Tag: international solidarity

2014 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace International Solidarity Messages

Collection of links: messages with Korean translations (see here)

As in 2012, 2013, many international peace activist friends have thankfully sent us solidarity messages. (click for 2012 messages and 2013 messages) The below is the collection of each message. The Columban JPIC has been willing to initiate a petition for solidarity with Gangjeong (click here). Bruce Gagnon, coordinator of the Global Network against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space (space4peace.org) and Angie Zelter (tridentploughshares.org), 2012 Nobel Peace Award nominee, have sent us video messages and they were screened in our Aug. 2 cultural event, the end of our march program. Some early messages were put in our march literature that was distributed to the march participants today. Some messages were put in excerpts in our July-August newsletter (click here, page 5) and will be put in our Peace Center to remind people here of your friendship and solidarity.

Thanks so much Eun-young Lydia Park to translate many messages. Thanks so much, all the international friends who sent us messages, again.

Angie Zelter(UK) and Bruce Gagnon (US)

Sherrin (Australia)

Keep fighting the good fight. Though i can’t march by your side my thoughts and prayers are with you every step. Much love Sherrin

–> See the Korean translation, here.

Bayan (New Patriotic Alliance – Philippines) and Ban the Bases (Philippines)

Dear Friends in Gangjeong Warm greetings from Bayan ( New Patriotic Alliance – Philippines) and Ban the Bases! Attached are photos of our solidarity action for the Gangjeon 2014 March for Peace and Life. We carried paper placards that made the following calls: Save Jeju Island! Ban the [ROK]US Naval Base Now! Resist US Militarism and War!Ban the US Bases Now! Stop [ROK]US Naval Base in Jeju! We wish success to the Gangjeon March for Peace and Life on July 29 – August 02.Long Live International Solidarity! Yours Sincerely, Rita Baua, International Solidarity Officer Boyette Jurcales, Coordinator, Ban the Bases

–> See the Korean translation and more images, here.

HOBAK & friends/diasporic Koreans in the Bay area (United States)

stay strong, gangjeong! we stand in solidarity with you, and others around the world struggling for self-determination! 투쟁! sending love, hobak & friends/diasporic koreans in the bay area

–> See the Korean translation, here.

KEEP (Korea Education & Exposure Program)-ROK 2014 (United States)

We, the KEEP-ROK 2014 delegation, stand in solidarity with the people of Gangjeong in the struggle for peace and justice. 해군기지결사반대! 생명평화강정마을! As Koreans in diaspora living in the US, we absolutely object and denounce the naval base construction, the extreme militarization of the Asia Pacific, and the immense violence perpetrated by US imperialism. Your strength and fierce resistance is deeply inspiring, and our spirits are with you on the Peace March! Love & Solidarity, KEEP-ROK 2014.

–> See the Korean translation and more images, here.

Jack and Felice Cohen-Joppa (The Nuclear Resister, United States )

To our friends who so steadfastly oppose the construction of a naval base on the Island of Peace: With every step of your peace walk, our thoughts are with you. Every day when you sit in the road at the entrance gate, our thoughts are with you. During each act of conscience and resistance, many of us – near and far – stand in solidarity with you. Every day we remember and are thankful for the activists who are in a prison cell. Your persistence and faithfulness is an inspiration to so many around the world. Our struggle for a peaceful and disarmed world is one struggle! Jack and Felice Cohen-Joppa, The Nuclear Resister, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.

–> See the Korean translation, here.

Paul Schneiss (Germany)

Dear friends, i am traveling… [..] Today sleeping all day. Bu never forget Gangjeong. Wherever I go I talk about Gangjeong. My experience of Gangjeong. And your experience as I know. And the Gangjeong peoples life and hopes and decidedness and courage… Peace does not come by itself, we have to fight for it (fight and peace?!). So please send me pictures and stories from the march. I will put those on our Homepage.[..] Peace be with you, Paul Paul Schneiss, Heideberg, Germany

–> See the Korean translation, here.

Christine Ahn (United States)

My dear villagers Greetings from Washington, D.C. Where I am just leaving a historic march and rally at the White House on the occasion of the 61st anniversary of the Korean War armistice. Hundreds of Koreans from the us and South Korea along with their American allies marched to urge president Obama to end the Korean War and to sign a peace treaty. At the rally in front of the White House I challenged Obama’s notion that the Korean War was a victory. How are 10 million families separated victory? How is the militarization of korea a victory? How is the repression of democracy on both sides of the Dmz a victory? There were over 50 youth there and I told them seeing their faces gave me great hope, that we need them to carry the torch for peace so that like me who learned from my elders they can help educate my two year old jeju whom I named after the fierce resistance against the naval base. From Washington, D.C. To honolulu hawaii coast to coast across the United States the people are moved and inspired by your courage and belief in a different future, a peaceful future that isn’t militarized. Thank you for risking your whole lives for peace. May justice rain down on you soon. With love Christine Ahn, Executive Director of the Korea Policy Institute, co-founder of the National Campaign to End the Korean War

–> See the Korean translation, here.

Koohan Paik ( Hawai’i)

There are so many heroes in Gangjeong, that it is difficult to count them all. By “hero,” I mean a person with great courage and strength who makes unlimited sacrifices for the good of all humanity. One such hero is Father Mun Kyu-hyun. During last year’s march, he was asked by the film director Oliver Stone why he crossed the DMZ to North Korea, even though he knew that it would result in long-term imprisonment. Father Mun grinned bashfully and tilted his head. Then he explained, “That is the road to peace.”

The Grand March for Peace and Life is another road to peace. Every summer, people come from all over Korea and even the world, to join the Jeju Islanders in this weeklong march. The parade of yellow-shirted men and women, boys and girls, never fails to inspire all onlookers. They are inspired because they are seeing something rare in our world — a vision of real democracy. Korea is so lucky to have Jeju Island, and all the brave, strong, beautiful heroes who will never stop fighting to save her. Thank you, Gangjeong, for inspiring me, too. Koohan Paik, Hawai’i

–> See the Korean translation, here.

Sato, M. (Japan)

Seeing the current insanity towards ordinary people in Gaza and Uklaine, struggles in Gnagjeong remind us of the conscience and the sensibility of human beings. As we citizens here are powerless, Japan is being arbitrarily and fundamentally changed, from defensive to offensive. One predictable consequence to that might emerge on the Korean Peninsula. The tragic horrible history must not be repeated. In our hearts, we would walk for peace and young lives. We would stand by those courageous local citizens in Gangjeong.

–> See the Korean translation, here.

The Sea of Okinawa

Mariko (Japan)

Yufuin (Japan)

Matsuno, Kiyoko (Japan)

I wish I could join the Walk, but it might be too hot for me.

In the near future I would like to visit Gangjeong again.

We, me and my friends in Osaka, always remember you and

think of you.

Your work for peace encourages us to keep fighting against

militarism in Japan.

Only peace can make the world peaceful, not weapons.

Thank you for all the work you, Gangjeong people, do for peace.

Best wishes,

Kiyoko Matsuno, Japan

–> See the Korean translation and more images, here.

Lindis Percy ( UK)

MESSAGE OF SOLIDARITY TO THE GRAND MARCH FOR LIFE AND PEACE 2014

Sent by Lindis Percy – Coordinator on behalf of the CAMPAIGN FOR THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF AMERICAN BASES (CAAB) www.caab.org.uk also on Facebook and Twitter

We send you greetings, solidarity and love as you march for life and peace. We will be with you in spirit – every step of the way!

We are so inspired and impressed by your persistence and resistance – peaceful and steadfast. You shine a light in a very dark and troubled world. Along the way many people will have had their minds and hearts opened by you as to what the US military are doing on the beautiful island of Jeju.

Your flag flies at the Tuesday weekly demonstration when we gather at the American base – NSA/NRO Menwith Hill. PEACE friends.

With much love

Lindis

–> See the Korean translation and more images, here.

‘Your flag is with us every Tuesday pm opposite the main entrance to NSA/NRO Menwith Hill – crucially connected to the US Missile Defense System.’

‘We have been at the gates of NSA/NRO Menwith Hill every Tuesday pm (except 4!) for 14 years. The number of people who come varies very much. This night there were just 3 of us….but we were there! It is very hard in the UK to get more. We are concerned with the presence of the US Visiting Forces and their Agencies here and world wide. That is why we are in solidarity with you in your struggle.’

Kelly, Kathy (United States)

Dear Friends,

From here in Kabul, we’re grateful to catch courage from you. Wars and threats of increasing violence afflict Afghanistan, and so we are all the more grateful for your insistence that we can nonviolently resist the war makers. Thank you for your vibrant, creative and tenacious witness. Your commitment to peaceful seas inspires us here in landlocked Afghanistan as we share in your dreams and your efforts to be guided by your visions of a better world.

Sincerely,

Kathy Kelly

co-coordinator of Voices for Creative Nonviolence

–> See the Korean translation and more images, here.

Hakim with the Afghan Peace Volunteers (Afghanistan)

“No Naval Base!”

Your yellow banner of protest adorns the wall of our library in the Borderfree Community Centre of Non-violence in Kabul, Afghanistan.

The Afghan Peace Volunteers seek to emulate your beautiful community’s resilience in resisting the global military industrial complex.

With you, we wish to sing against the militarization of Mother Nature and our common spaces, and dance with you for a world without war.

When you walk, know that you’re strengthening us across all borders.

Thanks for showing us that even if we were the defenseless underwater soft coral not seen by the world, we can remain soft, we can insist on being colorful, and we can link hands to enrich a part of the vast, untamable sea.

With love and peace from Afghanistan,

Hakim with the Afghan Peace Volunteers

–> See the Korean translation and more images, here.

Australian Anti-Bases Campaign Coalition Pax Christi Australia, and MSC Justice & Peace Centre (Australian Province)

To all those taking part in the 2014 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace, we send a message of solidarity and hope.

Unable to be with you in body, we stand with you in heart and mind, and thank you for the opportunity to do so.

We condemn the cultural and environmental damage that Gangjeong is suffering at the hands of the ROK and US navies, and the injustices being imposed on its people, especially activists.

Your bravery, creativity and determination not to be silenced are sources for strength and inspiration for peace activists throughout the world.

We share your goal of preserving Jeju’s status as the world’s Island of Peace.

We share your goal of bringing to an end the construction of the naval base within you precious waters.

We share your dream of a region whose constituent nations pursue peace together through disarmament, mutual respect, cooperation and dedication to non-violence and justice.

We share your passion for peace.

AUSTRALIAN ANTI-BASES CAMPAIGN COALITION

PAX CHRISTI AUSTRALIA (Fr. Claude Mostowik)

MISSIONARIES of the SACRED HEART JUSTICE & PEACE CENTRE (AUSTRALIAN PROVINCE)

–> See the Korean translation, here.

The Liem Family (United States)

Gangjeong villagers and internationalists: your eight years of struggle and sacrifice against the interests of the South Korean and U.S. military/industrial complex are an inspiration to peace and earth-loving people everywhere.Your unbreakable will and spirit, not Korea’s corporate prestige, technological achievements or K-Pop, are the nation’s true gifts to the world.

In solidarity for people’s justice on the Island of Peace,

The Liem Family (Joan, Ramsay, Deann and Paul)

–> See the Korean translation, here.

Kyle Kajihiro, Hawaiʻi Peace and Justice and the DMZ-Hawaiʻi / Aloha ʻĀina network

Aloha dear friends in Jeju!

From Hawaiʻi Peace and Justice and the DMZ-Hawaiʻi / Aloha ʻĀina network, warm greetings and solidarity!

Congratulations on the commencement of your 2014 Grand March for Life and Peace! Thank you for your tireless efforts. As you begin your march, the U.S. military and the militaries of twenty-two other countries continue their RIMPAC military exercises in our islands, an example of the unbearable costs and consequences of endless war.

Do not believe the lie that mili-tourism has been good for Hawaiʻi. While some people reap the benefits of the military-industrial complex, most local residents and the environment pay a very high price: environmental destruction, displacement from the land, rising costs of living, sexual violence, and accidents. You walk for all the people of the world who dream and struggle for peace and justice. Peace for Jeju! Peace for the world!

In solidarity

Kyle Kajihiro

–> See the Korean translation, here.

Columbans and friends in Chile

Columbans and friends in Chile support the campaign against the building of the naval base in Gangjeong,Jeju! They are in solidarity with you this week as you walk for the life and peace of the beautiful island of Jeju! This is the message I was asked to convey to you below! The link below to the protest letter handed in at the Embassy in Santiago is in Spanish! ‘This morning, a group of representatives of the columban family in Chile (Lay missionaries, co-workers, friends of Saint Columban and Columban Youth) presented a letter in solidarity with the people of Jeju Island to the embassy of Korea asking the government to stop the construction of the naval base in Jeju, all this in the context of the celebration of “2014 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace” you can see the report in Our website, here. or in our facebook, here. Cesar Correa Valenzuela Justice Peace & Integrity Of Creation Co-ordinator Society of St. Columban. Chile Familia columbana entrega carta a embajada de Corea por situacion en la isla de Jeju. ‪#‎columbanos Puedes revisar la carta en

–> See the Korean translation and more images, here.

Yuichi Kamoshita(Japan) : An impression on joining march after it

Since I started to think about a Peace in my life, Korea, China, and Taiwan as well as Asian counties

where were invaded by Japanese imperial army and corporations are often in my mind. As our grand

or great-grand parents helped to invade these countries. I always have some pain in my deep heart.

The millions people of Korea lost their lives and livelihood.

Also, millions of Chinese, Germany, Russian, Japanese and more countries.

There are no borders that all civilians are victims and people still suffer from that war.

We still have difficult relationships between countries.

And this issue is always played on the political games which disturb a mutual understanding between

civilians.

In order to avoid this brain washing, we civilians need to avoid the mass-medias who are sponsored by the government and big corporations or powers.

The importance of international solidarity in grass roots level is now getting higher.

Communicating and sharing the experiences by visiting each other would be a very helpful to lift up

our awareness of understanding other life styles which a fact of all societies are depend on the natural environment and human culture from ancestors.

I joined the Grand March 2014 in Jeju. I had mainly 3 reasons to walk this island.

1, Of course, to express against naval base,but also offering a prayer for the victims of 4·3 and victims of Japanese colonization.

2, to feel Jeju, to understand the way of life. the great nature gives a life to the people of this island.

3, to meet and communicate with people of Korea and international friends.

And as I understood that this is a most front line of the peace action.

By visiting Gangjeong village and joining the movement, I was inspired by the leadership of religious

people, and a presence of international team. also a lot of young people take a part of this movement

which I couldn’t see in Okinawa’s movement.

It is my hope that more religious people stand up and dedicate their lives to the peace and social

activities.

Now Okinawa’s struggle is facing a turning point. a construction of expounding the Camp Schwab at

Henoko now started. at the same time Takae (Yanbaru forest)

Jungle warfare training center(U.S marine corp.) has been expounding the helipads by cutting down the forest life.

I consider that people of Okinawa need more international solidarity now.

Humbly,I ask people of Korea to come to stay in Okinawa for support and encourage the movement.

I also would start working for inter-island solidarity.

Kamsa Hamnida.

–>See the Korean Translation, here

Photo by Jeong Doryeong

September 3, 2014
Gangjeong Village Story: Monthly Newsletter | July and August 2014 Double Issue

In this this July and August Special Edition:
The Pope visits Korea, more caissons broken by typhoons, World Council of Churches calls for a stop to the base, special section on the 2014 Grand March, special section on the 2014 Peace for the Sea Camp, update on Milyang, Emergency Jeju DMZ forum, youth camps in Gangjeong, Gangjeong housing co-op, prison updates, trial updates, international solidarity, and more!

Download PDF

August 30, 2014
World Council of Churches Issues Statement Opposing Jeju Naval Base Construction

Last fall, from October 30 until November 8, 2013, The World Council of Churches (WCC) held its every 7-years global assembly in Busan on the southern tip of the mainland of Korea. With the theme of “God of Life, lead us to Justice and Peace”, it was perfectly suited for Gangjeong, and activists and villagers from Gangjeong, as well as nationwide and international supporters attended the assembly, hosting both a workshop on Inter-Island Solidarity and an Exhibition Booth about Gangjeong’s struggle.

At the time, Gangjeong’s struggle was also brought before the assembly as an issue to be discussed in the official statements released each time by the WCC. The public issues committee and the WCC delegates which had the delegated authority to choose which issues would appear in official statements, voted to choose Gangjeong. Gangjeong and its supporters were overjoyed, however due to unresolved issues, there was not time to finish and release the official statement by the end of the assembly and it was pushed back to July 2014 when the WCC central committee would meet again to resolve remaining issues.

Well, finally, from July 2-8, the central committee met in Geneva, Switzerland. There they finished the remaining statements and released them including the one related to Gangjeong. In an official statement entitled, “Statement towards a Nuclear-free World”:

The World Council of Churches central committee, meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, 2-8 July 2014, therefore calls on member churches and related ministries and networks to:

[…] 8. Oppose the expansion of military bases, nuclear forces and missile defences in Asia or targeting Asia, and raise awareness of public resistance to such military expansion including the new naval base at Gangjeong Village on Jeju Island, Republic of Korea.

According to the WCC, they represent over 500 million Christians in more than 110 countries, making them one of the worlds largest religious councils. This clear mandate for its member churches, ministries and networks to oppose the Gangjeong naval base is a major win for the Gangjeong struggle!

Please spread this great news around and encourage those you know in WCC related churches, networks and ministries, to join in this new mandate of the WCC!

August 27, 2014
Gangjeong Village Story: Monthly Newsletter | June 2014 Issue

In this month’s issue:
Soft corals of Gangjeong dying, Jeju after the elections, Sydney Harbor, Solidarity with Okinawa for the Battle of Okinawa, police disturb Catholic mass, village bus gets painted, nonviolent direct action workshop in Gangjeong, remembering the Korean war, noisy construction, prison updates, trial updates, international solidarity, and more!

Download PDF

July 16, 2014
2014 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace

The official English poster for the 2014 Grand March for Life and Peace

The time for the annual Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace is almost here! From July 29 to August 2, Gangjeong friends and supporters will march across Jeju from Jeju City to Gangjeong. Then in Gangjeong there will be a festival and celebration.

The Grand March is one of the highlights of the year here in Gangjeong. Watch a video from the 2013 Grand March or the human chain around Gureombi following the march. And here are some pictures from the 2012 Grand March.

Join us! Internationals are welcome! See the poster above for details and contact us at gangjeongintl@gmail.com & peace@pspd.org for info! It will be very helpful if you inform your participation to us through email in advance for the logistics purpose though your participation fee can be paid in the march site.

For the international friends who can physically join the march: For more concrete guide, please see the below. Any peace flags and talents that you may bring and share with the marchers would surely encourage the villagers and activists here. Thanks for joining us in march!

For the international friends who cannot physically join the march: Even though you may not be able to physically join the 2014 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace, you may join us by sending us international solidarity messages(up to 100 words)/photos/videos through gangjeongintl@gmail.com by no later than July 23. As in 2012 and 2013, the village international team thankfully receives solidarity messages from the friends in the world upon the 2014 Grand March for Life and Peace which is followed by the Peace for the Sea International Peace Camp(Aug. 3 to 6), and boosted by other campaigns like writing a letter to Pope campaign . All the messages you send will be publicly shared. Please check the solidarity messages collected in 2012 (Click here) and 2013(Click here) . We want to let you know how Kang Dong-Kyun, ex-mayor of the Gangjeong village, has much appreciated all your messages, sitting and reading all the translated messages printed in 20 pages, with awe and gratitude, without moving for a while. None of your messages will go in vain. We also want to display some of your messages with translation in the Village Peace Center where many villagers and activists always gather. Thanks for encouraging us.

………………………………. Guide to 2014 March ……………………………….

1.     Accommodation and meal:

Tent and food are provided during march but you may bring your personal tent and/or sleeping bag(s). Please bring your personal washing tool (tooth brush, tooth paste, shampoo, towel etc) , You may also bring jacket, umbrella etc.

2.     Brief schedule July 29 (Tues.):

Please gather across the main gate of the Jeju Island government hall by noon. If you join march in the middle of it, please contact Jungjoo (English,010-8560-3734), Emily (Chinese, 010-6469-9413 ), and Dongseok(Japanese, 010-9334-0933) for information.

Aug. 1 (Fri.):

There will be a Peace Bus in the Jeju airport at 2 pm. The bus directly goes to the village where there will be events (see the below) Once arrived in the village around 5 pm, there will be a Great gathering for people’s talk in the Gangjeong soccer field from 8 to 9 pm. Then movie night after it.

(* 6-7 pm: dinner 7-9 pm: Great gathering for people’s talks (Maningongdonghoe)

9:30 pm ~ : Movie night with Yang Yoon-Mo and Grace)

Aug. 2 (Sat.):

In the morning, there will be various program such as peace mass and human chain. From 7 pm, there will be a Cultural Event for the Stop of the Jeju Naval Base Project and Citizens’ Prayer for Peace in the Gangjeong Soccer Field.

(* 9-11 am: Gangjeong village tour

11 am -12 pm: Life and peace mass

12-1 pm: Human chain, Peace ribbons

1-2 pm: Lunch

2-6 pm: Peace prayer tower building, Peace-Protection Totemic Pole building, Writing wishes, peace prayer ceremony, Ieodo-ro Peace Market, Treasure-search (peace book village team), water play in the Gangjeong stream(watermelon party)

6-7 pm dinner

7-9 pm Cultural Event for the Stop of the Jeju Naval Base Project and for Peace Prayer )

Aug. 3 (Sun.):

   Breakfast together at 8 am. You may join Seeding Flowers, Wish tower-building. The official events end on Aug. 2. Therefore Aug. 3 program is optional.

3.     Schedule in detail

July 29(Tues.): Jeju Island Government Hall-A small park in the Halla University four way intersection- A Funeral House, Hagwi Agricultural Cooperative(Nonghyup)-Youngmowon-Gosungri Sports Field-Hangpaduri July 30(Wed.): Hangpaduri-Yusooamri Small Park-Saemangreu Research and Training Institute-Saebyul Oreum(Oreum-climbing. Please notice that there is no bathroom here)

July 31(Thur.): Saebyul Oreum-Dongkwangri Welfare Hall-Seogwang Elementary School-Deoksou Elementary School-Sanbang Mt. Resting Place-Hwasoon Beach

Aug. 1 (Fri.): Hwasoon Beach-Andeok Valley-A Small Park-Cheonje Fall-International Convention Center-Yakcheon Temple-Gangjeong Soccer Field (Arriving around 5 pm)

4.      Guide on the Peace Bus (At 2 pm, Aug. 1, Jeju Airport): The bus directly goes to the village to join the events that start 7 pm on the day. If you need to use this bus, Please contact gangjeongintl@gmail.com andpeace@pspd.org in advance for the reservation of the bus seats! It is mandatory!

5. Elementary school students For the elementary school students, participation fee is free but a t-shirt should be purchased at the price of 10,000 KRW. Please contact gangjeongintl@gmail.com and peace@pspd.org in advance.

6. Support for the participation fee For the participants who come from the outside of the Jeju and join more than three nights four days, 20,000 KRW of participation fee will be supported.

June 25, 2014
ASIA PEACE PIVOT, FROM JEJU AND AFGHANISTAN

Dr. Hakim, born in Singapore (a man in blue scarf in the photo) who has been doing peace works in Afghanistan for seven years by now delivered a blue scarf to the village representatives. The letters in the scarf read ‘Border Free’ in Dari and English. The village presented him two yellow flags in the photo. It was after the press conference in refusal to pay fines for anti-base struggle in front of the Jeju court on May 22. The people in Afghanistan concern about that nine bases in Afghanistan would be used by the US military in coming years. For more information, see here . End US/ NATO occupation in Afghanistan! (Photo by Toran)

Re-blogged from the Eurasia Review

ASIA PEACE PIVOT, FROM JEJU AND AFGHANISTAN – OPED

By VCNV By Dr Hakim

“Don’t you touch me!” declared Mi Ryang.

South Korean police were clamping down on a villager who was resisting the construction of a Korean/U.S. naval base at her village. Mi Ryang managed to turn the police away by taking off her blouse and, clad in her bra, walking toward them with her clear warning. Hands off! Mi Ryang is fondly referred to as “Gangjeong’s daughter” by villagers who highly regard her as the feisty descendant of legendary women sea divers. Her mother and grandmother were Haenyo divers who supported their families every day by diving for shellfish.

Since 2007, every day without fail, Mi Ryang has stood up to militarists destroying her land.

Mi Ryang, in white cap on the right, challenging a construction truck driver at the naval base gate

Mi Ryang, standing with Ganjeong Village Association members and Gangjeong’s mayor, outside the Jeju Courts, to refuse paying fines for protests against the U.S. naval base construction

In doing so, she confronts giants: the Korean military, Korean police authority, the U.S. military, and huge corporations, such as Samsung, allied with these armed forces.

Mi Ryang and her fellow protesters rely on love and on relationships which help them to continue seeking self-determination, freedom and dignity.

Jeju Island is the first place in the world to receive all three UNESCO natural science designations (Biosphere Reserve in 2002, World Natural Heritage in 2007 and Global Geopark in 2010). The military industrial complex, having no interest in securing the Island’s natural wonders, instead serves the U.S. government’s national interest in countering China’s rising economic influence.

The U.S. doesn’t want to be number two. The consequences of the U.S. government’s blueprint for ‘total spectrum dominance,’ globally, are violent, and frightening.

I recently attended a conference held at Jeju University, where young Korean men told participants about why they chose prison instead of enlisting for the two-year compulsory Korean military service. “I admire these conscientious objectors for their brave and responsible decisions,” I said, “and I confess that I’m worried. I fear that Jeju Island will become like Afghanistan, where I have worked as a humanitarian and social enterprise worker for the past 10 years.”

“Jeju Island will be a pawn harboring a U.S. naval base, just as Afghanistan will be a pad for at least nine U.S. military bases when the next Afghan President signs the U.S./Afghanistan Bilateral Security Agreement.”

When the Korean authorities collaborated with the U.S. military in 1947, at least 30,000 Jeju Islanders were massacred.

How many more ordinary people and soldiers will suffer, be utilized or be killed due to U.S. geopolitical interests to pivot against China?

As many as 20% of all tourists to Jeju Island are Chinese nationals. Clearly, ordinary Jeju citizens and ordinary Chinese can get along, just like ordinary Afghans and citizens from the U.S./NATO countries can get along. But when U.S. military bases are built outside the U.S., the next Osama Bin Ladens will have excuses to plan other September 11th s!

A few nights ago, I spoke with Dr Song, a Korean activist who used to swim every day to Gureombi Rock, a sacred, volcanic rock formation along Gangjeong’s coastline which was destroyed by the naval base construction. At one point, coast guard officials jailed him for trying to reach Gureombi by swimming. Dr. Song just returned from Okinawa, where he met with Japanese who have resisted the U.S. military base in Okinawa for decades.

The Okinawan and Korean activists understand the global challenge we face. The 99% must link to form a strong, united 99%. By acting together, we can build a better world, instead of burning out as tiny communities of change. The 1% is way too wealthy and well-resourced in an entrenched system to be stopped by any one village or group.

‘We are many, they are few’ applies more effectively when we stand together. Socially and emotionally, we need one another more than ever, as our existence is threatened by human-engineered climate change, nuclear annihilation and gross socioeconomic inequalities.

The governments of South Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Taiwan, Japan and even my home country Singapore, have dangerously partnered with the U.S. against China, in Obama’s Asia pivot, dividing human beings by using the threat of armed force, for profit.

The non-violent examples of the people of Gangjeong Village should lead people worldwide to make friendships, create conversations, build alternative education systems, promote communally beneficial, sustainable economies , and create peace parks where people can celebrate their art, music, and dancing. Visit Gangjeong Village and you’ll see how residents have created joyful ways to turn the Asia War Pivot into an Asia Peace Pivot, as you can watch in this video.

Alternatively, people can choose the “helpless bystander” role and become passive spectators as oppressive global militarism and corporate greed destroy us. People can stand still and watch destruction of beautiful coral reefs and marine life in Jeju, Australia and other seas; watch livelihoods, like those of Gangjeong and Gaza fishermen, disappear; and watch, mutely, as fellow human beings like Americans, Afghans, Syrians, Libyans, Egyptians, Palestinians. Israelis, Ukranians, Nigerians, Malians, Mexicans, indigenous peoples and many others are killed.

Or, we can be Like Mi Ryang. As free and equal human beings we can lay aside our individual concerns and lobbies to unite, cooperatively, making our struggles more attractive and less lonely. Together, we’re more than capable of persuading the world to seek genuine security and liberation.

The Afghan Peace Volunteers have begun playing their tiny part in promoting non-violence and serving fellow Afghans in Kabul. As they connect the dots of inequality, global warming and wars, they long to build relationships across all borders, under the same blue sky, in order to save themselves, the earth and humanity.

Through their Borderfree effort to build socioeconomic equality, take care of our blue planet, and abolish war, they wear their Borderfree Blue Scarves and say, together with Mi Ryang and the resilient villagers of Gangjeong Village, “Don’t touch me!”

“Don’t touch us!”

Hakim, ( Dr. Teck Young, Wee ) is a medical doctor from Singapore who has done humanitarian and social enterprise work in Afghanistan for the past 9 years, including being a mentor to the Afghan Peace Volunteers, an inter-ethnic group of young Afghans dedicated to building non-violent alternatives to war. He is the 2012 recipient of the International Pfeffer Peace Prize.

VCNV

VCNV, or Voices for Creative Nonviolence, has deep, long-standing roots in active nonviolent resistance to U.S. war-making. Begun in the summer of 2005, Voices draws upon the experiences of those who challenged the brutal economic sanctions imposed by the U.S. and U.N. against the Iraqi people between 1990 and 2003.

May 27, 2014
Gangjeong Village Story: Monthly Newsletter | April 2014 Issue

It’s that time again!

In this month’s issue:
Yang Yoon-Mo Free at last, April 3rd Remembrances, 4 catholics arrested, letter from David Hartsough, Trial Updates, Peace for the Sea Camp, Peace Book Cafe anniversary, international solidarity, and more!

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May 15, 2014
Gangjeong Village Story: Monthly Newsletter | March 2014 Issue

It’s that time again!

In this month’s issue:
Government’s “development” plan, Catholics concerend about Pope’s Korea visit, Anniversary of Gureombi blasting, Solidarity from Benj and Global Network, Visting dancers, a play about Gangjeong, environmental destruction reports, another Gangjeong wedding, and more!

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April 11, 2014
Gangjeong Village Story: Monthly Newsletter | February 2014 Issue

It’s that time again!

In this month’s issue:
Village elder’s letter to the pope, Navy steals more land, solidarity from John Pilger and AWC Japan, Solidarity with Ssangyong workers, Trial updates, Yang Yoon-Mo, Peace School, War Exercises, and more!

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March 14, 2014
Gangjeong Village Story: Monthly Newsletter | January 2014 Issue

The Gangjeong Village Story monthly newsletter has undergone a redesign for 2014! Thanks to the help of the designers at Everyday Practice for their great assistance. In addition to the fresh new look, the online PDF version available here is now easier to read. The old version was designed only for print but this new version is designed for both! Enjoy!

In this month’s issue:
Gangjeong elects a new mayor, letter writing campaign to Pope Francis starts, Solidarity updates from Henoko/Okinawa and Odisha/India, Solidarity from Hawaii, Gangjeong Peace School, Entry Ban Lifted, Letter to Yang Yoon-Mo, trial updates, and more!

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February 24, 2014