PRELIMINARY DRAFT STATEMENT

CCA DELEGATION TO JEJU ISLAND

AUGUST 8-10, 2011

On June 15, 2011, in response to CCA information about a Consultation to be entitled ‘Peace and Security in Asia: Ecumenical Response’ and held in conjunction with the CCA Area Committee on Justice, International Affairs, and Development(JID) meeting in Bangkok, August 1-6, the NCCK requested consideration of a solidarity visit to be made from CCA to Jeju Island.

The main focus of the solidarity visit was to witness the ongaing resistance of residents of Kangjung village at the southern tip of Jeju Island against the ongoing construction of a Korea-United States Naval Base in the area and to understand the concerns about this construction with the aim of strengthening the international support to the resistance.

The CCA received the invitation with interest, set the date for Aug. 8-10 and determined their delegation as:

Rev. Dr. Roger Gaikwad, General Secretary, National Council of Churches in India

Rev. Dr. Alistair Macrea, President of National Assembly, Uniting Church in Australia

Mr. Carlos Ocampo, CCA Executive Secretary, Justice, International Affairs, Development & Service

The NCCK was represented by:

Rev. Lee Hun Sam, Executive Secretary of the NCCK Justice and Peace Dept

Rev. Shin Seung Min, Ecumenical Officer of PROK

Rev. Shin Bog Hyun, Methodist Church Ecumenical Officer

Rev. Catherine Christie, Ecumenical co-worker with PROK and NCCK

During the visit the delegation visited Kangjeong Village, participated in worship with the community, saw first hand a confrontation between villagers and the police, met with Christian leaders, visited the 4.3 Peace Park and Memorial and participated in a community Candlelight Vigil.

During the visit we identified the following concerns:

1. Militarization. The proposed Jeju Island base would constitute an additional military base outside the mainland of the Korean Peninsula. Jeju, like Okinawa, will represent an expansion of the geopolitical influence and military control of the USA, countering China's growing economic and military influence in north-east Asia. The new Aegis fleet being prepared will add to the arms race taking place in this region. Jeju Island will potentially become a target of military attacks from contending powers in the region.

The violent history of Jeju Island, within living memory makes this particularly piognant. At the 4.3

Museum we saw evidence of massacres and scorched earth policies that led to the 2005 designation of Jeju as the Island of Peace as a gesture of apology for the events of 1948-54.

2. Destruction of environment and community. Kangjeong is a farming and fishing village and the naval base will destroy the livelihood of the farmers and fisherfolk of the area. Residents will be dislocated and social problems will emerge. The marine environment will be severely impacted. In Jeju there are rare plants, animals, corals which led to the designation of Jeju as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. These treasures will be threatened, possibly lost.

We heard that environmental scientists claim that no credible environmental impact studies have been conducted. There is clearly a need for such study and a need for the results to be available for scrutiny.

We also see an urgent need for a comprehensive social impact study.

3. Concerns about Government policy, processes and Police presence. We heard reports that among the villagers more than 90% are opposed to the Base. Authorities claim a mandate on the basis of a meeting with a small non representative group at which only 80 of the 1800 villagers were present. We observed an overwhelming police presence. We are concerned about the intimidating nature of this presence. We are also concerned about cases of arrest and fines. We read an article saying 'about 15 villagers have been charged with obstruction of official business and 3 are in jail. 14 villagers have been sued for 290 million won in damages'. We met people currently facing such charges.

4. We from CCA come from countries which have experienced similar situations through the establishment of military bases, mining projects and other transnational projects where local people have suffered a loss of sovereignty, disempowerment in relation to use of their land and their ability to make decisions affecting their lives (e.g. POSCO development in Orissa, India).

Recommendations:

In light of the aforementioned observations we call upon:

1. The South Korean Government to stop construction of the base.

2. The US and other governments to support peace in north east Asia and promote human rights and security in the Korean Peninsula; and to protect the environment and seek alternative models of wholistic development.

3. Churches and NGO's to pray with Korean people, to offer advocacy and solidarity support in terms of this issue.

Conclusion

We heard the cries and pain of the people in the village. We are encouraged by the passion and courage of the people to resist outside forces of destruction.

We are encouraged to witness the increasing awareness and solidarity support throughout korea and the international community.

As Christians we believe that God the Creator calls human beings to be stewards of creation, carers of God's garden, not destroyers.

We believe that God's will is for peace in the world based on justice, and that we should pursue paths that lead to peace between peoples rather than relying on militarization for security.

We believe that God intends that communities, as far as possible, have power and influence over the direction of their lives.

We therefore commit ourselves to working for a just peace.