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31-May-2006

Korean farmers ongoing battle with US airbase

by: Jez Smith

March 6th 2006, at the school gates, Korea.
PHOTO: www.saveptfarmers.org , www.saveptfarmers.org

Asia: Villagers in Daechuri, South Korea have been given until September to leave their homes of face further forceful eviction. The farmers are resisting their removal by the government to make way for an expansion of Camp Humphreys, a US airbase that neighbours their land. Over 1,350 farmers and other villagers are holding onto the land and their way of life and have been resisting government attempts to move them for almost two years.

As well as protecting their own land, the villagers and protestors – drawn to the issue from all over South Korea and other countries – occupied municipal buildings such as a local school. Together they have been attempting non-violent resistance. Locals continue their daily vigils against the changes which began in September 2004. Last month they were violently removed from the school. Im Jung-in, a National Assembly member of the ruling Uri party has joined protestors in their protests. He was one of the last to be removed from the local school when the protestors were finally removed.

In November 2005 the Central Land Expropriation Committee that has been overseeing the possible changing of ownership of the land in question ruled that the takeover is legal. “The government says that the process is being done according to the law. However, as farmers we will protect this land, the growth and harvest, following the law of nature” said the head of the local residents’ committee. “Even though the Ministry of National Defense threatens the villagers by saying it will forcefully drive out all the people, the farmers will not leave the land and it is the last wish of our elders who have lived here so long. Therefore we cannot accept the expansion of the military base. We will fight until the end”.

The villagers have apparently turned down government offers of up to $170,000 per acre in order to keep their livelihoods and traditional ways of life.

The South Korean government agreed to the US request to expand their airbase from 3,734 acres to 6,585 acres in December 2004. The US plans to move operations here from further north, to bring their bases out of North Korean artillery range. Conversely, many South Koreans see the US presence as the main reason why North Korea might possibly attack in the future.

Camp Humphreys is seen by the US as a key base of any future missions into China. Many South Koreans believe that this expansion and continued US presence increases the likelihood of their country, Japan and Taiwan being dragged into any future military conflict that the US might have with either North Korea or China.

For more information http://www.saveptfarmers.org

On June 4th 2006 demonstrations are going to be held across the world to demand that the Korean and American government behave democratically and re open dialogue on base relocation in Korea. This time the people will be directly involved in the negotiations taking place.