[Jeju Update: Sept. 6] A letter from imprisoned village representative Kang Dongkyun to Noam Chomsky

* Image source: Click here
Mayor Kang's handwriting letter to Noam Chomsky

_______________________________________
강동균 마을회장이 노엄 촘스키 교수에게 옥중에서 보낸 편지
2011년 9월6일자(국문은 여기 클릭)
________________________________________

Gangjeong Village People's Council

Translation by dopehead zo


A letter from imprisoned village representative Kang Dongkyun to Noam Chomsky
Sept. 6, 2011


Dear Mr. Noam Chomsky!


How are you?

I am Kang Dongkyun, the Gangjeong village representative, from Jeju Island where the people have been suffering and fighting for 4 years and 4 months against an unjust construction of a naval base.

The decision making process was unjust because the vast majority of the villagers opposed the construction of a naval base. And geographically Gangjeong village is not an appropriate location for a naval base. Despite these problems, the South Korean government and the Ministry of Defence have been pushing forward the project while ignoring its people's will, which created all sorts of conflicts not only within the community but in the whole island. Neighbors are turning their backs on one another, and human relations used to be close but now it's all broken.

At this point, Jeju Island is trying hard to be selected as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, based on the 3 titles that Jeju Volcanic Island and Gangjeong village have won from the UNESCO; UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, UNESCO World Natural Heritage, and UNESCO Global Geoparks.

Our Gangjeong village is proud to meet the qualifications of the 3 UNESCO titles. I think that it is meaningless for the Jeju Island to try to be entitled as one of the new 7 wonders of nature if a naval base comes to Gangjeong village.

Jeju Island has two paths to take. One is a militarised Jeju Island that will increase tensions in the region. The other is a peaceful island where the breath-taking beauty of nature is well-preserved so all the peace-loving people from the world come to appreciate the environment.

Which one should be the right choice in terms of national interests and South Korea's status in the world community?


Dear Mr. Noam Chomsky!

I have read your writings and support messages. Thank you for helping us. I can't agree with you more when you say that a rule by force and violence will fall by the same force. The history proves that.


Dear Mr. Noam Chomsky!

We are trying everything we can to keep this small village on Jeju Island. We know and firmly believe that keeping the life and peace of the village ensures the peace on the island, in the country and the whole world.

We will never be shaken or surrender to any unjust state power. Peace maintained by force will be fallen by another big force.


Dear Mr. Noam Chomsky!

What we want is a small peace where people live their lives by helping and taking care of each other. We wish to make a true world where beautiful stories can be written by the people.

Please help us out and please let us keep the hope.


Thank you very much.


Sept. 6, 2011

On behalf of the Gangjeong villagers

Kang Dongkyun

[Jeju Update: Sept. 2 to 7] Some links for the latest news

Due to high volume of works and unknown technical problems, blog has not been regularly updated.

For the latest news see:

FACEBOOK: No Naval Base on Jeju

Save Jeju Island

Gangjeong vIllage café site (Check the English section in the left of column)

Gangjeong village website (Korean)

News in the other blogs:

Bruce Gagnon's Organizing Notes

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 06, 2011
THEY CALL THIS PROGRESS & SECURITY - THE PRAYER OF LIBERATION

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2011
YESTERDAY IN GANGJEONG- PEACE PLANE ARRIVES

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 01, 2011
VIDEO FROM RAID ON VILLAGERS

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 01, 2011
GANGJEONG RAIDED - MANY ARRESTS

Ten Thousand Things

Monday, September 5, 2011
Koohan Paik on the True Defenders of Jeju Island, Hawai'i, Guam, Okinawa, South Korea, & the rest of the Asia-Pacific

Saturday, September 3, 2011
Jeju Peace Concert & more from today's Nolja Nolja Ganjeong Nolja Festival

Solidarity & Prayers for All in Jeju & Their Peace Plane Supporters
Saturday, September 3, 2011

Friday, September 2, 2011
Interfaith Pilgrimage for Peace for Jeju island & the Korean Peninsula earlier this year

Friday, September 2, 2011
Has S. Korea reverted to quasi-military dictatorship? Police arrest Jeju Islanders protesting state seizure of farms, writers, artists, & priests

DMZ Hawai'i

Connecting the Aegis dots between Jeju, Okinawa, Guam, Hawai’i
September 5, 2011
Koohan Paik

Message from the International Women’s Network Against Militarism to the peoples movement for No Naval Base on Jeju!
September 5, 2011

[Jeju Update on Sept. 3] Despite oppression, peace plane flies to the Gangjeong village, today.

Click images for larger view


Let's play in the Gangjeong village! (Source: Gangjeong village)

On Sept. 3, despite South Korean government's recent escalating oppression against people's peaceful and non-violent protests, people throughout nationwide are coming to the Gangjeong village to save it and Jeju Island, the Peace Island, from naval base construction. A peace plane carrying at least 170 people from Seoul is expected to come while people here expect about 2,000 people nationwide would gather to the village ro celebrate our strong will for peace with lots of cultural & religious events in which all the beings from voiceless creatures to human beings are welcome and invited.



A map of the Gangjeong village(Source: Gangjeong village)

A: A three-fork road: a key protest site where Hyun Ae-Ja, a former national assembly woman has been chaining herself in protest against naval base construction for 41 days as of Sept. 3, 2011. The site is the entrance of navy's planned naval base construction and has been one of the two main sites that police continuously aim to target.

B:Joongduk coast, one of the two absolute preservation areas in the village but the navy wants to reclaim here with cement by naval base construction.

C: Gangjeong Port

D: Gate of navy's construction site

E: Front gate of the naval base construction committee bldg. People have been holding candle light vigil here everyday in protest.

F: Village Courtesy Hall

G: Village Community Hall

H: Sports Park

[Jeju Update on Sept. 1 to 2] S.K. government's attack on its citizens:Who were the arrested on both days?

Police violence on Sept. 2, 2011


Mr. Kim Jong-Il

Mr. Kim Min-Soo
(*Photos via thanks to Youngsil, FACEBOOK)

On Sept. 1, police arrested three people including Mr. Kim Jong-Il, SPARK, Mr. Kim Min-Soo, an artist in the Gangjeong village, and Ms. Kim Ah-Hyun, one of key Jeju activists. Mr. Kim Jong-Il was going to the Jeju local court to submit an appeal against the court decision of prohibition of on 37 people's (originally 76) access to the Jeju naval base construction area(The government had filed a provisional disposition suit against 76 people on July 12, this year). The police excuse was that he had not responded to police call. The two others were arrested when they were driving car to the prison to meet the restrained on Aug. 24.

Youngsil says, "Mr. Kim Jong-Il is a management team leader here in Gangjeong Village. He went to the court to file a suit, when he came out 10 of police surrounded him to arrest. Then they took him to Jeju Dongbu police station."

"Kim Minsoo is a documentary film director & cartoonist who moved to Gangjeong village three years ago."(via Facebook)

On Sept. 2, police arrested 38 people as of 2pm. They arrested three people in the village community hall: Mr. Go Yu-Gi, co-chairman of the Pan-Island committee to stop military base in the Jeju Island, Mr. Jung Kyung-Bo and Ms. Kim Mi-Ryang, two Gangjeong villagers. During their raid in the people's key protest site on the same day, they arrested 35 people. Among confirmed are: Three villagers, seven students, two fathers and one reverend. Also 10 activists from the Island Committee against naval base(including Mr. Hong Ki-Ryong, the other co-chairmen of the committe) and group for solidarity with migrant people.

During police raid on Sept. 2, several people were carried to hospital. One injured in legs, another on his skin around eyes. The latter case has to get x-ray as his skin around eyes was torn by police shield. See photos on police violence, see HERE(*photos by Dauri)

As of Aug. 26, 7 people have been restrained and three including Gangjeong village mayor Kang Dong-Kyun, Mr. Kim Jong-Hwan, Gangjeong villager, and Mr. Kim Dong-Won, photographer, who are arrested on Aug. 24) have been in jail., while the other four have gotten probation or bail from their being arrested since April 9.

The Lee Myung-Bak government is enforcing the Jeju naval base construction by driving the situation of security public state, escalating its oppression upon the moment of people's resistance on Aug. 24. Indiscrimating human rights violation is concerned very much in the strugle against the Jeju naval base construction. More update and photos comes later. For a while, see FACEBOOK: RELEASE Mayor Kang and others!

Please send the protest letters to:

http://www.embassyworld.com/embassy/South_Korea/South_Korea.html
(* Thanks to Benj D'Amour)

See also

Save Jeju Island:
Get involved in the no base campaign
Here is what you can do to support The Global Campaign to Save Jeju Island:

FACEBOOK: SAVE JEJU ISLAND and NO NAVAL BASE ON JEJU

[Jeju emergency on Sept. 2] Collection of more media source

______________________________
Source from Save Jeju Island (click)
See Immediate Press Release on Sept. 2
09.02.2011 Clashes erupt at South Korean base site. Protests continue MSNBC
09.02.2011 ROK Police Detain Island Activists Opposed to Base New York Times
09.02.2011 South Korea police break up protest against navy base AFP
09.01.2011 Inside the Gangjeong 'Peace Camp' Jeju Weekly
09.01.2011 Police deployed to fortify Jeju base construction site Hankyoreh
_______________________________
Photo and video sources from various sites





See the Jeju Weekly on Sept. 2, 2011(*Thanks to Matt Hoey)


Hyun Ae-Ja, a former national assembly woman in sit-in vigil, chaining herself to a container box tears, She has sticked there nearly for a month.
_________________________
See Gagnon's organizing Notes
VIDEO FROM RAID ON VILLAGERS






(Video via Matt. Hoey)

육지토벌대3탄!! 무장경찰 앞세워 팬스작업 강행!!




People's protest against the government crack down on protestors in the Gangjeong village, held in Seoul around 1pm, Sept. 2




http://cafe.daum.net/peacekj/JWOn/78 (* video by Dungree)
Edition of what happened on Sept. 2 ( from 4:30am) when the navy installed fence

[Jeju emergency on Sept. 2] 2nd 4.3! Police invaded Gangjeong! Mass arrest and injuries are worried! Fighting, Gangjeong!

To check the update news, please click the below links. The situation of Gangjeong is very very urgent now! We need all international solidarity for Gangjeong! No Jeju naval base!

See also Bruce Gagnon's Organizing Notes:
GANGJEONG RAIDED - MANY ARRESTS

See also Ten Thousand Things
Has S. Korea reverted to Quasi-Military Dictatorship? Riot Police arrest Jeju Islanders protesting state seizure of farms, priests, & other supporters

See below on a protest letter from Bruce Gagnon on Sept. 2, 2011

Photo resource:
http://kangjung.com/community/shop_community_view.html?boardNo=131011455937473000&field=&search=&category=131011455937473000&start=0&uid=1067&cstart=0
See FACEBOOKs!
Save Jeju Island
No Naval Base on Jeju
Release mayor Kang and others immediately
The Jeju Big Swim


Arrest started around 7pm. About 10 people are told to be arrested by 7:30pm. Police begins to build fence around the naval base-planned area.













__________________________________

Stop attack on Gangjeong village on Jeju

Dear ROK Embassy Staff:

I am sad and angry to hear about the massive police and military attack on the non-violent people of Gangjeong village today on Jeju Island.

They are trying to protect their sacred lands, rocks, coral, fishing and farming culture. What could be wrong with them doing that?

It is criminal that the ROK government is attacking these villagers.

Our organization has been following this case and has been helping to build support for the villagers. This whole situation is making your government look very bad and giving the ROK a bad reputation as a military dictatorship.

We demand an end to this persecution of the Gangjeong villagers and end to the plans to build this Navy base. We know that US Navy Aegis destroyers, outfitted with so-called "missile defense" systems, will be ported there as part of the US strategy to surround and "manage" China.

ROK government is being drawn into a deadly and provocative US strategy that will only make the Asia-Pacific region more insecure.

Listen to your own citizens and stop this Navy base now.

In peace,

Bruce K. Gagnon
Coordinator
Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space
PO Box 652
Brunswick, ME 04011
(207) 443-9502
globalnet@mindspring.com
www.space4peace.org
http://space4peace.blogspot.com/ (blog)

[Jeju emergency on Aug. 31] State power crack-down against people today?:Please check the updates

People's press are ready in a key spot of protest, in the Gangjeong village, Jeju Island in the morning of Aug. 31! World will watch any South Korean government violence against its people, if any, today! Go, people!
(photo resource: via FACEBOOK)
____________________________
RELATED UPDATE COLLECTION
[URGENT PLEA: In Update] EMERGENCY in GANGJEONG Since Aug. 24, 2011
_______________________________

UPDATE ON Aug. 31


PLEASE CHECK the following TWITTER and FACEBOOK for more updates. The below are citations from the FACEBOOK this morning.


At 7: 30am, Aug. 31, 2011, a written message from the Gangjeong vilage reads reads state crack down is expected today.

2011년 8월 31일 7시 30분, 강정 마을로부터 오늘 공권력 탄압이 예상된다는 문자 메시지를 받았습니다.

We've noticed that in 10 c'clock am, policemen will enter to excute their official duty- set up 'warning boards' and extend the fence blocks the road to beach. All of us here are preparing this situation. please pray for us..

잠시 후 10시에 '해군기지 공사방해금지 가처분' 판결문에 따른 집행의 첫 시작으로, 중덕해안으로 가는 올레길 입구 삼거리에 경고팻말 설치 및 펜스연결을 위해 공권력 투입됩니다. 건설용역과 충돌을 막기 위한 경찰 및 법률집행관이 오겠네요. 현재 주민, 활동가가 삼거리에서 대비하고 있습니다. 현장 소식 기다려 주시고, 큰 충돌 없도록 기도해주세요.

Police are expected to invade people at 2 pm. But people are determined. Currently catholic missal is held at the gate of the construction spot and police are watching. Check photos at http://twitter.com/#!/thinkunit/media/grid
Top photos are most latest.

PlEASE CHECK FOR ANY UPDATES!
..............................

TWITTER 트위터 (한글)

The below twitters are Korean. But can be translated using Google translator.

https://twitter.com/#!/kimseriiii

http://twitter.com/#!/thinkunit

FACEBOOK (English, Korean) 페이스북(영, 한)

Save Jeju Island 생명 평화 강정 마을

No Naval Base on Jeju

Release Mayor Kang Dong-Kyun, Mr. Kim Jong-Hwan, and Mr. Kim Dong-Won immediately!

강정 마을회 (Gangjeong village website, mostly Korean)

http://cafe.daum.net/peacekj http://www.kangjung.com/

__________________________________

LET"S EMBRACE TOGETHER GUREOMBEE, THE ROCKY COAST OF GANGJEONG VILLAGE
by Dircetor Cho (* Thanks for informing, Regina)



The police restrained three people since Aug. 24. The navy and construction companies such as Samsung are attempting to continue construction. The police even interrupted people's peaceful candle vigil since Aug. 28. But determined people will SAVE GANGJEONG and the Gureombee rocky coast, OUR MOTHER, OUR LOVE!

[Jeju Update: Aug. 29~30] Ten Thousand Things: Jeju District Court's Obstruction of Democracy

________________________________________________

서울의 소리
강정마을 해군기지 건설의 문제점 (한국 진보 연대 정리) 강정마을회, 범도민대책위, 전국대책회의, 국회 진상조사단 조사 보고서 등을 참고하여 요약, 정리
________________________________________________
RELATED UPDATE COLLECTION
[URGENT PLEA: In Update] EMERGENCY in GANGJEONG Since Aug. 24, 2011
________________________
See also
Who are the restrained after Aug. 24?
Words from mayor Kang Dong-Kyun in custody cell on Aug. 28
________________________
See also Ten Thousand Things
Iara Lee: "'Obstructing Business': South Koreans on the March"on Aug. 29, 2011
(Original source: Huffington post: an excellent article with powerful photos)
________________________
FACE BOOK
Release Mayor Kang Dong-Kyun, Mr. Kim Jong-Hwan, and Mr. Kim Dong-Won immediately!
Save Jeju Island 생명 평화 강정 마을
No Naval Base on Jeju
Save Prof. Yang and Sung-Hee Choi
_______________________________
See also articles (* Thanks to Mattew Hoey)
Joongang Daily: District court forbids anti-base protests on Jeju on Aug. 31, 2011
Korea Times : Clash brewing at Gangjeong village on Aug. 30, 2011
Korea Herald: Standoff escalates over Jeju naval base on Aug. 30, 2011
_______________________________
Paco says on Aug. 30, 2011
"Today, 54 villagers and activists (that we know of) received court summons for their actions on August 24th. We expect this number to go higher."

Regina says on Aug 30
'Catholic priests in prayer. The navy and construction companies hired gangs for plastic barriers and police show no principles and responsibilities for that.' (video by Dungree)




Photo by Thinkunit on Aug. 30, 2011


Photo by Thinkunit on Aug. 29, 2011
___________________________
* Photo source: Joongang Daily
Roman Catholic priests say mass at the entrance of the naval base in Gangjeong Village on Jeju Island yesterday to protest the base’s construction. [NEWSIS]



Photo source: Korea Times on Aug. 30, 2011

'Lawmakers from five opposition parties hold a rally to demand President Lee Myung-bak come up with measures to peacefully resolve the dispute over the construction of a naval base in Gangjeong Village in Jeju Island, Monday. [Yonhap]



Korea Herald
Residents of the Gangjeong village scuffle with police to stop a police van from carrying protest leader Kang Dong-kyun, arrested for obstructing the naval base construction in Seogwipo, Jeju Province, last Wednesday, Aug. 24]. (Yonhap News)

_______________________

Ten Thousand Things

Jeju District Court's Obstruction of Democracy
Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Yesterday the Jeju District Court granted an injunction to the Navy and the central government to forbid resident demonstrations against the seizure of their homes and farms, and the destruction of one of Jeju Island's most beautiful coasts (South Korea's only natural dolphin habitat) to make way for a massive naval base to house warships meant to intimidate China.

The court rejected an application by residents challenging the state seizure, demolition of the coastline, and destruction of the soft coral habitat. The residents argued that the state did not follow democratic due process and and failed to adequately assessment of the environmental damage to the coastline. .

The court said the residents and their supporters must not return to the residents' homes and farms, now a state military construction site.

People who attempt to return to their property would be fined 2 million won ($1,863).

Local residents have been joined by democratic and environmentalist activists and religious leaders from all over Korea. They are supported by environmentalist, democratic, and religious supporters worldwide, including scholars and luminaries such as Gloria Steinem.

In a replay of South Korea's worst periods of military dictatorship, the state has sent in hundreds of riot police, who are mostly conscripted youth, most of whom appear confused, embarrassed, and unhappy about having to perpetrate threat of violence or violence upon their fellow citizens.

South Korea is similar to North Korea in the authoritarian attitude of the ruling elite; although South Korea is not totalitarian like North Korea. Although citizens have engaged in movements for democracy for decades, repressive governments intent on maintaining privileges for corporations, have thwarted these movements. South Korea is known for severe state violence against its citizens, including massacres. In April, 1948, one of the worst massacres in Korean history took place at Jeju Island. Many of the demonstrators are descendants of that massacre.

_______________________________
*
Ann Wright talks about her visit to Jeju Island on August 28, Honolulu/
하와이 호놀룰루 강연회에서 제주강정마을 방문기를 전하는 앤 라이트
(* Informed thanks to Younsil and M. Hoey)

[Jeju Update] More photos and words on the three restrained: Free the three!

________________________________________________

On Aug. 24, police illegally attacked the village and arrested five people. While two are released on that night, the below three are still in jail. On Aug. 25 when Fr. Moon Jung-Hyun tried to save the restrained by climbing up to a police car carrying the three, he was arrested, too. He was released the next night. The below is a short description of who the three are. These are innocent villagers who simply wanted to save their hometown and a young photographer who just wanted to live life according to justice and consciousness. Living in South Korea, you can be any time ‘criminal’ if you want to live life as real human being, which is paradoxically guaranteed in Constitution. By now, seven people have been restrained during the struggle against Jeju naval base and four have been released with the court judgment of probation or bail. Please read the urgent PLEA, here.
________________________________________________
RELATED UPDATE COLLECTION
[URGENT PLEA: In Update] EMERGENCY in GANGJEONG Since Aug. 24, 2011
________________________
See also
Who are the restrained after Aug. 24?
Words from mayor Kang Dong-Kyun in custody cell on Aug. 28
________________________
See also Bruce Gagnon's Organizing Notes
POWER OR POWERLESS(Aug. 29, 2011): about some latest update on Aug. 29.
See also Ten Thousand Things
Help save South Korea's only natural dolphin habitat in Jeju Island on Aug. 28, 2011
See also a French Citizen's letter to South Korean President Lee Myung-BaK on Aug. 29, 2011
________________________
FACE BOOK
Release Mayor Kang Dong-Kyun, Mr. Kim Jong-Hwan, and Mr. Kim Dong-Won immediately!
Save Jeju Island 생명 평화 강정 마을
No Naval Base on Jeju
Save Prof. Yang and Sung-Hee Choi
_______________________________
See articles (via FACEBOOK, thanks to M. Hoey, Jean Downy and Corazon Valdez Fabros)

Jeju Weekly on Aug. 29, 2011
Islanders favor referendum on Jeju naval base project: poll

Huffingtonpost Aug. 29,2011
"Obstructing Business": South Koreans on the March by Iara Lee

The Kyunghyamg Shinmun, Aug. 29, 2011
Does Hard-line Jeju Response Signal New 'Public Safety' Crackdown?

Korea Times, Aug. 29, 2011
Jeju naval base: Government should ease, not foster, social conflicts

Yonhap News, Aug. 28, 2011
Parliamentary panel begins inspection on Jeju naval base

Jeju Weekly, Aug. 28, 2011
Gangjeong naval base is a genie we can't put back

US News Politics, Aug. 18, 2011
It's Time for the Pentagon to Get Realistic About Its Budget - Stephen Glain

__________________________
PHOTOS AND WORDS FROM 4 FACEBOOK SITES:

Free Gangjeong village Mayor, Kang Dong-Kyun(54)!


MacGregor Eddy says,
"Release, Mayor Kang immediately!"


MacGregor Eddy says,

'The Mayor of Gangjeong village, Jeju Island, South Korea was arrested violently while asking construction workers not to erect an illegal 250 ton crane to build a Naval base.'



Benj D'Amour says
'Mayor Kang's wife waiting in front of the police station for his husband to be released'

Sung-Hee Choi says
"They met when they were high school students. His wife was the one who has taken charge of all her family's livelihood while mayor has thoroughly devoted himself in struggle. They love each other very much. And it was always sad to see her tears"

_____________________
Free Kim Jong-Hwan, Gangjeong villager(54)!


Matt Hoey says,
'Uncle Kim Jong-hwan was arrested on August 24. This image was taken on July 31. He and the dog are inseparable - always together. When Uncle is not cooking for the peace camp and the young peace activists who visit Guromby Rock (site of the naval base) he sits under his tent as you see here. He is a living saint and should be freed from prison immediately.'

'I have not had a good meal since I last ate his cooking. One of the many reasons why I cannot wait to come back. It is amazing how he can pull a multicourse meal together for two dozen people, three times per day, everyday! Remarkable : )'



Regina Pyon says:
'Uncle Kim Jong-hwan who was arrested on August 24. This photo was taken on July 24 when he chained himself at the entrance road to Guromby to block police. He has endured so humid and hot summer days in a small tent kitchen cooking for us and visitors. Photo by director Cho.'

Kim Seong-Han says:
'I vividly remember that moment when Dr. Song was back to the village from the jail. That night at the front of community hall yard, when they hugs each other, I saw the most beautiful eyes of uncle Kim. I saw something like, admire, respect, trust, friendship, honest, and strong will. There were nothing harm, wrong or violent. They taken away good man from the Guromby.

__________________________
Free Kim Dong-Won, photographer(25)!


MacGregor Eddy says,
'Kim Dong-Won who is in jail with Uncle Jonghwan and the Mayor Kang'


Fly, Dong-Won. Free!
Photos by Dong-Won's 18year old friend, Dauri( Click here to see other beautiful pictures by him/Thanks, Director Cho for introducing Dauri's photos on Dong-Won and thanks, Regina for informing)


Dauri says,
" Dongwon has bowed 100 times every morning and night praying peace in the Joongduk coast."

The photographer of Hankyoreh 21, a weekly magazine, must have gotten the sense of his urgency. Dong-Won was the hero of the above Hankyoreh 21 cover in July, 2011.




Matt Hoey says,

"Kim Dong-won was arrested on August 24 for his role in a peaceful protest. On July 31st I was driving by the South Korean naval base construction headquarters and saw him praying while doing the 100 bows of peace. He had a radio playing spiritual music. A security guard was behind the gate occasionally watching him. Free Kim Dong-won!"

[Jeju Update] Words from mayor Kang Dong-Kyun in custody cell on Aug. 28

* More updates com later. Please come by later on.
________________________
RELATED UPDATE COLLECTION
[URGENT PLEA: In Update] EMERGENCY in GANGJEONG Since Aug. 24, 2011
________________________
See also
Who are the restrained after Aug. 24?
________________________
See also FACE BOOK
Release Mayor Kang Dong-Kyun, Mr. Kim Jong-Hwan, and Mr. Kim Dong-Won immediately!
________________________
See also
Organizing Notes, Aug. 29, 2011, which says about some latest update on Aug. 29.
POWER OR POWERLESS
________________________
See articles (via FACEBOOK, thanks to M. Hoey)

The Kyunghyamg Shinmun, Aug. 29, 2011
Does Hard-line Jeju Response Signal New 'Public Safety' Crackdown?

Korea Times, Aug. 29, 2011
Jeju naval base: Government should ease, not foster, social conflicts

Yonhap News, Aug. 28, 2011
Parliamentary panel begins inspection on Jeju naval base

Jeju Weekly, Aug. 28, 2011
Gangjeong naval base is a genie we can't put back
________________________

Source: Gangjeong village people's council(* Thanks to Mr. Kim Jong-Il and Ms. Kim Seri)







The below is the translation of his words in the above letter on Aug. 28

'The accident this time is of state power’s repression on local villagers, which is not only of naval base issue.
It is merely a beginning. I see the 2nd 4. 3
I see state power’s enormous conspiracy.
Fighting, villagers and activists!
And you should be tight in solidarity.
We can do. No, we should do.
That is the mission given to this era and to us.
That is the test that God has given to us so that our descendents can live in this beautiful world.
I emphasize again.
We can do! We can win! No, we have already won!
If we overcome a little more hardships and adversities, a permanent peace will wait for us in the future.
Fighting! Villagers! Activists!'

[Jeju Update] A French citizen's letter to President Lee Myung-Bak

________________________
RELATED UPDATE COLLECTION

[URGENT PLEA: In Update] EMERGENCY in GANGJEONG Since Aug. 24, 2011
________________________



Benj D'Amour wrote the below on July 25, 2011(Via FACEBOOK)


Dear readers, i post a letter addressed to President Lee, that letter has been already sent to many officials and leaders of the World obviously it is open to comments...


Mr President Lee,

As a French citizen, I know that you are in a close relationship with the government of my country, notably on the G20 issue and the development of your nuclear program.

I write to you on behalf of my activists friends, in Korea and around the world, who are peacefully and honestly involved in the Gangjeong issue in Jeju island. We are puzzled by the situation in Jeju.
I wish to awake your heart and your mind, as well as the hearts and minds of the members of your government. You and we activists belong to the same human community.
I wish you to look at the cruelty of the current action in Gangjeong.
Do you remember that President Roh, after his term and before his suicide, did regret to authorize US military expansion on Jeju island?
Are you going to be a President who would leave a legacy of ecological and cultural damage into your country's history?
Can't you feel that allowing to build that naval base will have, on Jeju Island as well as on Asian Peace Process, countless destructive consequences?

We urgently need to dialogue with you and your representatives. Please Mr President, allow us to come to your table and share with you.

From my point of view, it seems like you are allowing military expansion to oppress your citizens who have been living on this island for generations when trauma of 1948 massacre still remains in Jeju people's soul and has to be healed.
It seems that you are allowing military expansion to destroy Jeju Island.
It seems that you are allowing military expansion to open the way to the loss of precious Jeju's cultural and natural heritage.

Please Mr President Lee, come out and explain to us what are the real motivations for opening a military harbour in Jeju.

Your friend Mikhail Gorbatchev participated in 1991 to the nomination of Jeju as "The Island of World Peace". The project of opening a "United Nation's Peace University" on Jeju is intensely being discussed in Asia.
Now the "New7wonders" election result is approaching.
And next year Jeju will be the host of the IUCN World Conservation Congress which is the world largest and most important conservation event.

Then, I encourage you to think about how it will appear in the mind of the world's population that a military base is under construction on this South Korean Island.
And please consider that a countless number of organizations and people all over the world are aware of the non-democratic means that are used against villagers and activists to impose the construction of the naval base in Gangjeong.

In fact it is a serious sin to prevent future children from visiting and enjoying the pristine beauty of Gureombi rock, an inheritated jewel of our gentle creation.

Don't you think that empowering Jeju to become a model touristic island, as well as an "educative Island for World Peace" is a genius idea?Unfortunately the presence of a military base would ruin the essence of those genuine achievements.

Also I understand your concerns about the national security. However, please make efforts to re-engage a dialogue with North-Korean government on the basis of the 4th of October 2007 declaration. It would be a serious and brave way to drive back your country into a permanent peaceful, politically more independant and prosperous direction. Allowing a military base which cannot protect your country against North-Korea would only escalate provocative tensions, worsening diplomatic relations with your neighbors, and it would dangerously expose Jeju as a war target.

As a peace activist, as a concerned being about the future of humanity and planet Earth, it is with determination that I request you to consider to stop immediately the construction of the naval base in Gangjeong. Also I encourage you to make a clear public appearance stating what is your opinion about building another military base in your country and its consequences for Asian Peace Process.

With my sincere wish for a fairly outstanding course of the remaining 14 months of your fonction, hoping that your presidency will leave a memorable legacy to South-Korea and to the rest of the world.

Protecting life on Earth
Benjamin Monnet
"World Assembly member".
www.savejejuisland.org

PS: I ask you to forgive me if my English way of writting is "Frenchised".

________________________________

While some people enjoy life, some other people struggle to make life possibly enjoyable for longer times. Your help is essential, be parents, activists or simply compassionate people. Engage yourself against the militarization of our planet, against the loss of farming values, against the disappearance of our indigenous cultures, against the robotization of Humanity. NO FEAR, JUST LOVE, JUST ACT NOW (Benj D'Amour)

[Jeju Update: Aug. 24 compensation] Aug. 24 police violence on the protestors

________________________
RELATED UPDATE COLLECTION

[URGENT PLEA: In Update] EMERGENCY in GANGJEONG Since AUG. 24, 2011 _________________________

Source: Gangjeong village people's coucil (Photo collection by Dungree)


It is the collection of photos on the police violence for a day of Aug. 24.

The first photo of the image says somebody got crack in his shoulder bone.

The words in the bottom of the image read:

The police wielded violence to many citizens during the process of illegal arrest of the mayor Kang, Gangjeong village. However the police are asserting that they were rather gotten violence from the citizens to hide their wrongdoings and the prosecutors are driving the situation to the public security incident.


See also video of collection of navy & police violence on the citizens. Click HERE

Please spread!

[Jeju Update: Aug. 28] Police joining candle vigil?/ collection of the examples of navy & police violence against protesters!

________________________
RELATED UPDATE COLLECTION

[URGENT PLEA: In Update] EMERGENCY in GANGJEONG Since AUG. 24, 2011 _
________________________

Police joining people's candle vigil?

Via Facebook, we got the below message with an image three hours ago. It said what happened in the village in the evening of Aug. 28.

It said,

'Padre Moon is speaking during candle vigil. In this moment 60 riot police are sitting together with protesters. We are sitting surrounding of them.'



Something sucking thing is happening in the village? Through the other channel, I also got the below photos (Photo by Dauri via Director Cho). What does police presence mean in people's sit-in? It is unpreccedent.







Fr. Moon speaking to people. Cho says he looks very tired.


Dora is there. I pray for you.
_____________________________

There is another excellent video(By Dungree) uploaded today: collection of the examples of navy & police violence against protesters!

MUST WATCH!

Source: Gangjeong village people's council



"본 영상은 서울 대책위 기자회견팀과 민주당국회의원 등의 요구로 만들어 졌습니다.

앞으로 이들의 직무유기, 직권남용, 불법, 폭행 행위에 대해서는 인권단체와, 민변,

국제사면위원회(엠네스티)등과의 협의를 통해서 단죄할 예정입니다.


아직도 해군과 경찰들은 자신들이 뭔 잘못을 했는지 모르고 오히려 큰소리를 치고 있는데,

정말 이런 자들 따끔한 맛을 보여줘야 합니다."

[Jeju Update: Aug. 27] Growing solidarity: Fr. Moon was released and appealed solidarity/ Return of Prof. Yang/ Peace Bus visited Gangjeong

________________________
RELATED UPDATE COLLECTION

[URGENT PLEA: In Update] EMERGENCY in GANGJEONG Since AUG. 24, 2011 _________________________

Fr. Moon was released and appealed stronger nationwide concern with the struggle against Jeju naval base construction!!

Fr. Moon Jung-Hyun was released around 10pm, Aug. 26. He had been arrested on Aug. 25 when he tried to save the restrained three (Gangjeong village mayor, Kang Dong-Kyun, Mr. Kim Jong-Hwan, and Kim Dong-Won) by climbing up to the police car:

Via FACEBOOK (*Thanks Regina for info.):

'He announced to hold mass at 11 a.m. every day at the construction site where the 5 were violently arrested. This is today's mass, film edited by himself.'


Fr. Moon in the coast on Aug. 24, 2011
Photo resource: Gangjeong village people's council

Also see the below for his appealing speech for solidarity in Seoul on Aug. 27, 2011
_________________________

Return of Prof. Yang Yoon-Mo

Yang Yoon-Mo, movie critic, returned back to the Gangjeong village. He had been arrested under the charge of obstruction on the business and others when he attempted to block a molds-laid car to prevent naval base construction by laying down his body underneath it on April 9, this year. He was released on June 1 with 2 years’ probation and since then was in hospital to recover his health. His 76 days hunger strike including prison fast has brought enormous nationwide and international concern with & solidarity for the struggle against Jeju naval base construction. See the video here to watch his interview before arrest and his struggle & arrest on April 6. See also the video on others’ assessment of how the Seogwipo Police Station has violently and illegally arrested him HERE (Korean but helpful)


Photo by Dungree on Aug. 26, 2011


Prof. Yang was released on June 1, 2011. Mayor Kang Dong-Kyun and villager Kim Jong-Hwan, the two currently restrained helped him to walk. Yang had done near 70 days' prison fast. (Photo by Nocut News)
__________________________

Peace Bus visited Gangjeong

About 120 citizens of Ildo2-dong, Jeju City, carried in three buses visited the Gangjeong village amidst escalated tension since Aug. 24 when five people were arrested and three mentioned above were restrained. The 120 people expressed their solidarity with the Gangjeong villagers’ struggle saying that they wanted to spread the issues of wrongness of naval base construction in the Jeju Island.

There was some tension growing before their arrival in the village but the event went well and they remained the below beautiful banner.




People visiting Gangjeong village to express their solidarity with the village
* Photos by Kim Ho-Chun, Yonhap News
_________________________

Fr. Moon appeals solidarity in Seoul

There was people’s rally in front of Seoul Station to save Kim Jin-Sook and Hangin Heavy Industry workers in the evening of Seoul, on Aug 27 to 28. Kim Jin-Sook has held one-man protest on the top of a giant crane for more than 200days since the companies’ unjust lay-off of the 174 workers. About 5,000 people who gathered in Seoul also expressed their opposition against the Lee Myung-Bak government that is attempting to drive the nation toward the public security state. Fr. Moon Jung-Hyun came to the rally and delivered his speech to them appealing solidarity for the struggle against Jeju naval base construction. There were some citizens' signs for solidarity with the struggle against Jeju naval base construction.


* Photo source: Heo Jae-Hyun, Hankyoreh


Solidarity for Gangjeong, in Seoul, Aug. 27, 2011
Photo by Director Cho


Gangjeong's expression of solidarity to the Hanjin workers and Kim Jin-Sook
Photo resource: Gangjeong website(*original source: Yonhap News)


Fr. Moon's speech in Seoul, on Aug. 27, 2011(Korean)
Video by Dungree (Source: Gangjeong village people's council)
________________________

Dolphins' solidarity?
Dolphins appeared in the Gangjeong coast in the morning of Aug. 27, 2011


Photo resource: Gangjeong village people's council


Photo resource: Gangjeong village people's council
__________________________
See also

From the Gangjeong village people's council
[Jeju Domin] Military bases, Do they ensure our safety?
by 안혜경 Ahn Haekyung /Art Space, C : translated by Imok Cha

* Original Korean language source: Jeju Domin Ilbo, Aug. 22, 2011제주 도민 일보, 2011년 8월 22일

...The 12th Jeju Women's Film Festival (September 22 to 25), in War and Women section, will show ' Living Along the Fenceline'.

Lina Hoshino, Gwyn Kirk and Deborah Lee, three female directors, documented seven courageous women living in Texas, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, Okinawa, Korea, Guam, and Hawaii. Through their testimony we see how U.S. bases are spread all over the world and their impact on lives of these women and their neighbors.

[..]

These issues are specially important for Jeju.

A woman who lost her daughter to cancer, but she does not want to give this environment to her grand daughter. A woman who lost her uncle, aunt, and a cousin to cancer all within a year. The military culture that is pervasive in everyday lives of students in San Antonio, Texas. The sex industry hosting thousands of U.S. troops in the Philippines. The story of an Okinawan woman who was raped by US soldiers when she was a high school student. After listening to these women's stories one can not help but ask what is the security the military bases protect.

[..]

(* Thanks, Regina, to upload this)