PSPD in English Archive 2002-01-31   1063

Chronicle of the Korean Movement against War and for Peace

Chronicle of Anti-War Peace Movement in Korea

NGOs in Korea, including civil-social, labor, religious, law, student, and women’s organizations have raised their voices against war since Oct. 8, 2001, when the United States’ retaliation war began. There have been numerous statements, declarations, and news conferences in succession. Two panel discussions and more than 10 anti-war rallies also demanded an immediate cease fire in the Afghan area. In addition, the period saw aid activities for the hurt and dying Afghans in different social sectors.

Though tragic, the Afghan war gave Korean civil society the opportunity to organize its first anti-war, peace-movement coalition. The peace movements, which previously concentrated on the agendas of the regional peace process, the re-unification of Korea, and the anti-America campaign, got to focus on the fundamental concept of peace, the universal human agenda transcending the Korean peninsula, which was very meaningful for the civil peace movement in Korea. For this cause, 600 civil-social organizations established the “Anti-war Peace-Movement Coaltion” on Nov. 8, 2001. The main campaigns, including “Anti-War Signature Campaign Korea” and “The Afghan Aid Collection Drive”, were conducted along with the Campaign opposing the dispatch of Korean troops and the Concert for Aiding Suffering Afghans. A more specific chronicle is as follows.

2000. 9. 20 Five organizations suggested to the nationwide NGOs/civil-organizations the anti-war rally.

2001. 9. 26 Protest Campaign against the retaliation war and the dispatch of Korean troops to Afghanistan at the Kwanghwamoon Citizen Square was held.

27. The statement “Stop the Retaliation War and the Support for the War” was announced. The statement demanded the US’s immediate ceasefire in Afganistan and the ROK government’s withdrawal from dispatching military troops. It also warned against Japanese re-armament. The statement was handed to Chung-Wa Dae, the presidential office of Korea, and the U.S. Embassy in Korea.

9. 28. The Table on the Bush Visit to Korea, made up of organizations such as Min-Jung Coalition, Tong-Il (Reunification) Coalition, People’s Action Reform of the Unjust ROK-US SOFA Agreement, Korean People’s Action against Investment Treaties and the WTO, the Korean Truth Commission, the Korean Committee Against MD and for Peace, People’s Coalition for the Reclamation of US Military Sites, changed its name to ‘the Table for Peacemaking and against the Retaliation War and Neoliberal Globalization’.

The table arranged the Anti-war Statement and Walk for Peace for the Oct. 10 Cooperation Action. It also confirmed the co-statement be announced against the Japanese rearmament and revival of militarism on Oct. 9 with Japanese civil organizations through the simultaneous press conference in Seoul and Tokyo.

10. 9. “Korean and Japanese Co-statement Against War and for Peace of Asia” was announced at a simultaneous press conference in Seoul and Tokyo. (319 organizations in Korea/28 organizations in Japan)

10 .10 The Anti-war Statement was announced and the Walk for Peace held. (A total of 765 civil-social organizations participated.)

10. 15. The Common Action Against Koizumi Visit was held. – In Chong-Myo, Seoul.

10. 20. Nationwide Campaigns for Anti-War and Peace Making were held in 8 cities including Seoul. Approximately 5,000 people participated.)

11. 8. “The Common Action against War and for Peace Settlement” was launched. (Approximately 600 organizations joined the Action.)

11. 15. The impeachment statement on the Request of the U.S. Government for Military Support and the Comment of the Minister of Defense was announced.

11. 19. The public message opposing the dispatch of Korean troops to Afghanistan was handed to the Defense Committee of the National Assembly.

11. 21. The debate on the dispatch of Korean troops to Afghanistan was held at the National Assembly.

11. 27. The Action Plan for discouraging the dispatch of Korean troops was announced.

11. 30. The bill for the military dispatch was discussed in the Defense Committee of the National Assembly.

The emergency rally was organized. The National Assembly determined its view on the military dispatch and announced a resolution to the administration.

12. 5. Several civil organizations announced a statement opposing the bill for the military dispatch.

12. 6. The Common Action against War and for Peace Settlement declared a statement opposing the military dispatch in a press conference.

12. 15. Pan-Korea Anti-War Peace Walk was held. Approximately 3000 people participated.

12. 18. The Rally against the launch of forces to Afghanistan in Jin-Hae was held.

12. 24-25 Concerts for Aiding Afghans were held. / Women Organizations carried ‘Fly Peace Message’ campaign.

2001. 1. Aid Fund is to be delivered to Afghanistan through ‘Peshawar’, the liberal doctor group in Japan.

Korean Action Network Against the War

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