Tag: government oppression

“The struggle for Harmony continues” Benjamin Monnet’s postcards to people in Gangjeong
We called him, “Benj.’ The villagers used to call him, ‘Benjari,’ which sounds similar to the name of a fish, “jari,’ very common in the Jeju Island. It was Miryang, a village woman, who put him with such nickname. A villager poet, Kim Sung-Gyu wrote a poem for ‘Benjari,’ from the intimate feeling toward him. Benjamin Monnet, a French peace maker, as we often miss him now, has been our close friend. Despite the different language, he loves Gangjeong, Gureombi, and prays for the peace and lives of the Jeju. He first came to Gangjeong upon the moment of Women’s film festival in May, 2011. Since then, Gangjeong became a kind of his spiritual hometown.

His feeling on justice was very strong so because of it, he got the injunction order on March 14, 2012. He was inhumanly forcefully deported from Korea on March 15. On the day, a UK activist and Nobel Peace nominee, Angie Zelter, also got the order of forceful exit on her planned date (See more on it, here). It happened that three members of the Veterans for Peace of the United States were also violently deported on March 14 (See more on it, here). It was a time that the government, changing the chief of the Seogwipo Police station with a figure from the mainland, forcefully started to blast 10 % of the Gureombi Rock, on March 7, 2012. It was a time that 10 internationals had been arrested on Feb. 26 when they tried to enter the Gureombi Rock underneath a wire razor that was suddenly set up on Feb. 24, the 1^st day of the Jeju International Peace Conference (20^th anniversary of the Global Network against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space). See more on it here. The oppression on international peace activists around the time and since then have been remarkable. There have been at least 20 internationals that have been denied entries to South Korea, related to the issue of the naval base project in Gangjeong from Aug. 26, 2011 (See the summary on it, here)

Benj has continued supports on Gangjeong. In May 2012, we could see him with Seri in Paris for the solidarity protest with the struggle in Gnagjeong (See the video here)

Thanks to Seri who recently visited him, we could get his postcards to the Gangjeong Village international team, villagers and Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo. We share those here.
1. Remembering Benj
Photo by Lee Wooki

On March 12, 2012, he climbed up a crane with Kim Seri. He was arrested for the 3^rd time and got the injunction order from the Immigration Office two days later. For the detailed situations, please click here. After injunction, he filed a suit against the Jeju Immigration Office for the ‘cancellation on the injunction and supervision orders,’ through representative of him. The first trial was on June 13, 202 (related Korean article). However, the Administrative department of the Jeju District Court dismissed his suit saying he did not have the qualification for an applicant on July 15, 2012(related article). The court said, “Mr. Monnet brought about not a little obstacles in the progress of the [Jeju naval base] project by joining many times in the opposition rallies against the [project] and has gotten the warnings on his long-term visit…The injunction order to devise for the interest and safety of a nation is never neither a excessive deviation nor abuse of discretionary power.” To the surprise, the judge was Mr. Oh Hyun-Kyu who made a sentence of direct arrest of Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo from the court on Feb. 1 (See here)

On March 12, Benj and Seri stopped the destruction of the Gureombi Rock for two hours in suim suits in cold weather. The beautiful site that they tried to keep has now become the ugly 3~4000 ton caisson production area. The navy eventually blasted the 10 % of the Gureombi Rock in the east and west parts of it during March and April last year. And It started to produce caissons for 24 hours since Oct. 25, 2012. However, we will restore the Gureombi Rock unless our hearts and determination disappear.

His message shows his continuous heart for the Gangjeong and Gureombi Rock. We thank and miss him, our brother!

2. Benj’s postcard to the Gangjeong Village international team and villagers

Dear Gangjeong International Team, Villagers

Kathmandu, Nepal

Feb. 17, 2013

Thanks to Seri, I have well received all your gifts. I truly appreciate it. So please receive some hand-made embroidered t-shirt of my creation. I was thinking to put them on website, Peace Center for the people to buy it. The proceedings of the sales could help to strengthen the movement or pay the court fines. What do you think? We can also sew a Korean version…I am searching for new ways to help Gangjeong. I am in contact with two French journalists who are ready to make a documentary about Gangjeong situation.

With patience, determination & Universal love, Benjari

3. Benj’s postcard to Yang Yoon-Mo

Photo of the postcard: Tashi R Ghale/ Tilicho lake, the highest lake in the world

Kathmandu, Nepal, 17 Feb. 13

Professor Yang,

I ignore where you are, But I heard you were surprisingly sentenced to jail for 18 months. I sent some t-shirts to Gangjeong with “Free Yang Yoon-Mo ♡“ embroidery. Hoping the people will buy it in solidarity with our resistance movement.

I remember when we were in the cell together, at Dongbu in March 2012.

You were practicing some kind of meditation.

As a meditator, I wish that inner-insight practices, will help you to pass sense fully through the term of your sentence-Concentrating on your breathing and observing your inner sensation to purify your mind. You will come out stronger.

Hopefully, the picture of this Himalaya landscape will inspire you-

With Patience, Determination, and universal love

Benjamin

Photo by Benj

“The struggle for Harmony continues.

~ FREE Pr YANG YOON MO ~
Here is a picture of Pr Yang holding a photo of the undercover police beating him, he said humorously to a villager: “Keep this photo, someday it will worth millions!”” (Benj)

4. T-shirts to people

The front side of t-shirt sent to mayor Kang Dong-Kyun. While the front is of the embroidary letters of “Why Crimes Against Humanity?,” the letters of ‘savejejunow.org’ is described at the end of a sleeve. One green T-shirt is of the embroidary letters of ‘Free Yang Yoon-Mo.’ Benj designed himself and asked embroidaries. As seen in the below photos, T-shirts for women are green while the T-shirts for men are blue and black.

The back side of T-shirt is the embroidary letter of “Jeju Island, Hiroshima, Himalaya.” In the right bottom of the image, it is signed in embroidary of ‘Benj’.

Photo by the Village International team/ On Feb. 28, Mr. Koh Gilchun, Jeju artist, and Oh Soon-Hee (Sister of the ‘Jiseul‘ movie director, Oh Myul ) Visited Yang-Yoon-Mo and showed him his t-shirts to the delight of Yang Yoon-Mo. Benj’s postcard to Prof. Yang was also delivered to him on the day.

5. Benj is always with us.

Photo by Gonyang/ Post by Paco Booyah

The banner hung in the background of the photo is what Benj designed and Mr. Lim Ho-Young (media team leader then) made a production for the Jeju International Peace Conference (the 20^th anniversary of the Global Netwwork against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space) from Feb. 24 to 26, 2012. Whenever we see this banner, we always think of Benj

Photo ⓒ Lee Song-Sou/ Source: Ohmynews, March 31, 2012

Photoⓒ Kang So-Young/ Source: Ohmynews, March 31, 2012
February 28, 2013
[Event: March 2] The 16th Citizens’ Concentration Day on Gangjeong

On March 2, there is the 16th Citizens’ Concentration Day on Gangjeong- A nationwide citizens’ action day in commemoration of the 1 st anniversary of the blast on the Gureombi Rock. It is the next day of March 1 when there will be the 2nd event for the Jeju to be demilitarized.

Image forward from Kim Kook-Nam

The National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval Base in Jeju Island states

GUREOMBI!

WE NEVER GIVE UP!!

Gangjeong Village, Jeju, 4 pm, March 2nd (Sat), 2013

It has been a year that the blast of the [10% of ] the Gureombi Rock, the Gangeong coast, started on March 7, 2012. However, our struggle is neither belated nor finished. Our struggle to save all the lives of the Gureombi Rock and Gangjeong from being destroyed and to save the peace of Gangjeong will be continued until the suffering of Gnagjeong finishes. [..]
Let’s see you in Gangjeong

Contact: National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval Base in Jeju Island
Peace Disarmament Center of the People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, 02-723-4250, peace@pspd.org

( Excerpt translation from the PSPD site )

Program

Part 1: ‘Let’s be in the shout for peace again! Lets’ recover Gureombi, together!’

Concert and performance
4 to 5:20 pm @ Gangjeong soccer field near the Gangjeong stream

Peace meditation and flying peace planes
5:30 to 6:30 pm @ Gangjeong soccer field ~ Gangjeong port

Part 2: ‘We will never give up! Absolutely no naval base!’

Performance and 100 peace bows
7 to 9 pm @ Gangjeong Port

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
International Solidarity Messages for Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo

Update: See the photos on the candle vigil for Yang Yoon-Mo in front of the Jeju prison, here, here and here

Update: See the photos of solidarity for Yang Yoon-Mo in Okinawa, see here.

………………………………………………….

International Solidarity Messages for Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo

(Feb. 11 to 14, 2013)

The Gangjeong Village International Team has requested the peacemakers in the world to send the solidarity message for Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo with about 100words, through the website and facebooks. Here are the messages collected from Feb. 11 to 14. You can see the Korean translations here. Thanks so much, friends to send the messages. Thanks, Mr. Kang Dong-Seok, and Ms. Park Youn-Ae, for translation.

# Alphabet order by last name

Catherine Christie

Dear Professor Yang,
From the U.N. Environmental Sabbath Program:

We join with the earth and with each other,
To bring new life to the land
To restore the waters
To refresh the air

We join with the earth and with each other,
To renew the fields
To care for the plants
To protect the creatures

We join with the earth and with each other,
To celebrate the seas
To rejoice in the sunlight
To sing the song of the stars

We join with the earth and with each other,
To recreate the human community
To promote peace and justice
To remember our children of the earth

We join with the earth and with each other
We join together as many and diverse expressions of one loving mystery:
For the healing of the earth and the renewal of all life.

Professor Yang – you have showed us this prayer in your living and acting for Gangjeong land and sea. Thank you. –

Catherine Christie, Seoul

Coco (Peninsula Peace & Justice of Blue Hill, Maine, United States)

We invite you to sing these lightly revised words from Les Miserables as Mr. Yang liked the movie and the book so much:

Will you join with us today?
Who will be strong and stand with me?
Somewhere beyond the barricade
Is there a world you long to see?
Do you hear the people sing?
Say, do you hear the distant drums?
It is the future that they bring
When tomorrow comes…

Peninsula Peace & Justice of Blue Hill, Maine, sings with you as we hold Mr. Yang in our thoughts during his courageous hunger strike. May his release from his unjust imprisonment be swift.

(Coco on behalf of the Peninsula Peace & Justice of Blue Hill, Maine, USA)

Ron Engel

‘Dear Professor Yang Yoon-Mo,
We have never met in person but it is clear that we have met in spirit.
When you say your faith is to save the things of beauty in the world we understand and share this with you.
We visited Gangjeong Village last September and we beheld there a thing of beauty that should be preserved.
We tried to bring this to the attention of the world through the World Conservation Congress with the help of wonderful people like.
We revere your courage and commitment on behalf of the beauty of the people and place of Gangjeong Village and stand in solidarity with you.

Ron and Joan’

# Ron Engel has greatly supported the Gangjeong village and made a beautiful speech for Gagjeong on Sept. 15 during the 2012 WCC Jeju. You can hear Ron’s speech on Sept. 15, here.

Bruce Gagnon

‘Professor Yang:

I am once again deeply touched by your determined stand to hunger strike while in jail to call attention to the illegal and unjust “laws” that protect the destruction of nature so an insane and provocative Navy base in Gangjeong can be built. How can good people go to jail for trying to protect nature while people who destroy the future are not charged with any crimes?

I can assure you that I will do all that I can to help educate people in the US and around the world about the struggle to stop the Navy base.

Please know that you are not alone in your effort. Please take good care of yourself. You are important to all of us.

For justice and peace,

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

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

Andrew Jackson

I can’t think of a more perfect example of an ‘unharmful gentle soul misplaced inside a jail’ than Yang Yoon Mo. He has already been imprisoned for the struggle for peace and nature on Jeju, and has suffered greatly due to his hunger strikes in prison. The ridiculous South Korean law against ‘obstructing business’ is designed to frustrate legitimate protest, and in Gangjeong peacemakers can be picked off at will for huge fines or spells in prison.

One of my favourite videos about the Gangjeong struggle is Yang Yoon Mo interviewed at The Gurumbi rock. In this long interview his words are full of intelligence, wisdom, morality, justice and love. He is overflowing with the human qualities that can not even be traced among the greedy, the blind, the ignorant and the corrupt who are bringing this disaster to Jeju. His return to jail, following appealing the terms of his probation, is the result of spite, and possibly insanity, in one judge. The decision must be reversed.

Last year I was fortunate to visit Gangjeong for a few days in summer. I can’t count the number of wonderful, kind, loving people I met. I also met Yang Yoon Mo, but it was not until my last night in Gangjeong that I realised this quiet, dignified, seemingly elderly man, who I had greeted daily at the destruction site gates and who had sat silently as we drank rice wine outdoors with villagers in the evening, was the youthful-looking middle aged guy in the Gurumbi interview. His 70 day hunger strike seemed to have changed his physique and appearance. I was pleased I could express my admiration to him and receive words of kindness from this wonderful man.

The news of Yang Yoon Mo’s imprisonment is simply terrible. His renewed hunger strike is something I wish was not happening. But one can only respect his decision and pray that liberty and health is restored swiftly to this ‘unharmful gentle soul’.

FREE YANG YOON MO!!

Andrew Jackson

London

Masami Kawamura

Message from Okinawa to Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo

The Okinawan islanders’ hearts are broken to hear that you are in prison again.
We send our solidarity to you, Prof. Yang Yoo-Mo, brave activist, struggling for the peace, environment and justice of Jeju.

While we light candles in Okinawa together with Gangeong people on February 15, we believe, Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo, you yourself are the candle which shows us the right direction to move on to.
You are not alone. We stand with you.

Masami Kawamura
Okinawa Outreach

Renie Wong Lindley

‘Dear Yang Yoon-Mo,

I understand why the Gureombi Rock is so beautiful to you. I too love rocks. In California I have hiked far above the timberline where there is only sun, rock and water and where the energy between those simple forces make a profusion of life happen. Our lives belong to these forces. You are not misled. You are led by your heart, your soul.
I will think of you every day and hold you in the Light.

Renie Lindley
Quaker, Honolulu Friends Meeting.’

Okamoto Yukiko

日本語で書くことをお許し下さい。

ヤン先生が早く解放されることを強く望んでいます。
私は、動画で拝見した、
ヤン先生がクロンビ岩の上で静かに語っている姿を、
いつも鮮やかに思い描いています。

済州島の海軍基地計画は、
沖縄での新しい米軍基地の建設と同様、
アメリカの世界戦略の一環です。
済州島の苦しみは、私たち沖縄の苦しみであり、
済州島の闘いは、私たち沖縄の闘いです。

沖縄では、知事をはじめ全ての市町村長、議会、住民の反対にもかかわらず、
日米政府は辺野古に基地を造ろうとあがき、
米軍の新型輸送機MV22オスプレイを強行配備してきました。

私たちは、沖縄で、頑張ります。
平和な日々を取り戻すまで、共にあることを願っています。

岡本由希子okamoto yukiko
（沖縄平和市民連絡会）

Judy Robbins, Peninsula Peace & Justice of Blue Hill, Maine, USA

To the people of Gangjeong Village and Jeju, Island of Peace.
The Peninsula Peace & Justice Committee of Blue Hill, Maine, USA, sends greetings and solidarity for your struggle for justice and peace. The courage and love of Mr. Yang inspires the world to be strong and to sustain. We light a candle for you in the 15th day of your fast. Thank you.

Peter Simpson

My name is Peter Simpson, and I am an associate professor at Okinawa International University. As a teacher, and a responsible human being, I feel it is my duty to raise awareness of the environmental crisis facing our planet, and to make sure that we leave a legacy of peace, equal rights and environmental justice. For this reason I support Professor Yang Yoon-Mo’s responsible action in trying to prevent the destruction of Gureombi and support the campaign for his immediate release from jail.

Yuzi Tanaka

私は昨年、済州島に訪れました。
そこで米軍基地問題に向き合う済州の皆さんを知りました。
東アジアを緊張させる米軍基地も必要無いし、
済州の自然を大切にして欲しい。

そしてYang Yoon-Moさんを解放してください。

Last year, I visited the island of Jeju.
I know all of you facing the problem Jeju U.S. military base there.
You also do not need to strain the U.S. military base in East Asia, I want to cherish the nature of Jeju.

Please free up and Mr. Yang Yoon-Mo.

田中　雄二
Yuzi Tanaka

Regis Tremblay

‘Dear Professor Yang;

You have my great admiration for your principled stand against the construction of this base in Gangjeong Village.

I met you while I was in Gangjeong during September of last year. I was there to film a documentary about Jeju and have many images and video clips of you. At the present, I am in post-production of my film and hoping to receive funding from the Sundance Film Fund.

It was only at the end of my stay that I was able to visit the April 3rd Peace Museum. Our mutual friend, Gilchun Koh accompanied me. Until then, I could not understand why everyone, including Bishop Peter Kang were telling me I had to visit the museum in order to understand the protest. Gilchun’s exhibit overwhelmed me with sadness and grief.

I was angry, ashamed, and tearful at what I learned and came home determined to tell the whole story of the American complicity in Jeju and Korea since 1945. The film places the protests against the base in the broader context of the American military expansion in its attempt to encircle China and dominate and control the Pacific Ocean. The protest in Gangjeong represents the modern-day struggle of people around the world against militarism, violence, and the destruction of the environment, no to mention the total disregard for self-determination, human rights, and social justice.

The curator of the museum, with Gilchun’s help, provided me with 8 DVDs packed with archival film, photos, and documents that I will use in my film, including interviews with some of the survivors. I am also using film and photos from the U.S. National Archives and from the Associated Press.

I have already filmed interviews with Bruce Cumings, and Charles Hanley who wrote the book, The Bridge at No Gun Ri. These are very powerful and will add a great deal of credibility to the film. Also, Bruce Gagnon was interviewed about America’s real plans for world domination. It is an expose of the supposed Pax Americana.

I have created a 38 minute rough-cut of the film to apply for a grant from the Sundance Film Fund and to raise money by showing it to small Peace & Justice groups. The reaction is always the same. Some people cry, some express disbelief that their government could be guilty of these crimes, most are angry to learn, and nearly all ask what can they do. That is my hope for the film, that it will motivate people to take action.

Finally, I believe you have become a powerful symbol of the protest through your imprisonments and fasts and I thank you for the example you have set for the entire world.

Hardly a day goes by when I don’t think about you and the people of Gangjeong Village.

Peace to you, Professor Yang and thank you for your witness to peace and justice in the world,

Regis Tremblay
Maine, United States‘

Ana Traynin

‘Dear Prof. Yang,

I was so privileged to join a tour of Gangjeong village with you,
just a few days before they took you away.

Your peaceful yet strong and resilient character, recognition of real
beauty, love of nature and unbending struggle to save both will stay with me forever.

As Utah Phillips said “the degree to which you resist is the degree to which you are free.”

Prof. Yang, your courageous and self-transcending actions in the name of peace, even as the state steals your physical freedom, show the freedom you hold inside. You are a visionary and inspiration to us all.

I send you light and endless positive energy from this crazy world.

In solidarity,

Ana Traynin’

Hideki Yoshikawa

Solidarity Message to Prof. Yang Yoo-Mo from Okinawa:

Outraged by the repeated imprisonment of Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo,
Dismayed by the Korean government’s disregard for human rights and environmental justice,
Still encouraged by Prof. Yang Yoo-Mo’s determination to fight to keep Jeju Island as “the Island of Peace,”
I am sending my solidarity message to Prof. Yang Yoo-Mo and my friends in Jeju.

Hideki Yoshikawa
Citizens’ Network for Biodiversity in Okinawa
Save the Dugong Campaign Center

February 15, 2013
Yang Yoon-Mo will hit 15th day prison fast on Feb. 15

Update: You can see the collection of international solidarity messages upon Yang’s 15th prison fast day, here.

Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo who was arrested and imprisoned directly from the court on Feb. 1 hits his 15th prison fast on Feb. 15.

There is a peace candle culture event, praying for the release of Yang Yoon-Mo.

In front of the Jeju Prison, 7 pm, Feb. 15 (Friday), 2013

Hosted by the Gangjeong Village Association and People loving Yang Yoon-Mo

Source: Park Yongsung

If you could, please send a solidarity message for Yang Yoon-Mo no later than Feb. 13

: About 100 words, for the reason of translation, to the Gangjeong village international team (gangjeongintl@gmail.com)

: Update: You can see some solidarity messages in the bottom

You may also write letters to him (Prof. Yang can read Japanese):

Yang Yoon-Mo (No. 301)

Jeju Prison, 161 Ora-2 dong, Jeju City,

Jeju, the Demilitarized Peace Island, Korea

We thank Coco from the Maine, United States, who sent us a message days ago as the below.

‘Last night our peace and justice group distributed letter writing materials so Mr. Yang should be receiving letters of support soon. We also plan to paint a banner that we’ll carry to all rallies, regardless of the event, in the hopes to get questions from other activists as well as some TV media images. I’ll send a photo once the banner is made.’

Thank you.

…………………………………………………………….

More on Yang Yoon-Mo

A movie critic born in Jeju, summoned to save Beauty

Prof. Yang welcoming the visitors from Okinawa and Japan on the Gureombi Rock on April 2, 2011 (Source)

“I am a (movie) critic. The role of a critic is to save the beauty to the end of one’s life. I have been enthusiastic to be voluntary to promote wonderful movies. Some people who could not understand me used to say whether I am misled by heroism or not. However, it is my faith to save the beautiful things.”

It was Feb. 8, his 7^th prison fast day since his imprisonment on Feb. 1. He told his four visitors to the prison. The visitors included Mr. Kim Bok-Chul, Mr. Park Suk-Jin, Mr. Park Seung-Ho.

Prof. Yang looked peaceful and bright despite his status. The Gureombi Rock must be the venerable beauty for him that he is willing to pay his life.

In fact, his daily fast is carried out from hard resolution. According to Park Hee-Sou, Chairman of the Island Provincial Council, who visited Prof. Yang in the jail along with other two Council representatives and strongly recommended him stop of fast on Feb. 5, Prof. Yang said:

” I hear the sound of the Gureombi Rock being broken by construction(destruction) even sleep during the night. Even though I suffer every day, I am taking fast from the resolution that I have to inform the people the fact that the naval base construction itself is by evil law. If I spend one year and six months without difficulty, it means I acknowledge that I committed crimes.” ( Source)

However, it is true that his health has been rapidly weakened after the long time fasts of more than 74 days (including about 60 days’ prison fast) and 42 days (in jail, too) in 2011 and 2012 each. Many people hope him stop the fast from the worry of his health.

Photo by Kang Bang-Sou/ It was the inside of Prof. Yang’s tent on the Gureombi Rock from 2009 to 2011, until the navy forcefully set up the fence around the coast on Sept. 2, 2011. For the source, click here or here.

Prof. Yang who used to work in the villagers’ farming house in the village, April 10, 2010 (Source)

A movie critic who inherited the trauma of 4.3 incident

Prof. Yang protesting against naval base construction, lying on the tetra pod frames in the construction site on April 4, 2011, the next day of commemoration day of 4.3 incident. (Source)

As a Jeju native, he is personally connected to the April 3^rd incident (massacre and people’s uprising in the Jeju Island from 1947 to 1954). The younger brother of his grandmother (mother’s side) was one of the six victims killed by the bullets from the police governed by the US Army Military Government in Korea (USAMGIK) on March 1^st, 1947. It was the commemorating day of people’s independence movement in 1919 against the Japanese imperialism from which the Korea was liberated on Aug. 15, 1945. The incident on March 1st, 1947 sparkled the period of the 4.3 incident afterward.

Prof. Yang was also told that his grandfather of mothers’ side was killed, too, during the 4. 3 incident. He has said that he could not forget those stories throughout his life and those stories must have become the source of his current fierce struggle against the war base- building in the Jeju.

According to the result of the investigation of the truth by the National Committee for Investigation of the Truth about the Jeju April 3^rd Incident, the March 1 incident occurred when people’s complaints against the USAMGIK that governed South part of Korea from Sept. 9, 1945 to Aug. 15, 1948 were gradually spreading, while people’s expectation from liberation had become frustrated by the USAMGIK that allowed the succession of the police during the Japanese occupation under its governing.

The report reads (summarized and translated):

The US Army Military government recognizing that the commemoration rally on the 3.1 movement happening in the Jeju Island was led by the left wing [..] did not permit people’s street march and demanded them to change the rally venue to the Jeju west air field. However, about 30,000 crowd including the 17,000 people organized by the Namrodang (Workers Party of South Korea) and People’s Committee [..] etc. gathered near the North Jeju Elementary school. About 430 policemen including 330 from the Jeju and 100 from the main land carried security activities nearby.

After the event, the crowd started street march. At the time, a child was hit by a horse of a ranger. When the ranger was to continue to proceed whether he knew it or not, the crowd nearby him, infuriated to see the accident, ran into the site. The aiding armed policemen, mistaken that the crowd are to attack the police station, fired toward them. Six were killed and another six got heavy injuries.

The USAMGIK who did not know the whole truth of such firing incident asserted later that it was by self-defense, despite its acknowledgement of the wrongdoings. It also began to arrest the rally event staffs and students, defining the incident as the ‘incident of the protesters attacking the police station.’

The total civilian-government strike occurred from March 10, with the start from the Jeju Island government. About 40,000 people which are about 95 % of the whole workers from 23 institutes (which are mostly administrative institutes excluding the police and judiciary institutes), 105 schools, post offices, electric companies in the Jeju joined the strike. Even about 20 % of the Jeju police also joined the strike.

The Police started to roundup the strike-related personnel from March 15. During the process, another firing incident happened on March 17 when the crowd demanded the release of the prisoners. The police arrested about 500 people by April 10. Among the arrested, 66 policemen were laid-off and those men’s posts were replaced by those belonging to the West North Young People’s Association which was the right wing subjugation group that existed by the Korean War.The confrontation and conflict between the Jeju Island people and police and such group under the UAMGIK were more increased.

In the intelligence report by the UAMGIK on Match 19, 1947, the UAMGIK considered about 70 % of the Jeju Island people as the left wing or its sympathizers.

(Source)

Regarding the 4.3 incident, please also refer to “U.S. And South Korea Assault an Idlylic Island: Not For the First Time.” By S. Brian Wilson-Veterans for Peace. You may also refer to the ‘Summary of the Report’s Conclusion,’ here.

It is tragic that the Jeju Island, designated as the Global Peace Island by the South Korean government on Jan. 27, 2005, to overcome the pain of 4.3, is currently suffering again from the history still present. Prof. Yang bears the history of Jeju in the past and present in his own soul.

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)

Jeju Artist Koh Gilchun’s works on 4.3 massacre and people’s uprising, displayed in the 4.3 Peace Park (Source)

Archive photo on the 4.3 incident (source)

February 15, 2013
Paco Booyah, the 1st international who stood in the Jeju Court in person got the court decision of ‘probation.’

In the morning of Feb. 8, Paco Booyah got the court decision of probation, meaning postponement of sentence. we are so pleased to inform this and thank a lawyer Paik Shinok. we also congratulate, Silver, his significant other!

Paco has been investigated by the police including the coast guard for four cases and the prosecutors have indicted him for the charge of ‘obstruction of business.’ regarding the incident during last summer.

He was just sitting in a catholic mass while taking photos in front of the naval base project building complex. It was only 8 min.

On Dec. 21, he became the 1st international who stood in the Jeju court in person regarding the naval base issue.

At the rime, the prosecutors suggested six month imprisonment against him.

Today, the judge Kim Kyungsun told that ‘ even though he is guilty, the court made a decision on probation on him since he has no crime career before; it happened during the NGO activities; the time of obstruction of business was short therefore it was not great damage.

We had worried about him especially after the case of Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo but now feel relieved.

We are happy to see him who would have some precious lunar holidays with his family ! we are also happy to be able to keep him with us for the life here and many important works!

However, unless the vicious Korean immigration law is revised, we cannot stop all the hardships that our grateful international friends had to get through.

We are so sorry bout that and hope we can have some common measure about it. we are not forgetting Benjamin Monnet, Angie Zelter and all the friends who were arrested or entry- denied for the support of struggles.

Thanks, everyone!

February 9, 2013
Prisoner of Conscience, Park Seung-Ho, Released after 144 days’ Imprisonment

Park Seung-Ho who was arrested near the communal restaurant in the village on Sept. 14, 2012 (during the 2012 WCC period) was released on bail on Feb. 5, 2013 after 144 days’ imprisonment. He had been arrested for the reason that he had not responded to the police call. However, the truth is that he had been targeted by the police for a long time for his struggles against unjust government policies. We hope Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo who was arrested and imprisoned directly from the court will be freed soon, also.

Around 6:30 pm he was out of prison in the rainy evening.

People welcoming Park Seung-Ho

Photo by Park Yongsung/ Tofu is a traditional food in Korea for the prisoners who were just released.

Returning to the village, Park Seung-Ho made a short statement to the people in the Peace Center where people were busy to prepare for distribution of materials during the public relationship event throughout the Island.

February 6, 2013
Following in Martin’s Footsteps | notonlyformyself

Reblogged with permission from: Following in Martin’s Footsteps | by notonlyformyself *

As my time in Gangjoeng has come to an end I walk away feeling grateful for having had the opportunity to meet people acting from a place of love, not hatred.

Having met the ones who would rather go to prison than compromised their moral beliefs.

Hung out with the SOS team. Frozen kayak rides, stubbornly working as monitors and guardians of the sea, coast line, animal life, corals and sea bed, all deeply affected by the construction.

Been inspired by all these politicians, leaders, villagers, supporter. Activists in different coats.

And yesterday six people from the National assembly(belonging to the Progressive Democratic Party) came to the same gate. Held a press conference. Talked about not being let in to see the base. Despite having their permits in order.

Many big and small efforts.

And all these people have at some point reacted and decided to act. Laws and regulations are made by people. Structures are created but can be changed if needed. Patters of state power can be challenges. Do not obey it you feel you shouldn’t. The pink sign below says just that; sometimes it is your obligation to stand by your beliefs and disobey.

And doing it from a place of love instead of hatred is a good start.

*Reblogged posts do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of Save Jeju Now

January 22, 2013
Jan. 22: “Let’s go to Gangjeong to block the illegal construction.”

“Let’s go to Gangjeong to block the illegal construction.” at 10:30 a.m. on January 22 at the main gate of Jeju naval base building site. . .Campaign by National civic groups network. . . to stop the illegal construction that is being rushed ahead, ignoring the national assembly’s recommendation of 70 days stop for the verification of the suitability of safe entry and exit of cruise ships and etc.

(Post by Regina Pyon)

January 19, 2013
Gangjeong Village Story: Monthly News from the Struggle | January 2013 Issue

In this month’s issue:
Struggle outlook after the presidential election and in the new year, a new support group forms, similarities of Gaza and Gangjeong, more prisoner releases, Buddhist unity ceremony, voting problems for villagers and more!

Download PDF

January 19, 2013