Tag: Demilitarized Peace Island

Mayor Kang from Jeju speaks about the struggle against the US naval base

Reblogged with permission from: Mayor Kang from Jeju speaks about the struggle against the US naval base | by Gangjeong Mayor Kang Dong-Kyun *

See also this interview with Mayor Kang by Asian Global Impact on Oct. 18

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

October 18, 2013
Gangjeong Village Story: Monthly News from the Struggle | September 2013 Issue

In this month’s issue:
Catholic solidarity anniversary, reports for Sri Lanka and visiting priests, trial updates, released prisoners, Gangjeong goes to the WCC in Busan, Peace Co-op relaunches, violent incidents on the rise, and more!

Download PDF

October 6, 2013
Gangjeong Village Story: Monthly News from the Struggle | August 2013 Issue

In this month’s issue:
Grand March for Life and Peace 2013, August 4th Human Chain, Oliver Stones Visits Jeju, Navy wants to expand base site size, Prison letter from Kim Young-Jae, Trial, prison, and hospital updates, solidarity reports from Taiwan and Philippines and more!

Download PDF

September 2, 2013
3rd Jeju DMZ Peace Island Meeting to be Held in Moseulpo

Korean banner for the 3rd meeting.

Tomorrow, August 15, 2013, the 3rd meeting of the movement to demilitarize Jeju “Jeju, the Demilitarized Peace Island” will meet. This meeting open to everyone will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Moseulpo, on the southwest cost of Jeju.

Moseulpo is an important place in the history of military and anti-militarist struggles on Jeju. During the Japanese colonization, the residents were forced to large caves out of the coastal cliffs of Mt. Songak to store torpedos to be used for attacks on allied forces in WW2, a part of Japans broader massive military build up of Jeju in anticipation of a stand off that fortunately never happened. Nearby is the abandoned Alddreu Airfield, also set up by the Japanese military for bombing China.

Caves along the cliff face of Mt. Songak.

Later during 4.3 and Korean War, Moseulpo, like most of Jeju was also the site to several massacres including the Massacre at Seotal Oreum. In 1950, The Moseulpo Police had arbitrarily detained 344 people in the police station, a fishing storage, and a potato storage. 211 of the detained were eventually slaughtered without any legal process and secretly buried. 20 people were killed on July 16 and 193 on August 20. 41 other people went missing.

Later from 1987-1989, the Korean government attempted to build an air-force base on Mt. Songak, but strong local resistance won after a two year struggle and the plans were scrapped. However, the Korean Ministry of National Defense still owns land in the area and recently there was has been rumors that they again plan to build an airfare base there, perhaps on part of the old Alddreu Airfield (part of which has been declared a national heritage site). Meanwhile, the ROK MND has a small radar base in Moseulpo, formerly the U.S. owned Camp McNabb (for 53 years until it was taken over by Korean in 2005.

Moseulpo Radar Base, formerly U.S. Camp McNabb.

In light of this history of oppression and resistance, Moseulpo is a key location for the movement to demilitarize Jeju.

Peace loving people from across Jeju and Korea will come together to tour the historical sites, hear about the successful struggle against the air-force base and discuss and plan the demilitarization of Jeju. Join us!

Contact gangjeongintl@gmail.com for for details.

August 14, 2013
Gangjeong in the International Dialogue Conference on “Seeking Peace from Oceanic Perspectives” in Taipei, Taiwan

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 Newspaper

People were writing the messages to Gangjeong

The following is the speech draft of Emily Wang.

————–

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.

Thank you for listening.

August 3, 2013
2013 Jeju Life and Peace forum from May 28 to 30

2013 Jeju Life and Peace Forum from May 28 to 30, 2013. Wang Yu-Hsuan, Taiwan, who was unjustly deported on April 26, this year, has been taken in this photo by Cho Sung-Bong. ( poster image was forwarded by Kang Ho-Jin)

The Gangjeong Village Association, Jeju Pan-Island Committee for Stop of Military Base and for Realization of Peace, National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval Base in Jeju Island will hold Life and Peace forum called ‘Dear You, Let’s Dream for Peace Now! in the building of Venture Maru (See the address of Venture Maru at the bottom) of Jeju City from May 28 to May 30. There is a cultural event called ‘Peace, You Come When Even Waiting For You Is Lost!’ on May 29.

The idea of forum initially came to resist the JEJU FORUM for Peace And Prosperity that only concerns with the interest of government and capital. The idea was first raised in the event of Jeju The Demilitarized Peace Island, 2nd Rally.

In the morning of Jan 30, the groups will have a joint press conference upon the opening of Jeju Forum near the Haevich hotel, Pyoseon-myeon, Seogwipo City, where the forum is held. The press conference is to disclose injustice of the naval base project and to demand the revocation of it.

The Pan-Island committee stated that, “the Life and Peace forum has an alternative character of the Jeju forum, May 29 to 31. It will be a space for public opinion to build the Life and Peace village as a future vision of the Gangjeong village.”

Venture Maru

1176-67 I-do 2 dong, Jeju City, Jeju, Korea

Tel: +82 64-725-2024

…………………………………….

The below is the translation of program. Original Korean script can be seen here.

Dear you, Let’s dream for peace now!

May 28 (Tues.) to 29(Wed)

Forum, expo, cultural event (film screening, music concert)

From 1 pm each day, 10^th floor, Venture Maru, Jeju City

May 30 (Thur.)

10:am Near Havichi hotel, Pyoseon, Jeju

No Participation fee

Programs in detail

May 28(Tue)

13:00 Peace Talk by Novelist Hyun Gi-Young, poet Kim Soo-Yeol

15:00 Discussion onJeju naval base and peace in the Korean peninsula, and Northeast Asia peace community

17:00 Peace Expo, music and talk show on street near the Venture Maru

May 29(Wed)

13:00 Screening of film, ‘Love Okinawa’

15:00 Discussion- Dream being realized together: Gangjeong as Life and Peace Village

19:00~: Culture event: “Peace, you come when even waiting for you is lost.”

May 30 (Thur.) 10:00 Joint Press Conference near the Haevichi hotel, Pyoseon, Jeju

May 29 Culture event: “Peace, you come when even waiting for you is lost.”

at the Jeju Venture Maru, 7pm

May 29 Culture event: “Peace, you come when even waiting for you is lost.”
(Image forward by Kang Boo-Won)

Talking Peace by Fr. Mun Jeong-Hyeon and Park Rae-Gun, executive adviser of Sarang Human Rights Foundation

Screening of films by Yang Dong-Kyu, Song Dong-Hyo, Cho Sung-Bong and Lee Wooki

Poet recitation by Mr. Kim Sung-Kyu, Gangjeong Village poet

Songs by Park-Ha-Ye-Chong, Singing group of Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), children of the Gotjawal Little School, Yeon Young-Seok

Peace message selection (gifts of peace necklace)

May 23, 2013
Prof. Yang’s letter and rally statement resonated on March 1_Jeju The Demilitarized Peace Island, 2nd event

See many March 1 event photos, here.

Photo by Song Dong-Hyo/ The 2nd event for the Jeju as the Demilitarized Peace Island, Gwandeokjeong, Jeju City, March 1, 2013. For more photos and event briefing by Paco Booyah , see here.

1. Yang Yoon-Mo reminds the history and vision of the Jeju

It was exactly here in Gwandeokjeong, Jeju City, March 1, 1947 when 6 people were killed by the constabulary governed under the US Army Military Government in Korea during their parade on commemorating independence movement on March 1, 1919. It was here when Hur Du-Yong, uncle of Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo who hits his 32nd day of prison fast as of March 4, 2013, was one of those six victims. His uncle Hur was only 15 years old then, the youngest among the six. Still Prof. Yang has not said much about his personal history. The personal history must have been for him only a window that would open him toward the vision for the Jeju, as true Peace Island, demilitarized, filled with life and peace.

The 2nd event for the Jeju Demilitarized Peace Island on March 1 happened to coincide with the start of the US-ROK annual war exercise called Key Resolve/ Foal Eagle. In the Gangjeong village, people’s 24 hour protests to night time construction trucks were still going on. It was ever more significant that the active move to build the Peace Island was declared again in the historic place along with the opening of the 4.3 movie ‘Jiseul‘ in Jeju on the same day. A recent article in the Truth Out helps well our understanding on the historic background of modern Korea. See here :

‘The Korean War followed. S. Brian Willson summarizes the war:

“The Korean War that lasted from June 1950 to July 1953 was an enlargement of the 1948-50 struggle of Jeju Islanders to preserve their self-determination from the tyrannical rule of US-supported Rhee and his tiny cadre of wealthy constituents. Little known is that the US-imposed division of Korea in 1945 against the wishes of the vast majority of Koreans was the primary cause of the Korean War that broke out five years later. The War destroyed by bombing most cities and villages in Korea north of the 38th Parallel, and many south of it, while killing four million Koreans – three million (one-third) of the north’s residents and one million of those living in the south, in addition to killing one million Chinese. This was a staggering international crime still unrecognized that killed five million people and permanently separated 10 million Korean families.” (Source)

Two days before the 2nd event for the Jeju Demilitarized Peace Island on March 1, he wrote the two page long letter to Dr. Song Kang-Ho who being in full comradeship with prof. Yang, has led the campaign. Here is the excerpt from Yang’s letter who urged people joining the day’s event. You can see his original Korean letter, here:

As I enter a long time fast, I happened to have a phenomenon close to dyslexia because I can’t concentrate well due to not smooth brain activities. So I am just focusing my nerve and heart only on the balance of ‘body,’ all day.

So while there are numbers of letters from the overseas, nationwide, and Gangjeong, I could never reply to them. [..] (For more on his status, see the contents in No. 3)

The matter of Gnagjeong suffering illness for the naval base [project] is merely an advance notice. Our agony is that it is not a situation when we talk the “matter of Gangjeong,’ and “matter of the whole Jeju Island” separately. In a big frame, it is the time when there should appear a movement body that seriously realizes and acts considering the two matters as one together [..] Therefore I consider the appearance of the ‘declaration on the [Jeju] as the demilitarized Peace Island,’ very timely. To say strictly, the peace movement in the Jeju reached to the 2^nd turning point. I think that the experience in Gangjeong should be more developed and expanded. [..]

“Let’s save Jeju!

Let’s save Jeju entering into one hundred year’s suffering!

The Jeju is now in dangerous forked road!

The Jeju Island should be no more slaves of capital and security.

It is the time to say, ‘No!’

To fully inherit the beautiful nature, environment and Island people’s war-less community to the descendants, I urgently appeal to you to join the march on the declaration rally on the Jeju ‘Demilitarized,’ Peace Island”

( Excerpt from the letter by Yang Yoon-Mo, one of the declarers on the Jeju, Demilitarized Peace Island, from the Jeju prison, Feb. 27, 2013)

You can see Yang’s interview on the Gureombi Rock in 2011, here.

Photo by Paco Booyah/ Yang Yoon-Mo’s letter read during the March 1 event program. See more event photos, here.

2. People’s statement to build the Jeju, Demilitarized Peace Island on March 1.

And here are the excerpts from the people’s statement on March 1. To see the full statement in Korean, see here:

[..] The Jeju Island has been used as a bridgehead for the Mongol to invade Japan during the period of people’s resistance against Mongol [in the 13th century].

It was used as an overseas site for the Japanese military to bomb China in the China-Japan war during the period of Japanese occupation [in 1937].

It has been strained to a breaking point as Japan built the whole Island as a military stronghold at the end of her imperialism [in 1945].

As such, the Jeju Island has often taken a role of military base because of its geopolitical importance.

During the 4.3 period (* 1947 to 1954), Rhee Seung Man, [the puppet government under the United Sates] said that he would let the United States to build a permanent base in the Jeju.

In 1970, President Park Chung-Hee, [the father of Park Geun-Hye, the new South Korean President who was inaugurated on Feb. 25, 2013] said that he would provide the Jeju Island as a new US base in replacement of Okinawa.

Since the construction of the air base, Songak Mt., Moseulpo, about 20 years ago was stranded, the government is building a naval base in Gangjeong after it attempted [but failed] it in Hwasoon and Weemee.

However, the Jeju Island is the World Peace Island!

In last 2005, the ‘Government designated the Jeju Island as the world Peace Island so that the tragedy of Jeju 4.3 can be sublimed with cooperation & co-existence and contribute to the peace of world.

The Jeju Island that has endlessly suffered and been sacrificed by the domestic and overseas power has finally become to rise into a new epicenter of peace.

However, such efforts for the Demilitarized Peace Island has gradually become collapsed as the naval base became to be driven in the Jeju.

We don’t want the Jeju positioned at the intersection point of continent and maritime to be the arena of competition between two powers.

Rather, we pray for it to become the outpost for peace as a buffer zone between the two powers.

It is to build the Peace Island in Jeju, with neither military nor military base, neither war nor violence.

It is to accomplish preservation on nature and protection on environment by clarifying opposition to all the thoughtless developments.

It is to plan for the precious lives’ native growth, opposing the terror to all the lives.

It is eventually to accomplish a self-reliant community of the permanent neutral to which no intervention by a foreign or other powers reach.

That is the essence of the Jeju Demilitarized Peace Island.

On March 1, we, here in the Gwandeokjeong being alive by the spirit of the patriotic forefathers who resisted to wicked foreign powers and tried to save the precious Jeju community,

Are to abandon collapse and destruction, the products of war and violence,

Are to accomplish resurrection and restoration, the fruits of peace and co-existence.

For that, we make resolution to realize the Demilitarized Peace Island through constant practices and peaceful efforts.

We, confirming our determination and practical will, also declare that we would step together with all the conscientious citizens in the world including Jeju.

March 1, 2013

People who make the Jeju as the Demilitarized Peace Island

3. Yang Yoon-Mo’s prison fast inspires overseas

Photo by the Village International Team. Mr. Koh Gilchun and Ms. oh Soonhee, After visiting Yang Yoon-Mo in the Jeju prison.

On Feb. 28, Mr Koh Gilchun, Jeju artist, Oh Soon-Hee, a director of a small theater, and a village international team member visited Prof yang who hit 28th prison fast as of Feb. 28.

Known later… Ms. Oh Soon-Hee is a sister of Mr Oh Myul, a movie director of Jiseul, the Sundance grand prize 4.3 movie.

Thin though, Prof. yang looked bright. He has been in a sick room of the prison for 10 days. in the sick room, he stays with two other people and was wearing a patient cloth.

He has recently begun to take enzyme as he feels powerless.

He said he is getting many support letters from the domestic and international. Even though he wants to reply to them, he feels so energy-less. So he asked to deliver his great thanks to all the domestic and international friends.

Regarding the march 1 event, he said he is pleased for two things.

First, he is pleased that the 4.3 movie ‘Jiseul’, begins to screen on March 1. He wished that at least about 30,000 people could see the movie. it is known that at least 30,000 people were sacrificed during the 4.3 period, 1947 to 1954.

Oh Soon-Hee said that she got the contact from the movie theater manager on Feb. 27 that he would increase the daily screening numbers of Jiseul from 6 to 11 as many people are more and more interested in the movie. she also said the Jiseul team is considering to screen the English subtitled once a day.

Prof yang also said that he is pleased to see a meaningful 3. 1 event , the 2nd event for Jeju demilitarized, commemorating the fuse of 3.1, 1947, when 6 people were killed by the police under the governing of the US military government and became the fuse of 4.3 incident. he said he hopes this could be a momentum for many Jeju island people to be aware of the importance of the jeju as the demilitarized and self reliant .

A p ostcard from Benj and Five postcards from Okinawa were delivered to Prof Yang. T shirt from Benj (photo) was shown to Yang and he was very pleased. Thanks so much, Benj and friends from Okinawa.

Otherwise, on March 4, Ishle Yi Park‘s message was sent through Benj

‘Aloha,
Hope you are well and in light. I am a mother, poet and activist (Poet Laureate of Queens, 2004-2007) who is currently fasting in Hawai’i in solidarity with Professor Yang Yoon-Mo and the beloved people of Jejudo.

I am currently on my fifth day of my fast, and plan on fasting as long as Professor Yang is fasting. Would greatly appreciate an update on his status, how his health is, and if he is still fasting, how long he plans to fast.

I am a nursing mother, so this fast is a big deal for me. I’ve been to Jeju several times, have written numerous poems in praise and tribute for the island, and hold a special place in my heart for Jejudo haenyos (Sea diving women)as well. My prayers and well wishes are with you all, for caring about our beloved island and our future generations.

Thank you so much, and look forward to hearing from you very soon.

God bless, and Peace to Jeju,

Ishle Yi Park’

4. Struggle for Gangjeong and Jeju is one matter.

Photo by Saltcandy Yohan on Feb. 27. The sign reads, “We declare that the Jeju Is the Demilitarized Peace Island.”

Photo by Saltcandy Yohan/ 01:57 am, March 1, 2013. The sign reads, ‘Cruise Special District with 1 million tourists? The 1 million tourists will avoid if for the naval base!’

Photo by Saltcandy Yohan/ 04:37 am, March 1, 2013. The signs read , ‘Civil Disobedience,’ ‘The Gangjeong Naval Base is a sub-contract base for the US. No War!’

Photo by U-Jin Kang / During the day, March 1. The signs read, ”Stop the construction of the civilian-military complex port for tour beauty which is only a sugar-coating cover!’
‘The Gangjeong Naval base is the sub-contract base for the US. No War!’/
‘Fr Kim Sung Hwan SJ and Pat Cunningham SSC at the gate in Gangjeong on Independence Movement Day (삼일절) protesting against the occupation of the village by modern day forces preparing for war under the banner of ‘national security’ while all the while jeopardizing the future of lasting peace and security on the Island of Peace! The building of the naval base only serves to dishonor the memory of all who sacrificed their lives for peace and freedom and increases tension and insecurity among people on the island and in the wider region! ( script by Pat Cunningham )

March 4, 2013
[Event: March 1] An invitation on the 2nd gathering to build the Jeju, as the Demilitarized Peace Island

Following the Jan. 27 event, the 2nd event to build the Jeju as the Demilitarized Peace Island is held in the Gwandeokjeong, Jeju City, Jeju island on March 1, from 11 am to the afternoon. Internationals are welcome to join. Please see the detailed information in the below (translation of the event notice sent by the preparatory people)

Otherwise, Dr. Song Kang-Ho has written an article on the meaning of the Jan. 27 event for the monthly newsletter. See the top article in its 1st page, here.

Photo by Paco Booyah/ A gathering for the declaration of the Jeju as the demilitarized Peace Island on Jan. 27, 2013

On Jan. 27, we, gathering at the Jeju 4.3 Peace Park, declared that “the Jeju Island is the demilitarized Peace Island.’ It was to emphasize that the Jeju should not be armed but be the Demilitarized Peace Island with neither military nor military base.

For that, we, the 111 declarers, made a resolution to realize the Demilitarized Peace Island by constant practices and peaceful efforts not merely by one time declaration event. We also decided to hold the 2^nd meeting to make the Demilitarized Peace Island in front of Gwandeokjeong (*see the bottom) on March 1^st, to reconfirm our resolution and practical will and to share the will with many more citizens.

March 1 is the 94^th anniversary of the March 1 movement [ in 1919] when [the Koreans] declared that Korea is a self-reliant and independent nation in a non-violent and peaceful way, against the violence of Japanese imperialism. It is also a date when the ceremony commemorating the 28^th anniversary of the March 1^st was held in Jeju [in 1947] that became the fuse of Jeju 4.3 uprising.

Drawing on the incident of March 1st, 1947, by Kang Yo-Bae, Jeju artist. The drawing is included in his famous drawing book on 4.3 incident (Source). The current political prisoner, Yang Yoon-Mo has a personal historical connection to the incident. See here.

The Gwandeokjeong is the place that has been with the history of Jeju. It was the historic site at the time of Lee Jae-Sou-led uprising in 1901 ( *Jeju people’s uprising against the dominance and oppression by the French Catholic Missionaries) and 3.1 ceremony in 1947 when about 20,000 people gathered. It is the site of the living spirits of the patriotic forefathers who resisted against the wickedness of foreign power and made efforts to save the precious Jeju Community.

The reason that we set ‘the Gwandeokjeong, March 1’ for the date and venue of the event is to succeed the spirit of our forefathers. It is to cherish the memory of the patriotic forefathers who faced against unjust violence and to break through the deplorable reality in which justice is suffering.

Participation by the conscientious citizens who love peace becomes the force to change the world. We have a confidence that a small action can fill you and your children’s future with peace. We oppose the Jeju naval base. Yang Yoon-Mo who was imprisoned for the forth time and is making prison fast, risking one’s life, urgently hopes your participation as well.

We invite you to the Gwandeokjeong on March 1.

Feb. 22, 2013

17 People present in the preparatory meeting including Dr. Song Kang-Ho and Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo (Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo in prison also agreed to be as one of the proponents for the March 1 event)

The 2^nd declaration rally for the Jeju Demilitarized Peace Island

Schedule and program

March 1, Friday, 2013

Part 1: declaration ceremony

11am, Gwandeokjeong

12pm Moving to the Seoyoodang (a small library) and lunch

Part 2: Small group discussions at Seoyoodang, 1 pm

( Seoyoodang: 064-758-3229/ 6-24 Hwangsaewatgil, Jeju City)

Part 3: Watching the movie, ‘Jiseul,’ (if you want)

_Participation fee: 10,000 won ( The movie fee is not included here)

_We are preparing for the programs for children. Family participation is welcome!

_Dress code(recommended): Traditional Korean or Jeju cloth (Gal-ot)

_If you bring any snacks, we will share those in the small group discussions.

Small group discussion subjects (Any free suggestion on the subjects on the day are welcome!)

1)    Reading gathering on disarmament and peace activities

2)    Peace fair trade in the Jeju and overseas

3)    Screening of ‘Occupy Wall street’ and discussion on the volunteering joining in movements

4)    By what will the Jeju Island make living?

5)    Peace Sarangbang (*Sarangbang is a welcoming room for guests by the Korean tradition)

Contact in Korean and English: Silver (010-9199-0717 )

Photo by Paco Booyah on Jan. 27, 2013

What and where is the Gwandeokjeong (제주 관덕정)?

Source: A Korean Travel Journal blog/ The Gwandeokjeong, Jeju, was originally built in 1448 for a military training of archery.

See the location and address here

See a photo with a brief historical description, here

See a blog on the visit of the Gwandeokjeong with some photos, here

February 24, 2013
Gangjeong Village Story: Monthly News from the Struggle | February 2013 Issue

In this month’s issue:
Launch of the new demilitarize Jeju campaign, Samsung above the law?, U.S. military wrecks in coral reef, more prisoner releases, Yang Yoon-Mo arrested and on hunger strick, Interview with former prisoner, continued environmental regulation problems, and more!

Download PDF

February 23, 2013
Event: We Declare Jeju Island “The Demilitarized Peace Island”.
We welcome internationals living in Korea to join this event!

Source: Click here

On the 8th anniversary of Jeju’s designation as “The Peace Island” (Jan. 27, 2005), people from around Korea will have an event commemorating that anniversary and to make a new declaration, designating Jeju as as “The Demilitarized Peace Island.”

The idea was initiated in Gangjeong at the beginning of 2013 and cultivated through the gathering of people’s opinions and ideas over the course of several weeks.

Event Details:

Time: Sunday, January 27, 2013, 3pm to 6pm, dinner following the event.
Venue: 4.3 Peace Park Great Hall
Participation Fee: 10,000 won
Content: Part 1: Declaration/ Part 2: Introduction of each participant and each participant’s sharing about their idea for a Demilitarized Peace Island (about 1 minute per person)/ Part 3: dinner
Contact: Dr. Song Kang-Ho – 010-8891-5072/ jejudmz@gmail.com
- Even if you don’t pre-register, you can register in the venue on January 27.
- Only the names of individual people (ie: not organizations or groups) who will actually be present in person for the event will be allowed. This is to avoid formalities and to be able to take direct action on responsible follow-up measures.
- There will be space to distribute materials related to the Demilitarized Peace Island movement
Korean advertisement site: Click here

The official statement and events of January 27 are now being translated. They will be put on savejejunow.org as soon as they are available.
January 26, 2013