[Jeju Update] Who are the three restrained after Aug. 24?

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RELATED UPDATE COLLECTION

[URGENT PLEA: In Update] EMERGENCY in GANGJEONG Since AUG. 24, 2011
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Release Mayor Kang Dong-Kyun, Mr. Kim Jong-Hwan, and Mr. Kim Dong-Won immediately!
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On Aug. 24, police illegally attacked the village and arrested five people. While two are released on that night, the below three are still in jail. On Aug. 25 when Fr. Moon Jung-Hyun tried to save the restrained by climbing up to a police car carrying the three, he was arrested, too. He was released the next night. The below is a short description of who the three are. These are innocent villagers who simply wanted to save their hometown and a young photographer who just wanted to live life according to justice and consciousness. Living in South Korea, you can be any time ‘criminal’ if you want to live life as real human being, which is paradoxically guaranteed in Constitution. Please read the urgent PLEA, here.
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Mayor Kang Dong-Kyun, 54


Mayor Kang Dong-Kyun in July, 2010
Photo by Boreum Doraegi


Mayor Kang Dong-Kyun at the arrest moment on Aug. 24, 2011
Photo by Director Cho

Mayor Kang Dong-Kyun (54) has been elected as the mayor of Gangjeong village, in 2007 and has been a leading village figure against the naval base construction. If not a mayor, he is an innocent farmer who raises tangerines.

Since elected, he has thoroughly devoted himself to save the village from the building of war base, at the risk of his own health, his own family’s livelihood and his own imprisonment. That is why he is a still beloved and respected figure by most villagers after 4 years now. He did not mind his own sacrifice only if he could save his hometown.

When he was illegally arrested with false charge of ‘obstruction on the business’ on Aug. 24, 2011, many villagers laid their bodies in front of police car to save him. Which reminded many witness at that moment his through devotion for the village and the villagers’ love of him.

Since, he has been in three years’ probation because of his struggle against naval base during the struggle, people concern about heavy court decision against him this time. He is in fifth day’s prison fast to protest illegal arrest of him since Aug. 24.

Please watch his video interview this July (English subtitled).

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Villager Kim Jong-Hwan, 54


Mr. Kim Jong-Hwan, with his dog, Joongduk
Photo by Director Cho, for more photos, click Here


Mr. Kim Jong-Hwan watching the coast while lying his body on the banners
Photo by Director Cho, for more photos, click Here

Mr. Kim Jong-Hwan(54) is one of the most dedicated villagers to save his hometown. Despite his shyness, people appreciate his kind heart and persistent will. Every morning in the coast, he would be the first one to watch the coast from any move of navy and company’s construction and begin to cook for his friends who would come to watch the coast along with him. He has always been with a dog, “Joongduk,’ which is named after the name of the coast. People love that sight and call him “Joongduk’s dad.” Now, where can Joongduk find his father as he is being imprisoned?

Nicole Erwin cites Mr.Kim Jong-Hwan's words in the Truthout. She has met him in July, this year:

Kim Jong Hwan, a local fisherman and protester, was among those named in the injunction.

"I'm not afraid because I didn't do anything wrong. I am a resident here. I have a right to be here. I live here and that is my right, as a resident and as a villager, so I am not afraid to be arrested. That is why I refuse the call from the Seogwipo stations," said Kim.

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Photographer Kim Dong-Won, 25


Mr. Kim Dong-Won in the village courtesy hall
Photo resource unknown


Mr. Kim Dong-Won with friends in the village coast
Photo resource unknown

When people heard the news on the arrest of Mr. Kim Dong-Won, they were very shocked. He is common with Mr. Kim Jong-Hwan in very shyness and kindness. Further, he has mostly been a quiet witness in protest sites. Instead he would diligently take record of events with his camera. He would return back to computer and record the day’s event with his profound writings and beautiful pictures. But his insight is more shining in the moments of ordinary life that people easily pass by.

This time, he was charged under the name of ‘special obstruction of government affairs,’ while he just wanted to save mayor Kang when police attacked him like hyenas and dragged him to arrest.

When he has accidentally met an old and illiterate sea-diving woman this year, who said she was in favor of naval base in 2007 because she got indemnity from the navy, he left an essay after talk with her. Here are Kim’s words from that long essay:

I felt such pain in my heart… I wanted to say to her, “Grandma, You are never the one who destroyed the village. It is not just your fault.” It is the world where the beings that live most closely to nature become the weakest. Will there be any weaker beings than sea-diving women who throw their bodies under seawater?
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Mr. Kim Dong-Won(left) and Mr. Kim Jong-Hwan(right) in custody cell after being restrained on Aug. 25.
Photo resource unknown