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INTERNATIONAL INTERFAITH COMMUNITIES CALL FOR IMMEDIATE HALT OF THE CONTROVERSIAL JEJU NAVAL BASE PROJECT IN SOUTH KOREAInterfaith International communities called for immediate halt of the construction of the strategic Naval Base in Kangjeong, Jeju Island, South Korea. Consolidating their views after a 3-day solidarity visit to the island, the representatives of various faith communities arrived at the conclusion that this project compromised Peace, Justice and Integrity of Creation. In a public letter addressed to the President of South Korea and other prominent political leaders, they said that this project, which was the decision of a few people, would endanger the ecosystem and environment of this uniquely beautiful island that was designated by the UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve. It would disrupt life and destroy livelihood of the natives. They decried the militarization of the island and the exorbitant defense spending at the cost of development, health, education of the people. The representatives that included 40 eminent people, raised their voices against the action taken on peaceful demonstrators, and urged that punishments be revoked. They called for recognizing and respecting the democratic process in taking decisions, and urged the President to “…. seriously consider the troubling challenges to peace and security, justice, culture, and the environment raised by the plan to construct a naval base in KangJeong Village.” CCA Communications 30/01/2012 (Full Text of letter below……) January 26, 2012 Your Excellency President Lee Myung Bak Cheongwadae 1 Cheongwadae-ro, Jongno-gu Seoul 110-820 South Korea Mr. President: We take this opportunity to greet you with warm New Year’s wishes in these winter days. We, the undersigned, are representatives of various faith communities from Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Canada and the United States, who undertook a visit to Kangjeong Village, Jeju Island on December 5-7, 2011 to learn about the construction of a Korean naval base. We are writing to report on our findings. As people of faith our commitment is to serve and seek Peace, Justice and the Integrity of Creation. All of these aspects are deeply compromised at Kangjeong Village by the construction of this base. Integrity of Creation – Kangjeong Village and its surrounding area is uniquely beautiful—in fact, it is a UNESCO-designated ecological reserve. It contains endangered and rare life, both on the water front and the sea bed. The construction of the naval base will disrupt its water source, and the entire ecosystem. The people of the community have practiced stewardship of the land and sea for many generations as farmers and fishers, and their way of life will be disrupted. Justice and Human Rights – The original decision to build in that area was taken in an undemocratic method – at an illegitimate meeting of just a small number of residents, with no real vote taken. We are told that in the village, a sizeable majority of the people are opposed to the base construction, and on Jeju, well over half of the residents. We met some of the many recent victims of arrests, detainment, and outsized fines among those who have peacefully protested the planned naval base. And for Korea as a whole, we know that any money spent on military removes that money from society’s needs like education, health care, social services. Peace – We understand that the based planned for this location contributes to a U.S. strategy to expand its geopolitical and military influence in Asia, to counter the growing military influence of China in the region, which includes the buildup of military capacity in Okinawa, Philippines, even Australia. We fear that this impending naval base will contribute to this military expansion and to an increased flare-up of hostilities and antagonisms. This would compromise the peace and integrity of Jeju Island, the Korean peninsula, and the region more generally. THEREFORE, we urge the Korean government to immediately take steps toward reconciliation with the Kangjeong villagers, specifically: 1. The Republic of Korea should immediately stop construction of the Kangjeong naval base. 2. The Republic of Korea should immediately stop arresting peaceful protestors and immediately drop any pending charges against the Kangjeong village protestors. 3. The Republic of Korea should immediately revoke fines and other impending penalties imposed on the villagers as a result of their peaceful protests against the naval base’s construction. 4. The Republic of Korea and all other concerned parties should recognize and respect the Kangjeong village’s democratic processes, thus allowing all parties to bring reconciliation to the conflicts that have arisen around the base controversy, and to re-establish respect for just, democratic rule of law in Jeju Island. 5. The Republic of Korea and all other concerned parties should invest in preserving the Kangjeong village’s shoreline ecosystem and designate a peace park where the naval base was to be constructed, as the villagers have requested. We, in solidarity with all peace-loving communities in the world, will consolidate all our efforts to stop the construction of the naval base. Mr. President, we ask that you seriously consider the troubling challenges to peace and security, justice, culture, and the environment raised by the plan to construct a naval base in KangJeong Village and that you will send us a reply to our concerns. Yours sincerely Representatives of Jeju International-Interfaith Solidarity Visit 1. Ms. Bern JAGUNOS Program Coordinator for Asia, The United Church of Canada 2. Rev. Dr. Xiaoling ZHU Area Executive for East Asia and the Pacific - Common Global Ministries Board of Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and United Church of Christ 3. Rev. Peter NG Officer for Anglican Relations and Partnership Officer for Asia and the Pacific, Global Partnerships Team 4. Mr. Nicholas MELE Pax Christi, USA 5. Ms. Sarah DREIER Legislative Representative for International Policy and Advocacy-Episcopal Church, Washington, DC, USA 6. Mr. NOGUCHI Yoichi Executive Director, Niwano Peace Foundation, Tokyo, Japan 7. Ven. TAKEDA Takao Nichirenshu Nihonzan Myohoji 8. Fr. OKURA Kazuyoshi Catholic Council for Justice and Peace, Toyko, Japan 9. Fr. GOTO Masashi Catholic Council, Justice and Peace, Hiroshima, Japan 10. Rev. KOBAYASHI Makoto Member of Executive Council, United Church of Christ in Japan 11. Rev. UEDA Hiroko Acting General Secretary, National Council of Churches in Japan 12. Rev. PO Kam Cheong General Secretary, Hong Kong Christian Council and representative for Christian Conference of Asia 13. Ven. JONG Oh Chair, Korea Sangha Engaged Buddhism 14. Rev. JEOUNG Sang-Duk General Director, Human Rights Committee of Won Buddhism 15. Fr. PARK Chang-Il Director, Korea Peace 3000, 16. Rev. SHIN Bog-Hyun Acting General Secretary, Korean Methodist Church 17. Rev. JEONG Jin-Woo Korean Coordinator, Japan/Korea Religious Leaders Forum 18. Rev. LEE Hun-Sam Executive secretary, Dept. of Justice and Peace, NCCK 19. Rev. SHIN Seung-Min Executive Secretary, Ecumenical Relations, Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea 20. Rev. Catherine CHRISTIE Ecumenical co-worker, PROK and NCCK cc. Leader, Grand National Party Leader, Democratic United Party Commander, ROK Navy Ambassador, American Embassy in the ROK Governor, Jeju Island Representative, Kangjeong Village posted by cbs on Monday, January 30, 2012 |
