"Recapturing the authentic message of Christmas"
By Frank Hernando
Sermon delivered on Dec 25, 2011
Bicol Association Christmas celebration and Party at Capital Hotel, Itaewon, Seoul, Korea
Text: Luke 2: 1-20
1. Is it true that many of us Filipinos could hardly feel the spirit of Christmas in Korea? Perhaps it is becuase you could not hear Christmas songs played in many homes, there are not many Christmas decors elaborately displayed. For many their employers are not concerned about Christmas celebrations. It seems that Christmas is present only in shopping malls and parks.
2. Strangely enough the Christmas story in the Bible is not even in the historical records of the Roman empire and very little fragments perhaps in Palestine's history.
But as people of faith, we know that the birthday of Jesus is a historical fact.
3. The news of the birth of Jesus was told by an angel to the shepherds. Why is it important to tell the goodnews to the shepherds and not to the powerful people, like Augustus Ceasar or governor Quirinius or to the traders, lawyers, and other intellectuals? There must be something special about the shepherds. I think it is the shepherds' faith that a new social order will come wherein they will have a decent and peaceful life.
4. We are migrant workers in South Korea and are located in the lowest stratum of the social ladder. We are ordinary people but like the shepherds abiding in the fields watching over their flocks at night, the goodnews of God's liberation is preached to us. The baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger is the Prince of Peace. That means that Jesus came to bring justice to the poor and the oppressed for justice is a basic ingredient of peace.
5. God decided to incarnate in the midst of the oppressed people. They who have nothing much in terms of power, wealth, influence, are those whom God choses because of their need for a Savior who would give them liberation from from their hopelessness and from their oppressors.
6. Christmas in its true meaning is not about good food, nor about new clothes nor about gifts. It is telling about the salvation that God has given those who are oppressed and poor and marginalized. It is reliving the true meaning of the biblical story of the birth of a fragile baby born of a peasant girl and a subsistence carpenter.
7. Salvation or kaligtasan of the whole of life both human and environmetal salvation which includes the social, poltical, economic and cultural life is the message of Christmas. This means that God intends justice or katarungan and includes a decent life that can only be possible in the just sharing of resources.
8. Jesus challenged the dominant powers of his time. His responsibility to realize the reign of peace and love and compassion was announced by the angel at his birth, he is the Prine of Peace. We Christians are peacemakers and justice makers. We share in the sorrows and sufferings of our people affected by the wrath of Typhoon Sendong in Mindanao. Our help will support many who lost their homes and need food and other basic necessities. Let us include them in our prayers.
9. It is therefore important that we take upon ourselves the message of salvation that was first told to the shepherds on that very night Jesus was born. As migrant workers we are challenged to participate in God's purpose for just and abundant life for the suffering people.
10. We are the bearers of the goodnews of freedom for the oppressed in society. Our faith in the God in human form in the person of Jesus is the confirmation of God's will for the transformation of human relationships in our world today. Amen.
Merry Christmas to all!
Monday, December 26, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
Save Jeju Island from destruction!
Save Jeju Island! Don’t bomb Gureombi!
U.S. troops out of Korea now!
Statement of the Asia Pacific Anti-US Bases Network
on the impending bombing of the Gureombi, Jeju Island
November 17, 2011
Uphold national sovereignty and patrimony of South Korea!
Save Jeju Island! Uproot U.S. military troops from Jeju and South Korea now!
These are our calls in the Asia Pacific Anti-US Bases Network as we express strong solidarity with the people of Jeju Island in particular and of South Korea in general as they call for the immediate halt to the impending blasting of Gureombi, the volcanic rock along the coastline of Gangjeong Village.
This planned blasting of Gureombi is part and parcel of the continued development of a U.S. military naval base in Jeju. It does not only mean the destruction of the beautiful nature that South Korea proudly preserves but a direct affront to the collective right of the South Korean people to their sovereignty.
The continued presence of the U.S. military forces in South Korea poses a huge problem. It translates into direct military intervention in the national affairs of South Korea. It poses a grave threat to the rights and lives of the people in Jeju Island in particular and South Korea in general. We already have witnessed the violent dispersals of people’s protests and arrests of even local officials like the village mayor in Jeju.
By flexing its military muscle throughout Asia Pacific, it brings South Korea to the war of aggression that the U.S. has notoriously launched in the past.
As the people of South Korea steadfastly stand their ground on immediately and unconditionally uprooting the U.S. military forces from their country, the South Korean government remains stubbornly deaf to their calls and instead continues to capitulate to their U.S. imperialist masters. Nothing but a manifestation of puppetry!
As proven in recent history, the U.S. military industrial complex has never been beneficial to any country or people. We have seen the destruction they have brought down on the people of Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan. We have seen the rape of women and children, the many crimes and human rights violations they have committed in the Philippines, Japan and South Korea.
The establishment of the U.S. military naval base in South Korea is a means of U.S. imperialism to salvage itself from the economic quagmire by launching wars of aggression and intervention. Now that the political strife in the Middle East and North Africa has subsided, the peoples of South Korea and Asia are in impending doom should U.S. imperialism launch wars against North Korea and even China.
Their war complex only benefits U.S. imperialism, not the peoples of the world.
Immediately, the governor of Jeju Island should heed his people’s demand and wield the political will to stop the destructive blast of Gureombi. In the long run, the construction of the U.S. military naval base should be immediately and unconditionally halted and have all the U.S. military forces there and everywhere else in South Korea withdrawn back to the United States.
The South Korean government should be ashamed of itself for continually playing the obedient dog to its imperialist master and instead heed its people’s demands to uphold and protect its national sovereignty, patrimony and integrity.
The growing international movement against the continued U.S. military presence in South Korea and anywhere else in the world is a strong expression of the people’s collective struggle and solidarity against U.S. imperialism.
No bombing in Gureombi!
U.S. troops out of Korea now!
Down with imperialism!
U.S. troops out of Korea now!
Statement of the Asia Pacific Anti-US Bases Network
on the impending bombing of the Gureombi, Jeju Island
November 17, 2011
Uphold national sovereignty and patrimony of South Korea!
Save Jeju Island! Uproot U.S. military troops from Jeju and South Korea now!
These are our calls in the Asia Pacific Anti-US Bases Network as we express strong solidarity with the people of Jeju Island in particular and of South Korea in general as they call for the immediate halt to the impending blasting of Gureombi, the volcanic rock along the coastline of Gangjeong Village.
This planned blasting of Gureombi is part and parcel of the continued development of a U.S. military naval base in Jeju. It does not only mean the destruction of the beautiful nature that South Korea proudly preserves but a direct affront to the collective right of the South Korean people to their sovereignty.
The continued presence of the U.S. military forces in South Korea poses a huge problem. It translates into direct military intervention in the national affairs of South Korea. It poses a grave threat to the rights and lives of the people in Jeju Island in particular and South Korea in general. We already have witnessed the violent dispersals of people’s protests and arrests of even local officials like the village mayor in Jeju.
By flexing its military muscle throughout Asia Pacific, it brings South Korea to the war of aggression that the U.S. has notoriously launched in the past.
As the people of South Korea steadfastly stand their ground on immediately and unconditionally uprooting the U.S. military forces from their country, the South Korean government remains stubbornly deaf to their calls and instead continues to capitulate to their U.S. imperialist masters. Nothing but a manifestation of puppetry!
As proven in recent history, the U.S. military industrial complex has never been beneficial to any country or people. We have seen the destruction they have brought down on the people of Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan. We have seen the rape of women and children, the many crimes and human rights violations they have committed in the Philippines, Japan and South Korea.
The establishment of the U.S. military naval base in South Korea is a means of U.S. imperialism to salvage itself from the economic quagmire by launching wars of aggression and intervention. Now that the political strife in the Middle East and North Africa has subsided, the peoples of South Korea and Asia are in impending doom should U.S. imperialism launch wars against North Korea and even China.
Their war complex only benefits U.S. imperialism, not the peoples of the world.
Immediately, the governor of Jeju Island should heed his people’s demand and wield the political will to stop the destructive blast of Gureombi. In the long run, the construction of the U.S. military naval base should be immediately and unconditionally halted and have all the U.S. military forces there and everywhere else in South Korea withdrawn back to the United States.
The South Korean government should be ashamed of itself for continually playing the obedient dog to its imperialist master and instead heed its people’s demands to uphold and protect its national sovereignty, patrimony and integrity.
The growing international movement against the continued U.S. military presence in South Korea and anywhere else in the world is a strong expression of the people’s collective struggle and solidarity against U.S. imperialism.
No bombing in Gureombi!
U.S. troops out of Korea now!
Down with imperialism!
Monday, November 14, 2011
Justice Minister of South Korea urged by APMM: "We would like to call on the Ministry of Justice to heed our urgent demand to immediately and unconditionally stop the crackdown on all migrant workers."
November 11, 2011
Hon. KWON JAE JIN
Minister
Ministry of Justice, Republic of Korea
Building #5, Gwacheon Government Complex,
Jungang-dong1, Gwacheon-si, Kyunggi-do
Republic of Korea
Tel : 82-2-503-7023
E-mail : webmaster@moj.go.kr
Thru the Office of the Inspector General
Dear Minister Kwon Jae Jin:
Warm greetings from Hong Kong!
We in the Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants, a Hong Kong-based regional migrant center, would like to express strongly our concern on the continued crackdown by the South Korean government on undocumented migrants. We have received information from our network in Korea, in particular the Alliance of Filipino Migrant Workers’Associations in Korea, that several migrant workers have already been arrested and detained by immigration police.
Already, more than a thousand migrants have been arrested since January this year.
Based on previous reports of maltreatment during the series of crackdowns in recent years and the lack of mechanisms to ensure that the human rights of migrants are protected, we are concerned that the migrants will once again be subject to abuse and maltreatment.
In this regard, we would like to call on the Ministry of Justice to heed our urgent demand to immediately and unconditionally stop the crackdown on all migrant workers. The blanket arrest, detention and deportation of migrant workers based on their visa status is in itself a violation of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
The crackdown does not resolve the issue of the rise in undocumented migrants in South Korea. Instead, it only aggravates the problem of migration with the human rights and dignity of migrant workers being compromised or violated by authorities who should be protecting them.
In the same vein, we implore your good office in ensuring that the rights of migrant workers who have already been arrested and detained be protected and upheld at all times. We strongly wish that they be given the right to access justice and have their legal counsel, access and avail of health services especially for those in urgent need of medical attention, be visited by their families, friends and other supportive peers, and be treated humanely, among many others.
We fervently hope that the Ministry of Justice would heed these urgent demands as more and more migrant workers are likely to be subject to grave violations and further repression. We look forward to your immediate and positive response to this request.
Thank you very much.
Respectfully yours,
Ramon Bultron
Managing Director
“Being undocumented is never reason to be stripped of one’s fundamental human rights,” --Migrante International.
November 11, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Reference: Garry Martinez, Chairperson, 0939-3914418
OFWs in S. Korea condemn intensified crackdowns
Global alliance of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and families Migrante International supports the Filipino community and migrant communities of other nationalities in South Korea in their fight against intensified crackdowns on undocumented migrant workers.
The crackdown is a result of the South Korean government’s labor policy, the Employment Permit System (EPS). According to Garry Martinez, Migrante International chairperson, the EPS has been proven flawed and anti-migrant and should be scrapped.
The Philippine and Korean government signed an agreement on the EPS in 2006. Since then, some 500,000 workers from the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Mongolia and Indonesia have been brought to South Korea under its mandate. The EPS basically allows Korean employers who have failed to hire local workers to legally employ migrant workers.
However, Martinez said, the EPS has failed to ensure benefits and protect the rights of migrant workers. “Instead, since its implementation seven years ago, cases of labor and human rights violations against OFWs and other migrant workers continue to run rampant,” said Martinez.
One of the objectives of the EPS was supposedly to increase transparency of sending and receiving workers, and consequently protect migrant workers’ rights and prevent discrimination.
“However, there seems to be no monitoring system and companies and employers violate migrant workers’ rights without being held accountable. More Korean employers have been hiring undocumented migrants to be able to evade compliance on minimum wages, benefits and leaves. As a result, undocumented workers are being targeted by the Korean government’s violent and intensified crackdowns,” he said.
Martinez, himself an undocumented OFW in South Korea for 12 years before he was deported to the Philippines, added, “The present global economic crisis has unleashed so-called ‘protectionist measures’ characterized by crackdown operations and harsher immigration policies that bear down on irregular or undocumented workers, at the expense of their human rights.”
He said, “Undocumented migrants, who inevitably provide the solution to labor shortages or the clamor for cheap labor in host countries, are marginalized and exploited. They are less able to assert their claims and are more vulnerable to abuses because of their ‘illegitimacy’.”
“Being undocumented is never reason to be stripped of one’s fundamental human rights,” Martinez said.
According to records of Migrante International, the number of undocumented Filipino workers deployed in different countries has reached approximately 900,000 in 2007. “This number has continued to increase over the years, especially in light of continued unemployment and landlessness here in the Philippines. The growing number of undocumented OFWs worldwide is indicative of the ongoing crisis of forced migration and systemic economic crisis in the country.”
Martinez called on the Korean and Philippine governments to ensure the protection of undocumented OFWs in South Korea and to work for their legalization. “Our call is for regularization, not criminalization. Human rights, regardless of status, should not be violated. Undocumented migrants worldwide contribute greatly to the economies of their host nations and to the domestic economy as well in terms of their remittances.” ###
----
STATEMENT ON CRACKDOWN, BUDGET CUTS FOR SOCIAL SERVICES TO OFWS
AND EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLINGS
Katipunan ng mga Samahang Migranteng Manggagawa sa Korea (KASAMMA-KO)
06 November 2011
The Katipunan ng mga Samahang Migranteng Mangagagawa sa Korea (KASAMMA-KO) together with other Filipino migrant organizations and Korean migrant workers centers vehemently condemn the intensified crackdown on migrant workers. The very act of cracking down of migrant workers on basis of their visa status is a violation of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families which was entered into force in July 2003. Its primary objective is to protect migrant workers and their families, a particularly vulnerable population, from exploitation and the violation of their human rights.
The Korean government through the Bureau of Immigration is committing grave human rights violations. This is the very reason why we strongly oppose the crackdown. The crackdown should be stopped immediately. The government of President Lee Myung-Bak should stop the crackdown on migrant workers. He should not let his unpopularity worsen with this obsolete strategy to labor outsourcing.
The Employment Permit System (EPS) is proven as a defective labor arrangement. It should be scrapped. All employed migrant workers should be processed for legalization. The migrant workers employment in dirty, difficult and dangerous (3D) jobs in the Korean small and medium scale factories have made significant contributions to the growth of the South Korean economy. They have the right for unhampered employment in the country, for the local workers would not even take on the 3D jobs they have. STOP CRACKDOWN!
More than 9 million OFWs are working in many countries around the world and they comprising over 10% of the population depend for their livelihood and the better future of their families in working overseas. Since the 1970s up to this time, the succeeding Philippine governments including the present Aquino government has not averted the massive deployment of OFWs. There have been too many OFWs who have died, disabled, ill, abused, jailed, stranded or in distressed situations who need the assistance of the Philippine Embassies or Consular offices, and this means adequate budget to aid and support OFWs.
The Aquino government cut the DFA’s budget from P12.69 billion this year to P10.98 billion in 2012. DFA Secretary Alberto Romulo admitted that this would paralyze the operations of Philippine embassies and consulates around the world. It would also mean reduced assistance to Filipinos in distress overseas. NO CUTS IN 2012 BUDGET FOR OFWS!
OPLAN Bayanihan that have been a make believe social welfare program of the Aquino government is actually a counterinsurgency program that does not provide financial assistance to the poorest of the poor but its budget is used for extra-judicial killings and feed to bureaucratic red tapes. We denounce the continuance of extra-judicial killings or political killings in the Philippines under President Benigno Aquino III, in which one of the recent victims is Fr. Fausto Tentorio, PIME, a missionary to the Manobo tribe and the Lumads in Arakan Valley in North Cotabato.
As Filipino migrant workers, expatriates and missionaries in South Korea, we mourn demand justice for all the victims of extra-judicial killings who even up to this time their cases have not been given justice. The pervasiveness of human rights violations in our country under Oplan Bayanihan has been wrecking insurmountable damages on the lives of community leaders and those who have offered their lives, like Fr. Tentorio, so that the marginalized Filipinos will experience abundant life. STOP EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLINGS NOW!
POL PAR
Chairperson
KASAMMA-KO
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Reference: Garry Martinez, Chairperson, 0939-3914418
OFWs in S. Korea condemn intensified crackdowns
Global alliance of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and families Migrante International supports the Filipino community and migrant communities of other nationalities in South Korea in their fight against intensified crackdowns on undocumented migrant workers.
The crackdown is a result of the South Korean government’s labor policy, the Employment Permit System (EPS). According to Garry Martinez, Migrante International chairperson, the EPS has been proven flawed and anti-migrant and should be scrapped.
The Philippine and Korean government signed an agreement on the EPS in 2006. Since then, some 500,000 workers from the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Mongolia and Indonesia have been brought to South Korea under its mandate. The EPS basically allows Korean employers who have failed to hire local workers to legally employ migrant workers.
However, Martinez said, the EPS has failed to ensure benefits and protect the rights of migrant workers. “Instead, since its implementation seven years ago, cases of labor and human rights violations against OFWs and other migrant workers continue to run rampant,” said Martinez.
One of the objectives of the EPS was supposedly to increase transparency of sending and receiving workers, and consequently protect migrant workers’ rights and prevent discrimination.
“However, there seems to be no monitoring system and companies and employers violate migrant workers’ rights without being held accountable. More Korean employers have been hiring undocumented migrants to be able to evade compliance on minimum wages, benefits and leaves. As a result, undocumented workers are being targeted by the Korean government’s violent and intensified crackdowns,” he said.
Martinez, himself an undocumented OFW in South Korea for 12 years before he was deported to the Philippines, added, “The present global economic crisis has unleashed so-called ‘protectionist measures’ characterized by crackdown operations and harsher immigration policies that bear down on irregular or undocumented workers, at the expense of their human rights.”
He said, “Undocumented migrants, who inevitably provide the solution to labor shortages or the clamor for cheap labor in host countries, are marginalized and exploited. They are less able to assert their claims and are more vulnerable to abuses because of their ‘illegitimacy’.”
“Being undocumented is never reason to be stripped of one’s fundamental human rights,” Martinez said.
According to records of Migrante International, the number of undocumented Filipino workers deployed in different countries has reached approximately 900,000 in 2007. “This number has continued to increase over the years, especially in light of continued unemployment and landlessness here in the Philippines. The growing number of undocumented OFWs worldwide is indicative of the ongoing crisis of forced migration and systemic economic crisis in the country.”
Martinez called on the Korean and Philippine governments to ensure the protection of undocumented OFWs in South Korea and to work for their legalization. “Our call is for regularization, not criminalization. Human rights, regardless of status, should not be violated. Undocumented migrants worldwide contribute greatly to the economies of their host nations and to the domestic economy as well in terms of their remittances.” ###
----
STATEMENT ON CRACKDOWN, BUDGET CUTS FOR SOCIAL SERVICES TO OFWS
AND EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLINGS
Katipunan ng mga Samahang Migranteng Manggagawa sa Korea (KASAMMA-KO)
06 November 2011
The Katipunan ng mga Samahang Migranteng Mangagagawa sa Korea (KASAMMA-KO) together with other Filipino migrant organizations and Korean migrant workers centers vehemently condemn the intensified crackdown on migrant workers. The very act of cracking down of migrant workers on basis of their visa status is a violation of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families which was entered into force in July 2003. Its primary objective is to protect migrant workers and their families, a particularly vulnerable population, from exploitation and the violation of their human rights.
The Korean government through the Bureau of Immigration is committing grave human rights violations. This is the very reason why we strongly oppose the crackdown. The crackdown should be stopped immediately. The government of President Lee Myung-Bak should stop the crackdown on migrant workers. He should not let his unpopularity worsen with this obsolete strategy to labor outsourcing.
The Employment Permit System (EPS) is proven as a defective labor arrangement. It should be scrapped. All employed migrant workers should be processed for legalization. The migrant workers employment in dirty, difficult and dangerous (3D) jobs in the Korean small and medium scale factories have made significant contributions to the growth of the South Korean economy. They have the right for unhampered employment in the country, for the local workers would not even take on the 3D jobs they have. STOP CRACKDOWN!
More than 9 million OFWs are working in many countries around the world and they comprising over 10% of the population depend for their livelihood and the better future of their families in working overseas. Since the 1970s up to this time, the succeeding Philippine governments including the present Aquino government has not averted the massive deployment of OFWs. There have been too many OFWs who have died, disabled, ill, abused, jailed, stranded or in distressed situations who need the assistance of the Philippine Embassies or Consular offices, and this means adequate budget to aid and support OFWs.
The Aquino government cut the DFA’s budget from P12.69 billion this year to P10.98 billion in 2012. DFA Secretary Alberto Romulo admitted that this would paralyze the operations of Philippine embassies and consulates around the world. It would also mean reduced assistance to Filipinos in distress overseas. NO CUTS IN 2012 BUDGET FOR OFWS!
OPLAN Bayanihan that have been a make believe social welfare program of the Aquino government is actually a counterinsurgency program that does not provide financial assistance to the poorest of the poor but its budget is used for extra-judicial killings and feed to bureaucratic red tapes. We denounce the continuance of extra-judicial killings or political killings in the Philippines under President Benigno Aquino III, in which one of the recent victims is Fr. Fausto Tentorio, PIME, a missionary to the Manobo tribe and the Lumads in Arakan Valley in North Cotabato.
As Filipino migrant workers, expatriates and missionaries in South Korea, we mourn demand justice for all the victims of extra-judicial killings who even up to this time their cases have not been given justice. The pervasiveness of human rights violations in our country under Oplan Bayanihan has been wrecking insurmountable damages on the lives of community leaders and those who have offered their lives, like Fr. Tentorio, so that the marginalized Filipinos will experience abundant life. STOP EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLINGS NOW!
POL PAR
Chairperson
KASAMMA-KO
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Statement of the 3rd Inter-Religious Conference on Article 9
Final Statement of the 3rd Asia Inter-religious Conference on Article 9
From Seoul to Okinawa
October 7, 2011
Okinawa Christian University
Article 9 of Japan’s Peace Constitution
Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as a means of settling international disputes.
In order to accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph, land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained. The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized.
1) The 3rd Asia Inter-religious Conference on Article 9 of the Japanese Peace Constitution gathered 220 participants from Japan, Okinawa, South Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Thailand, Pakistan, South Africa, Switzerland, Italy, Canada and the USA to see and hear the experiences of the Okinawan people. The conference was held at the Okinawa Christian University from October 5 through 7th, 2011. With our thoughts turned toward the victims of disasters arising from the Great East Japan Earthquake, Tsunami, and Fukushima Number 1 Nuclear Power Plant incident, we prayerfully reaffirm the sanctity of life, and hereby issue this Statement.
2) Article 9 of the Constitution has never been realized in Japan and least of all in Okinawa, which holds roughly 74% of American military facilities as well as other Japan Self Defense Forces bases in just 0.6% of Japanese land. Furthermore, former Prime Minister Hatoyama’s declaration that he would have the military bases in Okinawa moved out of the prefecture or to another country has not been realized. Okinawa’s bases have not only been retained, but new bases are being constructed. On Jeju Island—designated an “Island of Peace” by the government of Korea—a new naval base is being built by the government and armed forces. We, the Asia Inter-Religious Conference on Article 9 of the Japanese Peace Constitution, categorically reject foreign military basing arrangements, be it the physical bases in Okinawa and the naval base in Jeju, Korea, or unhampered access to land, air, and naval facilities as contained in the Visiting Forces Agreement between the Philippines and the United States.
3) For the foregoing reasons, be it resolved that -
• The US and Japanese governments must honor Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution and we strongly oppose any attempt by the Japanese Government to revise the same.
• We demand the Japanese government that the “sympathy budget” allocations toward the U.S. be abolished and reassigned to relief efforts in disaster-stricken areas.
• We call upon communities of faith in the United States to consider their complicity as US citizens in US policies toward Okinawa, examine their consciences, and join in advocacy for the closure of Futenma and other bases in Okinawa as well as the abandonment of plans to build a new base in Henoko.
• We demand that the proposed plan of the construction of the bases of Self Defense Forces in Miyako and Yaeyama be abandoned.
• We demand the total abolition of nuclear weapons and challenge the continuous use of nuclear energy in all its applications.
• Recognizing the horrific human toll of U.S. wars, expansionism, and hegemony, we call upon all persons of faith to join the global peace movement and oppose the imperial militarization of Asia, the Middle East and beyond.
4) In the statement issued in Seoul, Korea, on the occasion of the 2nd Asia Inter-religious Conference on Article 9 of the Japanese Peace Constitution, we affirmed that, Article 9 is more than ever relevant for regional and international relations, and is forward-looking. It can be seen as the core value of a just, peaceful, and sustainable Asian community.
5) Despite Japan regaining independence in 1952, Okinawa has remained under U.S. military rule for another 20 years. All the U.S. military bases there remain intact. During this period, a large movement arose in Okinawa demanding the return of Okinawa to Japan, whose Constitution contained the war-renouncing Article 9. This wish was finally realized in 1972, in the so-called “Return of Okinawa.” However, this was essentially only a transfer of administrative rights, which resulted in the betrayal of Okinawa’s hopes and desires. As Okinawa was being returned to a Japan that had the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, these principles should have applied to Okinawa as well, but the governments of the United States and Japan struck a secret agreement that left the portage of nuclear arms into Okinawa up to the discretion of the U.S. What Okinawa desired was to be a land without military bases, or at least “comparable to the mainland” in level. But even after the transfer of administrative rights, the situation of military base presence in Okinawa did not change. Furthermore, Okinawa has been made more “comparable to the mainland” by the construction of new military bases for the Japan Self Defense Forces. In recent years this military presence is even threatening to expand to the regions of Miyako and Yaeyama.
6) The post-war government of Japan has continually accepted the presence of U.S. and JSDF military bases, thus contravening Article 9. Removal of “the world’s most dangerous base” at Futenma and its return to Okinawans still has no schedule. Despite the opposition of 80% of Okinawa’s citizens, the government of Japan is attempting to build a new military base to replace Futenma, which will destroy and pave over the sea at Henoko. The government is also destroying its own rain forest by building a helipad in Takae. Both places support biodiversity that is 50 to 60 times as rich as the coastal waters and forests in the mainland. Furthermore, U.S. forces are planning to deploy new Osprey planes to the yet-to-be-removed base at Futenma, as well as to various facilities being constructed further north. The government of Japan speaks of reducing the burden of military bases upon Okinawa, but the reality is that the functions of bases and military armaments are being strengthened.
7) With the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty and the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement, the military continues to cause daily suffering for the people of Okinawa. From these bases in Okinawa U.S. forces were sent into the Korean War, the Viet Nam War, the Gulf War, the Afghanistan War and the Iraq War. And ever since the Gulf War the Japan Self Defense Forces have joined and collaborated as one with U.S. forces in what can only be described as acts of war.
8) The governments of both Japan and the U.S. say that the bases on Okinawa are a deterrent force. But the the military forces on Okinawa are a threat to neighboring nations. We cannot watch silently while bombers and warships are sent out from this precious land, passed down from our peace-loving ancestors, to terrorize, destroy and kill the inhabitants in every region on this earth.
9) Arms cannot bring peace but respecting the rights of people can. In spite of the lies and fraudulent assertions of both the Japanese and U.S. governments, we, as written in the Preamble of the Constitution of Japan, “have determined to preserve our security, and existence, trusting in the justice and faith of the peace-loving peoples of the world.” We believe that there is a “nature that is true and real” in the peoples of all nations, and for this reason we resolve to continue walking forward towards a world without military bases.
10) Okinawa once had its own philosophical tradition of “non-military culture.” Through friendly relations and trade, not by arms, Ryukyu (Okinawa) established relations with various Asian countries. But in 1609 it came under the de facto rule of Japan’s Satsuma Clan, as a result of an invasion by Satsuma. This year marks the 402nd year from that date. In 1879 the Ryukyu Kingdom was again invaded, this time by the Meiji government, and was annexed by force to become part of Japan. This is what is known as the “Ryukyu Disposition,” and this year marks the 132nd year from that date. In the 15-year War, which began with the self-staged Manchurian “terrorist” Incident of 1931 and lasted until Japan’s surrender in 1945, Okinawa was sacrificed to ensure the continuity of the Japanese state system. The people of Okinawa were forced by the Imperial Japanese Army, deployed to defend Okinawa, to “Live Together and Die Together” with the military. During the Battle of Okinawa, in which land battles engulfed the island’s civilian inhabitants, massacres of local residents by Japanese forces, ejection of refugees from shelter caves, and “forced mass deaths” under military orders, occurred in many locations. The Japan Ministry of Education has shown a strong tendency to dilute such facts in Japanese school texts, giving rise even to court cases over the issue. Yet the Supreme Court found, in a 2011 judgment, that there were indeed Army orders to force “mass deaths” on the Islands of Zamami, Geruma, and Tokashiki
11) Holding the Asia Inter-religious Conference on Article 9 of the Japanese Peace Constitution here in Okinawa awakened us, people of many faiths, to the realities of the struggles of the Okinawan people. We truly pursue the realization of Article 9 in our own places, and walk together toward this realization. We commit ourselves to actively work to oppose the spread of American military bases across Asia and around the world and demand the closure of all military bases. We trust that the route to these aspirations can be found in each person’s faith. We pray for the realization of peace and take action to build peace through non-violence. The answer to violence is to embody and animate the spirit of Article 9.
Participants of the 3rd Asia Inter-religious Conference on Article 9
From Seoul to Okinawa
October 7, 2011
Okinawa Christian University
Article 9 of Japan’s Peace Constitution
Aspiring sincerely to an international peace based on justice and order, the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as a means of settling international disputes.
In order to accomplish the aim of the preceding paragraph, land, sea, and air forces, as well as other war potential, will never be maintained. The right of belligerency of the state will not be recognized.
1) The 3rd Asia Inter-religious Conference on Article 9 of the Japanese Peace Constitution gathered 220 participants from Japan, Okinawa, South Korea, Taiwan, Philippines, Thailand, Pakistan, South Africa, Switzerland, Italy, Canada and the USA to see and hear the experiences of the Okinawan people. The conference was held at the Okinawa Christian University from October 5 through 7th, 2011. With our thoughts turned toward the victims of disasters arising from the Great East Japan Earthquake, Tsunami, and Fukushima Number 1 Nuclear Power Plant incident, we prayerfully reaffirm the sanctity of life, and hereby issue this Statement.
2) Article 9 of the Constitution has never been realized in Japan and least of all in Okinawa, which holds roughly 74% of American military facilities as well as other Japan Self Defense Forces bases in just 0.6% of Japanese land. Furthermore, former Prime Minister Hatoyama’s declaration that he would have the military bases in Okinawa moved out of the prefecture or to another country has not been realized. Okinawa’s bases have not only been retained, but new bases are being constructed. On Jeju Island—designated an “Island of Peace” by the government of Korea—a new naval base is being built by the government and armed forces. We, the Asia Inter-Religious Conference on Article 9 of the Japanese Peace Constitution, categorically reject foreign military basing arrangements, be it the physical bases in Okinawa and the naval base in Jeju, Korea, or unhampered access to land, air, and naval facilities as contained in the Visiting Forces Agreement between the Philippines and the United States.
3) For the foregoing reasons, be it resolved that -
• The US and Japanese governments must honor Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution and we strongly oppose any attempt by the Japanese Government to revise the same.
• We demand the Japanese government that the “sympathy budget” allocations toward the U.S. be abolished and reassigned to relief efforts in disaster-stricken areas.
• We call upon communities of faith in the United States to consider their complicity as US citizens in US policies toward Okinawa, examine their consciences, and join in advocacy for the closure of Futenma and other bases in Okinawa as well as the abandonment of plans to build a new base in Henoko.
• We demand that the proposed plan of the construction of the bases of Self Defense Forces in Miyako and Yaeyama be abandoned.
• We demand the total abolition of nuclear weapons and challenge the continuous use of nuclear energy in all its applications.
• Recognizing the horrific human toll of U.S. wars, expansionism, and hegemony, we call upon all persons of faith to join the global peace movement and oppose the imperial militarization of Asia, the Middle East and beyond.
4) In the statement issued in Seoul, Korea, on the occasion of the 2nd Asia Inter-religious Conference on Article 9 of the Japanese Peace Constitution, we affirmed that, Article 9 is more than ever relevant for regional and international relations, and is forward-looking. It can be seen as the core value of a just, peaceful, and sustainable Asian community.
5) Despite Japan regaining independence in 1952, Okinawa has remained under U.S. military rule for another 20 years. All the U.S. military bases there remain intact. During this period, a large movement arose in Okinawa demanding the return of Okinawa to Japan, whose Constitution contained the war-renouncing Article 9. This wish was finally realized in 1972, in the so-called “Return of Okinawa.” However, this was essentially only a transfer of administrative rights, which resulted in the betrayal of Okinawa’s hopes and desires. As Okinawa was being returned to a Japan that had the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, these principles should have applied to Okinawa as well, but the governments of the United States and Japan struck a secret agreement that left the portage of nuclear arms into Okinawa up to the discretion of the U.S. What Okinawa desired was to be a land without military bases, or at least “comparable to the mainland” in level. But even after the transfer of administrative rights, the situation of military base presence in Okinawa did not change. Furthermore, Okinawa has been made more “comparable to the mainland” by the construction of new military bases for the Japan Self Defense Forces. In recent years this military presence is even threatening to expand to the regions of Miyako and Yaeyama.
6) The post-war government of Japan has continually accepted the presence of U.S. and JSDF military bases, thus contravening Article 9. Removal of “the world’s most dangerous base” at Futenma and its return to Okinawans still has no schedule. Despite the opposition of 80% of Okinawa’s citizens, the government of Japan is attempting to build a new military base to replace Futenma, which will destroy and pave over the sea at Henoko. The government is also destroying its own rain forest by building a helipad in Takae. Both places support biodiversity that is 50 to 60 times as rich as the coastal waters and forests in the mainland. Furthermore, U.S. forces are planning to deploy new Osprey planes to the yet-to-be-removed base at Futenma, as well as to various facilities being constructed further north. The government of Japan speaks of reducing the burden of military bases upon Okinawa, but the reality is that the functions of bases and military armaments are being strengthened.
7) With the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty and the U.S.-Japan Status of Forces Agreement, the military continues to cause daily suffering for the people of Okinawa. From these bases in Okinawa U.S. forces were sent into the Korean War, the Viet Nam War, the Gulf War, the Afghanistan War and the Iraq War. And ever since the Gulf War the Japan Self Defense Forces have joined and collaborated as one with U.S. forces in what can only be described as acts of war.
8) The governments of both Japan and the U.S. say that the bases on Okinawa are a deterrent force. But the the military forces on Okinawa are a threat to neighboring nations. We cannot watch silently while bombers and warships are sent out from this precious land, passed down from our peace-loving ancestors, to terrorize, destroy and kill the inhabitants in every region on this earth.
9) Arms cannot bring peace but respecting the rights of people can. In spite of the lies and fraudulent assertions of both the Japanese and U.S. governments, we, as written in the Preamble of the Constitution of Japan, “have determined to preserve our security, and existence, trusting in the justice and faith of the peace-loving peoples of the world.” We believe that there is a “nature that is true and real” in the peoples of all nations, and for this reason we resolve to continue walking forward towards a world without military bases.
10) Okinawa once had its own philosophical tradition of “non-military culture.” Through friendly relations and trade, not by arms, Ryukyu (Okinawa) established relations with various Asian countries. But in 1609 it came under the de facto rule of Japan’s Satsuma Clan, as a result of an invasion by Satsuma. This year marks the 402nd year from that date. In 1879 the Ryukyu Kingdom was again invaded, this time by the Meiji government, and was annexed by force to become part of Japan. This is what is known as the “Ryukyu Disposition,” and this year marks the 132nd year from that date. In the 15-year War, which began with the self-staged Manchurian “terrorist” Incident of 1931 and lasted until Japan’s surrender in 1945, Okinawa was sacrificed to ensure the continuity of the Japanese state system. The people of Okinawa were forced by the Imperial Japanese Army, deployed to defend Okinawa, to “Live Together and Die Together” with the military. During the Battle of Okinawa, in which land battles engulfed the island’s civilian inhabitants, massacres of local residents by Japanese forces, ejection of refugees from shelter caves, and “forced mass deaths” under military orders, occurred in many locations. The Japan Ministry of Education has shown a strong tendency to dilute such facts in Japanese school texts, giving rise even to court cases over the issue. Yet the Supreme Court found, in a 2011 judgment, that there were indeed Army orders to force “mass deaths” on the Islands of Zamami, Geruma, and Tokashiki
11) Holding the Asia Inter-religious Conference on Article 9 of the Japanese Peace Constitution here in Okinawa awakened us, people of many faiths, to the realities of the struggles of the Okinawan people. We truly pursue the realization of Article 9 in our own places, and walk together toward this realization. We commit ourselves to actively work to oppose the spread of American military bases across Asia and around the world and demand the closure of all military bases. We trust that the route to these aspirations can be found in each person’s faith. We pray for the realization of peace and take action to build peace through non-violence. The answer to violence is to embody and animate the spirit of Article 9.
Participants of the 3rd Asia Inter-religious Conference on Article 9
Friday, October 21, 2011
Somehow, our hopes have been betrayed, . . .
PROK Morning Office
20 October 2011
Most loving and faithful God:
We thank you for this brand new day.
We may have come with tiredness and the worries and cares of yesterday still hang on our shoulders.
Somehow our needs have been neglected, our hopes betrayed and our love turned lukewarm. As the chilling wind of Autumn blow and cause the colorful leaves to fall on the ground, let your steadfast love uphold us. Let our love for you be expressed in the quality of work we do for your church and for people in need.
At this moment we take time to pray for the people of Thailand who are affected by floods. May the Thai government attend to the immediate and long term needs of people affected by this calamity.
We also pray for people and their communities who are struggling against various forms of oppression and injustice. Let your steadfast and unfailing love support them that they may find justice and peace in their lives.
Bless and empower us in our office work today. Sustain us with your Holy Spirit. We pray this through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
20 October 2011
Most loving and faithful God:
We thank you for this brand new day.
We may have come with tiredness and the worries and cares of yesterday still hang on our shoulders.
Somehow our needs have been neglected, our hopes betrayed and our love turned lukewarm. As the chilling wind of Autumn blow and cause the colorful leaves to fall on the ground, let your steadfast love uphold us. Let our love for you be expressed in the quality of work we do for your church and for people in need.
At this moment we take time to pray for the people of Thailand who are affected by floods. May the Thai government attend to the immediate and long term needs of people affected by this calamity.
We also pray for people and their communities who are struggling against various forms of oppression and injustice. Let your steadfast and unfailing love support them that they may find justice and peace in their lives.
Bless and empower us in our office work today. Sustain us with your Holy Spirit. We pray this through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Urban characters-2 male, in his 30s
Urban characters-2
Male, early 30s
Wednesday, 28 September 2011, at around 6:25 this evening at Suyu station southbound platform, the standby subway passengers were alarmed at a scream from a man who must have been suffering of mental disturbamce. He screamed as if he saw a disturbing object. Interestingly he would scream loudly upon seeing young attractive women.
The young wonen were frightened upon hearing the scream, looked at where the scream was coming from only to see a tall, well built young man turning his back on them and slowly walked away, muttering some words audible to people near him. He screamed again when he saw a young woman approaching him just a minute before the next train arrived. I'm not sure whether he got on the train or stayed on the platform and scared more people. I just hope the subway station personnel would have noticed him and helped him stay away from the platform.
Modern day life is stressful to so many people and stressed out people are susceptible to breakdown of mental and physical health.
Male, early 30s
Wednesday, 28 September 2011, at around 6:25 this evening at Suyu station southbound platform, the standby subway passengers were alarmed at a scream from a man who must have been suffering of mental disturbamce. He screamed as if he saw a disturbing object. Interestingly he would scream loudly upon seeing young attractive women.
The young wonen were frightened upon hearing the scream, looked at where the scream was coming from only to see a tall, well built young man turning his back on them and slowly walked away, muttering some words audible to people near him. He screamed again when he saw a young woman approaching him just a minute before the next train arrived. I'm not sure whether he got on the train or stayed on the platform and scared more people. I just hope the subway station personnel would have noticed him and helped him stay away from the platform.
Modern day life is stressful to so many people and stressed out people are susceptible to breakdown of mental and physical health.
PARK YONG-KIL the mother of reunification
The Road to the Spring of Reunification
28 September 2011
She is named the "mother of reunification", Park Yong-Il, one of the rare women church elders in the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea and the protestant churches in Korea. She lived to be 92 years old by October 24 this year.
She passed away last Saturday and the funeral service was held this morning at the chapel of Hanshin University Graduate School of Theology. She and her husband Moon Ik-Hwan served as inspiration to church people and society, both of the North and South.
The funeral service highlighted her as a road to Springtime, ushering in new ways of relating between the separate states, yet remains one people or nation. Poems by Ko Eun were beautifully read and musical tributes were excellently offered by the women's choir of Seoul Presbytery, a cello musical rendition by Oh Mi-Sun and a soprano Arirang song was sang by Jeong Myeong-Hwa.
Spoken tributes were given by church leaders, but all ears caught attention when Moon Dong-Hwan spoke. He is a retired minister and brother-in-law of the deceased. Although there are many outstanding characteristics Park Yong-Kil have as a woman, a church leader, mother and wife, most of the spoken tributes mentioned her in relation to her husband Moon Ik-Hwan. The former South Korean Prime Minister, Han Myeong-Sook also gave a tribute.
A video clip on the latest interview with Park Yong-Il was shown and a slide presentation of their visit to North Korea and the meetings of two former SK presidents with NK's leader Kim Jong-il. A letter of condolences from NK leader was read during the service.
The main hall of chapel was filled with not less than 200 persons. An
outstanding woman of faith has passed away. The future of peace and reunification of the Korean people is the hands of the present generation.
28 September 2011
She is named the "mother of reunification", Park Yong-Il, one of the rare women church elders in the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea and the protestant churches in Korea. She lived to be 92 years old by October 24 this year.
She passed away last Saturday and the funeral service was held this morning at the chapel of Hanshin University Graduate School of Theology. She and her husband Moon Ik-Hwan served as inspiration to church people and society, both of the North and South.
The funeral service highlighted her as a road to Springtime, ushering in new ways of relating between the separate states, yet remains one people or nation. Poems by Ko Eun were beautifully read and musical tributes were excellently offered by the women's choir of Seoul Presbytery, a cello musical rendition by Oh Mi-Sun and a soprano Arirang song was sang by Jeong Myeong-Hwa.
Spoken tributes were given by church leaders, but all ears caught attention when Moon Dong-Hwan spoke. He is a retired minister and brother-in-law of the deceased. Although there are many outstanding characteristics Park Yong-Kil have as a woman, a church leader, mother and wife, most of the spoken tributes mentioned her in relation to her husband Moon Ik-Hwan. The former South Korean Prime Minister, Han Myeong-Sook also gave a tribute.
A video clip on the latest interview with Park Yong-Il was shown and a slide presentation of their visit to North Korea and the meetings of two former SK presidents with NK's leader Kim Jong-il. A letter of condolences from NK leader was read during the service.
The main hall of chapel was filled with not less than 200 persons. An
outstanding woman of faith has passed away. The future of peace and reunification of the Korean people is the hands of the present generation.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Seoul Urban Character-1
Urban characters
Middle age male.
On the subway train enroute Dongdaemun to Hongik University station. He was wearing a dark pin stripe suit. Reading a book on top of a black office bag which looks full packed with books and files. No eyeglasses he reads the book and he underlines some sentences on the page he's reading. The moment he raises his chin up his red eyes in stark contrast to his pale and emaciated face and sporting a short haircut. Black cord of earphones hangs around his neck. He looks exhausted, pale and famished. Out of exhaustion he would bow his head and nap for a minute or two. Towards Chungjeongno station he took out his smart phone, not making a call nor playing a game just checking for messages. Nothing recent! He returned the cellphone in his pocket. He got off at Hongik Univ station. I saw he walked away with the heavy loaded bag on his right shoulder. A working day has not ended yet for him.
Middle age male.
On the subway train enroute Dongdaemun to Hongik University station. He was wearing a dark pin stripe suit. Reading a book on top of a black office bag which looks full packed with books and files. No eyeglasses he reads the book and he underlines some sentences on the page he's reading. The moment he raises his chin up his red eyes in stark contrast to his pale and emaciated face and sporting a short haircut. Black cord of earphones hangs around his neck. He looks exhausted, pale and famished. Out of exhaustion he would bow his head and nap for a minute or two. Towards Chungjeongno station he took out his smart phone, not making a call nor playing a game just checking for messages. Nothing recent! He returned the cellphone in his pocket. He got off at Hongik Univ station. I saw he walked away with the heavy loaded bag on his right shoulder. A working day has not ended yet for him.
Friday, September 02, 2011
Jeju's Kangjeong Villagers ask International Support for Protection of their Community and Livelihood
Official Statement of Appeal
We appeal to peace advocates worldwide to give Gangjeong residents and its peace activists international support and solidarity to stop the Jeju naval base construction. Please spread the news of these problems related to the Jeju naval base construction with your networks and show us your support and solidarity.
The Joongduk coast of Gangjeong Village in Jeju Island is now suffering. In 2006, Jeju Island was designated as an Island of Peace for the purpose of consoling the deep sorrow of the April 3rd Massacre. And the Joongduk coast was appointed as a Biosphere Reserve, World Heritage Site, and Global Geological Park by UNESCO. It is an Absolute Preservation Area, which is now being threatened by the naval base construction.
Insisting that the naval base is vital for national security, the Korean government and the navy are enforcing the construction. However, the Ocean Navy expansion plan--upon which the base construction was justified--has been discarded in revisions to the national defense bill regarding strategies to counteract recent security threats. This leaves no justification for this new base. In addition, the original argument from the government when the National Assembly budget bill was passed was to construct a Joint Civil Military site to be used for tourism as well as military purposes. However, that plan has disappeared and now only the military base is being constructed.
By maintaining military alliances with Japan, Australia, South Korea, and India, and through joint military exercises with the Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan, the U.S. is attempting to build up its defense line against China. If the Jeju naval base is constructed, the U.S., which possesses the right to station there according to the ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Agreement, will surely use this base to stand up against China. In that case, Jeju Island, an Island of Peace, will become a center of military conflict between the U.S. and China, jeopardizing South Korea’s national security.
Government and military authorities, however, are turning a blind eye to the voices of Gangjeong residents and civil peace activists, as well as to the demands to suspend the construction coming from the opposition parties and the investigation committee of the National Assembly. The navy has even used violence against a protesting civilian. On July 11, the national government recommended that the city government barricade a farm road on the Joongduk coast, which is the last remaining piece of state-owned land under the jurisdiction of Seogwipo city within the site of the naval base construction. This action was a response to the demand from the Ministry of National Defense to discourage any attempts to stage a protest against the naval base construction. However, such efforts by the government to enforce the construction only bring about stronger resistance and conflicts from Gangjeong residents and peace activists. The construction must be stopped before any unfortunate accidents take place.
We appeal to the government and military authorities
The argument for the base construction by the government and the navy is no longer valid. Moreover, the means and procedures used to promote the construction have been so violent and deceptive that they are only causing more resistance and resentment. Unilaterally pushing ahead with the construction, in the name of the national project, is obviously not a wise way. We call upon the government and military authorities to withdraw their plan to close the farm road and to completely reexamine the Jeju naval base construction project.
We appeal to Woo Keun-Min, Jeju governor
Governor Woo, you were aware of the negative consequences that could result from the naval base construction and you were right. We urge you to give up the futile illusion about the development profit and to listen to the desperate voices of the residents. We further request you to use your authority to cancel the removal of the “absolute preservation area” designation of Joongduk coast. If you do so, history would remember you as a person who protects the peace of Jeju and the Korean peninsula.
We appeal to the national assembly
As an entity representing citizens, the national assembly has a duty to listen to and respond to citizens’ voices. We appeal to the opposition parties to be more active in nullifying the Jeju naval base construction project. The Grand National Party, as the current ruling party, should seriously examine whether the base is really needed and whether national budget should be spent on inflating military forces and feeding construction capital.
We appeal to citizens
Gangjeong citizens have been fighting alone for over four long years. In the meantime, the village community has been torn apart, leaving indelible scars. Citizens are also engulfed with fears due to various lawsuits from the government and construction companies, as well as fines up to tens of millions of won. They are suffering from the fact that the Goorungbi boulder, which represents their dreams and memories, might be covered with cement block.
Please express your solidarity and give them your consolation. And if you can, please visit Gangjeong Village. Then you might be able to understand more clearly why the construction must be stopped. In addition, please use your wisdom and energy to do whatever you can in your position to prevent the Jeju naval base construction.
We appeal to peace advocates worldwide
International support, advocacy, and solidarity to stop the Jeju naval base construction give Gangjeong residents and peace activists strength and courage. Please spread the news of these problems related to the Jeju naval base construction with your networks and show us your support and solidarity.
We will try our best to prevent the Jeju naval base construction, which endangers the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia, and which is destroying the lives of Gangjeong residents and the natural environment, a gift from heaven. We firmly believe that this struggle is our responsibility to Jeju Island, where the sorrow of the April 3rd massacre is deeply embedded, that this is an expression of our conscience regarding the suffering Gangjeong residents, and that it is the demand of the times to protect and ensure peace for our children. We sincerely appeal to everybody who stands alongside us to protect Gangjeong Village and Jeju Island.
Ms. Gang, Young-sil
The Gangjeong Village Association
Email: buenoyoung@hanmail.net
Telephone number +82-11-9826-5022
Website: http://savejejuisland.org/Save_Jeju_Island/Welcome.html
We appeal to peace advocates worldwide to give Gangjeong residents and its peace activists international support and solidarity to stop the Jeju naval base construction. Please spread the news of these problems related to the Jeju naval base construction with your networks and show us your support and solidarity.
The Joongduk coast of Gangjeong Village in Jeju Island is now suffering. In 2006, Jeju Island was designated as an Island of Peace for the purpose of consoling the deep sorrow of the April 3rd Massacre. And the Joongduk coast was appointed as a Biosphere Reserve, World Heritage Site, and Global Geological Park by UNESCO. It is an Absolute Preservation Area, which is now being threatened by the naval base construction.
Insisting that the naval base is vital for national security, the Korean government and the navy are enforcing the construction. However, the Ocean Navy expansion plan--upon which the base construction was justified--has been discarded in revisions to the national defense bill regarding strategies to counteract recent security threats. This leaves no justification for this new base. In addition, the original argument from the government when the National Assembly budget bill was passed was to construct a Joint Civil Military site to be used for tourism as well as military purposes. However, that plan has disappeared and now only the military base is being constructed.
By maintaining military alliances with Japan, Australia, South Korea, and India, and through joint military exercises with the Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan, the U.S. is attempting to build up its defense line against China. If the Jeju naval base is constructed, the U.S., which possesses the right to station there according to the ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Agreement, will surely use this base to stand up against China. In that case, Jeju Island, an Island of Peace, will become a center of military conflict between the U.S. and China, jeopardizing South Korea’s national security.
Government and military authorities, however, are turning a blind eye to the voices of Gangjeong residents and civil peace activists, as well as to the demands to suspend the construction coming from the opposition parties and the investigation committee of the National Assembly. The navy has even used violence against a protesting civilian. On July 11, the national government recommended that the city government barricade a farm road on the Joongduk coast, which is the last remaining piece of state-owned land under the jurisdiction of Seogwipo city within the site of the naval base construction. This action was a response to the demand from the Ministry of National Defense to discourage any attempts to stage a protest against the naval base construction. However, such efforts by the government to enforce the construction only bring about stronger resistance and conflicts from Gangjeong residents and peace activists. The construction must be stopped before any unfortunate accidents take place.
We appeal to the government and military authorities
The argument for the base construction by the government and the navy is no longer valid. Moreover, the means and procedures used to promote the construction have been so violent and deceptive that they are only causing more resistance and resentment. Unilaterally pushing ahead with the construction, in the name of the national project, is obviously not a wise way. We call upon the government and military authorities to withdraw their plan to close the farm road and to completely reexamine the Jeju naval base construction project.
We appeal to Woo Keun-Min, Jeju governor
Governor Woo, you were aware of the negative consequences that could result from the naval base construction and you were right. We urge you to give up the futile illusion about the development profit and to listen to the desperate voices of the residents. We further request you to use your authority to cancel the removal of the “absolute preservation area” designation of Joongduk coast. If you do so, history would remember you as a person who protects the peace of Jeju and the Korean peninsula.
We appeal to the national assembly
As an entity representing citizens, the national assembly has a duty to listen to and respond to citizens’ voices. We appeal to the opposition parties to be more active in nullifying the Jeju naval base construction project. The Grand National Party, as the current ruling party, should seriously examine whether the base is really needed and whether national budget should be spent on inflating military forces and feeding construction capital.
We appeal to citizens
Gangjeong citizens have been fighting alone for over four long years. In the meantime, the village community has been torn apart, leaving indelible scars. Citizens are also engulfed with fears due to various lawsuits from the government and construction companies, as well as fines up to tens of millions of won. They are suffering from the fact that the Goorungbi boulder, which represents their dreams and memories, might be covered with cement block.
Please express your solidarity and give them your consolation. And if you can, please visit Gangjeong Village. Then you might be able to understand more clearly why the construction must be stopped. In addition, please use your wisdom and energy to do whatever you can in your position to prevent the Jeju naval base construction.
We appeal to peace advocates worldwide
International support, advocacy, and solidarity to stop the Jeju naval base construction give Gangjeong residents and peace activists strength and courage. Please spread the news of these problems related to the Jeju naval base construction with your networks and show us your support and solidarity.
We will try our best to prevent the Jeju naval base construction, which endangers the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia, and which is destroying the lives of Gangjeong residents and the natural environment, a gift from heaven. We firmly believe that this struggle is our responsibility to Jeju Island, where the sorrow of the April 3rd massacre is deeply embedded, that this is an expression of our conscience regarding the suffering Gangjeong residents, and that it is the demand of the times to protect and ensure peace for our children. We sincerely appeal to everybody who stands alongside us to protect Gangjeong Village and Jeju Island.
Ms. Gang, Young-sil
The Gangjeong Village Association
Email: buenoyoung@hanmail.net
Telephone number +82-11-9826-5022
Website: http://savejejuisland.org/Save_Jeju_Island/Welcome.html
Friday, August 19, 2011
The United Church of Christ in the Philippines Solidarity Statement to Hanjin's Retrenched Workers in Korea and the Subic Bay, the Philippines
United Church of Christ in the Philippines
A Solidarity Message
to the
Retrenched Workers of Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction
and the Presbyterian Church of the Republic of Korea
“Genuine peace comes when justice is served...
...for as long as labourers do not receive just wages...
There will be no peace.”
UCCP Statement on Peacemaking
The United Church of Christ in the Philippines(UCCP) joins the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea(PROK) in supporting the workers of Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction(HHIC) in their struggle for their workers’ rights as a result of illegal termination and unjust labor practices. We salute the Korean people for their willingness to join in a peaceful protest that included more than 10,000 citizens on 195 buses to call for a resolution of the HHIC laid-off workers situation, on July 9, 2011. Hearing that in the early hours of July 10, 2011, armed police fired tear gas and water cannons at civilian protestors, as they sought to visit Labor Leader Kim Jin-Sook who was protesting by occupying Yeongdo Shipyard Crane #85, reinforces the need for Church people around the world to join in solidarity with the struggle of the workers. With the PROK, we strongly condemn the violent dispersal of the peaceful march to protest the termination of workers at HHIC on July 10, 2011 in Busan City, South Korea and call for the reinstatement of illegally retrenched HHIC workers.
Globalization has allowed large Trans-National Corporations, such as the Chaebol conglomerate corporations where HHIC belongs, to move easily from country to country around the world, even when in the process they violate workers’ rights and welfare. The lay-off of workers in Busan, South Korea likely precipitates from the opening of Hanjin’s new shipyard in the Subic Bay Freeport, Philippines. In 2005, Hanjin signed a 50-year lease and has since then invested US$721 million into this new shipyard. With a ten-year tax holiday and a cheaper workforce of only PhP 306 (approx US$7.25) for nine hours labor in the Philipines, the HHIC likely intends increased profits by relocating their work to Subic Bay, Philippines.
According to our investigation, the situation of Hanjin workers in Subic Bay Freeport is also fraught with violations of workers’ rights:
· Although Subic government officials report that 21,000 workers and employed at Hanjin, the reality is that only approximately 17,000 are employed by Hanjin, while the others retained using 42 sub-contractors to circumvent the giving the benefits and rights of regular employees, including the right to join a union.
· Not only do workers have a nine hour shift, they are also required to arrive to the company bus station 30 minutes before their shift begins. Workers are often expected to work a double shift and have been known to work for as many as three days non-stop.
· There are reports of wide-spread drug use for workers to cope with back-to-back shifts.
· Since Subic Bay Freeport Hanjin opened, 30 cases of work-related deaths and more than 5000 accidents have been recorded. Workers have been crushed by metal, impaled by slabs as well as cut, maimed and bruised to alarming degrees. Families of death victims have been unable to collect death benefits.
The UCCP denounces the low wages, injury/death and violation of basic rights experienced by Filipino workers at the Subic Bay Freeport Hanjin shipyard AND the termination and violation of basic rights of Korean workers at HHIC Busan City, South Korea, most likely precipitating from the relocation of work to the Philippines.
In response to the liberalization of trade and labor as is dictated by global capitalism, workers of different countries and those who stand in solidarity with them must increase their cooperation to expose and resist the violation of worker’s rights. The efforts of Trans-National “Mega” Corporations to concentrate global power and wealth to themselves through the subjugation of the world workforce can be thwarted by a similarly global approach by broad social movements, including the Church, to struggle for fundamental changes that bring about a just, participatory and sustainable social order.
We commit ourselves to uphold the welfare of the world’s workers as a response to the call of faith, hope and mutual mission. Our concern and support for the retrenched workers at the HHIC Yeongdo Shipyard of Busan is a solidarity expression not only of our partnership with the PROK, but also of our concern for workers everywhere. We stand with those calling for the management of Hanjin Heavy Industries to be investigated, for the police committing violent dispersal against peaceful protestors to be held accountable, for the reinstatement of illegally retrenched workers, and for the respect of workers’ just wages and human rights.
Signed By:
Bishop Elorde M. Sambat Bishop Arturo R. Asi
North Luzon Jurisdictional Area South Luzon Jurisdictional Area
Bishop Jaime M. Morilles Bishop Dulce Pia-Rose
Middle Luzon Jurisdictional Area East Visayas Jurisdictional Area
Bishop Melzar D. Labuntog Bishop Modesto D. Villasanta
Northwest Mindanao Jurisdictional Area Southeast Mindanao Jurisdictional Area
Bishop Reuel Norman O. Marigza
General Secretary
A Solidarity Message
to the
Retrenched Workers of Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction
and the Presbyterian Church of the Republic of Korea
“Genuine peace comes when justice is served...
...for as long as labourers do not receive just wages...
There will be no peace.”
UCCP Statement on Peacemaking
The United Church of Christ in the Philippines(UCCP) joins the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea(PROK) in supporting the workers of Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction(HHIC) in their struggle for their workers’ rights as a result of illegal termination and unjust labor practices. We salute the Korean people for their willingness to join in a peaceful protest that included more than 10,000 citizens on 195 buses to call for a resolution of the HHIC laid-off workers situation, on July 9, 2011. Hearing that in the early hours of July 10, 2011, armed police fired tear gas and water cannons at civilian protestors, as they sought to visit Labor Leader Kim Jin-Sook who was protesting by occupying Yeongdo Shipyard Crane #85, reinforces the need for Church people around the world to join in solidarity with the struggle of the workers. With the PROK, we strongly condemn the violent dispersal of the peaceful march to protest the termination of workers at HHIC on July 10, 2011 in Busan City, South Korea and call for the reinstatement of illegally retrenched HHIC workers.
Globalization has allowed large Trans-National Corporations, such as the Chaebol conglomerate corporations where HHIC belongs, to move easily from country to country around the world, even when in the process they violate workers’ rights and welfare. The lay-off of workers in Busan, South Korea likely precipitates from the opening of Hanjin’s new shipyard in the Subic Bay Freeport, Philippines. In 2005, Hanjin signed a 50-year lease and has since then invested US$721 million into this new shipyard. With a ten-year tax holiday and a cheaper workforce of only PhP 306 (approx US$7.25) for nine hours labor in the Philipines, the HHIC likely intends increased profits by relocating their work to Subic Bay, Philippines.
According to our investigation, the situation of Hanjin workers in Subic Bay Freeport is also fraught with violations of workers’ rights:
· Although Subic government officials report that 21,000 workers and employed at Hanjin, the reality is that only approximately 17,000 are employed by Hanjin, while the others retained using 42 sub-contractors to circumvent the giving the benefits and rights of regular employees, including the right to join a union.
· Not only do workers have a nine hour shift, they are also required to arrive to the company bus station 30 minutes before their shift begins. Workers are often expected to work a double shift and have been known to work for as many as three days non-stop.
· There are reports of wide-spread drug use for workers to cope with back-to-back shifts.
· Since Subic Bay Freeport Hanjin opened, 30 cases of work-related deaths and more than 5000 accidents have been recorded. Workers have been crushed by metal, impaled by slabs as well as cut, maimed and bruised to alarming degrees. Families of death victims have been unable to collect death benefits.
The UCCP denounces the low wages, injury/death and violation of basic rights experienced by Filipino workers at the Subic Bay Freeport Hanjin shipyard AND the termination and violation of basic rights of Korean workers at HHIC Busan City, South Korea, most likely precipitating from the relocation of work to the Philippines.
In response to the liberalization of trade and labor as is dictated by global capitalism, workers of different countries and those who stand in solidarity with them must increase their cooperation to expose and resist the violation of worker’s rights. The efforts of Trans-National “Mega” Corporations to concentrate global power and wealth to themselves through the subjugation of the world workforce can be thwarted by a similarly global approach by broad social movements, including the Church, to struggle for fundamental changes that bring about a just, participatory and sustainable social order.
We commit ourselves to uphold the welfare of the world’s workers as a response to the call of faith, hope and mutual mission. Our concern and support for the retrenched workers at the HHIC Yeongdo Shipyard of Busan is a solidarity expression not only of our partnership with the PROK, but also of our concern for workers everywhere. We stand with those calling for the management of Hanjin Heavy Industries to be investigated, for the police committing violent dispersal against peaceful protestors to be held accountable, for the reinstatement of illegally retrenched workers, and for the respect of workers’ just wages and human rights.
Signed By:
Bishop Elorde M. Sambat Bishop Arturo R. Asi
North Luzon Jurisdictional Area South Luzon Jurisdictional Area
Bishop Jaime M. Morilles Bishop Dulce Pia-Rose
Middle Luzon Jurisdictional Area East Visayas Jurisdictional Area
Bishop Melzar D. Labuntog Bishop Modesto D. Villasanta
Northwest Mindanao Jurisdictional Area Southeast Mindanao Jurisdictional Area
Bishop Reuel Norman O. Marigza
General Secretary
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Migrant Workers in Korea are still enslave in spite of EPS
The Employment Permit System (EPS) is an Instrument of Enslavement of the Neo-liberal Capitalist Globalization
The Employment Permit System (EPS) of the South Korean government set in place in 2004 and has reached its seventh year of implementation has been an instrument of enslavement of the neo-liberal capitalist globalization benefiting the economies of both the source and destination countries of migrant workers. The Philippine government in 2010 reaped 18.8 billion dollars from remittances of over nine million Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) worldwide. The amount is 8.2 percent higher than the previous year. It is however an irony that even with the wealth the government has amassed from the hard labor of migrant workers, social services to migrant workers still found wanting.
As an instrument of neo-liberal capitalist globalization the EPS has been the source of cheap labor as there has been a lack of local human resource for small and medium scale industries, thus the recourse to recruitment of migrant workers from overseas. The large scale production in the South Korean economy has undeniably benefitted from the supply of cheap labor from source countries. Access to cheap labor has been legalized through bilateral labor agreements such as the MOU on deployment of migrant workers.
Local capitalists and conglomerates are highly motivated to gain super profits and that requires subcontracted production from SMEs to realize their target profits, but would not give a dent on the suffering and inhumane working conditions of migrant workers. As in the case of many Filipino migrant workers in South Korea under the EPS they are classified as unskilled workers despite their educational and skills qualification. Educational attainment in this sense is no longer significant in the profit making schemes of capitalists and factory owners.
The EPS is full of flaws especially in the employment term. The 3 years original employment term plus another 2 years extension has been legally prescribed and migrant workers are forced to leave the country without the possibility of further term extension nor changing visa status for long term employment or for acquiring residency status. The outcry of most EPS workers is for them to extend their employment term for they have already become skillful in their respective jobs and grant them the possibility to gain residency status to pay-off their deployment expenses and alleviate their families’ economic situation.
Also, the EPS workers in most cases have to work on extended hours up to 12 hours beyond the eight-hour labor law, without getting overtime pay. This is no different from what the undocumented workers are experiencing. Although there is a clear provision in the EPS law that that the Korean Labor Standards Act applies to all migrant workers, but the Korean government is just making a lip service to the plight of migrant workers. Specifically, the change of work places limited to 3 times during the first 3 years or the equivalent of one work place each year has resulted in abuse of workers’ rights and enslavement to inhumane working conditions.
Moreover, fresh recruits to EPS working in construction, agriculture and fishery firms are deceived in signing work contracts that are totally different from the actual work conditions, subjecting them dangerous and life threatening work situations. Compensation for industrial accidents experienced by migrant workers is difficult to process and access and more so with their pension and separation pays. Employers practice deceit by not contributing to the social benefits of migrant workers and they are prosecuted and penalized for such violations.
Furthermore, the Korean government failed miserably to address the situation of undocumented migrant workers aside from offering them voluntary departure or forced deportation. There is no doubt that EPS workers whose term of employment will soon expire but wanted to continue working in the country will become undocumented too. The government should devise new ways of legalizing undocumented workers because just like the EPS and the local workers, they contribute to the wealth of the South Korean economy.
Therefore, KASAMMAKO urges both the Philippine and South Korean governments to exhaustively evaluate and assess the EPS law to improve the working conditions of migrant workers and for them to be free from the enslavement of profiteering employers, companies and capitalist that live luxuriously while their workers are suffering and could hardly survive with their low income incomes.
We urge the South Korean government to synchronize labor and immigration laws that will better the working conditions of migrant workers, giving them more democratic rights and allowing them to exercise their rights to unionize and pursue their employment goals.
POL PAR
Chairperson
KASAMMAKO
17 August 2011
The Employment Permit System (EPS) of the South Korean government set in place in 2004 and has reached its seventh year of implementation has been an instrument of enslavement of the neo-liberal capitalist globalization benefiting the economies of both the source and destination countries of migrant workers. The Philippine government in 2010 reaped 18.8 billion dollars from remittances of over nine million Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) worldwide. The amount is 8.2 percent higher than the previous year. It is however an irony that even with the wealth the government has amassed from the hard labor of migrant workers, social services to migrant workers still found wanting.
As an instrument of neo-liberal capitalist globalization the EPS has been the source of cheap labor as there has been a lack of local human resource for small and medium scale industries, thus the recourse to recruitment of migrant workers from overseas. The large scale production in the South Korean economy has undeniably benefitted from the supply of cheap labor from source countries. Access to cheap labor has been legalized through bilateral labor agreements such as the MOU on deployment of migrant workers.
Local capitalists and conglomerates are highly motivated to gain super profits and that requires subcontracted production from SMEs to realize their target profits, but would not give a dent on the suffering and inhumane working conditions of migrant workers. As in the case of many Filipino migrant workers in South Korea under the EPS they are classified as unskilled workers despite their educational and skills qualification. Educational attainment in this sense is no longer significant in the profit making schemes of capitalists and factory owners.
The EPS is full of flaws especially in the employment term. The 3 years original employment term plus another 2 years extension has been legally prescribed and migrant workers are forced to leave the country without the possibility of further term extension nor changing visa status for long term employment or for acquiring residency status. The outcry of most EPS workers is for them to extend their employment term for they have already become skillful in their respective jobs and grant them the possibility to gain residency status to pay-off their deployment expenses and alleviate their families’ economic situation.
Also, the EPS workers in most cases have to work on extended hours up to 12 hours beyond the eight-hour labor law, without getting overtime pay. This is no different from what the undocumented workers are experiencing. Although there is a clear provision in the EPS law that that the Korean Labor Standards Act applies to all migrant workers, but the Korean government is just making a lip service to the plight of migrant workers. Specifically, the change of work places limited to 3 times during the first 3 years or the equivalent of one work place each year has resulted in abuse of workers’ rights and enslavement to inhumane working conditions.
Moreover, fresh recruits to EPS working in construction, agriculture and fishery firms are deceived in signing work contracts that are totally different from the actual work conditions, subjecting them dangerous and life threatening work situations. Compensation for industrial accidents experienced by migrant workers is difficult to process and access and more so with their pension and separation pays. Employers practice deceit by not contributing to the social benefits of migrant workers and they are prosecuted and penalized for such violations.
Furthermore, the Korean government failed miserably to address the situation of undocumented migrant workers aside from offering them voluntary departure or forced deportation. There is no doubt that EPS workers whose term of employment will soon expire but wanted to continue working in the country will become undocumented too. The government should devise new ways of legalizing undocumented workers because just like the EPS and the local workers, they contribute to the wealth of the South Korean economy.
Therefore, KASAMMAKO urges both the Philippine and South Korean governments to exhaustively evaluate and assess the EPS law to improve the working conditions of migrant workers and for them to be free from the enslavement of profiteering employers, companies and capitalist that live luxuriously while their workers are suffering and could hardly survive with their low income incomes.
We urge the South Korean government to synchronize labor and immigration laws that will better the working conditions of migrant workers, giving them more democratic rights and allowing them to exercise their rights to unionize and pursue their employment goals.
POL PAR
Chairperson
KASAMMAKO
17 August 2011
Saturday, August 06, 2011
Imperialist wars of agression should be opposed: Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki
In commemoration of the 66th anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings
By Prof. JOSE MARIA SISON
Chairperson, International Coordinating Committee
Internatiobal League of Peoples' Struggle
On the occasion of the 66th anniversary of the barbaric bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the US, the International League of People's Struggles joins the Japanese people and all peace-loving peoples in commemorating the event and in condemning the continuing nuclear threat from the US and its imperialist allies.
On August 6, 1945, Hiroshima was incinerated by a nuclear weapon with a core of enriched uranium released by the US over the city. The nuclear radiation, explosion, heat and resulting fires killed 90,000 people almost immediately. This number rose to more than a hundred thousand by the end of 1945.
On August 9, 1945, Nagasaki was destroyed by a second atomic weapon with a core of plutonium 239 killing immediately some 40,000 and left 70,000 more dying by the end of the year. Tens of thousands more died later from radiation sickness. The combined death toll from the two atomic attacks run up to nearly two hundred thousand.
Despite the passage of 66 years, the surviving victims of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings suffer from the after effects and the second and third generations of the victims live in fear of consequences adverse to their health. The Japanese government has not provided to the victims state compensation and the necessary medical services.
The atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki sixty-six years ago is one that is an exercise of unnecessary and excessive force. With the objective of enabling the US military to assess the effects and power of the newly developed atomic bomb, the US chose the two cities that were relatively unscathed by aerial bombing for its atrocious experiment. The twin bombing ranks as one of the worst war crimes and crimes against humanity ever committed in history. Yet despite this horrifying example of destruction, the threat of nuclear weapons remains from the only country that has used these weapons of mass destruction in war.
There are still roughly 20,500 nuclear weapons in the world. Fourteen thousand of these are in military stockpiles and around 4,830 are deployed in operational strategic role. More than 95 percent of nuclear weapons are with the US and Russia which continue to integrate these weapons into their military strategies. The rest of the weapons are with the UK, France, China, Israel, India, Pakistan and North Korea.
Although both the US and Russia have recently said that nuclear war between them is now "unthinkable," their strategic war plans still put nuclear strikes with hundreds of targets as options. Both countries still have the capacity to initiate a nuclear attack in a matter of a few seconds. Between the two, there are more than 800 ready-to-fire ballistic missiles armed with at nearly 2,000 strategic nuclear warheads on high alert, ready for use on short notice.
The US continues to test its intercontinental ballistic missiles such as the Minuteman III for readiness and keeps its Global Strike capability to hit targets anywhere in the globe in less than an hour. As the US puts the prevention of nuclear terrorism and proliferation in its 2010 Nuclear Posture Review, it has increased funding for the rebuilding of its “aging” nuclear infrastructure.
The Obama administration plans to spend $6.3 billion until 2016 to extend the lifetime and usage capabilities of the warheads in their stockpile. It seeks to finish the construction of nuclear materials production facilities which costs more than $10 billion and pledged another $6.24 billion to modernize its missiles, SSBN submarines, Joint Strike fighter planes and B-2 and B-52 bombers that are designed to deliver nuclear warheads.
The US military budget of $698 billion in 2010 is nearly 43% of the world's total military spending. It also remains the largest arms exporter in the world selling nearly $38 billion last year which is predicted to surge up to $50 billion in 2011. Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Egypt consistently rank among the top five importers of U.S. weaponry.
The US continues to expand its war foothold with new military bases such as that on Jeju Island in South Korea and in Okinawa despite resistance from local residents. It uses bilateral military agreements such as status of forces and base sharing agreements to virtually convert whole countries as their military base.
The new NATO Strategic Concept at the Lisbon Summit in 2010 reaffirmed the importance of nuclear weapons in the designs of the alliance in Europe. NATO's nuclear posture with roughly 200 non-strategic warheads remains tied directly to US interests. Plans to retrofit strategic nuclear bombs currently deployed in Europe as well as to build new F-35 planes to carry these bombs are being pushed to enhance NATO's capability to knock out military targets.
The US promotes double standards in nuclear proliferation– one set of rules for Israel and India and another set for potential enemies such as North Korea and Iran. It expands its role in assigning itself as global cop to hold “fully accountable any state, terrorist group, or other non-state actor that supports or enables terrorist efforts to obtain or use weapons of mass destruction, whether by facilitating, financing, or providing expertise or safe haven for such efforts.”
It enforces this through US-led agreements such as their Proliferation Security Initiative which lets US allies interdict ships unilaterally on the high seas on mere suspicion that these are carrying “nuclear materials and contraband”. Such initiatives which inflame tensions are mainly focused on such states as Iran and the DPRK and are seen as aggressive moves by these countries.
In 1954, the US used nuclear technology to entice and bring into its fold other countries such as Japan in order to counteract Soviet influence. The US uses the same tactic, in reverse, in denying Iran and the DPRK nuclear technologies to counter proliferation. This introduction of nuclear technology to Japan brought in US designed reactors such as the Fukushima Dai-ichi plants that melted down last March 2011. As nuclear power has shown its deadly bite with the meltdown of the reactors in Fukushima, the threat of nuclear war still remains with us.
Through nuclear intimidation and blackmail, the US has caused the suffering of tens of millions of people who came under its wars of aggression and intervention in Korea, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, and elsewhere. Further, the US has enabled its puppet regimes to massacre and maim millions more of people.. The oppressive and exploitative globalization policies unleashed by the US and its local partners have put hundreds of millions of people into misery and poverty.
In commemorating the atom bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we stand in solidarity with the people of the world against any form of imperialist war, military intervention and oppression. We are moved to resist imperialist aggression as we witness today the extremely high numbers of people being killed and injured in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya.
We vigorously oppose the U.S.-Japanese military alliance and its core strategic policy of nuclear blackmail. It is just for the people of Japan and the world to condemn and resist the scheme of the U.S. and Japanese governments in the consolidation of US bases in Okinawa, Iwakuni and Kanagawa. These are meant to perpetuate US domination over the Asia-Pacific region.
Since the latter half of the 1960s, the US and Japanese monopoly bourgeoisie have undermined and weakened the yearly commemoration of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atom bombings in order to reduce remembrance of these, lessen fears about nuclear radiation and pave the way for the rapid construction of nuclear power plants in Japan. There are now more than 55 nuclear reactors in Japan, with 14 more power plants previously planned.
Now, we are confronted with a grave nuclear disaster, the meltdown of reactors in Fukusihma Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Radiation leaks continue and spread. A great number of people are exposed to radiation in the Fukushima and neighboring prefectures. Land, seawater and crops are polluted and local communities are victimized. The myths of safety in the use of nuclear power plants have been exposed.
We hereby express our firm and continuing support to the Japanese people in their demands for the state to provide compensation and medical services to the A-bomb victims and their second and third generations, for banning and shutting down all the nuclear power plants and stopping the construction of new ones, for holding the Japanese state responsible for acts of aggression during World War and for indemnifying all war victims in Asia, for topping the nuclear armament of Japan, for scrapping the US-Japan security alliance and dismantling the US military bases in Japan and for the withdrawal of all US military forces in Asia.
The anniversaries of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are reminders of the continued peril that the peoples of the world face under imperialist aggression. The ILPS calls on all the world’s peoples to intensify their struggle against US imperialism and its barbaric and terrorist policy of producing, maintaining, using and threatening to use nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.***
By Prof. JOSE MARIA SISON
Chairperson, International Coordinating Committee
Internatiobal League of Peoples' Struggle
On the occasion of the 66th anniversary of the barbaric bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the US, the International League of People's Struggles joins the Japanese people and all peace-loving peoples in commemorating the event and in condemning the continuing nuclear threat from the US and its imperialist allies.
On August 6, 1945, Hiroshima was incinerated by a nuclear weapon with a core of enriched uranium released by the US over the city. The nuclear radiation, explosion, heat and resulting fires killed 90,000 people almost immediately. This number rose to more than a hundred thousand by the end of 1945.
On August 9, 1945, Nagasaki was destroyed by a second atomic weapon with a core of plutonium 239 killing immediately some 40,000 and left 70,000 more dying by the end of the year. Tens of thousands more died later from radiation sickness. The combined death toll from the two atomic attacks run up to nearly two hundred thousand.
Despite the passage of 66 years, the surviving victims of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings suffer from the after effects and the second and third generations of the victims live in fear of consequences adverse to their health. The Japanese government has not provided to the victims state compensation and the necessary medical services.
The atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki sixty-six years ago is one that is an exercise of unnecessary and excessive force. With the objective of enabling the US military to assess the effects and power of the newly developed atomic bomb, the US chose the two cities that were relatively unscathed by aerial bombing for its atrocious experiment. The twin bombing ranks as one of the worst war crimes and crimes against humanity ever committed in history. Yet despite this horrifying example of destruction, the threat of nuclear weapons remains from the only country that has used these weapons of mass destruction in war.
There are still roughly 20,500 nuclear weapons in the world. Fourteen thousand of these are in military stockpiles and around 4,830 are deployed in operational strategic role. More than 95 percent of nuclear weapons are with the US and Russia which continue to integrate these weapons into their military strategies. The rest of the weapons are with the UK, France, China, Israel, India, Pakistan and North Korea.
Although both the US and Russia have recently said that nuclear war between them is now "unthinkable," their strategic war plans still put nuclear strikes with hundreds of targets as options. Both countries still have the capacity to initiate a nuclear attack in a matter of a few seconds. Between the two, there are more than 800 ready-to-fire ballistic missiles armed with at nearly 2,000 strategic nuclear warheads on high alert, ready for use on short notice.
The US continues to test its intercontinental ballistic missiles such as the Minuteman III for readiness and keeps its Global Strike capability to hit targets anywhere in the globe in less than an hour. As the US puts the prevention of nuclear terrorism and proliferation in its 2010 Nuclear Posture Review, it has increased funding for the rebuilding of its “aging” nuclear infrastructure.
The Obama administration plans to spend $6.3 billion until 2016 to extend the lifetime and usage capabilities of the warheads in their stockpile. It seeks to finish the construction of nuclear materials production facilities which costs more than $10 billion and pledged another $6.24 billion to modernize its missiles, SSBN submarines, Joint Strike fighter planes and B-2 and B-52 bombers that are designed to deliver nuclear warheads.
The US military budget of $698 billion in 2010 is nearly 43% of the world's total military spending. It also remains the largest arms exporter in the world selling nearly $38 billion last year which is predicted to surge up to $50 billion in 2011. Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Egypt consistently rank among the top five importers of U.S. weaponry.
The US continues to expand its war foothold with new military bases such as that on Jeju Island in South Korea and in Okinawa despite resistance from local residents. It uses bilateral military agreements such as status of forces and base sharing agreements to virtually convert whole countries as their military base.
The new NATO Strategic Concept at the Lisbon Summit in 2010 reaffirmed the importance of nuclear weapons in the designs of the alliance in Europe. NATO's nuclear posture with roughly 200 non-strategic warheads remains tied directly to US interests. Plans to retrofit strategic nuclear bombs currently deployed in Europe as well as to build new F-35 planes to carry these bombs are being pushed to enhance NATO's capability to knock out military targets.
The US promotes double standards in nuclear proliferation– one set of rules for Israel and India and another set for potential enemies such as North Korea and Iran. It expands its role in assigning itself as global cop to hold “fully accountable any state, terrorist group, or other non-state actor that supports or enables terrorist efforts to obtain or use weapons of mass destruction, whether by facilitating, financing, or providing expertise or safe haven for such efforts.”
It enforces this through US-led agreements such as their Proliferation Security Initiative which lets US allies interdict ships unilaterally on the high seas on mere suspicion that these are carrying “nuclear materials and contraband”. Such initiatives which inflame tensions are mainly focused on such states as Iran and the DPRK and are seen as aggressive moves by these countries.
In 1954, the US used nuclear technology to entice and bring into its fold other countries such as Japan in order to counteract Soviet influence. The US uses the same tactic, in reverse, in denying Iran and the DPRK nuclear technologies to counter proliferation. This introduction of nuclear technology to Japan brought in US designed reactors such as the Fukushima Dai-ichi plants that melted down last March 2011. As nuclear power has shown its deadly bite with the meltdown of the reactors in Fukushima, the threat of nuclear war still remains with us.
Through nuclear intimidation and blackmail, the US has caused the suffering of tens of millions of people who came under its wars of aggression and intervention in Korea, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, and elsewhere. Further, the US has enabled its puppet regimes to massacre and maim millions more of people.. The oppressive and exploitative globalization policies unleashed by the US and its local partners have put hundreds of millions of people into misery and poverty.
In commemorating the atom bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we stand in solidarity with the people of the world against any form of imperialist war, military intervention and oppression. We are moved to resist imperialist aggression as we witness today the extremely high numbers of people being killed and injured in Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya.
We vigorously oppose the U.S.-Japanese military alliance and its core strategic policy of nuclear blackmail. It is just for the people of Japan and the world to condemn and resist the scheme of the U.S. and Japanese governments in the consolidation of US bases in Okinawa, Iwakuni and Kanagawa. These are meant to perpetuate US domination over the Asia-Pacific region.
Since the latter half of the 1960s, the US and Japanese monopoly bourgeoisie have undermined and weakened the yearly commemoration of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atom bombings in order to reduce remembrance of these, lessen fears about nuclear radiation and pave the way for the rapid construction of nuclear power plants in Japan. There are now more than 55 nuclear reactors in Japan, with 14 more power plants previously planned.
Now, we are confronted with a grave nuclear disaster, the meltdown of reactors in Fukusihma Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Radiation leaks continue and spread. A great number of people are exposed to radiation in the Fukushima and neighboring prefectures. Land, seawater and crops are polluted and local communities are victimized. The myths of safety in the use of nuclear power plants have been exposed.
We hereby express our firm and continuing support to the Japanese people in their demands for the state to provide compensation and medical services to the A-bomb victims and their second and third generations, for banning and shutting down all the nuclear power plants and stopping the construction of new ones, for holding the Japanese state responsible for acts of aggression during World War and for indemnifying all war victims in Asia, for topping the nuclear armament of Japan, for scrapping the US-Japan security alliance and dismantling the US military bases in Japan and for the withdrawal of all US military forces in Asia.
The anniversaries of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are reminders of the continued peril that the peoples of the world face under imperialist aggression. The ILPS calls on all the world’s peoples to intensify their struggle against US imperialism and its barbaric and terrorist policy of producing, maintaining, using and threatening to use nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.***
Thursday, August 04, 2011
Oh God Restore Us
PROK staff morning prayer
Scripture text: Psalm 80
04August2011
PRAYER
Most loving and redeeming God:
We thank and praise you for this opportunity to come to you in prayer.
The Psalmist reminds us that both in our personal and social life there are brokenness that need to be mended and healed. We are becoming aware of your forgiveness when we are confronted with the senile effects of aggression or of perfectionism that haunt our lives.
We have been conscious of our separation from your mind and will when we are anxious of what others might judge us. In your tender mercies restore us to your loving will and help us to share your grace in acts of service to the least of your people.
We pray for all the people in our country and the world who are struggling for justice, freedom and peace. They who have been deprived and oppressed by the powers and instrumentalities of states and nations. May they attain the fruits of their struggles.
Bless and sustain us in our work today. May patience, unselfishness and understanding remain in our hearts and minds. We pray that your redeeming love in Jesus Christ will restore us to who we are as you intended us to be. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Scripture text: Psalm 80
04August2011
PRAYER
Most loving and redeeming God:
We thank and praise you for this opportunity to come to you in prayer.
The Psalmist reminds us that both in our personal and social life there are brokenness that need to be mended and healed. We are becoming aware of your forgiveness when we are confronted with the senile effects of aggression or of perfectionism that haunt our lives.
We have been conscious of our separation from your mind and will when we are anxious of what others might judge us. In your tender mercies restore us to your loving will and help us to share your grace in acts of service to the least of your people.
We pray for all the people in our country and the world who are struggling for justice, freedom and peace. They who have been deprived and oppressed by the powers and instrumentalities of states and nations. May they attain the fruits of their struggles.
Bless and sustain us in our work today. May patience, unselfishness and understanding remain in our hearts and minds. We pray that your redeeming love in Jesus Christ will restore us to who we are as you intended us to be. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Monday, August 01, 2011
Korean NGOs and Churches Appeals for Support in Opposing Naval Base Construction in Jeju Island
The National Council of Churches Invitation to join in opposing construction of naval
base in Jeju Island.
July 19, 2011
Dear friends of peace worldwide:
Below you will find information about the naval base the Korean government is proposing building on Jeju Island, situated 56 miles south of the Korean mainland, a beautiful island recognized by UNESCO as a valuable resource for the world. The last online newsletter of the NCCK included an
article about this. Opposition is gathering to this construction, and below is the statement of the National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing the Naval Base in Jeju Island, a diverse body representing many organizations, which has come together for this purpose. Each
representative organization has promised to contact their global counterparts, and the NCCK is connected to many faith-based bodies who are hereby receiving this communication.
Below this official statement of the National Network, you will find a letter and information from peace activist Kichul Lee, who invites readers to join the petition he is circulating, along with a link to the website about the action - cafe.daum.net/peacekj. Perhaps the website will come up in Korean, but click on the instruction for English.
Please circulate this among your constituents and those you know will be concerned about the village of Gangjeong, the island of Jeju, the nation of Korea, and the peace of the world.
With thanks and prayers for peace
NCCK (National Council of Churches of Korea) - Kim Young Ju,
General Secretary
Rm. 706, Korea Christian Bldg,
Yeonji-dong, Jongro-gu, Seoul, 110-736, Korea
Ph. 82-2-764-0203, Fax 82-2-744-6189
------------000--------------
Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval Base in Jeju Island
We, National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval Base in Jeju Island, had a press conference and released this statement of appeal on 13th July.
We appeal to peace advocates worldwide to give Gangjeong residents and peace activists international support and solidarity to stop the Jeju naval base construction.
Please spread the news of these problems related to the Jeju naval base construction with your networks and show us your support and solidarity.
Statement of Appeal
We appeal to save Gangjeong!
The Joongduk coast of Gangjeong Village in Jeju Island is now suffering. In 2006, Jeju Island was designated as an Island of Peace for the purpose of consoling the deep sorrow of the April 3rd Massacre. And the Joongduk coast was appointed as a Biosphere Reserve, World Heritage Site,
and Global Geological Park by UNESCO. It is an Absolute Preservation Area, which is now suffering from naval base construction.
Insisting that the naval base is vital for national security, the Korean government and the navy are enforcing the construction. However, the Ocean Navy expansion plan upon which the base construction was justified has been discarded in revisions to the national defense bill regarding strategies to counteract recent security threats, leaving no justification for this new base. In addition, the original argument from the government when the National Assembly budget bill was passed was to construct a Joint Civil Military site to be used for tourism as well as military purposes. However, that plan has disappeared and now only the military base is being constructed.
By maintaining military alliances with Japan, Australia, South Korea, and India, and through joint military exercises with the Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan, the U.S. is attempting to build up its defense line against China. If the Jeju naval base is constructed, the U.S., which possesses the right to station there according to the ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Agreement, will surely use this base to stand up against China. In that case, Jeju Island, an Island of Peace, will become a center of military conflict between the U.S. and China, jeopardizing South
Korea’s national security.
Government and military authorities, however, are turning a blind eye to the voices of Gangjeong residents and civil peace activists, as well as to the demands to suspend the construction coming from the opposition parties and the investigation committee of the National Assembly. The navy has even used violence against a protesting civilian. On July 11, the national government recommended that the city government barricade a farm road on the Joongduk coast, which is the last remaining piece of state- owned land under the jurisdiction of Seogwipo city within the site of the naval base construction. This action was a response to the demand from the Ministry of National Defense to discourage any attempts to stage a protest against the naval base construction. However, such efforts by the government to enforce the construction only bring about stronger resistance and conflicts from Gangjeong residents and peace activists. The
construction must be stopped before any unf ortunate accidents take place.
We appeal to the government and military authorities
The argument for the base construction by the government and the navy is no longer valid. Moreover, the means and procedures used to promote the construction have been so violent and deceptive that they are only causing more resistance and resentment. Unilaterally pushing ahead with the construction, in the name of the national project, is obviously not a wise way. We call upon the government and military authorities to withdraw their plan to close the farm road and to completely reexamine the Jeju naval base construction project.
We appeal to Woo Keun-Min, Jeju governor
Governor Woo, you were aware of the negative consequences that could result from the naval base construction and you were right. We urge you to give up the futile illusion about the development profit and to listen to the desperate voices of the residents. We further request you to use your authority to cancel the removal of the “absolute preservation area” designation of Joongduk coast. If you do so, history would remember you as a person who protects the peace of Jeju and the Korean peninsula.
We appeal to the national assembly.
As an entity representing citizens, the national assembly has a duty to listen to and respond to citizens’ voices. We appeal to the opposition parties to be more active in nullifying the Jeju naval base construction project. The Grand National Party, as the current ruling party, should seriously examine whether the base is really needed and whether national budget should be spent on inflating military forces and feeding construction capital.
We appeal to citizens.
Gangjeong citizens have been fighting alone for over four long years. In the meantime, the village community has been torn apart, leaving indelible scars. Citizens are also engulfed with fears due to various lawsuits from the government and construction companies, as well as fines
up to tens of millions of won. They are suffering from the fact that the Goorungbi boulder, which represents their dreams and memories, might be covered with cement block.
Please express your solidarity and give them your consolation. And if you can, please visit Gangjeong Village. Then you might be able to understand more clearly why the construction must be stopped. In addition, please use your wisdom and energy to do whatever you can in your position to prevent the Jeju naval base construction.
We appeal to peace advocates worldwide
International support, advocacy, and solidarity to stop the Jeju naval base construction give Gangjeong residents and peace activists strength and courage. Please spread the news of these problems related to the Jeju naval base construction with your networks and show us your
support and solidarity.
We will try our best to prevent the Jeju naval base construction which endangers the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia, and which is destroying the lives of Gangjeong residents and the natural environment, a gift from heaven. We firmly believe that this struggle is our responsibility to Jeju Island, where the sorrow of the April 3rd massacre is deeply embedded, that this is a expression of our conscience regarding the suffering Gangjeong residents, and that it is the demand of the times to protect and ensure peace for our children. We sincerely appeal to everybody who stands alongside us to protect Gangjeong Village and Jeju
Island.
July 13, 2011
National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval
Base in Jeju Island.
base in Jeju Island.
July 19, 2011
Dear friends of peace worldwide:
Below you will find information about the naval base the Korean government is proposing building on Jeju Island, situated 56 miles south of the Korean mainland, a beautiful island recognized by UNESCO as a valuable resource for the world. The last online newsletter of the NCCK included an
article about this. Opposition is gathering to this construction, and below is the statement of the National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing the Naval Base in Jeju Island, a diverse body representing many organizations, which has come together for this purpose. Each
representative organization has promised to contact their global counterparts, and the NCCK is connected to many faith-based bodies who are hereby receiving this communication.
Below this official statement of the National Network, you will find a letter and information from peace activist Kichul Lee, who invites readers to join the petition he is circulating, along with a link to the website about the action - cafe.daum.net/peacekj. Perhaps the website will come up in Korean, but click on the instruction for English.
Please circulate this among your constituents and those you know will be concerned about the village of Gangjeong, the island of Jeju, the nation of Korea, and the peace of the world.
With thanks and prayers for peace
NCCK (National Council of Churches of Korea) - Kim Young Ju,
General Secretary
Rm. 706, Korea Christian Bldg,
Yeonji-dong, Jongro-gu, Seoul, 110-736, Korea
Ph. 82-2-764-0203, Fax 82-2-744-6189
------------000--------------
Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval Base in Jeju Island
We, National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval Base in Jeju Island, had a press conference and released this statement of appeal on 13th July.
We appeal to peace advocates worldwide to give Gangjeong residents and peace activists international support and solidarity to stop the Jeju naval base construction.
Please spread the news of these problems related to the Jeju naval base construction with your networks and show us your support and solidarity.
Statement of Appeal
We appeal to save Gangjeong!
The Joongduk coast of Gangjeong Village in Jeju Island is now suffering. In 2006, Jeju Island was designated as an Island of Peace for the purpose of consoling the deep sorrow of the April 3rd Massacre. And the Joongduk coast was appointed as a Biosphere Reserve, World Heritage Site,
and Global Geological Park by UNESCO. It is an Absolute Preservation Area, which is now suffering from naval base construction.
Insisting that the naval base is vital for national security, the Korean government and the navy are enforcing the construction. However, the Ocean Navy expansion plan upon which the base construction was justified has been discarded in revisions to the national defense bill regarding strategies to counteract recent security threats, leaving no justification for this new base. In addition, the original argument from the government when the National Assembly budget bill was passed was to construct a Joint Civil Military site to be used for tourism as well as military purposes. However, that plan has disappeared and now only the military base is being constructed.
By maintaining military alliances with Japan, Australia, South Korea, and India, and through joint military exercises with the Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan, the U.S. is attempting to build up its defense line against China. If the Jeju naval base is constructed, the U.S., which possesses the right to station there according to the ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Agreement, will surely use this base to stand up against China. In that case, Jeju Island, an Island of Peace, will become a center of military conflict between the U.S. and China, jeopardizing South
Korea’s national security.
Government and military authorities, however, are turning a blind eye to the voices of Gangjeong residents and civil peace activists, as well as to the demands to suspend the construction coming from the opposition parties and the investigation committee of the National Assembly. The navy has even used violence against a protesting civilian. On July 11, the national government recommended that the city government barricade a farm road on the Joongduk coast, which is the last remaining piece of state- owned land under the jurisdiction of Seogwipo city within the site of the naval base construction. This action was a response to the demand from the Ministry of National Defense to discourage any attempts to stage a protest against the naval base construction. However, such efforts by the government to enforce the construction only bring about stronger resistance and conflicts from Gangjeong residents and peace activists. The
construction must be stopped before any unf ortunate accidents take place.
We appeal to the government and military authorities
The argument for the base construction by the government and the navy is no longer valid. Moreover, the means and procedures used to promote the construction have been so violent and deceptive that they are only causing more resistance and resentment. Unilaterally pushing ahead with the construction, in the name of the national project, is obviously not a wise way. We call upon the government and military authorities to withdraw their plan to close the farm road and to completely reexamine the Jeju naval base construction project.
We appeal to Woo Keun-Min, Jeju governor
Governor Woo, you were aware of the negative consequences that could result from the naval base construction and you were right. We urge you to give up the futile illusion about the development profit and to listen to the desperate voices of the residents. We further request you to use your authority to cancel the removal of the “absolute preservation area” designation of Joongduk coast. If you do so, history would remember you as a person who protects the peace of Jeju and the Korean peninsula.
We appeal to the national assembly.
As an entity representing citizens, the national assembly has a duty to listen to and respond to citizens’ voices. We appeal to the opposition parties to be more active in nullifying the Jeju naval base construction project. The Grand National Party, as the current ruling party, should seriously examine whether the base is really needed and whether national budget should be spent on inflating military forces and feeding construction capital.
We appeal to citizens.
Gangjeong citizens have been fighting alone for over four long years. In the meantime, the village community has been torn apart, leaving indelible scars. Citizens are also engulfed with fears due to various lawsuits from the government and construction companies, as well as fines
up to tens of millions of won. They are suffering from the fact that the Goorungbi boulder, which represents their dreams and memories, might be covered with cement block.
Please express your solidarity and give them your consolation. And if you can, please visit Gangjeong Village. Then you might be able to understand more clearly why the construction must be stopped. In addition, please use your wisdom and energy to do whatever you can in your position to prevent the Jeju naval base construction.
We appeal to peace advocates worldwide
International support, advocacy, and solidarity to stop the Jeju naval base construction give Gangjeong residents and peace activists strength and courage. Please spread the news of these problems related to the Jeju naval base construction with your networks and show us your
support and solidarity.
We will try our best to prevent the Jeju naval base construction which endangers the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia, and which is destroying the lives of Gangjeong residents and the natural environment, a gift from heaven. We firmly believe that this struggle is our responsibility to Jeju Island, where the sorrow of the April 3rd massacre is deeply embedded, that this is a expression of our conscience regarding the suffering Gangjeong residents, and that it is the demand of the times to protect and ensure peace for our children. We sincerely appeal to everybody who stands alongside us to protect Gangjeong Village and Jeju
Island.
July 13, 2011
National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval
Base in Jeju Island.
Korean NGOs and Churches Appeals for Support in Opposing Naval Base Construction in Jeju Island
The National Council of Churches Invitation to join in opposing construction of naval
base in Jeju Island.
July 19, 2011
Dear friends of peace worldwide:
Below you will find information about the naval base the Korean government is proposing building on Jeju Island, situated 56 miles south of the Korean mainland, a beautiful island recognized by UNESCO as a valuable resource for the world. The last online newsletter of the NCCK included an
article about this. Opposition is gathering to this construction, and below is the statement of the National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing the Naval Base in Jeju Island, a diverse body representing many organizations, which has come together for this purpose. Each
representative organization has promised to contact their global counterparts, and the NCCK is connected to many faith-based bodies who are hereby receiving this communication.
Below this official statement of the National Network, you will find a letter and information from peace activist Kichul Lee, who invites readers to join the petition he is circulating, along with a link to the website about the action - cafe.daum.net/peacekj. Perhaps the website will come up in Korean, but click on the instruction for English.
Please circulate this among your constituents and those you know will be concerned about the village of Gangjeong, the island of Jeju, the nation of Korea, and the peace of the world.
With thanks and prayers for peace
NCCK (National Council of Churches of Korea) - Kim Young Ju,
General Secretary
Rm. 706, Korea Christian Bldg,
Yeonji-dong, Jongro-gu, Seoul, 110-736, Korea
Ph. 82-2-764-0203, Fax 82-2-744-6189
------------000--------------
Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval Base in Jeju Island
We, National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval Base in Jeju Island, had a press conference and released this statement of appeal on 13th July.
We appeal to peace advocates worldwide to give Gangjeong residents and peace activists international support and solidarity to stop the Jeju naval base construction.
Please spread the news of these problems related to the Jeju naval base construction with your networks and show us your support and solidarity.
Statement of Appeal
We appeal to save Gangjeong!
The Joongduk coast of Gangjeong Village in Jeju Island is now suffering. In 2006, Jeju Island was designated as an Island of Peace for the purpose of consoling the deep sorrow of the April 3rd Massacre. And the Joongduk coast was appointed as a Biosphere Reserve, World Heritage Site,
and Global Geological Park by UNESCO. It is an Absolute Preservation Area, which is now suffering from naval base construction.
Insisting that the naval base is vital for national security, the Korean government and the navy are enforcing the construction. However, the Ocean Navy expansion plan upon which the base construction was justified has been discarded in revisions to the national defense bill regarding strategies to counteract recent security threats, leaving no justification for this new base. In addition, the original argument from the government when the National Assembly budget bill was passed was to construct a Joint Civil Military site to be used for tourism as well as military purposes. However, that plan has disappeared and now only the military base is being constructed.
By maintaining military alliances with Japan, Australia, South Korea, and India, and through joint military exercises with the Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan, the U.S. is attempting to build up its defense line against China. If the Jeju naval base is constructed, the U.S., which possesses the right to station there according to the ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Agreement, will surely use this base to stand up against China. In that case, Jeju Island, an Island of Peace, will become a center of military conflict between the U.S. and China, jeopardizing South
Korea’s national security.
Government and military authorities, however, are turning a blind eye to the voices of Gangjeong residents and civil peace activists, as well as to the demands to suspend the construction coming from the opposition parties and the investigation committee of the National Assembly. The navy has even used violence against a protesting civilian. On July 11, the national government recommended that the city government barricade a farm road on the Joongduk coast, which is the last remaining piece of state- owned land under the jurisdiction of Seogwipo city within the site of the naval base construction. This action was a response to the demand from the Ministry of National Defense to discourage any attempts to stage a protest against the naval base construction. However, such efforts by the government to enforce the construction only bring about stronger resistance and conflicts from Gangjeong residents and peace activists. The
construction must be stopped before any unf ortunate accidents take place.
We appeal to the government and military authorities
The argument for the base construction by the government and the navy is no longer valid. Moreover, the means and procedures used to promote the construction have been so violent and deceptive that they are only causing more resistance and resentment. Unilaterally pushing ahead with the construction, in the name of the national project, is obviously not a wise way. We call upon the government and military authorities to withdraw their plan to close the farm road and to completely reexamine the Jeju naval base construction project.
We appeal to Woo Keun-Min, Jeju governor
Governor Woo, you were aware of the negative consequences that could result from the naval base construction and you were right. We urge you to give up the futile illusion about the development profit and to listen to the desperate voices of the residents. We further request you to use your authority to cancel the removal of the “absolute preservation area” designation of Joongduk coast. If you do so, history would remember you as a person who protects the peace of Jeju and the Korean peninsula.
We appeal to the national assembly.
As an entity representing citizens, the national assembly has a duty to listen to and respond to citizens’ voices. We appeal to the opposition parties to be more active in nullifying the Jeju naval base construction project. The Grand National Party, as the current ruling party, should seriously examine whether the base is really needed and whether national budget should be spent on inflating military forces and feeding construction capital.
We appeal to citizens.
Gangjeong citizens have been fighting alone for over four long years. In the meantime, the village community has been torn apart, leaving indelible scars. Citizens are also engulfed with fears due to various lawsuits from the government and construction companies, as well as fines
up to tens of millions of won. They are suffering from the fact that the Goorungbi boulder, which represents their dreams and memories, might be covered with cement block.
Please express your solidarity and give them your consolation. And if you can, please visit Gangjeong Village. Then you might be able to understand more clearly why the construction must be stopped. In addition, please use your wisdom and energy to do whatever you can in your position to prevent the Jeju naval base construction.
We appeal to peace advocates worldwide
International support, advocacy, and solidarity to stop the Jeju naval base construction give Gangjeong residents and peace activists strength and courage. Please spread the news of these problems related to the Jeju naval base construction with your networks and show us your
support and solidarity.
We will try our best to prevent the Jeju naval base construction which endangers the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia, and which is destroying the lives of Gangjeong residents and the natural environment, a gift from heaven. We firmly believe that this struggle is our responsibility to Jeju Island, where the sorrow of the April 3rd massacre is deeply embedded, that this is a expression of our conscience regarding the suffering Gangjeong residents, and that it is the demand of the times to protect and ensure peace for our children. We sincerely appeal to everybody who stands alongside us to protect Gangjeong Village and Jeju
Island.
July 13, 2011
National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval
Base in Jeju Island.
base in Jeju Island.
July 19, 2011
Dear friends of peace worldwide:
Below you will find information about the naval base the Korean government is proposing building on Jeju Island, situated 56 miles south of the Korean mainland, a beautiful island recognized by UNESCO as a valuable resource for the world. The last online newsletter of the NCCK included an
article about this. Opposition is gathering to this construction, and below is the statement of the National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing the Naval Base in Jeju Island, a diverse body representing many organizations, which has come together for this purpose. Each
representative organization has promised to contact their global counterparts, and the NCCK is connected to many faith-based bodies who are hereby receiving this communication.
Below this official statement of the National Network, you will find a letter and information from peace activist Kichul Lee, who invites readers to join the petition he is circulating, along with a link to the website about the action - cafe.daum.net/peacekj. Perhaps the website will come up in Korean, but click on the instruction for English.
Please circulate this among your constituents and those you know will be concerned about the village of Gangjeong, the island of Jeju, the nation of Korea, and the peace of the world.
With thanks and prayers for peace
NCCK (National Council of Churches of Korea) - Kim Young Ju,
General Secretary
Rm. 706, Korea Christian Bldg,
Yeonji-dong, Jongro-gu, Seoul, 110-736, Korea
Ph. 82-2-764-0203, Fax 82-2-744-6189
------------000--------------
Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval Base in Jeju Island
We, National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval Base in Jeju Island, had a press conference and released this statement of appeal on 13th July.
We appeal to peace advocates worldwide to give Gangjeong residents and peace activists international support and solidarity to stop the Jeju naval base construction.
Please spread the news of these problems related to the Jeju naval base construction with your networks and show us your support and solidarity.
Statement of Appeal
We appeal to save Gangjeong!
The Joongduk coast of Gangjeong Village in Jeju Island is now suffering. In 2006, Jeju Island was designated as an Island of Peace for the purpose of consoling the deep sorrow of the April 3rd Massacre. And the Joongduk coast was appointed as a Biosphere Reserve, World Heritage Site,
and Global Geological Park by UNESCO. It is an Absolute Preservation Area, which is now suffering from naval base construction.
Insisting that the naval base is vital for national security, the Korean government and the navy are enforcing the construction. However, the Ocean Navy expansion plan upon which the base construction was justified has been discarded in revisions to the national defense bill regarding strategies to counteract recent security threats, leaving no justification for this new base. In addition, the original argument from the government when the National Assembly budget bill was passed was to construct a Joint Civil Military site to be used for tourism as well as military purposes. However, that plan has disappeared and now only the military base is being constructed.
By maintaining military alliances with Japan, Australia, South Korea, and India, and through joint military exercises with the Philippines, Vietnam, and Taiwan, the U.S. is attempting to build up its defense line against China. If the Jeju naval base is constructed, the U.S., which possesses the right to station there according to the ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Agreement, will surely use this base to stand up against China. In that case, Jeju Island, an Island of Peace, will become a center of military conflict between the U.S. and China, jeopardizing South
Korea’s national security.
Government and military authorities, however, are turning a blind eye to the voices of Gangjeong residents and civil peace activists, as well as to the demands to suspend the construction coming from the opposition parties and the investigation committee of the National Assembly. The navy has even used violence against a protesting civilian. On July 11, the national government recommended that the city government barricade a farm road on the Joongduk coast, which is the last remaining piece of state- owned land under the jurisdiction of Seogwipo city within the site of the naval base construction. This action was a response to the demand from the Ministry of National Defense to discourage any attempts to stage a protest against the naval base construction. However, such efforts by the government to enforce the construction only bring about stronger resistance and conflicts from Gangjeong residents and peace activists. The
construction must be stopped before any unf ortunate accidents take place.
We appeal to the government and military authorities
The argument for the base construction by the government and the navy is no longer valid. Moreover, the means and procedures used to promote the construction have been so violent and deceptive that they are only causing more resistance and resentment. Unilaterally pushing ahead with the construction, in the name of the national project, is obviously not a wise way. We call upon the government and military authorities to withdraw their plan to close the farm road and to completely reexamine the Jeju naval base construction project.
We appeal to Woo Keun-Min, Jeju governor
Governor Woo, you were aware of the negative consequences that could result from the naval base construction and you were right. We urge you to give up the futile illusion about the development profit and to listen to the desperate voices of the residents. We further request you to use your authority to cancel the removal of the “absolute preservation area” designation of Joongduk coast. If you do so, history would remember you as a person who protects the peace of Jeju and the Korean peninsula.
We appeal to the national assembly.
As an entity representing citizens, the national assembly has a duty to listen to and respond to citizens’ voices. We appeal to the opposition parties to be more active in nullifying the Jeju naval base construction project. The Grand National Party, as the current ruling party, should seriously examine whether the base is really needed and whether national budget should be spent on inflating military forces and feeding construction capital.
We appeal to citizens.
Gangjeong citizens have been fighting alone for over four long years. In the meantime, the village community has been torn apart, leaving indelible scars. Citizens are also engulfed with fears due to various lawsuits from the government and construction companies, as well as fines
up to tens of millions of won. They are suffering from the fact that the Goorungbi boulder, which represents their dreams and memories, might be covered with cement block.
Please express your solidarity and give them your consolation. And if you can, please visit Gangjeong Village. Then you might be able to understand more clearly why the construction must be stopped. In addition, please use your wisdom and energy to do whatever you can in your position to prevent the Jeju naval base construction.
We appeal to peace advocates worldwide
International support, advocacy, and solidarity to stop the Jeju naval base construction give Gangjeong residents and peace activists strength and courage. Please spread the news of these problems related to the Jeju naval base construction with your networks and show us your
support and solidarity.
We will try our best to prevent the Jeju naval base construction which endangers the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia, and which is destroying the lives of Gangjeong residents and the natural environment, a gift from heaven. We firmly believe that this struggle is our responsibility to Jeju Island, where the sorrow of the April 3rd massacre is deeply embedded, that this is a expression of our conscience regarding the suffering Gangjeong residents, and that it is the demand of the times to protect and ensure peace for our children. We sincerely appeal to everybody who stands alongside us to protect Gangjeong Village and Jeju
Island.
July 13, 2011
National Network of Korean Civil Society for Opposing to the Naval
Base in Jeju Island.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Hopes are high for workers at Pusan's Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction
Our Position on the Violence and Abuse of Public Power by Police
and the Normalization of Relationships within Hanjin Heavy Industries
July 11, 2011
The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK) has been praying and making every effort for God’s will to be done on earth. On the 10th of July, the Korean police illegally and brutally put down a peaceful march by citizens demanding a resolution to the situation of workers whom Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction (HHIC) had laid off. With grave concerns, the PROK hereby states where we stand.
1. We strongly condemn the police illegal and violent suppression of this peaceful march!
From the death of two union leaders, Park Chang-Soo in 1991 and Kim Joo-Ik in 2003, to the present rightful struggles of workers against their illegal layoff, we are aware of how harsh the oppression of the workers at Hanjin Heavy Industries has been. On the 9th of July, which is the 185th day of this year’s struggle by the workers, over ten thousand citizens rode 195 Buses for Hope to the second large rally in front of Busan Station and held a Solidarity and Hope Concert calling for the resolution of the situation of the laid-off workers and particularly the safety of labour leader Kim Jin-Sook. Later the citizens marched peacefully to meet with Kim who has been protesting by occupying the 35-metre high shipyard crane #85. Armed police blocked this peace march and during this confrontation, at around 2 o’clock in the morning of the 10th, police fired liquid tear gas and water cannons toward the citizens, then, using their riot shields, rushed the marchers, took innocent citizens into custody, and finally scattered the crowd.
Among those who participated in this peaceful march were disabled people, minors, and the elderly. Nevertheless, the police violently charged the crowd, using water cannons and liquid tear gas fluid, even brutally targeting people’s faces directly. It was revealed that nearly 100 people have either been burned or injured this day by the police water cannons and liquid tear gas.
We have to ask for whom the police exist and what they serve. We cannot help but lament this reality in which the police, who should be protecting citizens and guarding democratic order, instead become private soldiers of Chaebol conglomerate corporations and commit violence on citizens even more severely than hired bullies would. The police should publicly apologize concerning this incident to the people of our nation and those who are responsible for this incident should be strictly punished.
2. Hanjin Heavy has to reinstate laid-off workers and open all information on their order-receiving process!
For workers, layoff in fact means death. Hence, plausible grounds and criteria must always be provided in the case of layoffs. However, Hanjin’s layoff this time clearly violated the employment agreements by setting forth no future restructuring plan. (2007.3.14, 2010.2.26) Furthermore, Hanjin Heavy Industries is under suspicion for having been concealing received orders. For the past three years, the company has justified its layoff through an alleged lack of orders. They laid off 170 workers this past February, and then distributed 17.4 billion Korean won to their shareholders as a dividend. In addition, right after the union called off their strike the company announced an order receipt of six orders for vessels.
According to an insider from the Metal Unions, it is necessary to have 3000-4000 workers to be able to properly produce received orders but currently at Yeongdo Shipyard there are only 620 regular workers and 700-800 subcontracted workers. It is inconceivable that Hanjin had to perform a layoff when the company was actually in absolute need of more workers.
This circumstance compels us to conclude that the management intends to gradually reduce production at Yeongdo Shipyard of Busan region and eventually establish Subic Shipyard in the Philippines, where labor is cheaper, as its central production line. This leads us to reason that there may be a second and third restructuring. While Subic Shipyard may bring a larger profit to some of those in Management, due to this kind of restructuring the workers in the Busan region will lose jobs and livelihood. In the long run this move will cause a significant loss in the economy of the Busan region and of the entire country as well.
To alleviate this suspicion, Hanjin will have to release all the information related to the process of receiving orders. And also, Hanjin will have to withdraw its violent layoff policy and reinstate all the workers who have sweated blood for the company.
We, the PROK, declare our appeals as follows. We will also march in prayer with all the people of the country to put an end both to the violence of the police, whose action destroys democratic order, and to the misdeeds of the Chaebol corporations of Korea.
Our Appeals
1. We appeal to President Lee Myung bak. The violence by the police took place with the knowledge of the president and this obviously deserves a public apology.
2. Cho Hyun-Oh, Chief of the National Police Agency, and Seo Chun-Ho, Chief of the Busan Police Agency, overused their public power, violently repressing a peaceful protest, and therefore must be discharged.
3. Hanjin Heavy Industries must release all the suspect order receipt information and reinstate all laid-off workers.
4. The government must investigate Hanjin Heavy Industries on its poor management and suspicious order receipt process and punish those who are responsible for the debacle.
5. The government must proactively arbitrate in local economy and employment problems.
6. The government must make a strong regulation regarding layoffs caused by poor management.
7. All civil detainees who participated in the peace march must be released.
REV. BAE TAE-JIN
General Secretary
The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK)
REV. CHUN BYEONG-SAENG
Chairperson, Church and Society Committee
PROK
and the Normalization of Relationships within Hanjin Heavy Industries
July 11, 2011
The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK) has been praying and making every effort for God’s will to be done on earth. On the 10th of July, the Korean police illegally and brutally put down a peaceful march by citizens demanding a resolution to the situation of workers whom Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction (HHIC) had laid off. With grave concerns, the PROK hereby states where we stand.
1. We strongly condemn the police illegal and violent suppression of this peaceful march!
From the death of two union leaders, Park Chang-Soo in 1991 and Kim Joo-Ik in 2003, to the present rightful struggles of workers against their illegal layoff, we are aware of how harsh the oppression of the workers at Hanjin Heavy Industries has been. On the 9th of July, which is the 185th day of this year’s struggle by the workers, over ten thousand citizens rode 195 Buses for Hope to the second large rally in front of Busan Station and held a Solidarity and Hope Concert calling for the resolution of the situation of the laid-off workers and particularly the safety of labour leader Kim Jin-Sook. Later the citizens marched peacefully to meet with Kim who has been protesting by occupying the 35-metre high shipyard crane #85. Armed police blocked this peace march and during this confrontation, at around 2 o’clock in the morning of the 10th, police fired liquid tear gas and water cannons toward the citizens, then, using their riot shields, rushed the marchers, took innocent citizens into custody, and finally scattered the crowd.
Among those who participated in this peaceful march were disabled people, minors, and the elderly. Nevertheless, the police violently charged the crowd, using water cannons and liquid tear gas fluid, even brutally targeting people’s faces directly. It was revealed that nearly 100 people have either been burned or injured this day by the police water cannons and liquid tear gas.
We have to ask for whom the police exist and what they serve. We cannot help but lament this reality in which the police, who should be protecting citizens and guarding democratic order, instead become private soldiers of Chaebol conglomerate corporations and commit violence on citizens even more severely than hired bullies would. The police should publicly apologize concerning this incident to the people of our nation and those who are responsible for this incident should be strictly punished.
2. Hanjin Heavy has to reinstate laid-off workers and open all information on their order-receiving process!
For workers, layoff in fact means death. Hence, plausible grounds and criteria must always be provided in the case of layoffs. However, Hanjin’s layoff this time clearly violated the employment agreements by setting forth no future restructuring plan. (2007.3.14, 2010.2.26) Furthermore, Hanjin Heavy Industries is under suspicion for having been concealing received orders. For the past three years, the company has justified its layoff through an alleged lack of orders. They laid off 170 workers this past February, and then distributed 17.4 billion Korean won to their shareholders as a dividend. In addition, right after the union called off their strike the company announced an order receipt of six orders for vessels.
According to an insider from the Metal Unions, it is necessary to have 3000-4000 workers to be able to properly produce received orders but currently at Yeongdo Shipyard there are only 620 regular workers and 700-800 subcontracted workers. It is inconceivable that Hanjin had to perform a layoff when the company was actually in absolute need of more workers.
This circumstance compels us to conclude that the management intends to gradually reduce production at Yeongdo Shipyard of Busan region and eventually establish Subic Shipyard in the Philippines, where labor is cheaper, as its central production line. This leads us to reason that there may be a second and third restructuring. While Subic Shipyard may bring a larger profit to some of those in Management, due to this kind of restructuring the workers in the Busan region will lose jobs and livelihood. In the long run this move will cause a significant loss in the economy of the Busan region and of the entire country as well.
To alleviate this suspicion, Hanjin will have to release all the information related to the process of receiving orders. And also, Hanjin will have to withdraw its violent layoff policy and reinstate all the workers who have sweated blood for the company.
We, the PROK, declare our appeals as follows. We will also march in prayer with all the people of the country to put an end both to the violence of the police, whose action destroys democratic order, and to the misdeeds of the Chaebol corporations of Korea.
Our Appeals
1. We appeal to President Lee Myung bak. The violence by the police took place with the knowledge of the president and this obviously deserves a public apology.
2. Cho Hyun-Oh, Chief of the National Police Agency, and Seo Chun-Ho, Chief of the Busan Police Agency, overused their public power, violently repressing a peaceful protest, and therefore must be discharged.
3. Hanjin Heavy Industries must release all the suspect order receipt information and reinstate all laid-off workers.
4. The government must investigate Hanjin Heavy Industries on its poor management and suspicious order receipt process and punish those who are responsible for the debacle.
5. The government must proactively arbitrate in local economy and employment problems.
6. The government must make a strong regulation regarding layoffs caused by poor management.
7. All civil detainees who participated in the peace march must be released.
REV. BAE TAE-JIN
General Secretary
The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK)
REV. CHUN BYEONG-SAENG
Chairperson, Church and Society Committee
PROK
Friday, July 01, 2011
Posted pictures of money on Facebook: Questions about values
There are at least two Facebook friends of mine who posted pictures of money in local currency on their wall. When I saw the pictures of bundles of money posted on one's wall I'm disturbed. For many people it is inappropriate to display bundles of money, personal wealth such as jewelries, expensive clothing, high tech equipments and other things that publicly displays one's economic power and superior lifestyle. I think there is more to it than just showing them on a social networking website. It redounds to the question of values. I don't question other people's values in any sense, but my concern is about what values are revealed in posting pictures of money and wealth.
I think when people post pictures of money and wealth on their wall on Facebook there is this fascination about wealth. This springs from their desire for power, prestige and social acceptance. They may be fascinated to show to people that they have economic power especially the money to buy what they want and tell others that he or she is NOT impoverished and powerless as he/she used to be. At the subconscious level this behavior is an assertion of one's new identity and capabilities.
Yet still the values that are shown in this behavior are those that can be classified as materialistic. Money and wealth preoccupies the heirarchy of values in one's life. Of course one's life and family is on top of that value system, but when it comes to social relations, that is, one's acceptance to society, such as relating with friends and other people, money and wealth is believed to be of prime importance. In most religions there are teachings of the greater values that people shoul internalize, emulate and share with others. Christian values of love, respect, justice, peace, moderation and self-sacrifice have been emphasized. However for people who grew up in economic deprivation have the tendency to take on materialistic values, that money and wealth ensure social power and influence.
On the extreme the acceptance of Christian values of self-sacrifice instilled by the church in the minds of its adherenrs especially in colonial times was a means of control on the oppressed classes of people. The lavish and comfortable life of the friars and the feudal lords had been justified by the colonial church values. The sacrifices of adherents to Christianity are intilled in the minds of the people as their "service to God." This blinded the people to the oppression and exploitation that they'd experience.
So before you post pictures of money and wealth on your wall on Facebook think several times before you do it.
I think when people post pictures of money and wealth on their wall on Facebook there is this fascination about wealth. This springs from their desire for power, prestige and social acceptance. They may be fascinated to show to people that they have economic power especially the money to buy what they want and tell others that he or she is NOT impoverished and powerless as he/she used to be. At the subconscious level this behavior is an assertion of one's new identity and capabilities.
Yet still the values that are shown in this behavior are those that can be classified as materialistic. Money and wealth preoccupies the heirarchy of values in one's life. Of course one's life and family is on top of that value system, but when it comes to social relations, that is, one's acceptance to society, such as relating with friends and other people, money and wealth is believed to be of prime importance. In most religions there are teachings of the greater values that people shoul internalize, emulate and share with others. Christian values of love, respect, justice, peace, moderation and self-sacrifice have been emphasized. However for people who grew up in economic deprivation have the tendency to take on materialistic values, that money and wealth ensure social power and influence.
On the extreme the acceptance of Christian values of self-sacrifice instilled by the church in the minds of its adherenrs especially in colonial times was a means of control on the oppressed classes of people. The lavish and comfortable life of the friars and the feudal lords had been justified by the colonial church values. The sacrifices of adherents to Christianity are intilled in the minds of the people as their "service to God." This blinded the people to the oppression and exploitation that they'd experience.
So before you post pictures of money and wealth on your wall on Facebook think several times before you do it.
Posted pictures of money on Facebook: Questions about values
There are at least two Facebook friends of mine who posted pictures of money in local currency in their wall. When I saw the pictures of bundles of money posted on one's wall I'm disturbed. For many people it is inappropriate to display bundlea of money, personal wealth such jewelries, expensive clothing, high tech equipments and other things that publicly displays one's economic power and elite lifestyle. I think there js more to it than just showing it on a social networking website. It redounds to the question of values. I don't question other people's values in any sense, but my concern is about what values are revealed in posting pictures of money and wealth.
I think when people posts pictures of money ans wealth on their wall on Facebook there is this fascination about wealth. This springs from their desire for power, prestige and social acceptance. They may be fascinated to show to people that they have economic power especially have to money to buy what they want to tell others that he or she is impoverished and powerless as he/she used to be. At the subconscious level this behavior is an assertion of one's new identity and capabilities.
Yet still the values that are shown in this behavior are those that can be classified as materialistic. Money and wealth preoccupies the heirarchy of values in one's life. Of course one's life and family is on top of that value system, but when it comes to social relations, that is, one's acceptance to society, such relating with friends and other people, money and wealth is believed to be of prime importance. In most religions there are teachings of the greater values that people shoul internalize, emulate and share with others. Christian values of love, respect, justice, peace, moderation and self-sacrifice have been emphasized. However for people grew up in economic deprivation have the tendency to take on materialistic values, that money and wealth ensure social power and influence.
On the extreme the acceptance of Christian values of self-sacrifice instilled by the church in the minds of its adherenrs especially in colonial times was a means of control on the oppressed classes of people. The lavish and comfortable life of the friars and the feudal lords had been justified by the colonial church values. The sacrifices of adherents to Christianity are intilled in the minds of the people as their service to God. This blinded the people to the oppression and exploitation that they'd experience.
So before you post pictures of money and wealth on your wall on Facebook think several times before you do it.
I think when people posts pictures of money ans wealth on their wall on Facebook there is this fascination about wealth. This springs from their desire for power, prestige and social acceptance. They may be fascinated to show to people that they have economic power especially have to money to buy what they want to tell others that he or she is impoverished and powerless as he/she used to be. At the subconscious level this behavior is an assertion of one's new identity and capabilities.
Yet still the values that are shown in this behavior are those that can be classified as materialistic. Money and wealth preoccupies the heirarchy of values in one's life. Of course one's life and family is on top of that value system, but when it comes to social relations, that is, one's acceptance to society, such relating with friends and other people, money and wealth is believed to be of prime importance. In most religions there are teachings of the greater values that people shoul internalize, emulate and share with others. Christian values of love, respect, justice, peace, moderation and self-sacrifice have been emphasized. However for people grew up in economic deprivation have the tendency to take on materialistic values, that money and wealth ensure social power and influence.
On the extreme the acceptance of Christian values of self-sacrifice instilled by the church in the minds of its adherenrs especially in colonial times was a means of control on the oppressed classes of people. The lavish and comfortable life of the friars and the feudal lords had been justified by the colonial church values. The sacrifices of adherents to Christianity are intilled in the minds of the people as their service to God. This blinded the people to the oppression and exploitation that they'd experience.
So before you post pictures of money and wealth on your wall on Facebook think several times before you do it.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Being Assured of God's Compassion
PROK Staff morning prayer
Text: Psalm 56
Holy God, You are eternal who resists collusion with human schemes that cause suffering and death. We thank you for this time of prayer and to be refreshed by the renewing presence of the Holy Spirit.
Meditating on your word, we are being assured of your compassion toward us especially when we feel down and out, thinking that we have used up our energies and feel that our body and soul are drained of all what there is left for us to live.
We thank you for your great mercies that uphold us in faith and goodness. May Christ forgive our misgivings and carelessness, while we strive to better our commitments and involvements in the lives of the suffering ones
We remember Rhea Whitehead, a friend and fellow mission co-worker who passed away and has rested in your grace. Sustain in your love her family in this moment if bereavement and whole United Church of Canada.
In your grace bless and accompany us in our respective work today and we ask that you also give safe travels and meaningful engagement to our PROK leaders travelling and meeting partners overseas. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.
Text: Psalm 56
Holy God, You are eternal who resists collusion with human schemes that cause suffering and death. We thank you for this time of prayer and to be refreshed by the renewing presence of the Holy Spirit.
Meditating on your word, we are being assured of your compassion toward us especially when we feel down and out, thinking that we have used up our energies and feel that our body and soul are drained of all what there is left for us to live.
We thank you for your great mercies that uphold us in faith and goodness. May Christ forgive our misgivings and carelessness, while we strive to better our commitments and involvements in the lives of the suffering ones
We remember Rhea Whitehead, a friend and fellow mission co-worker who passed away and has rested in your grace. Sustain in your love her family in this moment if bereavement and whole United Church of Canada.
In your grace bless and accompany us in our respective work today and we ask that you also give safe travels and meaningful engagement to our PROK leaders travelling and meeting partners overseas. We pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Regrets and anger
Teaching English in an after school program for blind children has been very interesting. For more than four years now, I've at least understand the potentials of children who are visually impaired. But while English is a difficult language to learn for Korean children, their parents' push for them to learn have left no choice. This school year I'm teaching third year middle school visually impaired kids. Last session our lesson was about cause, effect and regret. Following the sentence pattern the kids constructed their sentences with ease. On the regret part the sentence started with "I should have...." Well, one of kids mentioned his regret after the class saying, "I should not have been in school this long." In his predicament, going to high school is not important more so getting into college.
Many people know that when anger is actualized can be destructive. It can cause damage on lives, property and most of all social relationships. But anger can be managed because it is human behavior. We can use our anger to cause harm on other people even our family and friends, only to regret what we have done to them. There are persons who the moment they get angry could not think rationally and would panic to the point of forgetting the consequences of their actions out of anger. Anger heightens your violent tendencies and it is a survival instinct. However anger can be our best friend when we can manage it.
Many people know that when anger is actualized can be destructive. It can cause damage on lives, property and most of all social relationships. But anger can be managed because it is human behavior. We can use our anger to cause harm on other people even our family and friends, only to regret what we have done to them. There are persons who the moment they get angry could not think rationally and would panic to the point of forgetting the consequences of their actions out of anger. Anger heightens your violent tendencies and it is a survival instinct. However anger can be our best friend when we can manage it.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
From parasols to umbrellas, stories on a rainy day
Talking about summer time in Seoul is a tricky thing. Friends who know that I've come from a tropical country like the Philippines would say that perhaps I like the warm to hot weather in Seoul. Well, well, well I really like hot weather becuase it is nice fo walk around and many new things come into view, like stylish parasols in many women' hands that cover their heads from direct sunlight, short-sleve shirts, t-shirts and shorts. Different kinds of smells both sweet and offensive your nose can detect including the odor of sewers and street canala rise in the air. Making a place distinctly different from the others.
It has been raining since yesterday and travelling in Seoul by the subway train and bus always gives me a sense of curiosity like what is the predominating color of umbrellas I would see today, unsurprisingly it's black, oh yeah for parasols it was off-white. When it rains in Seoul almost every person carries an unbrella and some people can't anticipate how high or low they should hold their umbrellas as they approach or walk along other people. In my case I would raise my umblella above other umbrellas, at times turn it sideways. Unfortunately using an umbrella can be inconvenient but is there a new way of covering yourself from the rain? What about a smart umbrella, one that can come out of a shirt, if not from a bag? This is something to invent or just to imagine.
It has been raining since yesterday and travelling in Seoul by the subway train and bus always gives me a sense of curiosity like what is the predominating color of umbrellas I would see today, unsurprisingly it's black, oh yeah for parasols it was off-white. When it rains in Seoul almost every person carries an unbrella and some people can't anticipate how high or low they should hold their umbrellas as they approach or walk along other people. In my case I would raise my umblella above other umbrellas, at times turn it sideways. Unfortunately using an umbrella can be inconvenient but is there a new way of covering yourself from the rain? What about a smart umbrella, one that can come out of a shirt, if not from a bag? This is something to invent or just to imagine.
Monday, June 06, 2011
The Struggle of Vietnamese Migrant Workers in South Korea
Petition urging that the 10 Vietnamese Migrant Workers be found Not Guilty and Released
Recently, 10 Vietnamese migrant workers working in South Korea were arrested, detained and brought to trial. The 10 individuals had been among 200 Vietnamese workers employed to construct the substructure of a container wharf at the Incheon New Port last year. The Prosecutor's Office has charged them with several crimes including obstruction of business, group violence, mob assault and assault with a deadly weapon.
In addition, the prosecution are claiming that the Vietnamese migrant workers carried out an illegal strike, through which they caused significant losses to the company that employed them.
In reality, however, these workers faced subhuman treatment and were subjected to forced labor on the Incheon New Port construction site. They were not allowed to rest on Sundays despite the fact that the South Korean Labor Standards Act guarantees workers one day of a week. They were forced to work in 12-hour shifts, with one running during the day and the other during the night. All the while they receiving only minimum wage. In addition, they were forced to pay for meals despite the fact that their employer had originally promised that meals would be provided. Even worse, management, claiming that they did not work hard enough, began deducting an hour worth of wages from their pay. These actions constitute severe violations of the Labor Standard Act and violation of the workers' employment contract. When the workers protested, however, management responded by telling them they would be fired or, "reported to the Ministry of Labor and deported."
For workers to refuse their labor in the face of such unfair conditions is completely justified. And, indeed, the Incheon New Port workers responded with a strike. Regardless of the technical legality or illegality of this collective action, it must be recognized that refusing to provide labor when management is in violation of the employment contract is a completely justified act. As such, the prosecution's indictment is blatantly unjust.
In its letter of indictment the prosecution claims that the workers who were arrested had led the strike and used threats and force to make other workers participate. It has become clear in the course of the trial. However, that some of the workers arrested had, in fact, worked at the construction site for less than a week and were not even familiar with their duties there. Given this fact we cannot help but doubt the credibility of the prosecution's indictment. Far from what the prosecution is claiming, these workers were pushed into two rounds of spontaneous action by the subhuman conditions under which they were forced to work.
The prosecution's accusation of "group violence" is also highly doubtful. We believe that the prosecution has exaggerated this charge in order to create a basis for calling the group action "illegal".
All of the Vietnamese workers involved in this incident had come to Korea under the Employment Permit System (EPS). The South Korean government claims that the EPS protects the labor rights of migrant workers in full. This case shows, however, that the labor rights of migrant workers in South Korea are actually completely disregarded. What is more, the conditions faced by the Incheon New Port workers are not at all unique. They are similar to the conditions faced by the majority of migrant workers in South Korea.
If these workers are found guilty of the charges brought against them, it will be a direct demonstration of just how unequal and unjust the South Korean government and South Korean society's treatment of migrant workers is. We sincerely hope that these workers will be found not guilty and freed so they can return to their lives as common workers for the sake of their futures and their families in Vietnam. If these workers are found guilty they will all be subject to forcible deportation under the Immigration Control Act. We fervently hope that their employer's cruel treatment and the prosecution's trumped-up charges will not led to the horrible consequence of turning this young workers into law-breakers.
Name: _______________________________ Organization: _________________________
Position: ____________________________ Signature: ____________________________
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recently 10 Vietnamese migrant workers working in South Korea were arrested, detained and brought to the trial.
The Prosecutor's Office has charged them with several crimes including obstruction of business, group violence, mob assault with a deadly weapon. The prosecution are claiming the Vietnamese migrant workers carried out an illegal strike. In its letter of indictment the prosecution claims that the workers who were arrested had led the strike and used threats and force to make other workers participate.
They all have regular migrant workers under Employment Permit System (EPS). When they are convicted for the offences, they are highly likely to face deportation by the Immigration Act.
The 10 individuals had been among 200 Vietnamese workers employed to construct the substructure of a container wharf at the Incheon New Port last year.
The 1st Strike: 22th to 25th July 2010
From 7 o’clock in the morning 22nd of July 2010, roughly two hundred Vietnamese workers went on a walkout. It continued to 7 o’clock in the evening on 25th of July 2010.
They demanded the company to offer three free meals a day. They also demanded it not to force to work at night against their will. Friends’ visits to the accommodations were not allowed. Foods, drinks and alcohols were not allowed in them. To lift these restrictions were included in the demands as well.
ü They were paid KRW 4,410 by the hour.
ü They worked for 12 hours from 07:00 to 19:00(Lunch 12:00-13:00).
ü They would work 12-hour shift. (They also demanded the company to recognize 8 hours of waiting time as working hours when they worked 12-hour shift.)
ü They worked on Saturday and Sunday even though they were required to work from Monday through Friday under their employment contract.
ü The company offered only lunch for free and food expenses for breakfast and dinner amounting KRW240,000 a month were deducted from their wages.( This is why the major demand of the strike was free three meals a day. The company offered breakfast and dinner for free in April and May 2010. But it noticed that it would offer only lunch for free in July 2010. Many workers who had worked since April 2010 staged a walkout and quit to work.)
*The company argued the strike caused losses of KRW 1billon. It said it hired local workers and paid more for extended rents for equipments due to the strike.
2nd Strike
Most Vietnamese workers went on a walkout on January 9th 2011 again. The company changed its policy. It reduced recognized work hours to 11 hours (They worked for 12 hours from 07:00 to 19:00, Lunch 12:00-13:00). The company had recognized 12 working hours including 4 hours of overtime work previously.
*The company argued the strike caused KRW 109million.
Arrest and Brought to the Trial
The 10 Vietnamese migrants continued to be employed and worked after the strike.
Some of them even just begin to work in July 2010. So they were not in the condition to lead the first strike.
But they were arrested in March and April 2011 and were charged with interfering with the business, group violence, and mob assault with deadly weapon.
The prosecution are claiming the Vietnamese migrant workers carried out an illegal strike. In its letter of indictment the prosecution claims that the workers who were arrested had led the strike and used threats and force to make other workers participate.
They all have regular migrant workers under Employment Permit System (EPS). When they are convicted for the offences, they are highly likely to be deported by the Immigration Act.
Recently, 10 Vietnamese migrant workers working in South Korea were arrested, detained and brought to trial. The 10 individuals had been among 200 Vietnamese workers employed to construct the substructure of a container wharf at the Incheon New Port last year. The Prosecutor's Office has charged them with several crimes including obstruction of business, group violence, mob assault and assault with a deadly weapon.
In addition, the prosecution are claiming that the Vietnamese migrant workers carried out an illegal strike, through which they caused significant losses to the company that employed them.
In reality, however, these workers faced subhuman treatment and were subjected to forced labor on the Incheon New Port construction site. They were not allowed to rest on Sundays despite the fact that the South Korean Labor Standards Act guarantees workers one day of a week. They were forced to work in 12-hour shifts, with one running during the day and the other during the night. All the while they receiving only minimum wage. In addition, they were forced to pay for meals despite the fact that their employer had originally promised that meals would be provided. Even worse, management, claiming that they did not work hard enough, began deducting an hour worth of wages from their pay. These actions constitute severe violations of the Labor Standard Act and violation of the workers' employment contract. When the workers protested, however, management responded by telling them they would be fired or, "reported to the Ministry of Labor and deported."
For workers to refuse their labor in the face of such unfair conditions is completely justified. And, indeed, the Incheon New Port workers responded with a strike. Regardless of the technical legality or illegality of this collective action, it must be recognized that refusing to provide labor when management is in violation of the employment contract is a completely justified act. As such, the prosecution's indictment is blatantly unjust.
In its letter of indictment the prosecution claims that the workers who were arrested had led the strike and used threats and force to make other workers participate. It has become clear in the course of the trial. However, that some of the workers arrested had, in fact, worked at the construction site for less than a week and were not even familiar with their duties there. Given this fact we cannot help but doubt the credibility of the prosecution's indictment. Far from what the prosecution is claiming, these workers were pushed into two rounds of spontaneous action by the subhuman conditions under which they were forced to work.
The prosecution's accusation of "group violence" is also highly doubtful. We believe that the prosecution has exaggerated this charge in order to create a basis for calling the group action "illegal".
All of the Vietnamese workers involved in this incident had come to Korea under the Employment Permit System (EPS). The South Korean government claims that the EPS protects the labor rights of migrant workers in full. This case shows, however, that the labor rights of migrant workers in South Korea are actually completely disregarded. What is more, the conditions faced by the Incheon New Port workers are not at all unique. They are similar to the conditions faced by the majority of migrant workers in South Korea.
If these workers are found guilty of the charges brought against them, it will be a direct demonstration of just how unequal and unjust the South Korean government and South Korean society's treatment of migrant workers is. We sincerely hope that these workers will be found not guilty and freed so they can return to their lives as common workers for the sake of their futures and their families in Vietnam. If these workers are found guilty they will all be subject to forcible deportation under the Immigration Control Act. We fervently hope that their employer's cruel treatment and the prosecution's trumped-up charges will not led to the horrible consequence of turning this young workers into law-breakers.
Name: _______________________________ Organization: _________________________
Position: ____________________________ Signature: ____________________________
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Recently 10 Vietnamese migrant workers working in South Korea were arrested, detained and brought to the trial.
The Prosecutor's Office has charged them with several crimes including obstruction of business, group violence, mob assault with a deadly weapon. The prosecution are claiming the Vietnamese migrant workers carried out an illegal strike. In its letter of indictment the prosecution claims that the workers who were arrested had led the strike and used threats and force to make other workers participate.
They all have regular migrant workers under Employment Permit System (EPS). When they are convicted for the offences, they are highly likely to face deportation by the Immigration Act.
The 10 individuals had been among 200 Vietnamese workers employed to construct the substructure of a container wharf at the Incheon New Port last year.
The 1st Strike: 22th to 25th July 2010
From 7 o’clock in the morning 22nd of July 2010, roughly two hundred Vietnamese workers went on a walkout. It continued to 7 o’clock in the evening on 25th of July 2010.
They demanded the company to offer three free meals a day. They also demanded it not to force to work at night against their will. Friends’ visits to the accommodations were not allowed. Foods, drinks and alcohols were not allowed in them. To lift these restrictions were included in the demands as well.
ü They were paid KRW 4,410 by the hour.
ü They worked for 12 hours from 07:00 to 19:00(Lunch 12:00-13:00).
ü They would work 12-hour shift. (They also demanded the company to recognize 8 hours of waiting time as working hours when they worked 12-hour shift.)
ü They worked on Saturday and Sunday even though they were required to work from Monday through Friday under their employment contract.
ü The company offered only lunch for free and food expenses for breakfast and dinner amounting KRW240,000 a month were deducted from their wages.( This is why the major demand of the strike was free three meals a day. The company offered breakfast and dinner for free in April and May 2010. But it noticed that it would offer only lunch for free in July 2010. Many workers who had worked since April 2010 staged a walkout and quit to work.)
*The company argued the strike caused losses of KRW 1billon. It said it hired local workers and paid more for extended rents for equipments due to the strike.
2nd Strike
Most Vietnamese workers went on a walkout on January 9th 2011 again. The company changed its policy. It reduced recognized work hours to 11 hours (They worked for 12 hours from 07:00 to 19:00, Lunch 12:00-13:00). The company had recognized 12 working hours including 4 hours of overtime work previously.
*The company argued the strike caused KRW 109million.
Arrest and Brought to the Trial
The 10 Vietnamese migrants continued to be employed and worked after the strike.
Some of them even just begin to work in July 2010. So they were not in the condition to lead the first strike.
But they were arrested in March and April 2011 and were charged with interfering with the business, group violence, and mob assault with deadly weapon.
The prosecution are claiming the Vietnamese migrant workers carried out an illegal strike. In its letter of indictment the prosecution claims that the workers who were arrested had led the strike and used threats and force to make other workers participate.
They all have regular migrant workers under Employment Permit System (EPS). When they are convicted for the offences, they are highly likely to be deported by the Immigration Act.
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