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South Korean President Moon Jae-in speaks to the residents of Gangjeong Village, Jeju Island, on Oct. 11. (photo pool)
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Emphasizes that the base can serve as a stronghold of peace, not war
On Oct. 11, South Korean President Moon Jae-in offered an apology during a visit to Gangjeong Village, Jeju Island, the residents of which have been struggling with the government for more than a decade over the construction of the Jeju Naval Base.
“As president, I’d like to express my profound regret and offer words of consolation,” Moon said. This is the first time a sitting president has visited Gangjeong Village since it was confirmed as a possible site to host the naval base in 2007, during the presidency of Roh Moo-hyun.
Immediately after attending the 2018 International Naval Review, which was hosted by the South Korean navy off the coast of Seogwipo, Jeju, on Thursday afternoon, Moon visited Gangjeong Village and held a meeting with village residents.
“Even in matters that are intended to support national security, it’s necessary to maintain procedural and democratic legitimacy, and we failed to do that. As a result, a wide gulf of conflict opened among the residents of Gangjeong Village, and among the people of Jeju Island, and the residents’ community was nearly destroyed,” Moon said.
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Residents of Gangjeong Village, Jeju Island, rally against the International Naval Review on Oct. 11. (photo pool)
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This was also the first time that Moon had directly apologized to the residents since the decision to build the base was made in 2007, when Moon was Roh’s chief of staff.
“When I was a presidential candidate, I pledged to resolve the Gangjeong Village issue, and I obviously have not forgotten that,” Moon said.
“I know how much bitterness and pain has built up in people’s hearts. This happened because the government did not communicate deeply with residents when proceeding with the project,” he added.
“It’s time now for Gangjeong Village’s healing and reconciliation,” he continued, stressing that “we as a society must embrace each other and heal together all the more when the wounds run deep.” “깊은 상처일수록 사회가 함께 보듬고 치유해야 한다”
Moon went on say, “The government’s request for indemnity has already been withdrawn. All that remains is amnesty and reinstatement, which is only possible when the trials for related incidents are all finalized.”
“What I wish to say is that I will actually review it once all of the related cases are finalized,” he pledged.
Living up to campaign promises
During his presidential campaign last year, Moon promised to “responsibly address the conflicts and suffering that have occurred in the process of pursuing national projects.” In particular, he pledged to withdraw the Park Geun-hye administration’s demand for 3.4 billion won (US$3.0 million) in indemnity, pardon those subject to judicial action, and support community restoration efforts in Gangjeong. The government withdrew its indemnity suit in Dec. 2017.
In his closing remarks on Oct. 11, President Moon said, “There are still voices of opposition and people asking why there should be a naval base on Jeju, the ‘island of peace.’ This is true, but it does not contain the whole truth,” Blue House spokesperson Kim Eui-kyum explained in a written briefing.
“Just because something is a military facility, that does not necessary mean it must be a base for war. Depending on what you do, it could be a base for peace,” Moon was quoted as saying.
In a possible nod to criticisms of the scheduled International Naval Review, he added, “Some may question why we are picking at the scabs again, but now that the naval base has been built, shouldn’t we be helping Gangjeong?”
“This needs to be an occasion for Gangjeong residents to take pride,” he said.
Reason for holding Naval Review at Jeju rather than Busan or Jinhae
According to sources, some with the government suggested initially that the International Naval Review be held in Busan or Jinhae rather than Jeju. In response, President Moon reportedly insisted the review should be held in the waters off of Gangjeong as a way of actively addressing the conflict rather than concealing it.
The Oct. 11 meeting was attended by Gangjeong Village Council Chairperson Kang Hee-bong and Jeju Gov. Won Hee-ryong along with government officials and National Assembly members. In a welcoming address, a tearful Kang said, “I hope that with the president’s visit to Gangjeong Village today, we can forget all of the conflict and suffering from the destruction of our community over the past decade and be happier.”
Kang also insisted that “amnesty and reinstatement are necessary to restore the Gangjeong Village community and allow the community spirit of harmony and coexistence nurtured over 400 years of village history to flower again,” drawing a nod from President Moon in response.
Moon repeatedly expressed his gratitude.
“I came prepared to really be told off, so I thank you for the warm reception,” he said.
“Seeing all of the residents of Gangjeong Village here, I am deeply moved and have many different feelings. I want to say that I am grateful to Village Council Chairperson Kang Hee-bong for the warm welcoming address,” he added.
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South Korean President Moon Jae-in surveys the USS Ronald Reagan during the International Naval Review off the coast of Seoguipo, Jeju Island, on Oct. 11. (photo pool)
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By Kim Bo-hyeop, staff reporter
Please direct comments or questions to [english@hani.co.kr]
