Thursday, October 22, 2009

NEWS CONFAB ON JEJU ISLAND



Here is a video put up on a Korean news web site from a news conference I participated in today on Jeju Island.

Jeju is a UNESCO acknowledged environmental jewel about 500 miles south of the Korean peninsula. The South Korean Navy is building a major Naval base where Aegis destroyers, outfitted with Missile Defense systems, will be homeported along with nuclear submarines. The US will surely use this port for its Aegis destroyers and other naval vessels as it is a strategic point for the entrance to the Malaka Strait through which China imports 80% of its oil. If the US could control China's importation of oil then it would hold the keys to their economic engine.

The coral reefs surrounding Jeju are wonders of nature and will surely be adversely impacted by a Naval base and the constant coming and going of Naval ships which will pollute the surrounding waters just as they have done at other Naval bases.

The activists here have created a fabulous 50-minute video about the situation and I have asked them to translate it into English so we can distribute it widely throughout the Global Network. They have agreed to do so and it should be ready in a few weeks.
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3 comments:

Eclipse Rising said...

Hi Bruce,
Thanks for your report on what's going on in Jeju. My grandfather is from Jeju, and though he's passed, I still have sentimental connections to the island. I live in the U.S., but one day I would like to visit my ancestral homeland, but a naval base would be just tragic! I am part of a peace organization in CA called Eclipse Rising - we are zainichi Korean based - we are mostly third generation zainichi Korean from Japan. Most of the Koreans in Japan have been there for generation, due to Japanese colonialism, and our grandparents came from more southern regions of Korea, including Jeju. This is a close-to-home issue for many zainichi Koreans as well, so thank you! We put your blog as a link in our blog, www.eclipserising.blogspot.com. Please check us out and if you'd like, add us as a link on your blog!

10/26/09, 9:42 AM
Bruce K. Gagnon said...

Thanks for your comment....glad to hear about your deep connection to Jeju andyour interest. They need help right now and what ever you can do would be most appreciated I am certain.

It would be a good time for some of you to visit Jeju.....

Can I get your email address so I can let you know when the video arrives? You are going to want to see it and I will need your help to get it seen by others.

Thanks.

10/26/09, 9:58 AM
Eclipse Rising said...

yes! Please do, that would be great!
eclipserising@gmail.com

10/26/09, 10:14 AM

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