설명
By Mattew Shneeman (Minnesota ,U.S.A)
Music by Dong-Hee and M.S
2011/ Gang-Jeong village, Jeju island, Korea
*Jeju is a beautiful volcanic island of 1,848K km2 situated in the Korea Strait. The island has many UNESCO World Natural sites, UNESCO Eco-Parks and is also a UNESCO Biosphere reserve. It’s stunning natural beauty has made it a popular tourist destination. It has also been designated by the Korean government as the “Island of Peace”, as an apology for a tragic massacre which still shapes the people of the island.
Since 2007, the villagers of Gangjeong, a small village on Jeju Island, have been engaged in a nonviolent struggle against the massive combined powers of the Korean government, the Korean Navy, and giant construction corporations, Samsung and Daelim. Villagers and activist supporters have been arrested over 400 times, the majority of which had no legal reason. Despite the fact that 94% of the villagers voted against the base, the illegal construction has begun and is being forced on the residents of the tiny village. Families have been divided and lives destroyed by the deceptive and underhanded tactics and actions of the Korean government and the corporations. Many also believe that under the SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) between the U.S. and Korean militaries, the Jeju Island naval base will primarily serve U.S. interests turning Jeju into a military target.
Gangjeong village is also home to a unique 1.2 km volcanic rock known as Gureombi. This rare rocky wetland, is home to numerous fresh springs, several endangered species, and was declared a “total preservation area”. It is also the villages main tourist attraction, on the famous Olle Walking Course, and a deeply spiritual place to the villagers and many who visit. It is also just an incredibly beautiful place. Off the coast, the largest temperate soft coral forest in the world and migrating dolphins can be found. This area is the exact location of the illegal naval base.
The construction companies have blasted the precious Gureombi rock with explosives. Dredging barges are active day and night dredging the seafloor off the coast. Enormous, building-sized, cement cassion are being brought and dumped in the sea. The villagers and activists, tired after 5 long years of resistance, continue to struggle bravely and nonviolently in any way that they can, against these powers and the massive riot police force deployed against them.
