Photos Fwd: SPARK: No firing drill! Talk for the NK-SK summit meeting!

http://www.spark946.org/bugsboard/index.php?BBS=s_news&action=viewForm&uid=2793&page=1
이명박 대통령은 3차 남북 정상회담에 조속히 나서라!
- 2011년 5월 2일 오전 10시, 청와대 인근 -
Press Interview President Lee Myung-Bak should immediately enter the NK-SK summit meeting
Near the Presidential Office, May 2, 2011

http://www.spark946.org/bugsboard/index.php?BBS=s_news&action=viewForm&uid=2794&page=1
서해 해상사격훈련 규탄, 남북대화 촉구 기자회견'군사적 긴장 고조시키는 서해 해상사격훈련 즉각 중단하라!'
- 2011년 5월 3일 오전 11시, 인천시청 앞 -
Press interview Immediately stop the maritime firing drill that heightens militaristic tension in the western sea

In front of the City Hall, Incheon, May 3, 2011

Text Fwd: 31 N. Koreans arrive in S. Korea by boat, but no wish to defect

Yonhap News
31 N. Koreans arrive in S. Korea by boat, but no wish to defect
2011/02/07 11:25 KST


31 N. Koreans arrive in S. Korea by boat, but no wish to defect SEOUL, Feb. 7 (Yonhap) -- Thirty-one North Korean people crossed the tense Yellow Sea border by boat and arrived in South Korea two days ago, but they have not expressed any wishes to defect to the South, a military official said Monday.

The North Koreans, consisting of 11 men and 20 women, arrived on Yeonpyeong Island by a wooden fishing boat in thick fog at around 11 a.m. Saturday and were towed away to the western port city of Incheon, said the official at the South's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).

"So far, the North Koreans have not expressed a wish to defect," the official said, asking not to be named because an investigation is still under way.

The official confirmed that the North Koreans are a "work group," not family members.

The JCS official said intelligence authorities will announce details after their interrogation is finished.

Another military official, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity, said investigators are looking into the possibility that the North Koreans arrived on Yeonpyeong Island after drifting at sea.

There are no children among the North Koreans, and they were believed to have left North Korea's western port city of Nampo, about 60 kilometers southwest of Pyongyang, according to the military official.

"Given the circumstances so far, they might have been drifting after setting the wrong coordinates or losing power on their boat," the military official said.

The arrival of North Koreans also came at a sensitive time as military officials from Seoul and Pyongyang are set to hold their first dialogue on Tuesday since the North's deadly attack of Yeonpyeong last November.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have remained high since the North shelled Yeonpyeong, killing two civilians and two marines.

More than 20,000 North Koreans have arrived in South Korea since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.

kdh@yna.co.kr

[Photos Fwd] Upon the 60th Commemoration of the Incheon Landing Operation on Sept. 15, 1950: No War, No Sanction, Yes, Peace Treaty!

__________________________________________________________________________

* Excerpt translation from the joint statement by the 12 organizations on Sept. 14, 2010. To see the original Korean statement, click HERE or HERE. 국문 성명서 원문은 여기 또는 여기를 클릭하세요.

'7월 중순에 실시한 여론조사에서 이미 우리 국민 70% 가량이
이명박 정부의 [천안함] 조사결과에 대해 불신하거나 의혹을 제기하고 있다.'

'According to the public poll conducted in the middle of this July,
about 70% of our people were already distrusting the Lee Myung-Bak government’s
investigation result [on the Cheonan ship] or raising the suspicion on it.'

우리의 결의 Our Resolution

_ 우리는 대북 제재 중단과 북미대화 및 6자회담의 조속한 재개를 위해 투쟁할 것을 결의한다!
_We are determined to stop the sanction against North Korea and to struggle for the prompt resumption of the NK-US dialogue & six party meeting!

_우리는 미국 강요에 따른 이란에 대한 제재 철회를 위해 싸워나갈 것을 결의한다!
_We are determined to fight to repeal the sanction on Iran, enforced by the United States!

_우리는 천안함 진상규명 국정조사와 [남, 북, 중, 미] 4개국 공동조사 실현을 위한 투쟁을 결의한다!
_ We are determined to struggle for the investigation in relation to government on the Cheonan ship [incident]and for the realization of the joint investigation by the four nations [of South Korea, North Korea, China & the United States]!
__________________________________________________________________________

*Image source: Pan-Korean Alliance for Reunification (PKAR), South Korean branch, Sept. 14, 2010
http://tongil-i.net/2006/bbs/bbs/tb.php/bumnews/444

*Image(below three) source: Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea, Sept. 14, 2010

Explaining on the Cheonan ship and political weather

Stop Sanction [on Iran and North Korea]! (SPARK)

The United States should apologize and compensate for the U. S. military bombings
onto the Wolmi-do on Sept. 10, 2010.

* The below was informed from an attachment at the SPARK site(평통사 사이트에 알려짐)

EXCERPT from the attachment(partly English while mostly in Korean) in the site:

"The Commission ascertained that the residents in Wolmi island (Wolmi-do) were killed on September 10, 1950, by U.S. bombing of the area. At least 10 victims were verified by the Commission to have been killed, but it is believe there were more victims killed. The bombing was executed by U.S. marine aircrafts of Carrier Division 15 led by Rear Admiral Richard W. Ruble.

The objective was to saturate the eastern half of Wolmi-do. The marine aircrafts (VMF-214, VMF-323) that launched from the USS SICILY and USS Badoeng Strait dropped 95 napalm bombs, rocketed and strafed the east side of Wolmi-do and thoroughly destroyed the area. Wolmi-do was a strategically important area for the Operation of Incheon Landing."

________________________________________________________________
* Image source: Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea, Sept. 13, 2010

Press interview upon the visit by Bosworth, a special envoy for North Korea policy of the United States:
Stop the sanction & oppression on North Korea and resume the NK-US talks & six party meetings!
-Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea, in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on Sept. 13, 2010
________________________________________________________________
* Image source: Incheon regional branch of the Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea, Sept. 11, 2010
평화와 통일을 여는 사람들 인천 지부, 2010년 9월 11일

2010 Wolmi Peace Festival/ Concert and Peace March, “What is Peace?”

No War Exercise

Stop War!

______________________________________________________________

Korea Times
Naval vessels, aircraft and marines from South Korea, ...
Sept. 15, 2010
Reenactment of 1950 Incheon Landing: Naval vessels, aircraft and marines from South Korea, the U.S. and Australia reenact the Sept. 15 1950 Incheon Landing operation that helped change the course of the 1950-53 Korean War and two weeks later liberated Seoul from North Korean occupation, in waters near Wolmi Island, Wednesday. Seoul has annually reenacted the battle scene since 2008, but this year’s reenactment was the largest in terms of size as it marks the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the war. / Korea Times photo by Cho Young-ho

[Incheon]Visiting the Wolmi Island and Legacy of War

* Image source: Hankyoreh, July 16, 2010
The 'Bereaved family members of [Wolmi Island] civilians killed during the U.S. air raids during the Korean War hold signboards requesting compensation from South Korean and U.S. governments, July 15. ' According to the article, the Bereaved families have continued more than 2000 day sit-in on Wolmi Island and have 'remained uncompensated for eviction during the war while a $23M park project is underway.' (For a related blog, click HERE)

The signboards say:
The City of Incheon that has robbed of the Wolmi Island should be responsible.
The US military should open all the materials (on the bombing), openly apologize about the civilian massacre incident and make reparation for it
-Civic Committee for the Wolmi Island Natives’ Returning Back to Hometown-

__________________________________________________________________
1. Not well Known Story of the US Napalm Bombing on a Village During the Incheon Landing Operation, Sept. 15, 1950

The Wolmi Island is famous for the Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s Incheon Landing operation on Sept. 15, 1950, upon the outbreak of the Korean War. The three landing points of red, green, and blue have now become the ports and recreation sites.

More recently, the native villagers who had to fled their hometown due to the U. S. napalm bombing during the landing operation have been having vigil in their makeshift house for seven years to demand the examination of the truth on the day and compensation for the loss of their hometown. As of Sept. 3, their vigil date met 2171 days.

Visiting with Mr. Lee Haeng-Woo, we happened to see a villager who was 16 years old at the time and an activist who was with him.

The old man said there were about 64 households in their hometown and many were killed by napalm bomb at the time. The activist told us that the reason that the US bombed the villagers’ hometown that had been nothing to do with the DPRK soldiers who had been staying in the landing sites next to the hill where the village was also located on the other side of it but because the US military wanted to use it as their base by expanding the existing Japanese base then.

Even after the US base became not to be used any more, the Ministry of National Defense, ROK and City of Incheon have not consulted the villagers and replaced their land with a city park without the native’s agreement. The villagers have been doing the vigil at the very front of the park, for more than 2171 days by yesterday.

They have also demanded to examine the truth on the US massacre by napalm bombing on the day. It is told that their demand was now some officially acknowledged and they could take the official memorial service for the dead for three years now inside the park.

Still the tasks are being remained for further US & ROK government examination of truth and compensation for the bereaved families of the victims on the day.


The banner on the makeshift vigil house says,'The City of Incheon and Ministry of National Defense should establish a prompt compensation and measure for the returning to ones’ home for the Wolmi-Island natives.'

The natives and activists are doing a rotational vigil at the very site of the natives' hometown now changed to a city park as you can see behind them.
From the natives’ protest site, by climbing up and crossing the hill, you can reach to one of the US Incheon landing sites, called Green beach point, during the Korean War. The site is now a city recreation park.

From the top of the hill, one can see the other landing site in ones’ eastern side.
The old U.S. base has now returned to the City. Statues of the dogs have been set up in the site for the commemoration of the deaths of the dogs that the US military have kept. The natives spit the words that their lives are less worthy than those of dogs in satire.

A stone that says about the history of the Wolmi-Island.

Before going to the Wolmi Island, we have visited Rev. Hong Keun-Soo, a co-executive Chairperson of the Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea (SPARK), and who is now in a nursing home for the Parkinson disease. Thanks to Agatha Haun and Marion Kennedy Kim, his book was recently translated and published in English. You may order the book from the SPARK(spark946@hanmail.net)
___________________________________________________
* Related articles

Wikipedia
Incheon Landing Operation

Hankyoreh
Wolmido residents demand joint investigation into Korean War massacre
: Surviving family members petition Obama for his support to resolve situation surrounding Incheon landing
Posted on : Sep.16,2009 12:35 KST

New York Times
Korean War survivors tell of carnage inflicted by U.S.
By Choe Sang-Hun
Published: Monday, July 21, 2008

[국문] Text Fwd: [Koji Sugihara] Stop Muji from expanding into Israel! 「무인양품 (無印良品)」의 이스라엘 진출을 중단시키자 ! 〜「혈인악품 (血印惡品)」이 될 것인가?〜

____________________________________________________________________

* Thanks to a Japanese activist, M.S. the below information with the Korean translation article (* translation by Ichi) in a Korean organization that has worked on the solidarity with Palestine was provided on Aug. 23, 2010. The English title after Korean is her translation. According to M.S., Koji Sugihara ( No! to Nukes and MD Campaign) asks the people in Korea as well as in the world to be informed with his campaign to stop Muji from expanding into Israel. 'Muji is an international Japanese shop chain of plain, ordinaly lifestyle materials for young adults.' The Korean translated article was loaded in the Peace Making website as well.

According to M.S. the Muji is also connected to a Korean company Lotte. The activists, Incheon, Korea have been fighting long time to boycott Lotte against its golf course field in the Gyeyang Mt. in Incheon, which will destroy the ecology system of Incheon.

일본 활동가 M. S. 의 최근 이 메일에 의하면 핵과 미사일 반대 단체의 코지 수기하라가 최근 중저가 소비 상품으로 전 세계 기업망을 펼치고 있는 Muji 산업 (한국에서 무인 양행 이라 불리는 http://www.mujikorea.net/ (Muji Korea ) 의 이스라엘 기업 진출을 반대하는 글을 전하고 있고 최근 한국어로도 번역되어 팔레스타인 평화 연대 웹사이트에도 실렸답니다 (아래) 코지 수기하라와 M. S. 는 이 글이 많은 한국인들 분께도 블로그나 트위터들을 통해 알려지길 부탁했읍니다. 영어 제목은 M. S. 로부터 온 것입니다.

M. S. 도 지적했듯이 무인 양행은 롯데 기업과도 관련을 맺고 있읍니다. 인천 계양산 롯데 골프장 반대 투쟁을 하시는 분들은 롯데 제품에 대해 오랫동안 보이콧 운동을 펼치신 바 또한 있읍니다.
http://cafe.daum.net/nogolfyespark

M. S. 의 이 메일에 따르면 그 외 참조 사이트는
http://www.mujikorea.net/_mania/mania-photozenic.asp?menu=mania

아래 기사는 평화 만들기 웹사이트(클릭)에서도 볼 수 있읍니다.
____________________________________________________________________

http://pal.or.kr/xe/139518

무인양품 (無印良品)」,「혈인악품 (血印惡品)」이 될 것인가?
반다

Stop Muji from expanding into Israel! ~Will they end up 'Blood-tainted bad items! ?

2010.08.20

「무인양품 (無印良品)」의 이스라엘 진출을 중단시키자 !

　〜「혈인악품 (血印惡品)」이 될 것인가?〜

Stop Muji from expanding into Israel!

~Will they end up 'Blood-tainted bad items! ?

수기하라 코우지 (핵과 미사일 방위에 No! 캠페인_일본)
Campainger: Koji Sugihara ( No! to Nukes and MD Campaign )

무인양품」(이하, 무인)(주식회사 양품계획: 良品計画) 은 2011년 중에 이스라엘 진출을 결정했다고 한다.

이스라엘의 기업 카이리 그룹과 라이센스 계약을 맺고, 상표의 라이센스 공여와 상품 공급을 할 예정이라고 한다. 텔아비브이나 예루살렘에 1호점을 오픈한다는 계획이다. 양품 계획은 스스로 “일계 소매 기업으로서 진출은 첫 번째” 라고 웹 사이트에 마치 자랑처럼 언급하고 있다.

어떻게 지금 이스라엘에 진출하는가? 지금이야 말로 이스라엘 보이콧이 전 세계적으로 고조하고 있는 때인데.

무인 측의 설명은 이렇다. “(이스라엘의) GDP는 2008년 가을 이후의 세계 경제 불황의 영향에도 불구하고 약세이지만 성장하고 있고, 2010년은 회복의 징조가 보이기 때문에 진출의 가치가 충분하다고 판단했습니다” 요컨대「잘 벌수 있을 것이다」라는 의미이다.

오랫동안 국제법을 위반하고 (팔레스타인에 대한)점령을 계속해왔으며, 가자(Gaza)학살이나 봉쇄, 그리고 인도주의적 지원선 공격 등 수많은 인권침해를 반복해온「불량국가」. 고립 장벽 즉「아파르트헤이트 월」을 쌓아, 전쟁 범죄를 지속적으로 저지르면서도 처벌 받지 않고 있는「무법 국가」. 그러한 이스라엘에 일본 소매점으로서는 역사상 처음으로 진출하는 것에 대해, 무인은 어떤 의의를 찾고 있는가. 나쁜「선구자」로서 오명을 새기는 짓은 그만 두는 게 자신 위해 나은 선택 일 것이다.

「팔레스타인의 평화를 생각하는 모임 (일본/오사카) 」이나 「팔레스타인 정보 센터」등의 요청에 따라, 이미 많은 사람들이 무인에 대해 진출 중지를 요청하는 노력을 해 왔다.

그러나 그에 대한 무인 측의 답변은 어이가 없다. 가라사대, 이스라엘에서의 활동은 “단순한 상품 공급” 에 불과하다는 것이다. “당사의 희망은 분쟁의 원인이 된 여러 문제들에서 벗어나, 세계 속의 가능한 한 많은 생활인 여러분들에게『무인양품』의 상품을 통해, 당사가 생각하는『검소한 삶』을 제안하며 만족을 얻게 하는 것입니다”.

“단 순한 상품의 공급” 이 커다란 정치적 메시지를 갖는다는 것을 인식하지 못할 리가 없는데. 이스라엘을 향한 유명 일본 기업의 첫 진출은, 이스라엘 측이 더 이상 원하는 게 없을 정도의 정치적 지원과 다르지 않을 것이다. 그것은 이스라엘 정체성을 용인하는 sign (＝무인無印의 ‛인印’ ) 이 될 것이다. 그리고 무인에 이어서 일본 기업의 (이스라엘)진출 문턱은 더욱 낮아 질 것이다.

그건 그렇고 “분쟁의 원인이 된 여러 문제들과 벗어난” 형태의 상업 행위라는 것이 존재하는가? 분쟁의 원인이 된 무법 행위에 눈을 감은 채 ‘검소한 삶’ 을 주장하는 것은 어이없는 태도이다. 그러한 비논리를 무인이 진심으로 믿고 있다면「재출발하라!」고 할 수 밖에 없다.

5 월 하순에 휴먼 라이츠 나우(Human Rights Now)의 초빙으로 일본을 방문한 라지 스라니 (Raji Sourani. 팔레스타인 인권센터: Palestinian Center for Human Rights) 는 “우리들은 카프카(=Franz Kafka)의 세계에 살고 있다” 고 말했다. 보호받을 권리를 마땅히 가지고 있는 가자(Gaza)의 시민들이, 원래 제재의 대상이 되어야할 이스라엘로부터 오히려 ‘처벌’ 당하고 있다. 그러한 전도를 허락하는 것은, 미국이나 유럽 정부들의「묵인에 의한 공모」때문에 가능한 것이다. 일본 정부도 공모의 코넥션에 참여하고 있다. 인도지원선 가자 자유 (free gaza) 호에 대한 이스라엘군의 습격과 학살을 비난하며, UN인권이사회는 독립조사단 파견을 요청하였으나 이에 대해 일본정부는 기권이라는 부끄러운 선택을 했다.

덧붙이자면 무인양품의 기업 행동 이념에는 “성실하고, 더 정직하게”, “모든 것에 대해 커뮤니케이션을” 라고 적혀있다. 아파르트헤이트 국가 이스라엘에 처음으로 진출하여 이익을 얻는 것이 과연 “성실” 한 행위인가. 진출 중단은 결과적으로 무인의 기업 이미지를 보전하는데 도움이 될 것이다. 그런 사람들의 고마운 의견을 무시하는 것은 “커뮤니케이션” 거부 행위이다.

다행히 무인양품은 유명기업이다. 많은 소비자들이 그 존재를 인지하고 있기에, 무인양품의 기업 활동은 광범위에 전달될 것이다. 그리고 프랑스, 파리에 8개 점포가 진출하고 있는 등, 보이콧 운동이 강한 지역에도 이미 진출해 있다. 현재까지는 무인은 진출 결정을 재고하는 자세를 전혀 보여주고 있지 않다. 그러나 이미 에가와 쇼코 씨 (江川紹子, 저널리스트. 옴 진이교〈オウム真理教〉문제를 비롯한 일본 내 사회문제부터 국제정세까지 넓은 분야로 발언 중) 등이 무인의 이스라엘 진출에 대한 비판을 하기 시작했다. 앞으로 운동이 넓어짐에 따라 진출 중지라는 결정이 내려질 가능성이 충분히 존재할 것 같지 않은가.

나는 1995년, 프랑스가 남태평양에서 핵실험을 연속적으로 강행했던 무렵, 항의행동의 일환으로, 프랑스 제품 불매 운동에 참여한 적이 있다. 긴자(銀座. 일본의 번화가) 의 명품 점 앞에서 음료수「에비앙」을 흘려버리는 퍼포먼스를 하곤 했다. 당시 많은 매스컴들은 프랑스를 강력하게 비판하며, 우리들의 항의 행동을 호의적으로 보도했다.

그러한 행동을 나는 무인양품 본사나 점포에서도 하고 싶지는 않다. 이왕이면 냉정하게 기업답게 리스크 계산을 예측해서, 이스라엘 진출 결정을 철회하기를 바란다. 그럼에도 불구하고 진출을 강행한다면, 창조적 상상력을 발현 하여 무인양품 보이콧 운동을 국제적으로 전개할 수 밖에 없을 것이다. 다행히 보이콧 운동은 구매하지 않으면 되는 운동이자, 기쁘게도 가난한 사람들조차 할 수 있는 활동이다.

무인은 손상된 기업 이미지를 회복하는 게 간단하지 않을 것임을 깨달아야 한다. 1980년 세이유 (西友. 일본 할인 마트 중의 하나) 의 자체 브랜드에 불과했던 무인은, 1989년 이례적으로 한 개 사업부가 회사로서 독립을 했고. 이후 급성장을 이뤄 왔다. 80년 당시에는 40품목에 불과했던 품목 수는 현재 약7500점. 양품계획은 저렴한 전문점과의 경쟁을 의식하여, 품목을 5000점까지 좁히는 방침을 밝혔다고 한다.

또 현재 해외 진출을 가속화 하고 있고, 2011년 판매액이 2,000억 엔에 달할 것이라고 예상되고 있는 가운데, 이중 약 20%는 해외(아시아) 판매 비율일 것이라고 한다. 이번 이스라엘 진출 결정은 그 일환인 것이다.

「기업의 사회적 책임 (CSR)」이 떠들썩하게 선전되지 오랜 시간이 지났다. 무인은 기업으로서 윤리적 좌절의 길을 이대로 뛰어갈 것인가. 부끄러운 보이콧 리스트에 그 이름을 남길 것인가. 그것은「혈인악품」으로 향하는 길이다. 무인이 선택하는 길은 일본 기업의 CSR에 대한 본질을 만천하에 드러내는 것이 될 것이다.

무인의 양심이 시험대에 올라가 있다. 그리고 일본의 소비자, 시민의 도의적 수준 또한 시험대에 올라가 있다. 네 행동이 시험대에 올라가 있다.

(출전: 『IMPACTION』제175호, 2010년7월, 〈일어〉)

번역: ichi

Text Fwd: TRCK relaxes U.S. bombing investigation criterion under new president

* Image source: Same as the link
'Visitors wait to meet with officials of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Korea (TRCK) in Seoul.'

Hankyroreh
TRCK relaxes U.S. bombing investigation criterion under new president
Observers say the organization has dropped a greater number of investigation petitions under the new conservative president
By Kim Min-kyeong
Posted on : Jul.16,2010 12:23 KST

Excerpt:

'After receiving 157 petitions over the past four years by civilians claiming damages from U.S. military bombings, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Korea, under President Lee Young-jo, made the decision to investigate 56 of the cases, or 35.6 percent. This number is conspicuously lower than the overall 85.2 percent investigation rate for received cases.
___________________________________________________________

* Related article 1

* Image source: same as the link
'Bereaved family members of civilians killed during the U.S. air raids during the Korean War hold signboards requesting compensation from South Korean and U.S. governments, July 15.'

Hankyoreh
Bereaved families continue 2,017-day sit-in on Wolmi Island
: The families remain uncompensated for eviction during the war while a $23M park project is underway
By Kim Min-kyeong
Posted on : Jul.16,2010 12:09 KST

Excerpts

‘The residents of Wolmi Island, who were forced from their home with just the clothes on their back, have been demanding to be allowed to return home since 1952, but have only been told by the government that Wolmi Island was being used as a military facility. Recently, the Defense Ministry and Incheon City government have been trying to pass off responsibility, saying the land was not theirs, and that they were not responsible for the residents being forced out.’

‘A sit-in strike by bereaved families demanding an investigation and compensation for their losses, which began on Oct. 7, 2004, continued for its 2,017th day Thursday. The bereaved family members continue the strike two at a time in a building constructed using wood planks taken from the homes removed from Wolmi Island. Six of the 30 people that began the strike have since died, while those that survive are frequently ill.’

___________________________________________________________

* Related article 2

* Image source: same as the link
'Downtown Seoul after being destroyed by a U.S.bombing operation during the Korean War in 1950.'

Hankyoreh　
U.S.’s Yongsan bombing of 1950 caused 1,587 civilian deaths U.S. air raids accounted for 25 percent of civilian deaths in the first 3 months of the war
Posted on : Jul.16,2010 12:05 KST
By Gil Yoon-hyeong

'How bad was the damage from the Yongsan bombing? According to statistics on Seoul resident casualties during the first three months of the war, drawn up by the government statistics office in 1950, one fourth of the 17,127 deaths were caused by air raids. In particular, of the 2,709 total deaths suffered in the Yongsan district, the direct target of the Yongsan bombing 1,587, or 58.6 percent, were due to bombings.'

Photo Fwd: Workers Visit Gangjeong Village: No Naval Base in Jeju Island!!

Click the image for larger view

Image source: Gangjeong, Jeju Island
(The image was sent from the cartoonist Kho who lives in Gangjeong village, on March 13)

“The persistent will win!” the workers in front of tent
where the villagers have had the vigil since the police raid on Jan 18.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Six workers who belong to the Pan-Korean Industrial & Regional General Labor Union Association visited the Gangjeong village and took the photo with the villagers and activists there, to encourage the villagers who have protested against the naval base for more than three years. According to Kho, the workers expressed their will of solidarity and wish of keeping in touch, with the villagers.

The workers are from Samsung General Labor Union, Pyeongteak/ Ansung Regional Labor Union, Gyungbuk General Labor Union, Seoul General labor Union, Incheon General Labor Union, and Jeju Regional Council of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

* Reference: The construction companies that the navy has employed for the harbor and bay construction, which is the beginning of the base construction, are Samsung and Daerim, the very companies that have been deeply connected to the Yongsan tragedy on Jan. 18, 2010. There was the POSCO (Pohang Iron and Steel Company), the protested ROK company by the workers in India was also included in the Yongsan tragedy.)

No Key Resolve: One Man Protest in Bucheon and Incheon

No Key Resolve, No US-SK Annual Joint War Exercise!
(March 8 to 18, 2010)

Image source: Bucheon branch, Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea
'One man protest on a street in Bucheon'

‘Yes, conclusion of peace agreement’, ‘No war rehearsal’

What on earth war drill while talking on dialogue?
Stop the Key Resolve war drill for the attack on North Korea!

* Image source: Incheon branch, Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea
'One man protest in a subway station in Incheon'

Image source: Incheon branch, Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea
'A taxi driver in Incheon in one man protest'

‘No, war drill against North Korea’, ‘Yes, conclusion of peace agreement’

Saying it is a defense exercise is a lie!
Stop the Key Resolve war drill for the attack on North Korea!

* Image source: Incheon branch, Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea
‘Distributing the leaflets in a subway station, Incheon.’

Click the image for larger view

* Image source: Incheon branch, Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea
Leaflets distributed in Incheon

'Stop the SK-US attack exercise against North Korea that goes against
the six party talks (dialogue on non-nuclearization) and
four party peace forum (conclusion of peace agreement)

Despite the 60th anniversary of Korean war, the Korean peninsula is still in war'

Key Resolve, US-SK Annual War Exercise Starts in the Korean Peninsula on March 8 and Nationwide Protests against it, as Well

* Image source: Shin So-yeong/The Hankyoreh on March 9, 2010

'Members of Solidarity for Peace and Reunification of Korea hold a press conference to oppose the annual joint exercise between the South Korean and U.S. militaries called Key Resolve in front of the war command post of the
Combined Forces Command located in Sungnam City, Gyeonggi Province, March 8.

Key Resolve, which began on the same day, has received intense criticism from North Korea.
The North Korean army issued a statement in which it ordered its army forces to assume a battle position
in response to the Key Resolve exercise on March 7.

Key Resolve is the name that was given to the exercise in 2008 previously known as RSOI, which stands for
Reception, Staging, Onward Movement, Integration.

The South Korea and the U.S. have called the exercise a defense drill, however,
North Korea has labeled it training for an invasion.'

* Image source: Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea (SPARK)
'Let’s stop the war and blossom the flowers'

TANGO, CFC, Sungnam
(reference source: Koh Sung-Jin
image source: Cho Sung-Bong, Tongil News, March 8, 2010)

The civil society organizations including Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea,
Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, Korea Alliance of Progressive Movements
and Pan-Korean Alliance for Reunification (PKAR), South Korean branch, by starting with the press interview
on March 8, in front of Theater, Air, Navy, Ground Operation (TANGO), Combined Forces Command,
in Chungye Mt. Sungnam, South of Seoul, announced that, “By coming 18, we, through ‘the simultaneous anti-war & peace joint actions’ centered in the main USFK bases and cities nationwide,
including Seoul, will urge to sop the invasive war exercise, and will spread our will for the realization of peace that has been longtime wished for.”

image source: Cho Sung-Bong, Tongil News, March 8, 2010
"Let’s stop the war and blossom the flowers"

image source: Cho Sung-Bong, Tongil News, March 8, 2010

Pyeongtaek
( reference/image source: Pyeongteak Peace Center)

About 30 activists from various organizations in Pyeongteak have gathered in front of Songtan branch, Pyeongteak City Hall on March 8, to denounce the Key Resolve exercise and to urge the stop of the additional runway in the Songtan USFK. The Pyeongtaek activists pointing out that the construction for additional runway in the Songtan USFK, which is planned to be completed by 2011, is for the realization of the strategic flexibility in the Korean peninsula, appealed to Pyeongtaek citizens to stop the construction. [The activists also pointed out that the planned return of the war time operation right from the USFK to ROK military has also been conditioned under the strategic flexibility]. The participants decided that they would make the issue of runway by the coming local election on June 2.

Click the image for larger view

"Stop the Key Resolve/ Foal Eagle War exercise and
the 2nd Runway Construction in the Songtan USFK Base!"

-Leaflet distributed to the citizens in Pyeongteak on March 8-

The leaflet was made by Gyunggi-do branch, Korean Alliance for Progressive Movement,
Gyunggi-do headquarter of Korean Confederation of Trade Unions and
the Pyeongtaek Area Democratic Organizations’ Council.

Incheon
( reference/image source:
Incheon branch, Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea)

The Incheon activists, having the protest in front of Incheon City Hall criticized that the Key Resolve
that has been with the advanced weapons, was not for the defense exercise but for the attack against North Korea,
and was the illegal war exercise, a violation of constitution that pursed the peaceful unification.
They also said that, if the United States and South Korea truly want the dialogue with North Korea,
both authorities of them should stop the Key Resolve war exercise,
as they had stopped the Team Spirit military training in 1994 for the talk with North Korea.
Saying that the western sea in front of Incheon is always in tension including the military clash,
they denounced the war exercise that threatened the peace and heightened tension
in the Korean peninsula.
Finally activists appealed to the citizens to abolish the US-SK war alliance with anti-war peace actions.

Chungnam-do (province)
Image source: SPARK
In front of Chungnam Province Hall (original source: Ohmynews)

Kunsan
Image source: Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea (SPARK)
In front of Kunsan AFB (original source: Newsis)

Busan
Image source: Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea (SPARK)
In front of the United States Consulate (original source: Voice of People)

Text Fwd: Marines to Join Drills in Thailand

Image source/ caption: Yonhap News
‘S. Korea to join multinational drill in Thailand:
Jan, 8, SEOUL, South Korea -- South Korean navy and marine corps will join "Cobra Gold," a U.S.-led annual multinational exercise in Thailand that will start on Jan. 28 this year. It is the first time for South Korea to send troops to the drill, although it has previously joined as an observer. (Yonhap) (Photo courtesy of Navy)”

Korea Times
01-08-2010 19:44
Marines to Join Drills in Thailand
By Jung Sung-ki, Staff Reporter

About 330 South Korean Marines and sailors will participate in the U.S.-led multinational Cobra Gold exercise in Thailand to hone their joint humanitarian and peacekeeping operational skills with other nations, the Navy announced Friday.

The exercise will be held from Jan. 28 to Feb. 11, it said in a news release.

Cobra Gold is a joint exercise designed to ensure regional peace and strengthen the ability of allied forces to respond to regional contingencies.

South Korea has taken part in the drill, which the U.S. and Thai armed forces began in 1982, since 2002 as ab observer.

The exercise has expanded to include Singapore, Japan and Indonesia. Observers include Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Mongolia, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and Vietnam.

The South Korean Marine Corps will dispatch 187 troops, along with eight amphibious assault vehicles — a 2,600-ton landing ship tank. A total of 146 Navy sailors will accompany the Marines, according to the release.

The Korean Marine Corps is the second largest in troop strength in the world, with more than 27,000 personnel. The service saw action during the Vietnam War, fighting alongside the U.S. Marine Corps and Navy SEALs. During the war, the Korean Marines were never defeated on the battlefield, earning nicknames such as "Ghost Busters."

During the 1950-53 Korean War, the South Korean Marines successfully carried out the renowned Incheon landing operation with the U.S. Marines to reclaim the capital of Seoul, then occupied by North Korea.

gallantjung@koreatimes.co.kr


* Related blog

http://nobasestorieskorea.blogspot.com/2010/01/text-fwd-s-korea-to-join-us-thai-led_08.html
Friday, January 8, 2010
Text Fwd: Thailand: South Korea To Join "Asian NATO" Exercise For First Time

Text Fwd: Seoul Selected as Venue of G-20 Summit in 2010

* Image source/ caption: same as the article below,
'Sakong Il, Chairman of G20 Summit Coordinating Committee'

Korea Times
11-06-2009
Seoul Selected as Venue of G-20 Summit in 2010
By Lee Hyo-sik, Staff Reporter

Seoul has been named as host of the G20 summit in November 2010, Cheong Wa Dae said Friday, citing its superior infrastructure over other candidate cities.

After Korea was named as a venue for the gathering of leaders from the world's 20 most advanced economies next year, Seoul, Incheon and Jeju had vied to host the event.

Cheong Wa Dae spokesman Park Seon-gyu said the G20 summit, the largest international event ever to be held in Korea, requires a large-scale convention center and lodging facilities, adding the government has no other choice but to make the best use of existing infrastructure with only 12 months left before the meeting.

"Seoul has many hotels and a convenient transportation network. Also, for security reasons, it is better prepared than other metropolises here. But gatherings of ministers and other government officials, as well as many sideline events, will be held in a number of cities," Park said.

A pan-government committee for the preparation of the G20 summit will be launched in the middle of this month, the spokesman said. "The committee will be jointly headed by G20 Summit Coordinating Committee Chairman Sakong Il, presidential policy chief Yoon Jin-shik and Financial Services Commission (FSC) Vice Chairman Lee Chang-yong.

In the meantime, Sakong said Friday that Seoul would bring the developed and developing worlds together, stressing Asia's fourth-largest economy would play a leadership role in the making of a new global economic order.

In a breakfast seminar, "The Korea G20, East Asia and Korea," at the Westin Chosun Hotel in downtown Seoul, Sakong said it was a remarkable achievement for the nation to host the summit in November 2010, adding the government would make the event a success and turn it into a premier global forum.

"The fact that Korea was selected as the G20 summit chair of 2010 is proof of world leaders' confidence in the Asian country's potential leadership role. Now, we need to take the lead in the global effort to provide vision and devise a new growth model for a sustainable and balanced growth of the global economy," he told a group of Korean and foreign economists and policymakers at the seminar organized by the Korea National Committee for Pacific Economic Cooperation (KOPEC).

He said the G7 had lost its legitimacy over the past decade by not including emerging economies, stressing the rise of the G20 was a reflection that global power was shifting to the East from the West. "Following the current financial crisis, international economic issues cannot be addressed without emerging economies. The G20 will and should be a premier forum for global policy cooperation and coordination," he said.

Touching on exit strategies, the chairman said the G20 should come up with general principles to provide guidance for member economies. "Even though each country faces a different situation, they should steer their economies to return to normal within an agreed and coordinated global consensus to achieve maximum results."

Among major policy issues for the G20, Sakong said global rebalancing cannot be discussed without reforming the global financial architecture. "We need to make international financial institutions more credible and complete the Doha Round as early as possible. The world should also counter growing protectionism and improve food and energy security," he said.

Sakong added that gaining cooperation from non-member economies was critical for the success of the G20, adding a range of development issues should be discussed in the forum.

"The G20 cannot afford to lose support from more than 172 non-G20 members. We have to tackle their concerns, which are mostly development issues. Korea is well positioned to bridge the gap between the developing and developed worlds. With the firsthand development experiences and the successful overcoming of the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis, the nation has a lot to share with emerging countries," the chairman noted.

Foreign participants at the seminar also echoed Sakong's view, saying that Korea should assume a greater role in the G20 and speak for developing countries in Asia and other parts of the world.

"Korea's hosting of the G20 summit next year is good not only for the country, but also for Asia. As far as I know, the region is supporting Korea's increasing international role and in return, the country should make more efforts to reach out to other regional economies and work together for common goals," said Jusuf Wanandi, Publisher of The Jakarta Post.

Peter Petri, professor at the Brandeis International Business School in Honolulu, Hawaii, also said Korea should strengthen its leadership role in the region. "Korea is ideally positioned to assume a bridging role between advanced and developing worlds, as well as between Asia and the rest of the world. At the November G20 summit, it should represent interests and concerns of the entire region and strike a balance with those of the West."

leehs@koreatimes.co.kr