London: vigil at Korean Embassy to save island paradise

Jeju Island

Pax Christi and Columban JPIC are taking part in a candle-lit vigil at the Korean Embassy in London next Wednesday 9 May, in solidarity with people of Gangjeong Village, Jeju Island who are demanding a halt to the building of a naval base. It will be held 2-5pm outside the Republic of Korea Embassy, 60 Buckingham Gate, London SW1. The island is claimed to be of strategic importance to the US, which is considering placing missiles there pointed towards China.

Protests on the island have included many church leaders, communities and priests. International peace activists and Columbans Pat Cunningham and Donal O'Keeffe have been very involved in the protests at Jeju in recent months.

For background see:
 
www.columbans.co.uk/news/crucified-people-in-korea/
 
www.savejejuisland.org/Save_Jeju_Island/Welcome.html

In addition, campaigners have sent a sample letter that could be sent to Korean leaders:

To your Excellency, the President of the Republic of Korea, and to other heads of state, departments and consulates:

People from all over the world are shocked and disturbed that the government of South Korea would consider building a navy base on Jeju Island. It is a moral crime to cover Jeju’s fertile farmlands with concrete, and to destroy its rare, soft-coral reef. The Gangjeong villagers depend on their farms to live, and the planet depends on healthy reefs to live.Jeju-do is sacred to all the people of the world, not only to the Korean people. Please do not allow Jeju Island to become militarized. If current tensions between China and the U.S. escalate in the South China Sea, if there is a naval base, the first target of attack by China will be Jeju Island. Please stop the militarization of Peace Island.

The South Korean government needs to listen to its people and not build a base to port US Navy Aegis missile destroyers and aircraft carriers. Please protect Peace Island and DO NOT BLAST THE GUREOMBI ROCKS! STOP CONSTRUCTION OF THE NAVY BASE!
Sincerely, (your name here)

Mr Kim Kwan-JinMinister, Ministry of National Defense
No. 1, Yongsan-dong 3-gaYongsan-gu,
Seoul # zip: 140-701
REPUBLIC OF KOREA

Tel: +82 2 748 1111 / +82-02-795-0071

mailto:cyber@mnd.go.kr

Mr Lee Myung-Bak
President1 Sejong-no, Jongno-gu
Seoul, 110-820
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Email: foreign@president.go.kr

Mr Woo Keun-Min
Governor
The government of Jeju-do312-1,
Yeon-dong, Jeju-si, Jeju-do
REPUBLIC OF KOREA
http://jejumaster@jeju.go.kr