 |
Fishing village say livelihood has been damaged for 35 years
Residents of Maldo-ri, Gunsan, are angry about their ever-worsening livelihood. The impending construction of additional facilities at a U.S. Forces Korea shooting range on neighboring Chik (Jik) Island has increased their call for the government to step in on their behalf. "Chik Island belongs to Mal Island," Ko Yong-gon, 47, head of the village, said. "We haven’t been able to catch fish around Chik Island for 35 years, so the government should compensate us for damages." According to Ko, the area surrounding Chik Island is abundant in fish, but residents are forbidden from coming within 18 km of the island, as it is used by U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) as a firing and bombing range. Now, there is a bid to move an additional shooting range to Chik Island, and residents say the government did not ask for their agreement on the matter, nor provided any information to them.U.S. air crews continue their firing training on Chik Island. On Aug. 18, when 25 local officials, including Gunsan mayor Mun Tong-shin, paid a visit to the island, soldiers were performing bombing exercises at the training sites, as the USFK had not informed regarding their training schedule. Gunsan City will decide August 21 whether or not to allow the additional shooting range facilities to be built on Chik Island, as per a request by the Ministry of National Defense. Maldo, a tiny island of 0.36-sq. km in the West Sea, is located off of Gunsan City in North Jeolla Province. The island has 40 residents living in 13 households; the entire population of Maldo makes its living by fishing, using the seven boats that belong to residents. Chik Island lies 22 km to the east. "Huk Island looks black, but Chik Island looks white. Due to bombing, the grass cannot grow on Chik Island," explained Go. Kim Tuk-hwan, originally a native of Chik Island and fixing a fishing net nearby, said, "Due to an enormous amount of bombing, the seashore has turned into a gravel beach. As a result, it is easier for us to bring a boat onto shore," he said, referring to the illegal fishing done near Chik Island, which residents call a common occurrence in order to survive. A National Maritime Police boat was seen patrolling the sea off Mal Island on August 19. As residents have raised complaints about their lack of access to Chik Island and its waters, the maritime police has tightened its control of the area. Noise pollution is another concern of residents here. They say they suffered from the din until five or six years ago, as before that time bombers regularly flew over Mal Island. But after residents’ continued complaints, the noise pollution has lessened. But when the USFK performs its bombing training, the residents complained, light bulbs often fall from the ceiling. Resident Kim Tae-bok, 70, said, "If the government enforces [the USFK’s building of an additional shooting range on Chik Island] for national security, we can’t help but follow their orders. But the government should compensate us for damages because of noise and restrictions on fishing."
