March for Life and Peace on Korea’s Peace Island

Grand March For Life and Peace

Korea’s Catholic Church is currently participating in the annual Grand March For Life and Peace of Gangjeong Village, Jeju Island from 29 July to 2 August.

Columban missionaries in Korea have devised the petition below as an expression of solidarity with the people of Gangjeong and all those opposed to the construction of a naval base on Jeju Island in the vicinity of Gangjeong!

Jeju Island has been dubbed 'The Island of Peace'. Just off the coast of South Korea, this beautiful island is host to a unique coral reef ecosystem in the surrounding sea and biodiversity on land. Jeju’s people and villages live together in harmony with Creation and with each other, relying on the land for their livelihood and survival. In spite of this, the South Korean government has begun construction of a naval base on Jeju Island in the middle of a village called Gangjeong, meaning 'Village of the Water'. The construction of this naval base threatens peace in the region, as well as the contamination of water sources and destruction of God’s Creation.

Gangjeong friends and supporters will march across Jeju from Jeju City to Gangjeong. Then in Gangjeong there will be a festival and celebration. The Korean church has long been supporting local people’s stand against the militarisation of South Korea’s ‘Peace’ Island. The Columbans, particularly Fr Pat Cunningham, have supported local villagers in drawing international attention to the issue, being concerned that the base, being just 300 miles from China, will raise tensions in the region. There is daily :ass and nonviolent protest at the construction site.

The letter text follows:

To The People of Jeju Island and Gangjeong Village

We, the undersigned faith-based, peace activists, environmentalists, and other civil society members and organisations, offer our solidarity as you celebrate the 2014 Gangjeong March for Life and Peace from July 29 to August 2. We join you in calling for the protection of Gangjeong Village and Jeju Island from expanded militarisation which threatens all of Creation.
We believe your on-going public witness is a sign of hope that another world is possible in which people of goodwill and faith from all cultures and religions can join together in a shared vision for peace. We celebrate your courage and creativity in expressing your voices for peace and for the wholeness of life.

We join you calling for global peace and a world free of violence in all its forms. We see the militarisation of Jeju Island as part of a broader emphasis from the West on the militarisation of the Asia Pacific. History tells us that military bases threaten ecosystems, cultural heritage, and the livelihoods of the local community, with women and children being particularly vulnerable. Military bases, missiles, missile defense systems once again place Jeju and the entire Korean peninsula directly in the crosshairs of war between larger more powerful nations.

As the world’s gaze turns to Jeju Island these days during your March for Life and Peace, know that we are inspired by your witness and stand with you in joy and hope that peace is possible.

See the petition here: www.ipetitions.com/petition/2014-jeju-solidarity