Demolitions reignite Jeju Island protests

Mar 09

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Demolitions reignite Jeju Island protests

South Korea begins blasting parts of Jeju Island for naval base construction.

Residents and peace activists enter Gurumbi beach, which has been fenced off by the police, in Gangjeong village, in Seogwipo on Jeju Island, south of Seoul March 7, 2012. REUTERS/Lee Myung-ik

A battle between national security interests and environmental preservation is currently taking centre stage on the small island of Jeju, located off the southern coast of South Korea. Residents there staged another round of protests and sit-ins as the South Korean navy began blasting parts of the island on Wednesday to make way for construction of a naval base.

Jeju residents, environmental activists, and opposition lawmakers say the naval base will make residents vulnerable to potential military skirmishes and destroy the island’s natural beauty. The island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was recently chosen as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature.

The South Korean government argues that Jeju's strategic location at the crossroads of China, Japan, and North Korea makes it necessary for national security reasons to construct a base there.

Here are some of the highlights from the conversation online:

View the story "Demolitions reignite Jeju Island protests" on StorifyDemolitions reignite Jeju Island protests South Korea begins blasting parts of Jeju Island for naval base construction.Storified by The Stream · Thu, Mar 08 2012 17:00:07The first round of detonations began on the morning of March 7 in Gangjung (also known as Kangjung), a village on the southern coast of Jeju.NanumProtesters demanded an end to the detonations and were met by strong police presence at the entrance gate to the construction site. There were reportedly around 1,000 police officers responding to 200 protesters.TwimgProtesters also staged sit-ins on the road to block construction crews from accessing the designated detonation sites.YFrogSeveral activists who chained themselves to cars were taken by force and detained by police.NanumPolice have been ordered to take a strong stance against protesters. Some expressed anger after a woman (who is shown in the following video) was arrested during an allegedly peaceful demonstration. FILE0114.MOVmykbc1966Riot Police r stationed at gangjung. this state of affairs remind me of Martial Law RT @mettayoon: RT @saltcandy: 3:26 http://t.co/UTEZw2REJae HeeCloudfrontSouth Korean netizens have created a modifiable crisis map of clashes between activists and police. FlickrThis map shows the planned detonation sites and construction area for the naval base.NateimgA protester holds a popular slogan used by those opposing the naval base. It reads: "Do not touch one rock or even one flower!"NanumOnline activists have been using the hashtags #Gangjung and #강정 (Korean for Gangjung) on Twitter to raise awareness. This military base construction has been ruled out local democratic procedures! This is violoence by government. #gangjungReasonablenessUse this hashtag #gangjung to unify our voice. Save Jeju island from stupid military base! Save people who are living there! #gangjungReasonablenessDon't Destroy Paradise! SAVE JEJU ISLAND #Gangjung코지BlurbSome believe the South Korean government is being pressured by the United States to build the naval base since the island is located in a strategic region near China and North Korea.You can see some photos of #Gangjung here. http://t.co/nS9iOaGF 1%ers try to use it as a military base which ppl think will be for US force99%의 의원 선출! Busy nowOne person tweeted: "These are the people destroying Gangjung" and posted a satirical photo of two South Korean lawmakers, President Lee Myung-bak and US President Barack Obama cutting up a pie labeled "Kangjung" (Gangung).강정을 죽이는 사람들 이명박 조현오 이건희 #Gangjung #DKKK #강정 http://t.co/FnmRehGz빈 서판TwimgMany are discussing the threat these explosives will have to Jeju's Kurumbi, a 1.2-kilometre-long, 150-metre-wide volcanic rock in Gangjung. If the government continues its plan, environmentalists say the construction would destroy one of the island's unique characteristics.
#Jeju Despite people's opposition, Navy detonated explosives to destroy the Gurumbi rocks. They have no intention to stop it #GangjungBrotherhood of Manover100activists n residents are resisting demolition at Gurumbi, Jeju Island. Help us save not just GURUMBI but also the PEOPLE!Yuhee KimOnline activists have also used the hashtag #DKKK, an acronym for "Don't Kill Kangjung Kurumbi." TwimgTwimgJeju Island residents and activists have been protesting since last year when the naval base construction plans were approved. This video shows a protest from September 2011. No naval base! Save Gangjeong!sungbong2012Thanks to @wjsfree and @aimhigh2400 who suggested this story to The Stream.

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