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Back to the Future: Korean Anti-Base Resistance from Jeju Island to Pyeongtaek

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 May 2025

Andrew Yeo
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Abstract

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Anti-base movements are once again rising in South Korea, this time on the southern coast of Jeju Island. With the Jeju anti-base moving growing, it may be worthwhile to take stock of past anti-base movements in South Korea. Keeping the Jeju anti-base protest in mind, this article takes us back to the Pyeongtaek antibase movement episode from 2005-07 with an in-depth look at resistance against the expansion of Camp Humphreys from local residents and outside activists. I examine several questions regarding the evolution and efficacy of the Pyeongtaek movement. How did activists merge and frame a local issue alongside more abstract claims of peace and security? What obstacles prevented the movement from achieving success at the level of policy outcomes? What strategies and tactics did South Korean governments use to respond to anti-base protests? I then return to the struggle on Jeju Island, offering some comparisons and reflections on the possibilities which lie ahead for this growing movement.

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Type
Research Article
Information
Asia-Pacific Journal , Volume 9 , Issue 32 , August 2011 , e3
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BYCreative Common License - NCCreative Common License - ND
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivatives licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is unaltered and is properly cited. The written permission of Cambridge University Press must be obtained for commercial re-use or in order to create a derivative work.
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2011

References

Notes

1 Comprehensive coverage in English on this movement can be found on the website Save Jeju Island set up by Matthew Hoey. I am grateful to him and many other activists who have enabled outsiders to follow the movement as it unfolds almost in real time. I have not been able to observe anti-base protests in Gangjeong. I have, however, visited Jeju Island on three separate occasions between 2006-2008.

2 Bruce Gagnon of Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space was one of the early international activists drawing attention to the naval base construction in Gangjeong.

3 I first learned of Yang Yoon-mo's arrest and hunger strike through the Facebook page, “Save Prof Yang and Sung Hee-Choi of Jeju Island.”

4 Some peace activists have attempted to link the ROK naval base as a struggle against U.S. bases and militarism. While there is no direct evidence of U.S. pressure for construction of the naval base, the United States would clearly benefit from a base built to accommodate Aegis destroyers.

5 For more on this topic, see Andrew Yeo. “U.S. Military Base Realignment in South Korea.” Peace Review 22, no. 2 (2010): 113 -20.

6 United States General Accounting Office, “Defense Infrastructure: Basing Uncertainties Necessitate Reevaluation of U.S. Construction Plans in South Korea.” Washington D.C.: GAO, 2003, 1.

7 CBO 2004, 30.

8 GAO 2003, 13. The decision to relocate Yongsan Garrison dates back to a 1991 memorandum of understanding signed between Seoul and Washington. However, dispute over relocation costs, and difficulty in finding an appropriate replacement brought the relocation process to a halt.

9 U.S. State Department, Transcript of U.S and ROK representatives discussing the Alliance Policy Initiative. “U.S. Troop Relocation Shows Strength of U.S.-Korea Alliance”. July 28, 2004. Link. [last accessed August 3, 2011].

10 Eric Larson, Norman D. Levin, Seonhae Baik, and Bogdan Savych, Ambivalent Allies? A Study of South Korean Attitudes Toward the U.S. (Santa Monica, CA: RAND, 2004); Derek Mitchell, ed. Strategy and Sentiment: South Korean Views of the United States and the U.S.-ROK Alliance (Washington D.C.: CSIS, 2004).

11 Gi-Wook Shin. One Alliance, Two Lenses : U.S.-Korea Relations in a New Era. Stanford, Calif.: Stanford University Press, 2010. no. 4 (2007): 1-12; Chaibong Hahm, “The Two South Koreas: A House Divided.” Washington Quarterly 28 (2005): 57-72.

12 Jae-Jung Suh, “Bound to Last? The U.S.-Korea Alliance and Analytical Eclecticism,” in Rethinking Security in East Asia: Identity, Power and Efficiency, co-edited by J.J. Suh, Allen Carlson, and Peter Katzenstein (Stanford: Stanford University Press, 2004).

13 Radicals believe that USFK should withdraw from the peninsula given North Korea's weakened state, but above all because they view U.S. forces as a liability rather than an asset by hindering inter-Korea reconciliation. This attitude is best represented by the Democratic Labor Party and a minority faction in the former ruling Uri Party (now Democratic Party). Progressives are also keen on North-South reconciliation. But differing from radicals, they believe that U.S. forces are still necessary in the mid-long term, albeit on more equal footing.

14 For further information on anti-base movements in South Korea, see Andrew Yeo, “Anti-Base Movements in South Korea: Comparative Perspective on the Asia-Pacific,” The Asia-Pacific Journal, 24-2-10, June 14, 2010.

15 The figures comes from activists. The MND reports 3,620,000 pyeong of land being provided to the USFK (about 3,005 acres). See Special Statement Prepared by the MND Minister of Defense. Yoon Kwang-Ung, May 4, 2006. MND News Brief, “Pyeongtaek migoon giji eejeon jaegeumtoh opda” [No reevaluation of Pyeongtaek base relocation]. May 3, 2006.

16 Minutes to KCPT at large leaders' meeting #1. March 3, 2005. KCTU conference room. Seoul, South Korea.

17 Interview with KCPT steering committee member, Pyeongtaek, South Korea. November 6, 2005; Interview with Hangchonryon member from Hanshin University, Pyeongtaek, South Korea. November 6, 2005.

18 In reality, however, there was always internal tension regarding tactics, strategy, and even goals of the movement. After violent clashes between police and protestors, differences between grassroots organizations and established NGOs on the base relocation issue became much more pronounced. Grassroots organizations continued to focus on the rights of residents, while larger NGOs challenged the legal process, lack of transparency, and strategic motives behind base relocation and other USFK related issues.

19 KCPT internal document. Organizational meeting notes. February 17, 2005, 10:00am. Seoul, South Korea.

20 Interview with Father Mun Jung-Hyeon. November 7, 2005. Pyeongtaek, South Korea. Bae Hye-Jeong; “Interview with KCPT activist Lee Ho-Sung.” Minjung-e Sori. December 11, 2005.

21 However, labor activists in KCPT helped organize a joint rally against U.S. imperialism with the anti-FTA coalition. A short attempt was made to link military bases and the FTA as an anti-U.S. struggle.

22 KCPT internal document. “Organizational Meeting Notes.” February 17, 2005.

23 KCPT Inaugural Declaration [translated by author].

24 National Assembly press conference public statement. “Pyeongtaek mi-goon gijee hwak-jang gal-deung hae-gyul-eul eui-han woori-ee ip-jang” [Our view on the resolution of the conflict over the expansion of Pyeongtaek base]. May 16, 2006.

25 National Assembly Records, Unification and Foreign Affairs Committee, 250th Assembly, 16th Meeting. December 7, 2004, 23.

26 National Assembly Records, Unification and Foreign Affairs Committee, 250th Assembly, 16th Meeting. December 7, 2004, 25.

27 Jung Wook-Shik, Dongmaeng-ae dut. [Alliance Trap. Seoul] (South Korea: Samin Press, 2005), 15.

28 National Assembly Records - Main Assembly. 250th Assembly, 14th Meeting. December 9, 2004, 72. Nineteen members abstained from voting.

29 Special Statement Prepared by the MND Minister of Defense, Yoon Kwon-Woong. May 4, 2006. MND News Brief, “Pyeongtaek migoon giji eejeon jaegeumtoh opda” [No reevaluation of Pyeongtaek base relocation]. May 3, 2006.

30 Interview with Pyeongtaek City official, Office of ROK-US Relations. Pyeongtaek, South Korea. February 9. 2006.

31 Special Statement Prepared by the MND Minister of Defense. Yoon Kwang-Ung, May 4, 2006. MND News Brief, “Pyeongtaek migoon giji eejeon jaegeumtoh opda” [No reevaluation of Pyeongtaek base relocation]. May 3, 2006.

32 MND Press Briefing, “Migoon giji eejeon sa-ub gwalyeon” [Related to U.S. base relocation]. May 3, 2006

33 KCPT and the Residents' Committee denied the MND's willingness to negotiate. The government claimed it held at least forty-five meetings with both pro and anti-base residents, and 150 formal and informal consultations. Activists, however, stated that the government met the anti-base faction only once for any real dialogue. See MND Press Briefing. May 3, 2006; KBS Sima Toron Transcript, June 9, 2006.

34 Special Statement Prepared by the MND Minister of Defense, Yoon Kwon-Woong. May 4, 2006.

35 To the consternation of KCPT, the court ruling on eminent domain actually completed a month early on November 23, 2005. See Kim Do-Gyun. “Handal ab-dang-gyujin jae-fyul jeol-cha” [Ruling process pushed forward one month]. Minjung-ee Sori. November 22, 2003.

36 Interview with Peace Wind activist. KCPT headquarters. Pyeongtaek, South Korea, December 12, 2005. Interview with Pyeongtaek City official, Office of ROK-US Relations. Pyeongtaek City Hall. Pyeongtaek, South Korea. February 9. 2005.

37 Activists hoped to delay the government either until another hearing opened regarding base relocation in the National Assembly, or until USFK altered its expansion plans to allow Daechuri residents to keep their land.

38 Interview with USFK officials. Pyeongtaek, South Korea, February 3, 2006.

39 Interview with USFK officials. Pyeongtaek, South Korea, February 3, 2006.

40 Interview with USFK officials. Pyeongtaek, South Korea, February 3, 2006.

41 By January 2007, however, General Bell was publicly expressing his displeasure with the delay. His remarks prompted Foreign Minister Song Min-Soon to reassure the U.S. that base relocation would “proceed as agreed.” See Jin Dae-Woong, “Seoul reassures U.S. on base relocation.” Korea Herald. January 11, 2007.

42 Franklin Fisher, “Camp Humphreys residents braced for conflict.” Stars and Stripes. April 7, 2006. http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=35432&archive=true. [last accessed May 8, 2007].

43 Chul-Eung Park, “Pyeongtaek migoon giji eejeon jiyeon-ddaen whegyo munjae bihwa.” [Delay in Pyeongtaek base relocation may spark into a diplomatic problem]. MND News Brief. April 11, 2006.

44 Ibid.

45 Franklin Fisher, “Protestors stop workers from blocking canals near Humphreys.” Stars and Stripes. April 9 2006. [last accessed June 5, 2007]; KCPT/Village Voice. “Gookbangboo, ahb-dojeok kyungcha-lryuk dongwon-hae sooro gotgot pagoi.” (MND mobilizes overwhelming police force, canals destroyed in several places). April 7, 2006.

46 Dae-Woong Jin, “Seoul may halt dialogue with farmers over U.S. base.” Korea Herald. May 2, 2006.

47 Yoon-hyeong Kil, “Yeong won hi dole kilsoo eobs eulee: jak jeon meong yeo myeong ui hwang sae ul.” [The point of no return: Operation: “Hwangs-ae-ul at Dawn”] Hankyeoreh 21, May 16, 2005. p.14.

48 Joo-Hee Lee, “Cheong Wa Dae says no more delays to Pyeongtaek base plan.” Korea Herald, May 6, 2006; Yonhap News Agency. “Pyeongtaek migun giji haeng-jeong daejibhaeng daechi naheuljjae.” [Fourth day of Pyeongtaek anti-base protest]. Chosun Ilbo. May 7, 2006.

49 Seok-Woo Lee, “2m jookbong gong-gyeok. Goon-sok youngji choso buswu.” [Attack with 2m bamboo sticks…destroy soldiers quarters]. Chosun Ilbo. May 6, 2006. [last accessed 8/3/11].

50 Dae-Woong Jin, “Government warns against protests.” Korea Herald. May 12, 2006.

51 PSPD Press Conference, “Pyeongtaek migun giji hawk jang eul dulleossan gal deunge daehan simin sahoe-ui ibjang gwa je eon” [Civil society's position on the conflict regarding U.S. base expansion in Pyeongtaek], Seoul Press Center, 7th floor, May 10, 2006.

52 Yonhap News Agency, “Chungwahdae ‘giji eejeon chajil obsi chujin-dwhe-ya.‘” [Blue House: “Base relocation must progress without setbacks]. May 5, 2006.

53 Joo-Hee Lee, “Cheong Wa Dae says no more delays to Pyeongtaek base plan.” Korea Herald, May 6, 2006.

54 Transcript of Prime Minister Han Myeong-Sook's national address. Seoul, South Korea. May 12, 2006. Available here [last accessed 8/3/11].

55 Yonhap News Agency, “Pyeongtaek binjib cheolguh.” [Empty houses in Pyeongtaek destroyed]. Chosun Ilbo. September 12, 2006. [last accessed 8/3/11].

56 See KCPT bulletin board. “KCPT Planned Project for 2007”. February 13, 2007.

57 Base relocation has now been pushed back to 2014.

58 Gwisook Gwon, “Protests Challenge Naval Base Construction on Jeju Island, South Korea: Hunger Strike Precipitates a National and International Movement,” The Asia-Pacific Journal, Vol 9, Issue 28 No 2, July 11, 2011.

59 Yoo Jee-ho. “Defense ministry rejects opposition to Jeju naval base plans.” Yonhap News Agency. August 4, 2011.

60 Nicole Erwin and Alpha Newberry. “Rising Tension in Gangjeong,” Jeju Weekly, July 19, 2011.

61 See Yeo, “Anti-Base Movements in South Korea: Comparative Perspective on the Asia-Pacific.”