[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)
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RELATED UPDATE COLLECTION
[URGENT PLEA: In Update] EMERGENCY in GANGJEONG Since Aug. 24, 2011
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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/

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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

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서울의 소리
강정마을 해군기지 건설의 문제점 (한국 진보 연대 정리) 강정마을회, 범도민대책위, 전국대책회의, 국회 진상조사단 조사 보고서 등을 참고하여 요약, 정리
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RELATED UPDATE COLLECTION
[URGENT PLEA: In Update] EMERGENCY in GANGJEONG Since Aug. 24, 2011
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See also
Who are the restrained after Aug. 24?
Words from mayor Kang Dong-Kyun in custody cell on Aug. 28
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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* 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)

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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.

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*
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!

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On Aug. 24, police illegally attacked the village and arrested five people. While two are released on that night, the below three are still in jail. On Aug. 25 when Fr. Moon Jung-Hyun tried to save the restrained by climbing up to a police car carrying the three, he was arrested, too. He was released the next night. The below is a short description of who the three are. These are innocent villagers who simply wanted to save their hometown and a young photographer who just wanted to live life according to justice and consciousness. Living in South Korea, you can be any time ‘criminal’ if you want to live life as real human being, which is paradoxically guaranteed in Constitution. 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.
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RELATED UPDATE COLLECTION
[URGENT PLEA: In Update] EMERGENCY in GANGJEONG Since Aug. 24, 2011
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See also
Who are the restrained after Aug. 24?
Words from mayor Kang Dong-Kyun in custody cell on Aug. 28
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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
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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
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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

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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"

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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.

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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.
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RELATED UPDATE COLLECTION
[URGENT PLEA: In Update] EMERGENCY in GANGJEONG Since Aug. 24, 2011
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See also
Who are the restrained after Aug. 24?
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See also FACE BOOK
Release Mayor Kang Dong-Kyun, Mr. Kim Jong-Hwan, and Mr. Kim Dong-Won immediately!
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See also
Organizing Notes, Aug. 29, 2011, which says about some latest update on Aug. 29.
POWER OR POWERLESS
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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
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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

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RELATED UPDATE COLLECTION

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

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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

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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!

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RELATED UPDATE COLLECTION

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

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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
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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)
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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
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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)
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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
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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)

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

_______________________________
RELATED UPDATE COLLECTION

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


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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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Villager Kim Jong-Hwan, 54


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


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

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

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

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

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

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Photographer Kim Dong-Won, 25


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


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

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

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

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

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

Appeal Fwd: Dear Friends of Jeju Island – Island of World Peace,

Fwd by Bruce Gagnon on Aug. 26, 2011

Save Jeju Island

Dear Friends of Jeju Island – Island of World Peace,

Last week, we heard reports that 700 police from the South Korean mainland arrived at Jeju Harbor with buses and trucks bearing three large water cannons. The villagers have been vigilantly waiting for the police to strike.

They did the morning of August 24th. Retired U.S. Army Colonel Ann Wright wrote to us from Gangjeong village, “The sirens are blaring for citizens to come to the main gate of the Naval Base where construction is about to begin in an area that will destroy pristine lava fields and endanger marine life. The siren sounds like a tsunami siren in Hawaii signaling an emergency. And that is what it is.”

At 2 pm that day, Gangjeong Village Mayor Kang Dong-kyun approached military contractors who started the operation of a 250-ton crane that had been smuggled into the village in the middle of the night years ago. In asking that the illegal crane be dismantled and removed, the Mayor was forcefully taken into a police van along with a villager, Mr. Kim Jong-Hwan, and other civil society activists. For 10 hard and long hours, 100 villagers and peace activists used their bodies and cars to prevent the police from taking away the Mayor and others. While two activists have been released, the Mayor, Mr. Kim, Dongwan and Father Moon are still detained.

The villagers at Gangjeong know that orders have been sent from the top. Their resistance must be dealt with once and for all.

Why now? Because we’re starting to win the battle of public opinion. In one week, The New York Times published an Op Ed and the International Herald Tribune published another, both supporting the peaceful four-year resistance of the villagers with facts showing that this naval base would destroy unique environments, provoke China by surrounding it with a US anti-ballistic system, but would be incapable of protecting South Korea from North Korea.

One was by Gloria Steinem, a women’s movement organizer and peace activist. The other was by Christine Ahn of the Korea Policy Institute. Their factual pleas have set off more voices, including an Op Ed in the conservative-leaning Korea Times entitled, “Save Jeju Island – Island of Peace,” and an Open Letter from South Korean opposition leader Chung Dong-young, who not only opposed the naval base but once it is defeated, pledged to make its site into a peace park.

And with more voices has come greater coverage, from a feature article in The New York Times to CNN and Al-Jazeera’s coverage of recent protests.

As the world learns more and more about the danger to its treasure of global environment and culture, Jeju Island, and also more about the heroic efforts by ordinary farmers, fishermen, the legendary women sea divers and children to preserve their home and way of life, all are inspired and emboldened to believe that the side of peace, the environment and democracy does have a chance of prevailing.

But with more visibility comes fear and greater repression for those who are accustomed to dictating from above. That’s what we are now witnessing as hundreds of police join forces with the 1,000 already on Jeju.

In order to stay one step ahead, we need the support of friends far away, just as the military has friends in the Pentagon.

All of us—the nearly 5,000 people from 50 countries who have signed the petition to President Lee urging him to stop the naval base – are building global awareness of the danger to our global natural and cultural heritage on Jeju Island.

This takes regularly communicating with the world on what is happening in Gangjeong village, sowing seeds of peace in the media and among allies in the peace, environmental, human rights and women’s rights communities, and regularly updating the www.savejejuisland.org website with bilingual and multi-lingual bulletins.

We have an urgent appeal to all of you to join us in our effort to Save Jeju Island.

Please go to this website to get more information on how you can act now:
http://savejejuisland.org/Save_Jeju_Island/Get_Involved.html

Just as no human being is an island, Jeju belongs to us all.

With hope,

Global Campaign to Save Jeju Island Advisory Board
Christine Ahn, Korea Policy Institute
Imok Cha, M.D.
Wooksik Cheong, Korea Peace Network
MacGregor Eddy, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)
Bruce Gagnon, Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space
Matt Hoey, Save Jeju Island Campaign Coordinator
Gilchun Ko, Jeju artist
Iara Lee, filmmaker and founder of Cultures of Resistance
Regina Pyon, Solidarity for Peace and Reunification of Korea (SPARK)
Gloria Steinem, author and co-founder of Women’s Media Center
Ann Wright, retired U.S. Army Colonel

Event Fwd: Keep Space for Peace Week 2011

http://www.space4peace.org/actions/ksfpw11.htm

International Days of Protest to Stop the Militarization of Space

October 1 - 8 2011
No Missile Defense
Stop the Drones
Convert the Military Industrial Complex!
Bring Our War $$ Home

FOR MORE, CLICK HERE

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See also

Raytheon, Missile Offense & Endless War
The GN's 19th Annual Space Organizing Conference,
North Andover, Massachusetts, June 17-19 2011

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See also

2010 Keep Space for Peace Week 2010 우주 평화주
2009 Keep Space for Peace Week 2009 우주 평화주

Site Fwd: Okinawa Outreach: Citizens’ Network for Biodiversity in Okinawa demands halt to construction of U.S helipads in Yanbaru Forest

(Okinawa Defense Bureau and Peace Bamboo)


Ten Thousand Things
Okinawa Outreach: Citizens’ Network for Biodiversity in Okinawa demands halt to construction of U.S helipads in Yanbaru Forest
Aug. 26, 2011

Okinawa Outreach, a new blog edited by Okinawan scholars and activists, offers news, photos, & analysis directly from Okinawa.

Its July reports describe efforts by the Citizens’ Network for Biodiversity in Okinawa (Okinawa BD) to obtain answers from the Okinawan Defense Bureau (the Japan Defense Bureau's branch in Okinawa) regarding U.S. military plans for training accident-prone military Osprey aircraft in biodiverse Yanbaru Forest. The Citizens’ Network for Biodiversity in Okinawa demanded a halt to the construction of helipads which the U.S. wants to locate in one of the most well-preserved areas of the forest, a habitat for numerous endangered species unique to northern Okinawa.

Okinawa Outreach also provided updates to the Okinawan Defense Bureau's November 2008 legal action against 15 residents of the Takae community (including a child), who, since July 2007, had been conducting a peaceful sit-in protest against the helipad construction on the prefectural road near the construction sites. Many consider this frivolous litigation, a SLAPP (strategic lawsuit against public participation) action, intended to intimidate and silence critics. The next hearing is scheduled for the end of August:

READ MORE(information and photos)