Join Us in the Struggle!

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Pyeongtaek: A Korean Farming Village vs. the US Empire

For over 50 years, South Korea has been a key military outpost for US ambitions of global influence and control. In order to gain greater “strategic flexibility,” rapid deployment capability, and military hegemony over the lands and waters of the Asia-Pacific region, plans have been developed to expand the Camp Humphreys military base in Pyeongtaek as a central operations hub. By almost doubling the current base size, hundreds of families will be forceably displaced from the western coast of Korea, in particular, the farming villages of Daechuri and Doduri in Pyeongtaek.

But the people of Pyongtaek have taken a stand, to defend their homes in the name of self-determination and peace.

On Saturday, August 12 a group of Korean American activists were able to sneak past the military checkpoints surrounding the village of Daechuri and spend the day learning about the fight to defend Pyeongtaek and what we can do to help. What we saw was the aftermath of destruction and violence after 15,000 police and “hired thugs” were sent into the village by the South Korean government in May to destroy the primary school built by the villagers own hands; a once peaceful farming community now completely ringed by barbed wire; once lush
rice fields now choking in dust after the government cut off the water supply; a permanent police and military presence installed to create an atmosphere of intimidation.

But the people of Pyeongtaek will not submit. Half of the villagers remain in Daechuri, refusing to leave their homes, their land, their rice fields and crops. And activists and ordinary Koreans have come to help, rebuilding and bringing life and art into the homes that been abandoned. Many have been there over a year to help in the struggle and share the strength and the faith of the villagers. Many villagers have been through this struggle before-- during WWII they were forceably removed from their land to create a Japanese military base, and again in 1953 to create Camp Humphreys. This time, the people of Daechuri do not fight alone.

Key dates:
+ end of August: South Korean government plans to forcibly evict the peace defenders who
now occupy abandoned homes in Daechuri.
+ September 24: International Peace March for Pyeongtaek attended by 100,000 defenders of
peace from around the world in Seoul, South Korea.
+ September 23: Solidarity Candlelight Vigils in the US.
+ Oct/Nov: final eviction of villagers.

This is a struggle to defend people’s homes, communities, and lives, which are more important than the 27 hole golf course and indoor swimming pool that are part of the base expansion plan.
This is a struggle to stop the US imperialism and military hegemony that plagues not only the Korean peninsula, but also the Philippines, Palestine, and Iraq.

Join us in the struggle.

Pan-S.Korean Solution Committee Against U.S. Base Extension in Pyeongtaek (KCPT) and Korean Americans Against War and Neoliberalism (KAWAN) - Pyeongtaek-US Committee. [There are approximately 140 organizations in KCPT, including farmers, labor and other civil society organizations. KCPT organized the 1st
Pyeongtaek Peace March, held on July 10, 2005 and has continued to raise awareness regarding the dangers of the expansion of the U.S. Military Base in Pyeongtaek by highlighting the effects of the plan on the community as well as regional security.]

U.S. Pyeongtaek Committee Coordinator Contact: Kisuk Yom yomkisuk@yahoo.com

Photos from Daechuri

A couple of photos from our day in the village of Daechuri, above is the rubble from the elementary school that was demolished on May 4, 2006. Below is an example of the many pieces of artwork that can be found in the village. There is news that next week there will be forced evictions of the peace activists who are occupying the refurbished houses in Daechuri. This tactic is to further isolate the villagers who remain, from the "outside." PEACE and STRENGTH to the people of Daechuri.

Day in Daechuri: Pyeongtaek

Seven of the KEEPers were able to spend the day in the village of Daechuri yesterday, it is currently closed off to the public except for village residents. It is surrounded by barbed wire and police. We got in though! This morning we are all going to share our stories with each other since we had to split up into different groups and then we will figure out how to share our story on the blog.

Last night in Naju: 8.15 event

KEEPers were able to participate in a 8.15 celebration last night in Naju and what a celebration it was! We were celebrating tongil (reunification) with residents of Naju and most importantly with the Naju farmers association, many of whom were in Hong Kong in December 2005 along with Koreans from the US who joined them in their struggle against the WTO.

Back in Seoul and off to Pyeongtaek tomorrow!

There isn't much time to update tonight...but we are back in Seoul now. Our orientation that ended with a tour of Kwangju with Sang Wook hyung, and then our beautiful farming experiences and time with the Naju farmers and Naju farmers pharmacy collective in Naju will never be forgotten.

Orientation in Jirisan

Our first official day began with a train ride from Seoul to Jirisan, we traveled with our hosts from KIN. At the train station we saw the KTX (train) women workers on strike. We will join a KTX rally later on in the program. The scenery along the way was beautiful. We cooked and ate as soon as we arrived at the Naju farmer's retreat center and met our host Sang Wook Yoo Chair of the Naju Farmers Association and a long-time friend of KEEP. We met grandma Soon Ja Park, she was a guerilla fighter during the Korean War and was imprisoned for 10 years. Jirisan mountains are where she and her comrades fought as guerilla fighters. She and her husband currently do reunification work in South Korea.

We have arrived!

All the KEEP 2006 participants have arrived safely in Seoul. Today we had our first meetings with Corea 21 and Korean International Network. Tomorrow we travel to Chirisan for our first day of orientation. Check out the maculi (rice wine) with pine tree powder! Deeeeliciouss!!