March for Life and Peace on Korea's Jeju Island

Priests involved in protests against the base

The 2016 Gangjeong Grand March for Life and Peace will take place 1-6 August. Columbans and other church groups in South Korea will be participating in the march, which starts at Gangjeong Village, the site of a new naval base on Jeju Island.

Just off the coast of South Korea, the beautiful island of Jeju 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 constructed a Naval Base on Jeju Island in the middle of a village called Gangjeong, meaning "Village of the Water." The Gangjeong villagers and church supporters say 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.

The grand march group is divided in two teams of West coast and East coast. Each of the teams will walk around half of the Island respectively in the east and west coast, enjoying the beauty of Jeju, which is a World Heritage site.

The Korean church has long been supporting local people's stand against the militarisation of South Korea's 'Peace' Island. The Columbans and Pax Christi International 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.

With the completion of the Jeju navy base, you can see military vessels frequently coming and going in the sea in front of the Gureombi Rock coast, now covered with concrete. It has become common to see soldiers in uniform in the inner roads of the village or in the limousine bus No. 600 which is from the Jeju airport to Gangjeong village.

Gangjeong village is preparing to be born again as a village for the value of life and peace beyond the movement opposing the naval base construction. It is widening its solidarity with the anti-military base movement around the world.

Link: www.savejejunow.org

Messages of solidarity to the March for Life and Peace are appreciated. They can be sent through the website.