and dangerous environment?
The state in implementing its policies should first consult the people who will likely be impacted the most and endeavor to seek the consent of its citizens through due process which is the most important consideration and an important building block of any democratic society. Even with the project underway listening courteously to and reflecting on the opinions of the other is surely important in trying to achieve real cooperation. The need for transparency in implementing state projects is paramount. However, the naval base has been enforced from the beginning without any consultation on the decision making process and devoid of any semblance of transparency leaving the Gangjeong villagers in the dark about what was going on. Those villagers opposed to the base are in the process of having their lands expropriated without any dialogue or due process of consultation. The villagers are completely perplexed and dismayed by the conflict that has arisen in their village with the naval base decision having separated families and divided parents with siblings becoming enemies and yesterday’s friends becoming today’s enemies resulting in the collapse of the community.
Fully aware of the stark implications of proceeding with plans to build the base the central government and navy planned and designed the base together with the backing of the US government. As a means of promoting the base and quashing any form of dissent, protestors have been treated with great hostility and denounced as leftists and North Korean sympathizers by the military. The brutal enforcement of the base with complete disrespect and arrogance has resulted in the military losing whatever respect it may once have had.
Together with the mobilization of the police and state power is the major issue of the lack of due legal process and the arrests of over 700 activists, charges having been filed against 400 activists with 25 cases of activists having been imprisoned to date. There has to be a fair way to resolve such conflicts but the legal system and court process has failed to provide this.
With the full power of the police state brought to bear on villagers and activists alike it is undeniable that people will get hurt as they are literally being dragged away like animals battered and bruised. However the courageous and brave efforts of so many over the course of a 7 year long struggle are not in vain but are the source of a precious groundwork that is the basis for a bright future for Gangjeong and Korea alike. These continuing efforts will continue to bear fruit long into the future.
The majestic natural environment of Jeju is commonly referred to as beauty inherited from the gods and is home to the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and three UNESCO World Natural Heritage sites. In 2012 The New Wonders Foundation voted Jeju Island as one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. In September 2012 the World Conservation Congress opened in Jeju where it was hoped that it would promote the international consensus of Jeju as a ‘World Environmental Capital City’. However, this ideal is being undermined by the destruction of the environment caused by the building of the naval base which is a grave threat to genuine national security.
Some concluding remarks.
The 7 year long struggle has left many exhausted and bruised after enduring much pain and suffering along the way. There have been moments of despair but the determination to struggle and defend our village and home and pass it on to future generations has been the enduring legacy and mainstay of the struggle and has been a sacred calling. A new hope springs from the end of despair. This new hope comes from people seeking their true human fulfillment as beings living in harmony with nature, living together in peace.
Instead of Jeju being designated an island of military installations we will work to ensure that it will be known as an island of peace, an island of natural beauty and conservation. Also, together with all the villagers of Gangjeong and the people of Jeju we truly desire that global citizens and true lovers of nature and world peace will have the freedom to gather in this beautiful place without the impediment of a ghastly and ugly military base which aggravates existing tensions between global powers. Therefore, what I truly wish is for everyone around the world to sing the peace song of Gangjeong and to keep it in their hearts. Ladies and Gentlemen, Please join together in solidarity and help us.
UPDATE: Please notice that the official dates are changed from July 29 to Aug. 4, Sunday.
The July 29 to Aug. 3 program with the cultural festival in the Jeju City on Aug. 3 is same. But people will gather in Gangjeong on Aug. 4 to create a human chain between the east and west tips of the naval base construction area (1,500 km) from noon to 12 pm. Click here for more details on Human Chain on the day. Dir. Cho Sung-Bong, a movie director, currently works on the acclaimed documentary on Gangjeong titled, “The Gureombi Wind Blows,” will take air camera shots on human chain scene using unmanned helicopter and will put all the names of participants in the movie’s ending credit. Even though you may not be able to physically join the march and human chain. please send us international solidarity messages(up to 100 words)/photos/videos through gangjeongintl@gmail.com by no later than July 20. All the messages will be publicly shared. Please see the bottom for the details of optional programs after the human chain on Aug. 4.
Click the poster for a larger version.
* Internationals who can physically join the march and want to contribute the march with one’s talent/work, please see the below translation.
* Internationals who want to support the march by sending solidarity messages of up to 100 words and/or photos and/or videos, please send those to Gangjeongintl@gmail.comno later than July 20 (Please see the 2012 event here, and solidarity messages, here)
* For all questions and suggestions on the matters including those not explained in the below, please contact gangjeongintl@gmail.com
* Thank you to be with us!
2012 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace (Image: Choi Hye-Young)2012 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace (Image: Choi Hye-Young)
in the 2013 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace
By the Coordinating Committee for 2013 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace
June 7, 2013
Summary (translated) of introduction letter
The Opposition struggle against the Jeju naval base project hits its 7th year. [..]
Since the Presidential election last time, the response measure by the prosecutors and police has been transformed into consistent drastic policies. The navy is openly enforcing construction(destruction) despite people’s criticism on illegal construction(destruction). Some make propaganda that the struggle to stop the naval base project is in fact finished as the Park Geun-Hye Government that has asserted on the justification of the Jeju naval base project was launched. [..]
Everyday is a continuation of hard struggle in Gangjeong nowadays. The police make routine of arrest and the prosecutors who are in line with them are oppressing the opposition struggle with unreasonable issuing of arrest warrants and bombs of fines. [..]
However, we cannot give up. It is because we trust that the peace of Gangjeong is the peace of Korea and our struggle to stop the Jeju naval base project is to be the voice for the peace of the northeast Asia and world. It is also because we know that the way we are walking now would be a step to stop the ‘gochak’ (meaning ‘detaining by encircling’) of destructive military domination and resuscitation of anti-human state violence. [..]
Now, we, succeeding the year of 2012, want to propose to gather people’s voice for peace once again.
We are to gather the voice to inform the injustice of the Jeju naval base project and to appeal for peace to be saved, while we walk around of the spots of Jeju for five nights six days during the hot summer.
Please join the 2013 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace in which we feel pain together, walk together, and talk on our peace together!
Please be a part of one strong voice for peace, again!
Details of proposal
Please become a co-sponsoring groups for the 2013 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace
□ The role of co-sponsoring group
▶ Registartion of more than 100,000 KRW (about 90~100 USD), which is for co-sponsoring of the event
▶ Each representative of co-sponsoring group is chosen as a member of the Peace Representative Board. One has to join march for more than a day
▶ Encourages its members to join the march and organizes support material and fund.
▶ It is planned that each co-sponsoring group is individually named in poster, web poster and media.
▶ The groups that have been confirmed of co-sponsoring and that are in discussion as of June, 2013:
The Gangjeong Village Association,
Jeju Pan-Island Committee for the Stop of Military Base and for Realization of Peace Island (31 groups)
National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval Base in Jeju Island (11 groups)
Open Network (Inc.)
Gangjeong Friends
Gangjeong peacekeepers
Professors’ Association for the stop and re-examination of Jeju naval base construction
Korean Writers’ Association
□ Contact
Go Gwon-Il, chairman of the Gangjoeng Villagers’ Committee to Stop the Naval Base Project
Boo Jang-Won, Director of coordination, Jeju Pan-Island Committee for the Stop of Military Base and for Realization of Peace Island
Kim Duk-Jin, National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval Base in Jeju Island
# For internationals, please contact Gangjeong village international team: gangjeongintl@gmail.com
□ Plan on Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace
I. Summary
(1). Purpose
– It is to disclose the betraying behaviors of the navy and government that enforce construction (destruction) under the false cause of ‘national security’ and Woo Keun-Min Island government that connives those and in line with them. And it is to gather the public fury on it (* The election on the Island governor is in 2014. Currently the public support on the Island governor Woo Keun-Min is low)
-It is to form a public discussion on the possibilities of militarization of Jeju by the Jeju naval base project and of occurrence of military conflict in the northeast Asia. It is to expand to the public the need of continuation of the struggle to stop the naval base project.
-It is to share the mutual relationship among state, human rights, democracy, we remembering that state violence during the 4·3 uprising is recurred during the current enforcement process of the naval base project .
(2). Title of the event
2013 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace, “Let’s meet [also can be translated gather] together! Let’s walk together! Peace for Gangjeong!”
(3). Sponsor and Host
-Sponsor: The Gangjeong Village Association, Jeju Pan-Island Committee for the Stop of Military Base and for Realization of Peace Island (31 groups), National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval Base in Jeju Island (11 groups) etc.
( It is expected that the titles of groups will be added in the future)
-Host: The Gangjeong Village Association, Jeju Pan-Island Committee for the Stop of Military Base and for Realization of Peace Island (31 groups), National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval Base in Jeju Island (11 groups)
(4). Program
Eve festival: 7 pm, July 28 (Sunday), 2013, Village Ceremony hall, Gangjeong Village
Grand March: July 29 (Mon) to Aug. 3 (Sat), 2013: For five nights six days
Nationwide citizens’ cultural festival to demand the revocation on the Jeju naval base project: Aug. 3 (Sat), 6pm, Tapdong square, Jeju City(tentative)
Human chain between the east and west tips of the naval base project area in Gangjeong: Aug. 4 (Sun), 12 to 2 pm, Gangjeong
(5). Participation purpose
The total number of man-days participation is expected 2,000 to 3,000 (except for the participants in the cultural festivals)
( 6). Ways of March
-People will be divided by east and west teams. The pilgrim will be focused on the inner roads of towns.
-There will be explanation on main histories, ecology, and environment of each region
– Some figures concerned with Gangjeong will be asked to join the march as the members of the Peace Representative Board.
( 7). Slogan
-Main slogan: “Let’s meet [also can be translated as gather] together! Let’s walk together! Let’s shout together! Peace for Gangjeong!”
-March slogan: Will be collected by group proposal or public solicitation, TBA
II. Guide on participation
(1). Application-phone, fax, email, internet registration
Internationals may contact the Gangjeong Village International team for application: gangjeongintl@gmail.com
# All applications will be collected into the briefing room of the Gangjoeng Village Association
(2). Participation fee
1) Per one person
– 1 day participation: 10,000 won (T-shirt not included)
– 1 night 2 days~ 2 night 3 days: 30,000 won (including T-shirts)
– 3 night 4 days~6 night 7 days: 50,000 won (including T-shirts)
# No Fee. Children elementary school-aged and under (T-Shirt not included)
# All meals, one bottle of water per day, wristle (to protect from hot sunlight)
2) Bank account for participation fee and support fund
: Nonghyup 351-0603-6444-93 (Beneficiary: Gangjeong Village Association)
Internationals can pay in cash on the very day(s) of participation.
(3) Accommodation
In principle, commmon tent
However, bringing individual tent is OK
An individual should prepare for one’s sleeping bags etc.
(4) March course
– It will be about 20 Km march a day.
– As possible as even road, considered of family participants
– On the last day (Aug. 3), march as possible as all spots of Jeju City
– Detailed course will be known later.
(5) Individual participant preparation
– Sleeping bag, washing stuff, hat, individual tent(choice) etc.
III. Organization of march team
(1) March team
Peace Representative Board (5 to 10 personnel for each day), march chiefs (full and daily), overall management on march, march director(practical business), support team, medical team, guide team, record team, administration team
(2) Briefing room
Director, registration team, meal team, meal-supply team, finance team, public relation team
IV. Main event program
(1). Eve festival
– Date: 7pm, July 28(Sun), Gangjeong Village Ceremony hall
– Basis: sharing the meaning of peace and gathering the will to stop the naval base project
– Main content: resolution speech, sharing meanings, introduction of participants, concert, peace ceremony.
(2). Press conference at the start
– Date and time: 8:30am, July 29 (Mon), Gangjeong soccer field
– Content: Statement for citizens and demand on the revocation of the naval base project
– Introduction on some figures and speeches
– Main content: Speech by representative, statement, ceremony to gathering the sea water of Jeju, photo
(3).Cultural festival in the summer night
-Date: Aug 1 in Kimnyong (east team)and Aewol (west team)
– Content: Encouragement of local residents’ participation
(4). March program
– Public solicitation on photos, writings from the 2012 march participants, prize and recognition is given (Please contact gangjeongintl@gmail.com for subscription)
– Peace postcard to oneself: read in the festival and mailing
– Collecting sea water in the main march regions: Water will be collcted in cermony in the festival.
-etc.
(5). Cultural festival to revoke the Jeju naval base project
-Date/ Time: 6 pm, Aug. 3(Sat). Topdong Square, Jeju City (planned)
(6) Peace human chain: noon to 2 pm, Aug. 4 (Sun), Gangjeong village, in front of the Jeju naval base project committee building complex ( from Gangjeong stream in th east to the Gangjeong port in the west)
* Human chain is the end of official event of the whole march
(7) Optional program in Gangjeong on Aug. 4 (Sun)
7 pm: Korean traditional yard square in front of the Gangjeong Village Ceremony Hall
After 2 pm: Taste on the Peace of Gangjeong (free trip on the places of the village, Gangjeong stream water leisure)
