Photo Fwd: Workers' voice for reunification on May Day

http://www.tongilnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=94538
남북 노동자 "통일의 망치소리 울리자"
5.1절 맞아 4년만에 남북노동자통일대회 열려
2011년 05월 01일 (일) 13:29:01 조정훈 기자
성명서 전문 포함

The workers’ headquarters of the South and North Korean committees, 6.15 joint statement practice resolved to “make efforts to spread the voices for self-reliance, peace and unification.”
The joint event between the workers in both Koreas was realized after four years in the form of separate events in Seoul and Pyeongyang as the Lee Myung-Bak government of South Korea has not allowed South Korean workers to visit Pyeongyang. You can see more photos and original Korean language joint statement in the link.

Photo Fwd: No Absorbing Unification

* Image source: The southern Headquarter of the Pan Korean Alliance for Reunification, Dec. 30, 2011

Text Fwd: 137 religious leaders call for inter-Korean dialogue

* Image source: Newsis, Dec. 29, 2010 (* informed at the Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea)
We oppose the 2011 report by the Ministry of Unification on the preparation for an absorbing unification
Abolish the hostile policy against North Korea!

* Image source: same as the link
Elder representatives of the religious sector and civic society sit behind a banner that reads “There must not be any more war on the peninsula” during a press conference at the Korea Press Foundation, Dec. 29. (Photo by Shin So-young)

Hankyoreh
137 religious leaders call for inter-Korean dialogue
Criticizing the Lee administration’s current policy, leaders said policy should aim at preventing war and establishing peace
Lee Je-hoon, Staff Writer
Posted on : Dec.30,2010 16:05 KST

A total of 137 elders and leaders from the country’s six main religious groups - Catholicism, Protestantism, Buddhism, Won-Buddhism, Cheondoism, and Sungkyunkwan - along with civil society issued an appeal Wednesday urging efforts between North Korea and South Korea to “prevent war and establish peace on the Korean Peninsula.”

“There must not be any more war on the peninsula,” the appeal stated.

At a press conference Wednesday afternoon at the Korea Press Foundation in Seoul’s Jung District, the leaders called for a halt to all aggressive military actions and provocative statements and behavior between North Korea and South Korea and the formulation of basic measures to establish a firm national security posture and peace on the Korean Peninsula.

READ MORE
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See also

Hankyoreh
Unification Ministry adopts policy of aggressive pressure against N.Korea
:The Lee administration’s promotion of ‘change’ in N.Korea as a prerequisite for dialogue has been criticized for its ineffectiveness in improving relations to date
Posted on : Dec.30,2010 16:02 KST

[Photo Fwd] Update on the event of the walking for the prayer of the resumption of the Geumgang Mt. tourism 금강산 관광 재개 기원을 위한 걷기 대회 보고

* The below is the update of the previous blog(click). The photos and statement(Only last part is translated here) comes from the site of Korea Alliance for Progressive Movements


As the history of the Geumgang Mt. tourism in last history says, the Geumgang Mt. tourism is not the business simply for developing a tourist site but a stepping stone for reconciliation and trust, that we make together removing the demarcation line within us.

We have been experiencing for last decades that neither South nor North can favorably be developed, remaining the long-time barrier of division and confrontation

We should build trust each other by meeting, exchanging, and co-operating often. We should renew and open the era for peace and unification by forging trust between South and North with consistent and unrelenting practice of reconciliation and cooperation.

Let’s stop the policy of regime collapse’ and step together for the complement of June 15 joint statement and Oct. 4 statement, that the SK and NK have promised together.

Even though the way we are going today is short and humble, as the word that says, ‘ From one step even though it is a long distance,’ we are sure that we could open a broader way of exchange afterward, with our steps built and built.

Nov. 20, 2010

South Korean branch, Practice of 6.15 Joint Statement; Democratic Party; Democratic Labor Party; People’s Participatory Party; Citizen Council for the Welfare Nation and Progressive Integration; Daum Café internet site, Let’s go again, Geumgansan

Text Fwd: HFRC hosts conference on peace in Northeast Asia 한겨레 통일 문화 재단, 동북아 평화 공동체 회담

* Image & caption source: same as the link

Scholars and experts participating in the 6th Hankyoreh-Busan International Symposium hold a discussion at the APEC House in Busan, South Korea, Nov. 18. (Photo by Kim Gyoung-ho)

Hankyoreh
HFRC hosts conference on peace in Northeast Asia The forum’s focus is on creating regional balance for political and economic stability　
Nov. 19, 2010
By Yi Yong-in, Staff Writer and Choi Won-hyung

Experts from South Korea, the U.S., China, and Japan gathered in Busan to discuss plans for historical reconciliation in Northeast Asia and the establishment of a peace community at the 6th Hankyoreh-Busan International Symposium. The symposium, jointly organized by the Hankyoreh Foundation for Reunification and Culture (HFRC) and Busan Metropolitan City, is taking place from Thursday evening through Friday at the Nurimaru APEC House in Busan on the theme, “Northeast Asian Community: Reconciliation, Peace, and Cooperation.”

In his opening address Thursday, foundation chairperson Lim Dong-won, referring to the six-party talks to resolve the North Korea nuclear issue, said, “There is no need for us to negotiate due to fear, but that does not mean we should fear negotiations.”

Lim also said, “I am looking forward to positive diplomatic efforts from the Barack Obama administration following the mid-term elections, and active diplomacy from the South Korean government.”

READ MORE

Poster Fwd: Prayer for the resumption of the Geumgan Mt. tourism 12 주년: 금강산 관광 재개 기원 올레 걷기

* Image source: Korean Alliance of Progressive Movements 한국 진보 연대

* The below is a summary translation of the above

In commemoration of the 12th anniversary of the Geumgang mountain(=Kŭmgangsan) tour

Olle-walking for the prayer for the resumption of the Geumgan Mt. tourism
Nov. 20, Saturday, 2010

Olle walking from the South-North Entry/exit office, Donghae line to the Unification Observatory (total 3km)

(* Note: The word, Olle is originated from the Jeju Island, meaning a narrow path from people's homes. The Olle tourism movement to save nature in the Jeju Island has been extended to nationwide and the word, Olle seems to have become common word. )

Host: Democratic Party; Democratic Labor Party; South Korean branch for the Practice of 6.15 Joint Statement; Gangwon Province; Hankyoreh Unification & Culture Foundation; Daum Café internet site, Let’s go again, Geumgansan

Sponsor: Gosung County, Gangwon Province; Association of the Geumgansan tour sale agencies, The Hankyoreh Co.

For more on Geumgang Mt., click HERE

Photo Fwd: A brief reunion and tearful farewell [이산 가족 상봉] 짧은 재결합과 눈물의 이별

* Image & caption source: same as the link

Hankyoreh
A brief reunion and tearful farewell
Posted on : Nov.1,2010

Kim Seong-bae, 68, wipes away tears with his sleeve as separated family members from North Korea depart aboard buses. Separated family members from North Korea and South Korea met at Mt. Kumgang resort in North Korea and had lunch together on Oct. 31, the second day of the family reunions. This event marked the first three-day reunion held in thirteen months.

A total of 533 people from 97 families held group and individual meetings at the first reunions from Oct. 30 to Nov. 1. The family members had been separated during the 1950-53 Korean War. In particular, four North Koreans who were South Korean soldiers during the war participated for the first time in the history of inter-Korean reunions. They included Li Jong-ryul, 90, the oldest representative from North Korea. Li met his son, who was a 100-day old baby when they were separated.

South Korea estimates that 500 South Korean POWs are still alive in North Korea, although the government declared them dead in 1957. North Korea, however, denies the existence of South Korean POWs, claiming that they all voluntarily chose North Korea.

(Photo pool)

Photos Fwd: [PKAR] Protest denouncing against the irrational security-drive out 비이성적 공안 몰이 규탄

* 국문 기사는 여기를 클릭하세요.

* All the image source: Pan-Korean Alliance for Reunification of Korea (PKAR), Oct. 26, 2010




While the right wing conservative Lee Myung Bak government that has launched in March, 2009 left two more years of its power, its oppression against the unification movement organizations has been continuous. The oppression against the PKAR was one of them. Currently the Lee government has been oppressing another organization named Solidarity for the Practice of the Joint Statement between the South & North Korea (* temporary translation).

The security investigation unit of the Seoul police agency has confiscated and searched the houses of the four former & current staffs of the Solidarity for Practice on last Oct. 19 and a staff in another organization named Research Institute for the Civil Rights. It also issued a restraint warrant to the same organization’s executive chairman.

Some activist organizations such as the Solidarity for Practice, South Korea branch, PKAR, Korean Alliance of the Progressive Movements and Association of the Family for the Democracy Practice held the press interview against such oppression on Oct. 25, 2010.

Video Fwd: Korean Students' Message for Peace 한국 학생들의 평화 메시지

Korea Report
October 1, 2010
Korean Student Wins "Internet for Peace" Contest: Message for Peace Spreads Around the World|

'The power and potential of the Internet as a messenger of peace is evident -- this winning video now has 517,647 views (as of Oct. 1, 2010). To conceive such a project from seeing a soccer match confirms the passion, aspiration, and yearning for Korean reconciliation, reunification and peace amongst all Koreans. The young generation has elevated this sentiment to a new level by utilizing new media and social networking tools over the Internet by conveying the message of peace around the world.'

Poster Fwd: [PKAR] Stop the War Exercise & Realize the 10.4 Joint Statement [범민련 남측 본부] 전쟁연습 중단하고 10.4선언 이행

* Click the image for larger view. 이미지를 클릭하시면 확대됩니다.

* For more images, click HERE
Pan Korean Alliance for Reunification of Korea 범민련 남측 본부

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*Declaration on the Advancement of South-North Korean Relations, Peace and Prosperity
Date : 2007-10-04 (* informed in the Korea Report)

* All the blogs on the Oct. 4 statement

[Photo Fwd] [Peace Network] Bicycle March near to the DMZ – from an aspiration for the Unification of Korea 코리아의 통일을 염원한 DMZ 근처까지 자전거 행진

* Image source: Peace Network 평화 넷트워크 (same as the below link)

According to the Peace Network(평화 넷트 워크) website, despite the start in the raining morning, about 100 participants joined the bicycle march for the ecology peace and for the help of North Korean brothers & Sisters on Sept. 11, 2010.

The whole distance was 40kim from Ilsan to Imjingak near the Korean Demilitarized zone. The Imjingak is a park that ‘was built to console those from both sides who are unable to return to their hometowns, friends and families because of the division of Korea.’ (For more on Imjingak, Wiki, and also HERE)


* Image source: Official website of the City of Paju

Below is the translation from the end part of the Peace Network report:

“We haven’t known that the Imjingak that we have finally arrived into, after running 40km was so close [from Ilsan that is near Seoul]. While riding a bicycle is like living a life, doesn’t it resemble in the way for unification? In the way for unification, there are ways such as uphill path, flat land, and downhill road. If the uphill path is felt difficult, it is O.K. that you just slowly climb up dragging a bicycle. It is O.K. only if you don't give up and persistently continue to go toward a destination. We aspire that our running a whole distance with bicycle is followed by the running a whole distance for the unification.”

"40km를 달려 도착한 임진각, 이렇게 가까운지 몰랐습니다. 나와 북한과의 거리가 그렇게 가깝다는 것도 처음으로 느꼈습니다. 자전거를 타는 일은 인생과도 같지만, 통일로 가는 길과도 닮지 않았을까요? 통일로 가는 길에는 오르막도 있고 평지도 있고 내리막도 있습니다. 오르막이 힘들면 자전거를 끌고 천천히 올라가면 됩니다. 다만, 포기하지 않고 꾸준히 목적지를 향해 가면 되는 것입니다. 우리의 자전거 완주가 통일의 완주로 이어지길 간절히 소망합니다."

The event was hosted by the three organizations of the Citizens’ Peace Forum, Peace Network and the Green Bicycle Service Volunteers* (* temporary translation). The event is also co-sponsored by the 12 organizations. About 12 institutions including the City of Goyang, financially sponsored the event. Half of the participants' fees are donated for the help of the North Koreans affected by the floods this year.
___________________________________________________________

Related blog 관련 블로그

Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Event Fwd: A bicycle march for the ecology peace and help of North Korean brothers & Sisters on Sept. 11
[초대] 9월 11일 자전거를 타고 떠나는 생태평화와 북녘 동포돕기 대행진!

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]

Site Fwd:[John Hines] A U.S. Debate coach’s research trip on the Issues of struggles against the USFK bases & for Unification in Korea, Aug. 4-8, 2010

____________________________________________________________
John Hines is ‘a high school philosophy teacher and debate coach in Oakland, CA.’
His friend Julian Gagnon, a debate coach, too, helped him to contact Bruce Gagnon who introduced a Korean activist to John Hines. John has visited Korea from Aug. 4 to Aug. 8. 2010. In his email in July, he explained the purpose of his trip as the below:

존 하인즈는 캘리포니아주 오클랜드 (Oakland )시 고등학교 철학 선생이자 토론 코치입니다. 역시 토론 교사인 줄리안 개그논이 브루스 개그논을 연락하게 했고 브루스 개그논은 존 하인즈에게 한국 활동가를 소개해주었읍니다. 존은 2010년 8월 4일 부터 8일까지 한국을 방문했읍니다. 7월 에 보낸 그의 이메일에서 그는 여행 목적을 아래와 같이 설명했읍니다.

‘This year the American high school debate community has chosen to debate reducing US military presence in Asia; tens of thousands of American teenagers will spend the next school year debating whether the US should end its counter-insurgency strategy in Afghanistan and Iraq, or whether Tactical Nuclear Weapons should be removed from Turkey, whether the US should withdraw its troops from South Korea, or whether the US should close Futenma Air Station in Okinawa without relocating it in another site in Okinawa prefecture.’

'올해(가을 학기 시작), 미국 고등학교 토론 공동체는 아시아의 미군 주둔 축소에 관한 주제를 택했는데 수만명의 미국 십대들은 다음 학기에 미국이 아프가니스탄과 이라크에서의 반란 진압을 종식해야 하는 것인가, 전술적 핵무기가 터키에서 제거되어야 하는가, 미군이 남한으로부터 군대를 철수해야 하는가, 또는 미국이 오키나와 현내 다른 곳으로 기지 이전을 하지 않으면서 오키나와 후텐마 공군 기지를 폐쇄해야 하는가에 대해 토론을 하게 될 것입니다.'

'There is a lot of interest in the debate community about activism and resistance to US basing policies, but we don't have much first-hand information about the actual perspectives and stories of activists. Hopefully my trip will provide debaters who wish to argue against the continued presence of US military in Korea unique access and perspectives they would not otherwise receive by using newspapers, books etc.. for their research. Many of these debaters are also activists who go on to have a big influence in US policy-making circles. Hopefully, with your help I can offer them a side of the story to the inter-Korean conflict that the average American teenager never gets to hear.'

'현재 미 토론 공동체에는 미국의 기지 정책에 대항하는 저항 활동들에 대해 관심이 높습니다. 그러나 활동가들의 직접 접촉에 의거한 지역 운동의 실제 전망과 이야기에 관한 정보가 부족한 실정입니다. 저는 저의 연구 여행및 포스트가 한국내 지속되는 미군 기지에 대항하는 활동 및 저항에 대해 관심이 높은 활동가들에게 신문, 책, 자료 탐색들에서 찾아 볼 수 없는 독특한 접근과 전망을 제공하길 원합니다. 이 토론자들은 또한 활동가로서 미국 정책 입안 써클에도 향후 큰 영향을 미칠 수 있읍니다. 저는 또한 미 평균적인 십대 들이 좀처럼 접해 보지 않았던 남북간 갈등의 한 이야기에 관해 들을 수 있도록 기회를 제공하길 원합니다.'

John wanted to interview the locals struggling against the US bases and the unification activists in Korea. During and after the very packed schedule, he remained the below wonderful blogs on his trip to Korea. I think his blog is very informative to be shared with all. The below links go to his blog. http://utnifdebate.blogspot.com/.

존 하인즈는 미군 기지에 반대해 싸우는 지역민들 및 통일 운동가들을 우선적으로 만나고 싶어했읍니다. 매우 빽빽한 일정 동안과 후에 그는 아래와 같은 훌륭한 블로그들을 남겼읍니다. 저는 그의 블로그가 매우 정보가 많아 모두와 공유하고 싶습니다. 아래의 링크들은 그의 블로그로 갑니다. http://utnifdebate.blogspot.com/.
____________________________________________________________

A VIEW OF US. PART 2: KOREAN STORIES(Click)
미국에 대한 관점, 부분 2: 한국 이야기들(클릭)

THE TRAGEDY OF THE LOVELY COUPLE 사랑스러운 커플의 비극
(* This story is also loaded HERE 이 글은 여기에도 실림. )

THREE PRISONERS OF CONSCIENCE 세 양심수의 이야기

____________________________________________________________

A VIEW OF US. PART 3: KOREAN STORIES CONTINUED(Click)
미국에 대한 관점, 부분 3: 한국 이야기들 계속되다(클릭)



BonMinRyon’s Vision for a “Third Way” 범민련의 “세번째 길”에 대한 비전

Two Little Girls and the White Cranes 두 소녀와 하얀 학들
(*Visit to the Ohyunri struggling against the expansion of the Mugeon-ri Military Training field)
(*무건리 훈련장 확장 반대 마을 오현리)

A Plea to American High School Students from the Elders of Daechu-I
대추리 노인분들의 미국 고등학교 학생들에게 보내는 청원

Jeju Island: The Uprising and Planned Naval Base
제주도: 항쟁 및 계획된 해군 기지
____________________________________________________________
* See also
A view of US: Critical Ethnographic perspectives on American Military presence in East Asia by John Hines-part 1(Click)
미국의 관점: 존 하인즈의 동아시아에서 미국 군대 현존에 관한 비판적인민족 지학 전망-부분 1(클릭)

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Other Photos 그 외 사진들
Click the image for larger view 이미지를 클릭하시면 화면이 확대됩니다.
____________________________________________________________

Otherwise, the SPARK young people and youth group had the wonderful reports on the Jeju peace tour with the KEEP (Korea Exposure & Education Program) members of the Korean Americans groups in the SPARK website. Even though they are Korean, I share with you here. Please click each title. Lee Jung-Min, member of the young people's group, SPARK, thankfully informed the Jeju peace tour material(Korean) made by the group. See the PDF file below(Sorry, only Korean)
한편 평통사 청년, 청소년 회원들이 재미 동포 그룹들의 KEEP(Korea Exposure & Education Program)회원들과 같이 한 제주 평화 여행에 관해 평통사 웹사이트에 훌륭한 보고서들을 올렸읍니다. 한국어지만 여기 같이 공유합니다. 제목을 클릭하시길. 평통사 청년 그룹 회원인 이정민 님이 감사하게도 제주 평화 여행 자료를 알려주셨읍니다. 아래 PDF 파일을 보시길. (국문)

	제주기행 자료집.pdf 453K View Download

1. 올레길 7코스 걷기 및 강정마을 방문 (7일 낮)
1. Walk on the 7th Olle course & visit to Gangjeong (day, Aug. 7)

2. 강정 마을 회장님 및 마을 어른들과의 대화, 평통사 몇 간부들 및 청소년, 청년 그룹, 그리고 재미 동포 회원들 간 만남, 재미 동포 회원들 및 존 하인즈 와의 인터뷰 ( 8월 7일 저녁)
2. Meeting with the Gangjeong mayor and village elders, meeting between some SPARK staffs, SPARK youth & young people’s group and KEEP members, interview with the KEEP members and John Hines (evening, Aug. 7)

3. 4.3 유적지 외: 대평 포구, 화순항, 산방산의 연대, 대정고을, 옛 알뜨르 비행장 일본군 격납고, 섯알오름 희생자 추모비
3. Visit to 4.3 memorial sites etc: Daepyeong port, Hwasoon harbor, Sanbangsan smoke mound, Daejung village, Japanese hangars in the old Altree airport and memorial stone for the 4.3 victims in the Seotalorm (Aug. 9)

(* 영화 교수님 이름은 양윤모 교수님으로 수정해야)

Photos Fwd: No Sanction against North Korea! No preemptive strike strategy! No Assimilating Unification Measure, Yes, Peace Treaty, Now!

* Image source: from the SPARK news letter (* thankfully provided by Jung, Dong-Suk, Secretary, Gwangju-Jeonam branch of the SPARK on Aug. 27, 2010)
* 이미지 소스: 평통사 뉴스 레터(광주-전남 지부 정동석 국장님 2010년 8월 27일 제공)

* Image source: Solidarity for Peace And Unification of Korea (SPARK)

우다웨이 중국 한반도사무 특별대표 사무관 방한에 즈음한 기자회견
이명박 정부는 대북 제재와 압박을 중단하고 북미대화와 6자회담을 조속히 재개하라!
2010. 8. 27(금) 오전 9:30, 외교통상부 정문 앞
Press interview upon the visit by Wu Dawei, a Chinese special envoy on the Korean affairs:
The Lee Myung Bak government should stop the sanction and pressure against North Korea
and [the six parties] should promptly resume the NK-US talks and six-party talks!
9:30am, Friday, Aug. 27, 2010/ in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

평통사 성명서(국문)는 여기를 클릭SPARK Statement (Korean)

평통사 평화 군축 팀장, 오혜란 님 글(국문)은 여기를 클릭
Writing by Oh Hye-Ran, Director of the Peace Disarmament Team, SPARK (Korean)

* Image source: Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea (SPARK)

선제공격 전략 수립 중단 및 흡수통일방안 폐기 촉구 기자회견:
국방개혁 좌초시키고 국방비 증액으로 귀결될 선제공격 전략 폐기해야
2010-08-18, 청와대 부근 청운동사무소 앞
Press Interview to demand the stop of the establishment on the preemptive strike strategy and abolishment of the assimilating unification measure :
[The Lee Myung-Bak government should stop the preemptive strike strategy that would strand the defense reform and would result in the increment of the defense budget
Aug. 8 to 18, 2010/ in front of the Chungwoon-dong office, near the Presidential House, Seoul

SPARK statement (Korean) 평통사 성명서(국문)는 여기를 클릭

___________________________________________________________

* Related blog

[Three International Petitions] to End the Korean war and peace treaty(or peace resolution)
한국 전쟁 종식과 평화 협정(또는 평화 결의안) 실현을 위한 [세 개의 국제 서명]

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Related Hankyoreh articles

Lee’s reunification plan excludes Korean Commonwealth Experts say this plan excludes an interim period
Aug.17, 2010 14:59 KST

Kim Jong-il makes unexpected visit to China This marks the leader’s second visit to China this year
Aug.27,2010 12:08 KST

Speculation abounds as Kim travels to China Experts have expressed baffled responses over the N.Korean leader’s unexpected visit
Aug.27,2010 14:07 KST

Scope of Carter’s visit remains in question Experts remain divided over whether the visit will impact the direction of U.S. North Korea policy
Aug.26,2010 13:54 KST

Text Fwd:[ Korea Report] Crossing the Border in the DMZ

* Korea Report on Aug. 21, 2010
Crossing the Border in the DMZ

Rev. Han Sang-ryol (top photo) crosses the Demarcation Line separating the two sides of Korea into South Korea after visiting North Korea with a message of peace, reconciliation and hope for reunification. Until few years ago, this act would not have caused a stir in South Korea, used to an upsurge of inter-Korea exchanges that brought steady border crossings, trade and joint ventures during a decade of inter-Korean rapproachement, brought on by former president Kim Dae-jung's "Sunshine policy" and followed on by former president Roh Moo-hyun -- who himself crossed the boarder on foot similarly to North Korea on an official visit.

But now, with the conservative Lee Myung-bak government in place, the border has been closed off and the clock has been turned back to the old days of open confrontation and hostilities between the two sides of Korea, and Rev. Han is likely to be prosecuted with the archaic National Security Law that outlaws unauthorized contacts with North Korea or activities "supporting" North Korea.

Rev. Han's action is reminiscent of similar feat by college student Im Soo-kyung (bottom photo) in 1989, whose unprecedented and courageous action inspired Koreans towards inter-Korea reconciliation. Im spent five years in prison for crossing the border (in violation of the National Security Law), along with Father Moon Kyu-hyun, who accompanied her on the crossing in support.

_____________________________________________________
* Related petitions and video

_[Three International Petitions] to End the Korean war and peace treaty(or peace resolution)

_ Korea Report
August 18, 2010
DMZ to DC 2010: Calling for Permanent Peace in Korea

[Photo Fwd] July 3 Rally: No Oppression against the KAPM

* Image source: Korean Alliance of Progressive Movements on July 5, 2010

About 700 participants including Lee Jung- Hee, National Assembly woman, Democratic Labor Party and members of the KAPM from various field of labor, peasant, youth, students, demanded through the rally statement on July 3, 2010, the discharge of the Won Se-Hoon, Director of the National Intelligence Service and dismantling of the NIS; Release of Han Choong-Mok, Co-representative of the KAPM; and the abolishment of the National Security Law. (summary translation referring to the site)

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* Related blog

http://nobasestorieskorea.blogspot.com/2010/07/text-fwd-translation-kapm-report-on.html
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Text Fwd: [Translation] KAPM Report on the Oppression against the KAPM

Text Fwd [Translation] KAPM Report on the Oppression against the KAPM

* This site was thankfully translated in Japanese by M. S. in Japan. Click HERE.


* Image source: KAPM report (여기 클릭)

Members of the KAPM protesting in front of the NIS on July 2, 2010

'We denounce the Lee Myung-Bak government who condemns the legal [inter-Korean] exchange & co-operation as the illegal!
Do you want to make the Korean peninsula for the exchange & cooperation, co-prosperity, peaceful unification into that of the military confrontation & war crisis?'

'Stop the oppression against the KAPM, that is the retaliation against the [mass] candle [protests in 2008]!
Are you afraid of the 2nd Candles, facing the total import of the more than 30 months US beef at the risk of mad cow disease?'

Failure of the diplomacy on the Cheonan ship [incident] and increment of the suspicion
-Stop the retaliation investigation against the progressive organizations!
Are you afraid of the KAPM who demands the total re-investigation on the Cheonan ship incident and the stop of military confrontation?'
___________________________________________________________

* Below is the arbitrary translation of the KAPM Report in the KAPM site.

국문은 여기를 클릭하세요.

1. Report on the Situation

In the morning of June 29, the NIS and Security Investigation unit of the Police Agency in collaboration carried out the restraint warrant and confiscation & search warrant in the houses of Mr. Han Choong-Mok, Mr. Jung Dae-Yeon and Ms. Choi Young-Ok.

- At the same time, executed the confiscation & search of the offices of the KAPM, and Jinbosarang(* meaning progressive love) (sponsor group)

- Originally, attempted to subpoena to ten people but the justice department turned down it except for the three people.

-As a result of the substantial review of the warrant processed on July 1, the warrants of Jung Dae-Yeon and Choi Young-Ok were turned down. The two were released.


2. Situation of the Distortion and Fabrication of the Charges of the National Security Law by the NIS and Police.

- Define the principals and rules of the KAPM on August 23, 2007, in accord with ‘The Foundation Measure for the Koryeo Democratic Federation Republic,’ ‘Kim Il-Sung’s New Year Speech’ and ’ The Faced 10 rules for the Anti-imperialism and the People’s Front’ of the North Korea.

-Define the holding of the ‘2008 KAPM staff training meeting’ on Feb. 22, 2008 for the discussion and resolution of the agendas on the Koryeo federation unification and withdrawal of the USFK.

- Define that Han Choong-Mok has occupied and lead the Anti-War Peace Self-Reliance and Unification Committee of the KAPM on September 17, 2008.


1. ◯ Premising the partner of the legal inter Korean exchange as the North Korean spy against the South Korea, define the exchange as the meeting & communication with and order-receiving from [enemy] and drive as if the activities of the unification solidarity and progressive solidarity were for the purposeful carrying out of the order [from the enemy].

◯By such way, all the people who have joined the inter-Korean exchange last period can be harmed under the same crime charge.

◯ The turn over of Jung Dae-Yeon and Choi Young-Ok reveals it was the prosecutors’ unreasonable investigation.

◯ The reason that even though they had confiscated & searched the Committee against the Mad Cow disease & KAPM and such above items had been stated in the prosecutors’ announcement of the investigation during the candle light protests against the mad cow disease in 2008, the items were omitted during the indictment stage, could be because the criticism against the prosecutors' unreasonable investigation was fierce.


2. Currently Applied Law Items Revealed in the Confiscation & Search Warrants (Those may be changed later on)

- Article 7, National Security Law (Admiration and Encouragement [of the enemy])

- Article 8 (Meeting and Communication [with the enemy])


3. The Nature of Oppression

1) The incident this time is to mask the inter Korean exchange & the practical affairs’ Conference that have been legally and openly processed under the permission of the [former] Ministry of Unification as the activities of receiving the order from the NK, therefore to arrest and confiscate & search of the KAPM staffs, which is, from the view of common sense, non-persuasive and unreasonable investigation and political retaliation against the KAPM who lead and accomplished the solidarity of the opposition parties during June 2 local election.

2) It is the retaliation against the [protests of] candle lights that the Lee Myung-Bak government, who has to import the beef of more than 30 months mad cow disease, connecting it to the delay of the wartime operational transfer, became to be put in the situation not being able to get out of the fear of the people’s candles, therefore oppresses the KAPM whose eight staffs have been arrested for the charges that they were the leaders behind the scenes of the [mass] candle light [protests] in 2008.

3)It is to oppress the KAPM as [the Lee government] predicts that there would be the response against the move of the government who tries to realize the SK-US FTA, import of the U.S. beef of more than 30 months, expansion of the dispatch to Afghanistan, increment of the USFK stationing cost, in the latter half of the year, and seeing that it has applied the arrest warrant against 10 staffs including the already arrested three, at the same time, it is to destroy the KAPM, by defining it as the enemy-benefiting organization.


4. Basis for the Response

_ Will proceed the joint response works collecting all the units and persons who are oppressed under the Lee Myung-Bak government.

_ Will jointly prevent the security oppression that is, after the oppression of the Net-i-zens who raised the questions on the Cheonan ship, Pan-Korean Teachers & Education Workers’ Union, expanded to the whole of the progressive & reform front.

- Concentrate into the public relationship of the contents that the public echoes with

- Expansion of the struggle on the public opinion such as the ‘The reality of the Security Oppression and Response Measure.


5. Concrete Plans ( KAPM Proposal)

1) Indict the NIS agent who misrepresented himself as the MBC reporter
2) Rally in front of the NIS, from 1 2to 1 pm everyday.
3) Rally in front of the NIS, at 2pm on July 3(Sat)
4) Support via on-line, encouragement and joining to Jinbosarang


6. Expected Trial Date

- Sending to the Prosecutors: July 15 to 20 (It is possible that the NIS will investigate [Han] for maximum 20 days)
- Indictment: early August (It is possible that the prosecutor investigation stage is for maximum 30 days)
- 1st trial: In the middle of August

Text Fwd: [KAPM Commentary] Restraint Warrant Turned Down [Except for Han], Proving that the Investigation was unreasonable

* Image source: KAPM

‘Han Choong-Mok, Co-representative of the KAPM, forcefully taken away by the NIS and police in the dawn of June 29, 2010’

'Stop the Oppression against the KAPM, for the turn-over of the election defeat!'

______________________________________________________________

* Below is the arbitrary translation of the link

Korean Alliance of Progressive Movements (KAPM)
[논평] 무리한 수사였음이 입증된 구속영장 기각
[KAPM Commentary] Restraint Warrant Turned Down [Except for Han], Proving that the Investigation was unreasonable
10-07-02
July 2, 2010

사법부조차 이번 국정원의 무리한 수사를 차마 봐주기 민망했던 모양이다.
6월 29일 자행된 국정원의 강제연행으로 구금당했던 한국진보연대 한충목 공동대표, 정대연 전 집행위원장, 최영옥 자주통일위원회 부위원장에 대한 영장실질심사에서 정대연 위원장과 최영옥 부위원장의 영장이 기각되었다.

It seems even the judiciary felt embarrassed to accept the unreasonable investigation by the National Intelligence Service. In the substantial review of the warrant against Han Choong-Mok, co-representative of the KAPM, Jung Dae-Yeon, former Executive Chairman, and Choi Young-Ok, Vice-Chairman of the Self-Reliance Unification Committee, who have been detained for the forceful arrest by the National Intelligence Service, on June 29, the warrants against Jung Dae-Yeon, former Executive Chairman, and Choi Young-Ok, Vice-Chairman of the Self-Reliance Unification Committee were turned down.

세 명 중 두 명의 영장이 기각된 것은 이번 수사가 무리한 것이었음을 명백히 입증한 것이라 하겠다. 국정원과 검찰은 국면전환용 끼어맞추기 수사를 즉각 중단할 것을 촉구한다.

The thing that the warrants against the two were turned down clearly proves that the investigation this time was unreasonable. We demand the NIS and the Prosecutors to immediately stop the framed investigation that is for the turn over of the political deadlock.

또한 우리는 한충목 대표의 영장이 발부된 것을 안타깝게 생각하며 5년이 넘은 사건, 통일부에 허가를 받고 북측 인사와 접촉한 사안을 가지고 국가보안법 혐의를 걸고드는 검찰의 무리한 수사에 대해 이후 법정에서 조목조목 무죄임을 밝혀 나갈 것이다.

We, feeling sorry that the warrant against Han-Choong-Mok , co-representative of the KAPM, was subpoenaed, will reveal his no-guilty, item by item in the court henceforth , on the prosecutors’ unreasonable investigation who charges him under the National Security Law, for the reason that he contacted the North Korean personnel, which had been permitted by the Ministry of Unification then, five years ago.

마지막으로, 이명박 정권은 치졸한 정치 보복극으로 잃는 것은 신뢰 뿐이고, 얻는 것은 조롱 뿐이며, 다가오는 것은 레임덕 뿐이라는 것을 명심해야 할 것이다.

Finally, the Lee Myung-Bak government should remind that it is trust that it would lose for the crude political retaliation play, that it is only the ridicule that it would get and that it is only its lame duck that would approach to it.


2010년 7월1일
July 1, 2010

한국진보연대
Korean Alliance of Progressive Movements (KAPM)

Emergency News: KAPM Under Oppression and Arrest

* Image source: Cho Jung-Hoon, Tongil News on June 29, 2010


* Image source: Cho Jung-Hoon, Tongil News on June 29, 2010

* Image source: Korean Alliance for Progressive Movement

Office and staff houses of the Korean Alliance for Progressive Movement (http://www.jinbocorea.org/)were forcefully searched by the National Intelligence Service at 6:30am, June 29, 2010(Korean time) and three staffs were arrested (Representative, Han Choong-Mok, Jung Dae Yeon, former Executive Chairman, and Choi Young-Ok, Vice Chairman of the Self-Reliance Reunification Committee). The Lee government is attempting to oppress the civil organizations under the National Security Law with the defeat of June 2 local election and excuse of the Cheonan ship.

Text Fwd: HOPE IS FAR AWAY

Bruce Gagnon blog
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
HOPE IS FAR AWAY

The wall along the base.

Yesterday's action outside the U.S. Embassy. The embassy faces the South Korean government building - a symbol of who is really in charge.

A photo from one of the monthly vigils outside the U.S. embassy in Seoul

We spent the day inside Seoul yesterday attending a couple different events. First we went to a 10th anniversary remembrance ceremony of the June 15 Declaration that was signed between the governments of South and North Korea that began to open up contacts between the people and family members. But in the last two years the right-wing government in South Korea of President Lee has begun to destroy those steps toward progress and he has resumed hostility toward the North.

Leading politicians from a couple different opposition political parties spoke at the event and after it was finished the former minister of unification came up to our delegation (which had been recognized during the ceremony) and introduced himself.

Following that event our delegation that includes Michael Lujan Bevacqua (Guam) and Shinako Oyakawa (Okinawa) went to a protest in front of the U.S. embassy that is held each month by Global Network affiliate group called SPARK (Solidarity for Peace & Reunification in Korea). SPARK began holding these regular protests at the embassy in 1999 and for a few years were met with arrests and beatings by their government. But persistance paid off and they are now left alone although the police were noticeably present.

At this protest, attended by about 100 people, they had reports on key issues including the recent sinking of the South Korea Naval vessel and reports from the U.N.'s recent NPT Review Conference. Peace groups and the public in South Korea remain convinced that North Korea had nothing to do with the sinking of the Navy ship which happened at the time of joint U.S.-South Korean war games aimed at North Korea.

After a wonderful lunch of grilled fish we were taken on a driving tour of the vast U.S. Yongsan Army Post that sits in the center of busy Seoul. The Army base is on both sides of hectic downtown streets and its stone walls with circular razor wire at the top is a visible reminder that this unwanted intrusion not only takes precious land but also makes the city a military target.
The South Korean Ministry of National Defense sits inside the Army base which well illustrates the fact that South Korea always has been a military colony of the United States. After WW II ended, and the Japanese colonizers were removed from power in South Korea, the U.S. put the Koreans who had been collaboraters with fascist Japan into positions of power.

The Korean War was essentially a civil war against those Japanese imperial collaboraters and those who had fought against the Japanese occupation and could not accept the U.S. as the new colonizing government. Since the Korean War never resulted in a peace treaty the war continues to this day with the U.S. still remaining in control of the South Korean government.

We were taken to dinner last night by leaders of the Pan-Korean Alliance for Reunification (PKAR). You might remember several postings I did late last year about the three activits from PKAR who had been jailed by the Lee government under the "National Security Act". Their crime allegedly was calling for national reunification and demanding that U.S. military bases in Korea be closed. After several months in jail they were released after the high court ruled that they had been illegally spied on by the government.

Many members of this organization had been jailed for many years due to their political work. One man at the dinner last night was in prison for 36 years. During the Korean War, as a 16 year old boy, he had fought against the U.S. and had refused to renounce his belief that the U.S. had become another colonizing power just like Japan had previously been.

One of the PKAR leaders told me that it would take the U.S. 1,000 years to make up for all the wrong they had done to North Korea. From the carpet bombing of the north during the war (the North Koreans had to live underground because virtually every building in the north was destroyed), to the present situation of perpetual preparations for war that has kept the north in a state of seige, the U.S. has prevented North Korea from fully developing much like Cuba has been prevented from doing the same.

Earlier in the day while at the U.S. embassy protest, one speaker from the political prisoners family organization told the crowd that "Our hope is very far away." There is much sadness in Korea as the nation remains divided and the U.S. displays no intention of ending its aggressive military control in the region. The U.S. likes having military bases in Korea because of its strategic borders with China and Russia. Control and domination of the region is most important and what happens to the good people on the Korean peninsula is of no interest to the U.S. war machine.

* For more photos, see HERE