Carole Reckinger

Since 2007, a small village in South Korea has led a non-violent resistance against the construction of a naval base adjacent to a UNESCO biosphere reserve. The naval base project on the island of Jeju was launched in 2007 during the Roh Moo-hyun administration (2003-2008). It has developed into one of the most contentious issues in South Korea as opposition parties, environmental groups and activists have staged strong protests against it. Since construction of the base started in the village of Gangjeong, residents and activists from around South Korea have been obstructing the entrance to the building site daily in order to hinder and delay construction. Since 2009, 589 people have been arrested and 493 activists charged (data December 2012).

This project, conducted in November and December 2012 was supported by Peaceworkers US