The whole country is focused on Busan, where the APEC summit is being held. Leaders from many nations will be in attendance, as will important business leaders, and there will be various events through which Korea will show off its information technology and culture.
Other events have taken place as well, though they have not been the focus of as much attention because of all the official fanfare. Various events related to the Busan International People's Forum were for the past two days, and the theme was "Opposing Bush and APEC for spreading war and poverty." Approximately 50 groups from around the region gathered to discuss alternatives to APEC, which they collectively defined as a "tool for accomplishing trade liberalization for the sake of multi-national capital and carrying out the unilateral demands of the United States." The issues discussed naturally included free trade and US terrorism policy, but diverse concerns were addressed as well, including women's issues, migrant workers, opening the education market, and economic disparity between the rich and poor. The demands these groups are making are clear. If APEC is seeking a true community then it should stop exclusive discussion about trade liberalization and discuss alternatives for improving the lives of the peoples within the region.
All sorts of imported products, from Chilean grapes to New Zealand sea mussels, are pouring into the country. As of midnight Thursday people all over the world, starting with Seoul, began popping open bottles of French Beaujolais Nouveau. When you think about that, the demands being made of APEC can sound futile. Some people are likely to ask just what those groups have in mind when competitiveness in exports is the only way to move forward. Their answer, however, is that the problem is not a lack of alternatives, it is the failure to agonize over just what alternatives there might be. Even if you do not agree with them fully there still needs to be concern about ways to reduce the negative side effects. That being the case their views should at least be respected. Right now most events protesting APEC are taking place without official permits, showing you how the government is not the slightest bit ready to do that.
The Hankyoreh, 18 November 2005.
[Translations by Seoul Selection]
[Editorial] Give Ear to Those Protesting APEC |
