Video Fwd: mohammed bouazizi / lee kyung hae-brothers in justice

* Video fwd from Steve Zeltzer on Feb. 28, 2011

Click the title to see the video
mohammed bouazizi / lee kyung hae dare to struggle dare to win

Videos and more photos on G20 Protest, 'Put People First' Seoul, Nov. 11 ' 사람이 우선이다,' 11월 11일 G20 대응민중행동 시위의 비디오와 더 많은 사진들

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* Related blog

[In Update] People’s Response Action against G-20
[엎데이트중] G20대응민중행동
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* Image source: Kang Jae-Hoon, Hankyoreh, Nov. 11, 2010 한겨레/강재훈

We won't pay for their crisis!

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* Image source: Choi Hyung-Rak, Pressian, Nov. 11, 2010 프레시안/최형락

* Image source: Kim Bong-Kyu, Pressian, Nov. 11, 2010 프레시안/최봉규

No four river [destruction] project

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* Image source: Joint report team, NewsCham, Nov. 11, 2010 (For a lot more photos, click HERE)

Put people first! No G20! We won't pay for their crisis!

* Farmers' performance to symbolize the death of South Korean farming by the FTA and G20; and to oppose the Lee Myung Bak government's four river project that is robbing of farmers' lands and destroying environment.
The farmers are carrying a mock coffin that the police originally tried to block it to be carried over during the march. But the protesters could eventually succeed to carrying it.

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* Image source:Kim Chul-Soo, Voice of People, Nov. 11, 2010 민중의 소리/김철수

The Coex site, Samsung-dong, Gangnam, Seoul, where the G20 summits had a meeting was totally blockaded on the day.
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* Video source: Hong Suk-Hae, Jeon Jong-Hwi, & Gil Yoon-Hyung, Hankyoreh, Nov. 11, 2010
한겨레/ 홍석재, 전종훈, 길윤형

G20 march and rally: G20 is a paradise for the rich, hell for the common people
( * Interview & speech & scenes of activists from Japan and France included. If you can't see the video, please click the above link and mouse down 비디오가 안보이시면 위의 링크를 클릭하고 마우스를 내려가시길. )


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* Video source: Kim Joon-Chul, Voice of People, Nov. 11, 2010
March after a rally: No G20! No FTA!



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* Video source: Hong Min-Chul, Voice of People, Nov. 11, 2010
No Labor Oppression/ No FTA/ No G20

Text Fwd: New rice policy falls short for rice farmers

'Some 500 farmers from the National Federation of Farmers’ Associations holds a rally outside Nonsan City Hall in South Chungcheong Province, calling for a solution to hold up the rice price and resumption of rice aid to North Korea, Aug. 31. (Photo by Kim Myung-Jin)'

Hankyoreh
New rice policy falls short for rice farmers : Farmers and civic organizations have pushed the Lee administration to resume rice aid to N.Korea to reduce overflowing stores
By Kim Hyun-dai, Senior Staff writer
Posted on : Sep.1,2010 16:02 KST

On Aug. 31, the Lee Myung-bak administration announced its new rice policy. The Ministry of Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MIFAFF) announced its plans to purchase and totally isolate 500 thousand tons of rice from the market. This move has been viewed as the strongest prescription to date. However, rice aid to North Korea was omitted from the plan and the response from farming groups has not been positive. It also remains unclear whether the measures will pull rice prices up.

[...]

Experts and farmers’ groups evaluating the Lee administration’s active market isolation measures indicated that they were insufficient for stabilizing the rice market.

“Isolating surplus rice is not enough, and measures to use it up are also needed,” said Lee Jeong-hwan, head of agricultural research institute GSnJ. “The 60 trillion Won in agricultural goods purchased every year by the U.S. government are not kept in warehouses, but used to support people on low incomes or for school lunches.”

Hong Joon-geun, chairman of a rice association, said, “Measures are needed such as processing the rice into flour and exporting or sending it to North Korea, or sending the rice itself overseas.”

Lee Chang-han, in charge of policy at a national alliance of farmers, said, “The measures lacked core elements such as rice aid to North Korea.”

With regard to rice aid to North Korea, MIFAFF Minister Yoo Jeong-bok said, “Rice aid alone is not valid as aid to North Korea, and the issue is one that must be comprehensively examined by the government.”

On the afternoon of Aug. 31, more than 500 farmers from the National Federation of Farmers' Associations held a rally outside Nonsan City Hall in South Chungcheong Province, calling for a solution to the rice crisis. They demanded that the government solve the crisis by resuming rice aid shipments to North Korea.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]

Text Fwd: IFOAM threatens to relocate Organic World Congress

* Image source: same as the below link

'Farmers of the Paldang Organic Farm are confronted by police officers during a demonstration against the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project, May 11.'


Hankyoreh
IFOAM threatens to relocate Organic World Congress
: The organization says S. Korea must first resolve issues surrounding the Paldang Organic Farm, scheduled to be torn down for the Lee administration’s Four Rivers project
By Park Gyeong-man
July 20, 2010

Excerpt

The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) has issued a statement saying that unless the issue surrounding the Paldang Organic Farm is resolved, it will rediscuss its decision to hold next September’s Organic World Congress, currently scheduled to be held in the Paldang area. The Lee Myung-bak administration issued its decision in April to tear down the farm and allocate the land for use in its Four Major Rivers Restoration Project.

IFOAM said it would open a debate this September and submit data refuting claims by the South Korean national and Gyeonggi Provincial governments that organic farming damages water quality.

A private, international organic farming movement with 750 organic farming groups and farmers from 110 nations, IFOAM holds its Organic World Congress every three years, touring the continents. The 2011 congress, to be held at the Paldang Organic Farm as the first to convene in Asia, will include an organic farming expo, debates and workshops on the latest organic farming technologies, among other activities.

[Jeju Update] [Translation] Decision on the Enforcement of Land Expropriation in the [Planned] Naval Base Area on June 11

서귀포 일간 신문 Seogwipo Daily Newspaper

강정 농민들 해군에 쫓겨나나 중토위, 11일 재결 결정…해군기지 토지 강제 수용 ‘최우수 화훼단지’ 명성 잃을 위기…임차농도 ‘울상’

Will the Gangjeong Villagers be Expelled by the Navy? Central Committee for the Land Expropriation Decides for the Arbitration on June 11… Enforcement of Land Expropriation in the [Planned] Naval Base Area… ‘Best Floriculture Complex’ Is In Crisis of Losing Its Fame… Rent Farmers in ‘Tearful Face”

2010년 06월 17일 (목)
June 17, Thursday, 2010

김경덕 기자 (tree (at)seogwipo.co.kr)
Kim Kyung-Duk (tree(at)seogwipo.co.kr)

▲ 해군기지 건설로 토지 강제 수용에 들어갈 예정 부지 일대 모습.
▲ Appearance of the planned area for the enforcement of the land expropriation for the naval base construction .

서귀포시 강정마을 해안 일대가 해군기지 건설 사업에 따른 토지 강제 수용에 들어간다. 이 지역은 정부가 전국에서 ‘최우수’로 꼽은 강정화훼수출단지가 포함된 데다, 수 년간 밭을 일궈온 임차농들이 속수무책으로 쫓겨나게 돼, 적잖은 반발이 예상된다. 주민들은 행정소송 등 여러가지 방법을 동원, 끝까지 저항하겠다는 태도를 보이고 있다.

The coast area of the Gangjeong village, in the city of Seogwipo is to enter into the enforcement of land expropriation according to the naval base construction business. Since this area includes the best floricultural export complex that the government chose as ‘the very best’ nationwide and the rent farmers are to be expelled without any alternative measures, not a few repulses are expected. The villagers show the attitude that they will resist to the end, mobilizing the various ways such as administrative lawsuit.

국토해양부 중앙토지수용위원회는 11일 해군기지 예정부지 건설에 따른 재결을 결정했다. 앞서 해군은 해군기지 예정 부지에서 협의 되지 않은 토지를 대상으로 강제 수용을 위한 재결을 신청했다. 현재 협의가 되지 않은 토지는 전체 사유지 면적 27만7604㎡(187필지) 가운데 절반에 달하는 13만2460㎡다. 토지 소유주는 103명 중 64명이 거부한 상태다.

The Central Committee for the Land Expropriation, belonging to the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs made the decision for arbitration according to [the plan] for the naval base construction in the planned area on June 11. Before it, the navy applied for the arbitration for the enforcement expropriation of the lands that have not been negotiated in the naval base planned area. Currently, the lands that have not been negotiated are 132,460 ㎡ that is about the half of the total private area, 277,604 ㎡ (187 pieces of land). Currently among 103 landowners, 64 have denied it.

▷ 강정화훼단지 육성할 땐 언제고…
▷ It was the government who fostered the Gangjeong Floriculture Complex...

문제는 강제 수용 지역이 제주도뿐만 아니라 전국에서 ‘최우수’로 인정받는 화훼단지가 상당부분 포함돼 있다는 점이다. 일관성 없는 정부의 태도에 눈살을 찌푸리게 한다.

The problem is that the area for the enforcement of the expropriation includes the considerable parts of the floricultural complex that is acknowledged as ‘the very best’ not only in the Jeju Island but also nationwide. The inconsistent government attitude makes one knit ones’ brows.

정부는 해군기지 예정부지에 편입된 강정화훼수출단지를 지난 2009년과 2010년, 전국 최우수 원예전문생산단지로 선정했다. 제주 지역에서는 유일하게 2년 연속 영예를 안은 셈이다. 강정화훼단지는 수출 신장 노력이나 규모화를 인정받으면서, 정부로부터 수출 물류비 혜택(307원/kg)과 선진물류조사 기회도 받아냈다.

The government chose the Gangjeong floriculture export complex that was incorporated into the planned area for the naval base as the very best nationwide horticulture -specialized production complex in last 2009 and 2010. It was the only area that has gotten such honor for the two successive years. As the Gangjeong floriculture complex was acknowledged with its export expansion effort and size, it has also received the benefit of the cost for the physical distribution of the export (307kg) and chance for the research of the advanced physical distribution.

이처럼 규모화와 수출 가능성을 인정받은 강정화훼단지(11만5500㎡)가 전체 42%가 넘는 땅(4만9500㎡)을 해군기지에 내주게 돼, 명성을 잃을 위기에 놓였다. 특히, 이곳은 다른 지역보다 화훼를 재배하기 적합해, 상실감이 더욱 크다.

As the Gangjeong floriculture complex(11만5500㎡) that was acknowledged with the size and export possibility, is to be given to the naval base with more than 42% land(4만9500㎡), it is in the crisis of losing its fame. Specially since it fits for the floriculture than any other areas, the feeling of loss is bigger.

윤용필 강정마을토지주대책위 위원장은 “해군기지 예정부지인 강정화훼단지가 명성을 얻게 된 것은 일조량이 좋고 토질이 좋아서, 마을 윗 동네에 재배하는 것보다 생산비(난방비) 절감은 물론, 수확량도 훨씬 뛰어나기 때문”이라며 “충분한 보상차원의 반대가 아니라 농민들의 생존권을 위한 차원”이라고 항의했다.

Yoon Yong-Phil, chairman of the Gangjeong Village Landowners’ Committee saying, “ The reason that the Gangjeong floriculture complex that is planned area for the naval base has gotten the fame was because of its good sun-shine amount and land quality therefore not only the production cost (heating cost) could be reduced but also the harvest amount could be much more excellent,” protested saying, “ It is not for the opposition for the enough compensation but for the survival rights of the farmers.”


▲ 지난 4월19일, 토지주대책위원회는 해군기지 강제수용 결정에 반발하는 기자회견을 열기도 했다.
▲ Last April 19, the Landowners’ committee has held the press interview repelling against the decision of the enforcement of land expropriation for the naval base.

토지 강제 수용으로 잃게 될 노인 일자리도 아쉬운 대목이다. 농민들의 말을 종합하면, 잦은 손이 가는 화훼 경작은 3300㎡(1000평)에 한해 60명이 넘는 고용효과가 발생한다. 윤 위원장은 “해군기지가 들어서면 정작 이 분들의 일자리를 잃게 된다”면서 “주민들은 일하기 위해 애써 먼 거리를 이동해야 하는 불편을 감수해야 한다”고 말했다.

The thing that the elders’ jobs that would be lost for the enforcement of land expropriation is sorry part, too. Putting together the remarks of the farmers, the floriculture cultivation that needs lots of hands produces the employment effect of more than 60people against the 3300㎡ (1000 pyeong). Chairman Yoon saying that “If the naval base comes in, those would lose the jobs in fact,” told that “The villagers should bear the inconvenience to painfully move the far distance to work.”

▷ 소외된 임차농, 영농보상비도 ‘힘들어’
▷ Alienated Rent farmers would be in 'Hard Situation’ Even to Get the Farming Compensation Cost

땅이라도 있는 주민들은 그나마 사정이 나은 편이다.

The villagers with lands, nevertheless are in better situation.

7년째 농사를 짓는 임차농 고모씨(49)는 빌려 지은 땅이 강제 수용 부지에 속하면서 깊은 시름에 잠겼다. 그는 “땅 있는 사람들이야 보상금 받아 어디 가서 뭔들 하겠지만, 나처럼 길거리에 내몰릴 사람들은 먹고 사는 게 막막하다”면서 “당장은 생계를 이어야 하는데 턱없이 적은 보상금으로 땅을 살 엄두도 못낸다”고 토로했다.

Mr. Koh (49), the rent farmer who has been farming for 7 years is in deep strain as the rent land gets to belong to the area for the enforcement of expropriation. Saying, “ While the landowners could get the compensation cost and would do anything with it in the other areas, people who would be expelled to the streets, like me have no breakthrough to make living ,” expressed that, “ Even though we should continue make living, we cannot even think of buying lands with such unreasonably small compensation cost.”

이런 처지는 고 씨만이 아니다. 애써 가꾼 땅이 강제 수용 부지에 속한 임차농들은 무려 15명이 넘는다. 대부분 몇 년간 비닐하우스를 지어 화훼 또는 원예 농사를 짓는 농사꾼이다. 이들은 대략 1㎡당 3000원 수준인 2년치 영농손실보상금을 받고 땅을 떠나야 한다.

That situation is not only for Mr. Koh. The numbers of the rent farmers whose painfully cultivated lands became to belong to the area for the enforcement of the land expropriation exceeds as many as 15. Most of them are the farmers who have built the vinyl houses and cultivated the floriculture or horticulture for years. They should leave the land after they receive the compensation cost for two years’ loss of farming that is about 3,000won for about 1㎡.

그러나 영농손실보상금을 받기도 쉽지 않다. 보상금을 받으려면, 임차농은 공영도매시장 증명서나 세금납부영수증 등을 통해 2년치 농산물 매출액을 입증해야 한다. 하지만, 대부분 위탁 상회에 출하하거나 중간 상인을 거치면서 소득을 증명할 길이 없어 제대로 된 보상을 받을 수 없다.

However it is not even easy to receive the compensation cost for the loss of farming. To get the compensation fee, the rent farmers should prove their two years’ sale prices through the certificates for the public wholesale market or receipts of the tax payment. However, there is no way for them to get the proper compensation because most of them make a shipment to the trust market or get through the intermediary merchant.

또한 임차농이 땅 주인의 인감을 받아야 2년치 보상금을 받을 수 있다는 점도 애를 태우고 있다. 인감을 받지 못하면 보상금을 땅 주인과 임차농이 나눠 갖는다.

Otherwise, it is another anxious point that they should get the landowners’ signet to receive the two year’s compensation cost. If they don’t get the signet, the landowner and the rent farmers should share the compensation cost.

때문에 주민들은 수용 재결서를 받더라도, 수용재결 불복에 따른 이의 신청과 함께 행정소송을 제기할 가능성이 크다. 토지주대책위는 가까운 시일 안에 긴급 회의를 열어 이같은 내용을 논의한다고 전했다. 토지주대책위 관계자는 “대부분 농사로 인해 해군기지 건설을 반대하기 때문에, 앞으로 보상 협의를 받아 들일 가능성은 적다”고 내비쳤다.

Because of it, it is highly possible even though the villagers get the document on the decision of the expropriation, they would raise the administrative lawsuit with the appeal for the different opinion, according to insubordination to the decision on the expropriation. The Landowners’ Committee said, having the emergency meeting in near-term, they would discuss such contents. The personnel in the Landowners’ committee hinted that, “ Because most people oppose the naval base construction for farming, there is little possibility that they would accept the compensation negotiation for the time to come."

해군기지 토지 보상업무를 대신 맡고 있는 한국농어촌공사 관계자는 “공탁에 들어갈 시점이 7월12일로, 6월말부터 7월초까지 협의를 이끌도록 최선의 노력을 다하겠다”면서도 “민감한 사안이라 제대로 성사될 지 전망하기 힘들다”고 말했다.

The personnel in the Korea Rural Community Center who is in charge of the compensation affairs for the land in the planned naval base area, while saying, “ As for the time to enter the deposition is July 12, we would do best to make our effort to lead the negotiation from the end of June to early July.” Told that “ Because it is the sensitive issue, it is hard to prospect whether it would be properly done.”

[Translation Fwd] Drive for the Establishment of ‘Pan-Korean People’s Committee for Sending Unification rice to North Korea’

* Image source: Cho Sung-Bong, Tongil News, March 10, 2010

'In the morning of March 10, there was a civil society organizations’ joint press interview to denounce the Ministry of Unification that has disallowed to send the unification rice to North Korea and to urge to resume the rice support for North Korea,’ in the front gate of Seoul Government Building Management Service building.'

____________________________________________________________________________________
* Below is the arbitrary translation of parts of the linked article.

Tongil News
Drive for the Establishment of ‘ Pan-Korean People’s Committee for Sending Unification rice to North Korea’
: Will Form the Committee during March and April.. Urge Lee Myung-Bak Government to Converse the Policies against North Korea
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Jung Myung-Jin (mjjung (at) tongilnews.com)

While the current [Lee Myung Bak] government has repeatedly disallowed the ‘unification rice’ support for North Korea by the peasant organizations and itself has posed the rice support for North Korea, various civil society organizations drive for the ‘Pan-people’s Movement for Sending the 6.15 Unification Rice’ (tentative)’ to solve that problem.

[…]

It is the initiative to enlarge the movement for sending the unification rice, which has been lead by the peasant organizations, to the movement by all Korean people, therefore to urge the rice support to North Korea and even to aim at the conversion of Lee Myung-Bak government’s North Korean policy.

By now, the peasant organizations have claimed that while [former] governments’ rice support to North Korea, which has been 400,000 t every year, has been posed under the [Lee] government for three years, about 1,200,000 t rice stock that has been increased for that reason has lead to the heavy fall of rice price, to the degree of threatening the survival rights of the rice farming households. Otherwise, the 100 t ‘unification rice’ that the peasant organizations have self-cultivated has been loaded nationwide as the government has three times disallowed them to send that rice to North Korea, since last January.

[…]

The participants saying through the press interview, “The unification rice that has been abandoned on the cold asphalt roads must go to the bothers and sisters in North Korea,” urged the government by saying that,“ This year specially welcomes the 10th anniversary of 6.15 Joint declaration. The Lee Myung-Bak government must converse all the hostile policies against North Korea.

For More Photos, go to the Korean Peasants League Site.