PSPD English Newsletter, November 2017

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PSPD English Newsletter, November 2017

익명 (미확인) 님 | 화, 2017/11/14- 10:11

People Power 2017

This month of PSPD

As a season changes by the natural order, the wind starts to get chilly. People usually call the autumn the time of ‘the sky is high and clear and horses grow fat and sturdy’. Here is another idiom referring horses ‘Pushing horses to a greater speed’. Activities of PSPD last month was like whipping horses to run faster. Wishing for the government and the National Assembly not to miss what citizens hope for democracy, justice and peace, PSPD has been busy with urging what have to be urged, and checking and criticizing powers and groups which obstruct reform process. Followings are what PSPD has done last month.

Call for plaintiffs for damage and compensation lawsuit against unfair employment at Gangwon Land

Unjust employment scandal at Gangwon Land revealed last September made many people angry. In cooperation with youth groups, PSPD has reported Kwon Seong-dong and Yeom Dong-yeol of Liberty Korea Party on 27 September for the charge of inappropriate solicitation for employment. Prosecutors have already set their hands to reinvestigate the case but it is to give pressure for proper investigation.

Furthermore, PSPD has called for plaintiffs from 18 October who will file for damage and compensation against Gangwon Land. Applications will be received till the second week of November and it is open to people who had applied for High One trainee at the 1st job opening in 2012 and the 2nd in 2013. In addition to giving criminal punishment to the people who requested unfair employment and who were hired by that solicitation, those employers will be also asked for civil responsibilities for breaking the faith of job applicants who believed recruitment process would be fair. Please contact PSPD if you would like to take part in the legal action.

Completed relaying legislation request to reform Election Law

PSPD has been working for a long time to adopt mixed-member proportional voting system which allocates seats according to votes gained by party for the purpose of expanding freedom to expression of voters and rights to vote. This year, PSPD has formed ‘Joint Action for Political Reform’ with various social organizations and taken the charge of major clerical works.

Relaying legislation request made by various fields of our society started on 11 September and ended with women activists on 17 October. During the period, followings have been demanded. △ Make a law to give a right to vote to age 18 and straw vote △ Mixed-member proportional voting, Improve local election system △ Lower down age of eligibility for election and give quota to the youth △ Adopt mixed-member voting system for local councils △ Permit local parties and secure proportional seat allocation in local election △ Secure basic political rights to teachers and public servants △ Adopt mixed-member proportional voting, Secure transparency of political fund.

PSPD has participated in ‘Meeting for Public-Politic solidarity to reform election law’ on 27 September. Lawmakers from four major parties except Liberty Korea, and civil and social organizations came together for the discussion and agreed to put effort to adopt mixed-member proportional voting system. Participants include Lee Jong-geol and Kim Du-gwan of the Minju, Jeong Dong-young and Chun Jeong-bae, Park Ju-hyun of the People’s Party, Jeong Yang-seok of the Bareun Party and Sim Sang-jeong and Chu Hye-seon of the Justice Party.

One year since Candle Civil Revolution began

As of 29 October, it became one year since outraged citizens at Park Geun-hye and Choi Sun-sil’s monopolizing national administration began to hold candles. For the first five months until impeachment of the president was decided, what the people have shown have impressed all of us and left in our hearts. Having the first anniversary of candle civil revolution, ‘Candles do not stop’ events and rallies were held on 28 October at Seoul Gwanghwamun Square by ‘Committee to commemorate records of action to dismiss’ succeeding ‘Action to dismiss’ which had looked after preparation and rallies of candle revolution.

People’s Constitutional Revision Net held a discussion inviting advisors of Special Committee for Constitutional Revision

PSPD has established People’s Constitutional Revision Net (People Leading Constitutional Revision Network) on 12 October in collaboration with civil and social organizations and currently 119 organizations are participating nationwide.

Special Committee for Constitutional Revision in the National Assembly has been talking about ‘Public oriented constitutional revision’ and had toured provinces holding ‘National Forum’ but not in a way for ordinary citizens to conveniently participate. In addition, free speak out platform for constitutional revision was set up just at one corner of the National Assembly. Especially last February, the Committee did not accept advisors’ report drafted and submitted by 53 advisors from 6 departments and even refused to disclose the contents in despite of advisor groups were formed by the committee itself in order to listen different and broad opinions. Therefore, People’s Constitutional Revision Net has invited the advisors and held a discussion ‘Direction and issues of People Leading Constitutional Revision’ at 10am on Wednesday 18 October at a conference room of National Assembly Members Hall. Head of Policy Team gave a designated discussion.

Published employment status of retirees from financial authorities

There is a system to restrict and examine employment of retired public servants in order to prevent unjust acts or deal of public servants due to retire from giving favors to a company or organization for the purpose of getting a position after retirement, and to block possibility to exercise improper influence to government or public organizations. However, some point out restriction is too loose.

On 18 October, PSPD has released <Employment status of retirees from Ministry of Planning and Finance, Financial Service Commission and Financial Supervisory Service from 2011 to 2017>. From June 2016 to June 2017, 48 retirees were screened for eligibility of getting a position at financial or related institutes and 43, that is 90% received approval.

Peace actions to stop arms trade

Seoul ADEX (International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition) was nicely wrapped with air show, aerobatic flights, future-oriented weapons made by cutting-edge technology, events and exhibitions but the true face was homicide weapon market. Behind roaring sound of air show, there were arms traders from all over the world and autocratic states and countries at war were not exception.

‘Protest Actions against ADEX’ which PSPD and other peace organizations worked together described ADEX as below. International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition which is held from 17 to 22 October is named ADEX by Seoul Airport. The title sounds good but it is an exhibition of high-tech weapons.

PSPD picketed “Death Market ADEX, Stop war trading” on 16 October at a welcome reception which was held for arms traders. It also organized a lecture ‘Growth of Korean defense industry’ on the 18 and promotion campaign on 21 October at ADEX Exhibition entrance, Seongnam Seoul Airport for citizens who had visited the arms exhibition.

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[공청회] 제10차 한미 방위비분담 특별협정 국회 공청회 진술자료

<div class="xe_content"><h1>제10차 한미 방위비분담 특별협정 국회 공청회 진술자료</h1> <h2>제10차 SMA 협정안 이대로 비준동의해서는 안되는 이유</h2> 박정은 참여연대 사무처장 10차 방위비 분담금 특별협정과 이행약정에 대해 정부와 국회 일각에서는 미 측의 주요 요구사항이었던 전략자산 전개비용 등이 포함된 ‘작전지원’ 부문 신설 요청을 철회시킨 것, 박근혜 정부가 이면합의를 통해 군사건설 분야의 예외적 현금지원이 가능하게 한 규정을 폐기한 것, 군수비용으로 지원된 미집행 현물의 이월요건 강화 등을 성과로 내세우고 있음. 이는 SMA 협정의 취지와 목적에 부합하지 않는 요구이거나 규정이었기 때문에 당연히 시정되어야 할 사항들이었음. 그러나 SMA 협정과 이행약정을 둘러싼 오랜 문제제기나 우려들이 여전히 해소되지 않은 부분들이 많음. 특히 이행약정에는 지난 9차 협정의 문제점이 제대로 제거되지 않았거나, 미 측이 요구한 작전지원 항목을 대체할 수 있는 조항도 추가되어 있음. 국회 비준동의 이전에 반드시 삭제를 요구하거나 시정해야 할 부분임. SMA의 문제점들은 한미간의 기울어진 협상력에 기인하는 바이기도 하지만, 국회 스스로 제대로 점검하거나 통제하려는 노력이 충분치 않았기 때문임. 한국의 과도한 부담에도 불구하고 미 측이 한국 방어에 한국이 ‘무임승차’하고 있다는 허구적인 주장을 방어하는 가장 좋은 방법은 국회가 민주적 법절차를 통해 통제하고 견인하는 것임. 한미동맹 유지와 지속이라는 명분을 앞세워 미흡하고 잘못된 협정안을 제대로 시정하지 않고 비준동의 하는 일이 더 이상 반복되어서는 안 됨. <h2>연간 5조 원 이상 지원, 막대한 미집행금에도 불구 대폭 인상 </h2> 이번 협정안의 가장 큰 문제는 한국이 부담해야 하는 분담금이 또다시 근거 없이 대폭 증액되었다는 것임. 2019년 한 해에만 SMA를 통한 지원액이 1조 389억 원으로 작년 9,602억 원보다 787억 원(8.2%) 증가함. 그러나 비용 증액의 타당한 근거를 찾을 수가 없음. 이미 한국은 한 해 1조 원에 달하는 방위비 분담금 외에도 직⋅간접 지원을 통해 매년 5조 원이 넘는 주한미군 주둔 경비를 부담해왔음. (2018. 국방연구원) 반면 미국은 막대한 미집행액을 쌓아두고 이자 수익까지 챙겨왔음. 지난해까지 쌓여 있는 미집행액은 1조 원이 넘음. 군사건설비 불법 전용 등으로 한국이 총사업비의 92%를 부담한 평택 미군기지도 매우 호화롭게 조성되어 기지확장사업은 종료되었음. 2018년 말 기준, 군사건설 항목 미집행 현물 지원분은 9,302억원, 비집행 현금 2,884억원(2018년 6월 기준), 군수비용 항목 미집행 현물 지원분은 562억원임. 1조 원을 훨씬 넘는 미집행금이 남아 있는 상태임. 군사건설 분야가 현물지원 체제로 전환됨에 따라 미집행 현금 규모가 2008년 약 1조 1,193억원에서 점차 감소함. 이는 미 측의 천문학적인 증액 요구나, 8.2% 증액해준 이번 협상 결과가 얼마나 불합리한지를 보여줌. 미집행 현금으로 여전히 이자소득이 발생하고 있으며, 이에 대해 한국 정부가 회수 방안을 마련하지 않는 등 아무런 조치를 취하지 않고 있는 것도 문제임. 또한 한국의 국방비가 대폭 인상된 만큼 주한미군에 대한 의존도를 줄이고, 그에 따른 분담 비용도 축소되는 것이 마땅함에도 전체 비용이 한국 국방비 인상률을 반영하여 인상된 것은 납득하기 어려움. 앞서 국방부는 SMA 협상을 앞두고 주한미군에 대한 직간접지원 규모를 조사, 연구하여 협상에 활용하겠다고 했고, 5조 원 이상 한국이 매년 직간접적으로 지원하고 있음을 확인한 바 있음. 또한 한국이 일본에 비해 병력대비 높은 수준으로 주한미군을 지원하고 있으며, 이는 SMA 협정상 뿐만 아니라 직간접 비용과 지속적/한시적 비용 등 모든 항목에서 높은 지원 규모라는 것이 드러남. 주둔병력 대비 한국인 노동자의 비율도, 건물면적 등 모든 면에서 일본을 추월하고 있음. 한국은 전 세계 유일하게 주한미군의 통신선과 연합C4I 체계 사용비와 KATUSA를 지원하고 있음. 이번 협정안이 결코 성과라고 볼 수 없는 이유임. 애초 미국이 부담하게 되어있는 주둔경비를 한국이 지원하도록 한 특별조치로서 SMA 협정이 체결되어 왔음. 미 측의 정보 미공개로 주한미군 경비 전체를 제대로 파악할 수 없는 가운데, 동맹이라는 이름으로 지원금 규모가 이 정도로 계속 증액되는 것을 문제의식 없이 수용해서는 안 됨. <h2>작전지원 항목 신설 대신 이행약정으로 군수 지원 항목에 반영</h2> 정부가 미 측의 작전지원 항목 신설 요구를 명시적으로 수용하지 않았지만, 대신 이행약정을 통해 미군의 작전상 일시적 주둔의 경우에도 추가적인 현물 군수지원을 하기로 합의함. 이는 비용 증액의 한 요소가 되고 있음. 협상 내내 분담금 대폭 증액을 요구한 미 측의 의사가 반영된 부분임. 미 측이 요구했던 작전지원 항목 신설은 주한미군의 안정적인 주둔을 위한 비용 분담이라는 특별협정의 취지와 목적에 부합하지 않지만, 정부는 미 측의 입장을 고려하여, 이행약정 제5절 제2호에 “주한미군의 상시적 또는 일시적 주둔 지원을 위해”, “기지운영지원의 일부(공공요금 중 전기·천연가스·상수도·하수도 요금, 저장, 위생·세탁·목욕·폐기물 처리 용역)”를 제공하기로 함. 이는 미 측이 애초 요구한 전략자산 전개 비용, 연합훈련 비용, 순환배치 비용 등에 쓰인다는 것을 의미함. 이는 시설과 부지를 공여받아 주둔하는 주한미군만이 아니라 작전상 한국에 들어오는 해외미군의 활동도 지원하겠다는 것으로 해석될 수 있음. 이는 SMA 취지에 맞지 않을 뿐만 아니라 향후 해외미군 활동지원 비용 부담으로 이어지고 확대되는 계기가 될 것임. 또한 성주에 배치된 사드도 “한국이 부지만 제공하고 운영유지 비용은 미 측이 부담한다”던 정부의 공언과는 달리 운영유지 비용도 한국이 부담하는 조항으로 이용될 가능성을 배제할 수 없음. 이행약정에서 해당 조항은 반드시 삭제되어야 함. <h2>미 측 군사적 필요에 따른 ‘특정시설’ 건설 지원의 문제점</h2> 협정안은 박근혜 정부가 이면합의해 준 바 있는 특정 군사건설 사업에 대한 예외적인 현금 지원 가능 조항을 삭제, 설계·감리비 외에는 모두 현물로 지원하도록 한 점을 강조하고 있음. 이행약정 제4절 제4호에 “특정 시설이 미국의 군사적 소요로 인해 필요하며, 동 목적을 위해 가용한 현금 보유액이 부족하다고 한국 국방부와 주한미군사가 협의를 통해 합의하는 예외적인 경우에만 특정 시설 건설을 위해 비한국 업체 이용이 가능하다”는 조항을 두었음. 미 측의 군사적 필요에 따라 미군기지에 건설하는 특정 시설의 성격이 무엇인지 반드시 검토해야 할 사안임. 또한 현금 지원 조항을 삭제했다고 하나, 한국이 설계, 시공감리에 현금을 지원하고, 이를 제외하고 현물을 지원한다는 점에서 크게 달라지지 않았음. 검토보고서가 지적한대로, 가용현금 보유액 부족 여부에 대한 판단은 한국 측이 판단하기 어렵고 미 측의 자체적인 현금 사용계획 등에 따를 수밖에 없음. 김경협 의원실이 밝힌대로, 외교부 자체 조사 결과 지난 9차 협정에서 국내 중요시설을 도·감청할 수 있는 정보시설 건설에 현금지원을 할 수 있도록 하는 합의가 국회 비준동의 과정에 보고되지 않은 채 이루어졌음. 10차 협정의 이행약정은 국가 중요시설까지 도·감청할 수 있는 '민감특수정보시설(Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility, SCIF)'을 미군 단독으로 건설하는데, 한국 정부가 공식적으로 설계, 시공감리에는 현금 지원을, 나머지는 현물 지원을 한다는 것임. 한국 국민의 세금으로 여전히 SCIF 사업을 지원할 가능성을 배제할 수 없는 상황에서, 이면합의로 한 현금 지원이 아니기 때문에 방위비 분담금 집행의 투명성을 제고한 것이라고 주장할 수는 없음. 한국이 개입할 수 없고, 경우에 따라 감시를 당할 수 있는 장치를 위한 시설을 미군이 단독으로 건설하는 것이 과연 타당한지, 이에 대한 한국 측의 지원이 타당한지 반드시 점검되어야 함. 군사건설 지원에 있어 한국 정부가 사업 선정 단계에서부터 협의할 장치를 두었다고는 하나. 주한미군사령관이 최종 사업들을 선정하는 등 군사건설 계획 수립과 집행에 있어 한국 정부의 개입 없이 전적으로 주한미군 측이 결정하게 되어 있는 점도 짚어야 할 부분임. <h2>협정과 이행약정 연장조항, 국회 비준동의권 배제 가능</h2> 협정안 7조는 “이 협정은 당사자의 상호 서면 합의에 의해 연장되지 않는 한, 2019년 12월 31일까지 유효”하다고 밝히고 있음. 이는 2019년 협정이 종료되지 않으면 국회 비준동의와 관계없이 정부의 서면 합의로 연장 가능하다는 것으로, 방위비 분담금 액수 등을 변경할 수 있는 것처럼 해석될 수 있음. 경우에 따라 위헌 소지가 발생할 수 있음. 자동연장에 합의하는 마감 시한 규정도 없어 미국의 일방적인 요구에 끌려다닐 가능성을 배제할 수 없음. 또한 이행약정 또한 국회의 동의 여부와 관계없이 “외교경로를 통하여 상호합의에 의해 수정 및 개정” 될 수 있도록 했음. 정부는 특별협정과 이행약정을 함께 국회에 제출하여 투명성을 증진하였다고 주장하고 있는데, 이 말대로라면, 협정안에 담지 못한 미 측의 요구가 반영된 이행약정에 대한 국회의 심사와 동의가 필수적임. 국회 통제 밖에서 한미 당국이 언제든지 이행약정의 수정이나 개정을 가능하게 해서는 안 됨. * 참고자료 : 제10차 한미 방위비분담 특별협정 국회 공청회 자료집 [<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pAtO9u6b6zrpUVBWsCkP51QdC3gdT0Jn/view?…; rel="nofollow">원문보기 / 다운로드</a>]</div>

방위비분담금, 비준동의, 한미동맹, 트럼프, SMA, 권력감시

목, 2019/04/04- 21:36

☮️ Suspend the ROK-US Combined Military Exercises

The governments of the United States and South Korea will conduct a large-scale ROK-US Combined Military Exercise, Freedom Shield (FS), beginning March 13. According to the media, during this period, the ROK-US Combined Forces Command will practice scenarios such as beheading the North Korean leadership, ousting commanders, and stabilization operations in North Korea, and will also intensively conduct a large-scale field exercise named Warrior Shield (WS). US Strategic assets including strategic bombers are expected to be part of the exercise, and the ROK-US-Japan Ballistic Missile Defence drill has also been announced for later this month.

In response, on 7 March 2023, the held a press conference in front of the Yongsan Presidential Office and issued a joint statement. Military tensions on the Korean Peninsula are very high and are heading towards power-to-power confrontation without any measures to prevent a conflict. It is imperative that the ROK-US Combined Military Exercises are immediately suspended before they lead to a larger crisis. Suspending the ROK-US Combined Military Exercises could be a decisive step in reopening the door to dialogue and diplomacy between the two Koreas and the US and DPRK.

The joint statement was proposed by the <Korea Peace Appeal Campaign>, <Korea Peace Now Grassroots Network>, <Peace Treaty Now> and was endorsed by 745 South Korean organizations and 99 US and international civil society organizations. The statement was also delivered to the Office of the South Korean President and the US Embassy in Seoul.

ROK·US·International Civil Society Statement

Call to Resolve the Threat of War on the Korean Peninsula
and Suspend ROK-US Combined Military Exercises

As people who act for peace in South Korea, the US, and worldwide, we are deeply concerned about the elevating military tension on the Korean Peninsula. We must suspend all military actions, including ROK-US Combined Military Exercises.

Despite the opening toward peace through the Inter-Korean and DPRK-US Summits in 2018, the once-discontinued ROK-US Combined Military Exercises resumed in just a year, and the relationship between the two Koreas and the DPRK-US has progressively deteriorated. Last year, North Korea withdrew its four-year commitment to suspend nuclear tests and ICBM test launches because of the US hostile policy and military threats.

The situation is getting worse after the inauguration of the Yoon Suk-yeol government. Both the US and South Korea announced plans to expand the scale of ROK-US Combined Military Exercises and enhance the Extended Deterrence Strategy, and for the first time in 5 years, military exercises with aircraft carriers and strategic bombers have resumed on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea has also declared corresponding military operations and started military exercises. Although it was in the open sea, North and South Korea exchanged missile launches close to their rivals’ sea border, causing tensions to ratchet up even further. At that time, a failed missile launch from South Korea crashed in Gangneung, leaving the residents in the dark for hours, terrified. Moreover, North and South Korea have crossed the Military Demarcation Line by deploying unmanned aerial vehicles. At the 70th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice, the reality is that the armistice itself is at stake.

ROK and US authorities are claiming that the ROK-US Combined Military Exercises are annual defense drills, but the truth is different. It appears that the drills are based on operation plans that reportedly include pre-emptive strikes and decapitation measures against North Korea, large-scale deployment of US troops and strategic assets assuming an all-out war, etc. Over the last several decades, air force bombers like B-1B, B-2, and B-52 which are nuclear-capable, nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, nuclear-powered submarines, large-scale deployments of US-ROK troops, etc. were mobilized. Due to their size and character, the ROK-US Combined Military Exercises have intensified the military and political tension on the Korean Peninsula.

The ROK and US governments have given notice that they would carry out the most extensive field exercises in March by mobilizing the largest number of troops and strategic assets ever, and have already started several ROK-US Combined Military Exercises since January. ROK-US-Japan Military Cooperation has also developed to the level of a military alliance. North Korea is also taking military action, including missile drills, warning that “We will respond at all times and take strong overwhelming actions”.

The situation is rapidly moving toward great power confrontation with no countermeasures to prevent conflict. Large-scale military action mobilized with real weapons only increases the risk of accidental clashes. We know well how a show of force has led to war in the case of several countries. It is only a matter of time before an unprecedented military crisis or war transpires.

War exercises that heighten the threat of war on the Korean Peninsula must stop. We must acknowledge that isolation, military pressure, and sanctions have not accomplished peace and denuclearization in Korea but only brought about resistance from North Korea, and we must lay down our hostility.

Today, the entire world, including the Korean Peninsula, is facing complex crises such as climate, infectious disease, food, and economic crises. We cannot solve these crises unless we cooperate and stop blocization and military confrontations. In particular, the reality is that there is no information or controls on the carbon emitted during large-scale military training and war preparations, such as deploying strategic bombers. Military drills threaten the Earth and human beings, and they must stop.

We must end the Korean war that has afflicted all members of the Korean Peninsula for over 70 years, and redirect the cost of destructive weapons to solving inequality and the climate crisis. It is time to end hostility and confrontation and strive for a peaceful and sustainable world through reconciliation and cooperation.

The suspension of the ROK-US combined military exercises will play a decisive role in re-establishing the forum for dialogue and diplomacy between the two Koreas and between the DPRK and the US. We call on the ROK and US governments to choose wisely.

7 March 2023

Korea Peace Appeal Organizations in South Korea (745)

US Civil Society Organizations (48)
Action One Korea
American Peace Information Center
Answer Coalition
Atlanta Civic Action
Channing and Popai Liem Education Foundation
China-US Solidarity Network
Coalition of Koreans in America (CKA)
CODEPINK
Education Center for Tomorrow
Environmentalists Against War
Friends Peace Teams-Asia West Pacific
GA Peace Forum
Gandhi Alliance for Peace
Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space
HOA–Hawaiʻi Okinawa Alliance
Korea Peace Now Grassroots Network
Korea Peace Now!
Korea Policy Institute
Korean American National Coordinating Council, Inc.
Korean American Public Action Committee (KAPAC)
Korean Americans for the Progressive Party of Korea (KAPP)
KPNGN PNW
Maine Natural Guard
Massachusetts Peace Action
Military Poisons
MinKwon Center for Community Action
New England Korea Peace Campaign
NH Peace Action
Nodutdol for Korean Community Development
Parallax Perspectives
Peace Action
Peace Action of San Mateo County
Peaceworkers
Phil Berrigan Memorial Chapter Veterans For Peace
Presbyterian Peace Network for Korea
Proposition One Campaign for a Nuclear-Free Future
RootsAction
Seattle Evergreen Coalition
Show Up! America
The Least of These Church Justice & Peace Committee
Utah Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (UCAN)
Veterans For Peace, Spokane Chapter #35
Veterans For Peace’s Korea Peace Campaign
Washington Butterfly for Hope
Women Against War
Women Cross DMZ
Women for Genuine Security
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) US

International Civil Society Organizations (51)
6.15공동선언실천 해외측위원회
6.16공동선언실천 일본지역위원회
재일한국민주여성회
재일한국민주통일일연합 도쿄본부
재일한국민주통일일연합 중앙본부
한민족유럽연대
1923 Korea-Japan Citizens’ Solidarity
Blue Banner, Mongolia
Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Canada
Center for Peace Education, Philippines
Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies (CPCS), Cambodia
Commission 4 of the ILPS, Canada
Coop Anti-War Cafe Berlin, Germany
Freante Antiimperialista Internacionalista, Spain
German East Asia Mission (DOAM), Germany
Ingenieurkonsulent für Kulturtechnik und Wasserwirtschaft, Europe
International Peace Bureau (IPB), Germany
International Women’s Network against Militarism
Northeast Asia Regional Peacebuilding Institute (NARPI)
Peace Boat, Japan
Peace Depot Inc. Japan
Peace for East Asia (PEASIA), Canada
Peace Treaty Now (PTN)
Peace Women Across The Globe (PWAG), Switzerland
Peace Women Partners, Philippines
Prutehi Litekyan Save Ritidian, Guam
Queen’s Collegiate, Canada
Stop the War Coalition Philippines
The Hwamok Fellowship
The United Church of Canada
Unity of Women for Freedom – Philippines
Women Against Nuclear Power, Finland
Women for Peace, Finland
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)
Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) Kyoto
World Beyond War
福岡県日朝協会
原水爆禁止日本国民会議
日本朝鮮学術教育交流協会
日朝友好連帯群馬県民会議
日朝友好連帯埼玉県民会議
日朝友好連帯千葉県の会
日朝友好神奈川県民会議
朝鮮女性と連帯する日本婦人連絡会
朝鮮学校「無償化」排除に反対する連絡会
朝鮮の自主的平和統一支持する京都委員会
朝鮮の自主的平和統一を支持する日本委員会
朝鮮の自主的平和統一を支持する長野県民会議
平和憲法を守る荒川の会
戦争への道を許さない北・板橋・豊島の女たちの会
フォーラム平和・人権・環境

For the Korean version see here

Signature Campaign to End the Korean War
Sign the Korea Peace Appeal Now
endthekoreanwar.net

The post ☮️ Suspend the ROK-US Combined Military Exercises appeared first on 참여연대.

Peace/Disarmament, PSPD in English, Freedom Shield, Military, pspd, ROK, US, Warrior Shield

화, 2023/03/07- 18:53

참여연대, 권력감시

PSPD English Newsletter, January/February 2020

This Month of PSPD

January/February 2020

Inquiry of exercising and preparing active stockholder’s rights of National Pension according to stewardship code

In July 2018, as the Ministry of Health and Welfare adopted “Principles on Institutional Investor’s Fiduciary Duties”(Stewardship Code), it announced that by 2020 all preparation for active stockholder’s rights would be ready. However, the ministry has been maintaining a passive attitude toward the backlashes against the code from the business sector. The National Pension hasn’t responded even though HYOSUNG, DAELIM, and other groups have engaged in continuous embezzlement and breach of trust. On the contrary, it has been making worrisome decisions like transferring the voting rights to consigned operators that are not free from the influences of the major companies.

With regard to this, the Center for Economic and Financial Justice has openly inquired about the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the National Pension Service’s performance, preparations, and future plans for carrying out stockholder’s activities according to the stewardship. The center has also urged the institutions to ask for reforms related to problematic companies, to exercise the veto to problematic director candidate’s serve of consecutive terms, to recommend independent outside director candidates, and to proactively confront the voting rights’ commission.

The pension funds of the U.S. that stand at the forefront of capitalism are actively implementing stewardship codes. While the business sector is resisting by pointing to this as “pension socialism,” this is ill-naturedness that wants investment but no interference. The voting rights of National Pension are protected by the Commercial Law. In operating the pension, which consists of people’s retirement savings, the business sector should not be the only influential parties among those involved.

Since there is not enough time to prepare until the regular meeting of shareholders (March of this year) PSPD will also do our best for the Ministry of Health and Welfare and National Pension Service to focus on the establishment and implementation of the stewardship code.

Issue report: Apartments of Seoul - Increased Comprehensive Real Estate Holding Tax in contrast to 2018-2019 market price increase, only 0.8%

Is controversy against “immense” Comprehensive Real Estate Holding Tax reasonably backed? According to the analysis of 24,450 houses that exceed the price of 900 million won per household, the total real estate tax in 2019 increased by 820,000 won from the previous year. The average real estate tax for this year increased by 210,000 won.

While 60% of those objected to this tax is within the section where the tax ratio hasn’t increased through the amendment process of the tax law, the increased tax from these houses is only an average of 250,000 won. Comparing this to how much house prices have increased over a single year, this is absurdly low.

On the other hand, the 4,906 houses that have been traded between Jan and Sept of 2019, exceeding over 900 million won, showed a price increase of 14.35 million won compared to the previous year. The change in the amount of tax was about 670,000 won. The average change in the comprehensive real estate tax compared to the increase in the market price is only 0.8%.

Even though the comprehensive real estate tax code have been strengthened in 2018, the tax burden is too low to suppress speculative demands for real estate. The Center for Tax Reform will continue to act to prevent real estate speculations and just taxation to unearned income.

Candlelight movement against U.S.’s unreasonable cost of U.S. military presence

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Negotiations on the 11th Special Measures Agreement (SMA) are underway to determine the share of US Forces in Korea in 2020. As reported, the U.S. has demanded ROK pay $5 billion (6 trillion Korean won), which is six times the amount in 2019 (1.04 trillion won). According to the Status of Forces Agreement between ROK and the U.S., the US is responsible for stationary fees, while ROK is to only supply facilities and land. Going further, the U.S. is demanding the spectrum beyond what SMA framework covers: labor costs, logistics costs, and construction costs.

It has been reported that Washington is asking Seoul to cover U.S. costs for personnel and their families, joint training sessions, equipment operations like THAAD, rotation of deployment, and exercises outside of ROK but related to the defense of the Korean peninsula. This is to pass on the costs of carrying out the global hegemonic strategy, including the costs of the India-Pacific strategy, to Korea. It is a threat to peace in East Asia beyond the Korean Peninsula.

The PSPD Center for peace and disarmament held a panel discussion at the National Assembly last November exploring the fundamental problems of the SMA and ways to deal with the 11th Agreement. In December, civil society organizations including PSPD held two candlelight movements at Gwanghwamun square to denounce the U.S. for imposing unfounded defense costs for the U.S. military presence in Korea.

No more crawling 5G speeds! 7 users file a dispute settlement

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While 5G telecommunication services have been commercialized, the 5G is constantly interrupted. The service started with 60,000 base stations, which is only 7% of LTE. Something that comes as a bigger surprise is the fact that the three telecommunication companies and the Ministry of Science and ICT approved the 5G network despite its anticipated incompleteness. The PSPD Center for People’s Livelihood Improvement, along with seven civilians who have been poor service despite high bills, filed a dispute to the Korea National Council of Consumer Organization to discount or prorate bills until normalized services are made available, and to allow the change of bill plans without penalty charges.

The seven users who participated in the dispute settlement have also complained about the poor customer service from the carriers, receiving answers such as, “we can’t do anything, we’re opening a base station, please wait” and “Use LTE priority mode”. In addition, the government agency said, “Did you sign the contract with the carrier that said there could be a communication failure?”

The three big telecommunication service providers should actively participate in the mediation process, and enact practical measures like marking down the bills 10,000 - 20,00 won to the level of LTE until the 5G service stabilizes, or exempt penalty fees for cancellation of current plans. Adding on to this, the Ministry of Science and ICT who is responsible for management and oversight should act responsibly for the mediation to go well. The Center for People’s Livelihood Improvement will stay with the topic until enough measures are put into place.

2019 Homeless Memorial Ceremony

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Civil society groups have held a homeless tribute every year since 2001. The Social Welfare Committee also joined forces in remembrance of homeless parties who had to end their lives in poor residences on streets, facilities, side rooms, and testimonials throughout the year and to restore homeless rights. From December 16th to 20th, we decided on <2019 Homeless Remembrance Week> and held various activities on December 22nd.

While some support measures like homeless welfare laws have been put into places as a result of various groups’ long activities, these have not reached far enough to changes in the lives of these people. Most of all, the biggest problem is the missing residential rights that constitute the very basis for restoring a humanlike life. We have been calling for an installment of living and safety standards for all inadequate residential facilities including Gosiwon, and plans for policies for the homeless to be able to live in adequate houses. Adding to that, we asked the government to make plans for death prevention of homeless and at the same time try to guarantee the right to health.

Visit of Rohingya refugees camp in Bangladesh

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The most persecuted ethnic group, Muslim minorities who live in the northwest Arakan region of Myanmar, have been under deeply rooted discrimination and persecution for the last forty years. In 2016, the military and police of Myanmar, under the nominal reason of suppressing the Rohingya armed forces who have attacked a guard post of police, legitimized beating, killing, torturing, arbitrary imprisonment and punishment, mass rape, arson, and plunder. Even in 2017, a large scale operation of ethnic cleansing was conducted, killing tens of thousands. The villages were on fire, and Rohingya refugees, being victimized to mass rapes and assaults, set off on their routes of refugees. They arrived at a refugee camp in Cox Bazar, Bangladesh.

Ms. Eunkyung Cheon of PSPD Center for International Solidarity came back from a trip to the world’s biggest refugee camp, where about a million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar are staying. In order to spur attention and solidarity from the Korean society about Rohingya issues, the Korean Civil Society in Solidarity with the Rohingya and PSPD have hosted a Rohingya genocide memorial ceremony, special lecture with UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar, talk with activists from the Free Rohingya Coalition, an international conference, and other various activities.

She attended the workshop for three days with ADI’s Rohingya activists who have been publishing genocide records per village. Fund for international partnerships, PSPD also supported essential electronic equipment to the activists like laptop computers and tablets. The latter three days were visits to the refugee camp, and meeting about a hundred survivors from six villages. Peoples of Rohingya who testified ruthless slaughter beneath swarming with flies, stanching air, flickering lightbulbs from the unstable electricity supply, have wanted not simple ‘support’ but ‘justice’.

Just during the trip, Aung San Suu Kyi has defended Myanmar’s military against genocide allegations made at International Court of Justice(ICJ) amid accusations of mass killings, rape, and expulsion of the Rohingya Muslim minority, and she was able to watch the scenes with the camp residents and hear what they have to say about this. After returning from the camp, she contributed related content to the Kyunghyang Newspaper and called for people’s attention in Korea. PSPD will continue to stand with the Rohingya until the Rohingya can go back to their home.

http://www.peoplepower21.org/index.php?mid=Magazine&page=2&document_srl=... target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Korean Version>>

Newsletter

월, 2020/02/17- 18:54

PSPD English Newsletter, Jan/Feb 2023

This Month at PSPD

PSPD held the 2022 Public Interest Whistleblower Award Ceremony

Since 2010, the Public Interest Reporting Support Center of the People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD) has been holding ‘The Whistle-blower of the Year Award’ every year to honor and recognize the whistle-blowers’ courage and dedication to the public interest. This year, 12 whistleblowing cases that were recommended by congresspeople, national organizations, civic groups, and journalists were reviewed. Three teams were announced as winners and two candidates as special awards on December 9th this year. The winners of the whistleblower award of the year are those who reported the corruption of the Smart School business at Uchon Elementary School, those on the human rights violations of the disabled living in Seongrakwon, and those on the leakage of radioactive material from the spent nuclear fuel storage tank at Wolseong Nuclear Power Plant. Special awards were given to two candidates who were first-generation whistleblowers for the contribution they made to the protection of whistleblowers in Korea. These candidates had resisted illegal and unfair instructions by the government and enacted the Anti-Corruption Act in an era when the word “whistleblower” was not very well known in Korea.

Revise Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union And Labor Relations Adjustment Act(TULRAA)!

On December 9, the general strike of the cargo union ended. The 16-day strike not only confirmed the poor treatment that cargo workers face but also revealed that the discussions on the “safe-rates system” and “expansion of goods” have not proceeded properly despite agreements made between the Cargo Truckers Solidarity union and the government in June. It is critical time to address the chronic problem of cargo workers’ long working hours, which will ultimately threaten the safety of workers and citizens. However, the Yoon administration chooses to respond with both anti-labor and hostile measures. The “back-to-work” order, which aroused controversies for being anti-constitutional, was issued, and a lawsuit against cargo unions for compensation for damage was mentioned by the Yoon Administration. Meanwhile, it has been almost a month since the ‘TULRAA Article 2·3 Revision Movement Headquarters’ launched a hunger strike for the guarantee of labor rights for all workers. PSPD is also working with the “TULRAA Article 2·3 Revision Movement Headquarters” as PSPD’s co-representatives, executives, and full-time activists have joined the hunger strike.

State audit on the relocation of the presidential office by the request of citizens, only partly accepted.

Last October, 700 citizens submitted an audit request for the inspection of the relocation of the presidential office, but the state auditor has only accepted parts of the requests, It still is a great achievement made by PSPD members and citizens, as it was the first inspection by the state audit on the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, but the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) decided to dismiss key claims—alleged violations of the National Finance Act due to waste of the national budget and legitimacy related to the presidential office’s employee recruitment. We cannot let the BAI act like a pawn for the president. We will keep urging the BAI to do proper inspections and keep working to get to the bottom of the presidential compound relocation process.

Shout for peace on the Korean Peninsula with the Nobel Peace Prize winners!

The Campaign to End the War on the Korean Peninsula asked former Nobel Peace Prize winners, who visited Gangwon-do to attend the <Nobel Peace Prize World Summit>, to work together for an end to the Korean War and peace on the Korean Peninsula. The representative of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (awarded in 2017), founder of the Tunisian National Dialogue Quartet Organization (awarded in 2015), representative of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (awarded in 1985), Lima Bowie (awarded in 2011), etc have joined in the joint press conference (December 13) and shouted, “Let’s achieve peace on the Korean Peninsula and take a step toward world peace.”

Welcoming the enactment of the delivery unit price linkage system that has been delayed for 14 years

The “delivery unit price linkage system,” which had been delayed for 14 years, was finally passed. The delivery unit price linkage system is a system that allows raw material price fluctuations to be reflected in the delivery unit price in transactions between prime contractors and subcontractors. This system is expected to alleviate the hardships of small and medium-sized businesses. Last September, PSPD proposed through the National Assembly members an amendment to the Fair Transactions in Subcontracting Act, which covers not only raw materials but also labor costs. We will continue to work on further legislation.

Introducing the “sparkly” research of a budding researcher

Since 2018, the Participatory Society Research Institute has established and supported the ‘Twinkle Twinkle Distinguished Thesis Award’ to support emerging researchers who are raising their critical voices in the humanities and social sciences. Three winners and one honorable mention were selected among the research papers that shed light on the lives of minorities and the underprivileged. Congratulations to those who won the prizes! Also, we would like to express our gratitude to the 6,365 citizens who showed their support by raising funds for the “Kakao Together Value.” The award-winning papers can be viewed on the PSPD website.

Consolation, determination, and hope!

On the evening of December 15, the year-end party was held at the People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD) for the first time in three years. Despite the sudden cold weather, thankfully, many still came to participate. Together, we wrote down the lists of wishes for the coming years and tied them up to the branches of a wish tree. We prepared a time to express our special thanks to the information desk volunteer members, who are always reliable and there for us, and also to the four sisters who became members of PSPD all together this year. We send our thanks to the members who have been strong supporters of the PSPD this year. We hope to have another great year with you!

Translated by a PSPD Volunteer

The post PSPD English Newsletter, Jan/Feb 2023 appeared first on 참여연대.

Newsletter, PSPD in English

월, 2023/02/06- 18:57

[토론회] 변호사시험을 점검한다 - 종합적 검토 (4/16 2시)

<div class="xe_content"><h1>변호사시험을 점검한다 - 종합적 검토 -</h1> <h3>□ 일시: 2019년 4월 16일(화) 14:00-18:00</h3> <h3>□ 장소: 국회의원회관 제2세미나실</h3> <h3>□ 주최 : 법학전문대학원교수협의회, 국회의원 이재정, 참여연대 사법감시센터</h3> <h3> </h3> <img alt="'변호사시험을 점검한다' 토론회 현장 사진" src="http://www.peoplepower21.org/files/attach/images/37219/447/585/001/5dbf…; style="width:800px;height:600px;" /> '변호사시험을 점검한다' 토론회 현장 사진(사진제공 = 참여연대) <h3>□ 초대의 말씀</h3> 2009년 4월에 로스쿨 체제가 출범한 지 만으로 10년이 지났습니다. 그동안 적지 않은 성과가 있었습니다만, 아직 정상궤도에 오르지 못했다는 우려의 목소리가 큰 것도 사실입니다. 2011년 9월 2일에 창립된 법학전문대학원교수협의회(법전교협)는, 지나온 10년을 종합적으로 점검하고 다가올 새로운 10년을 대비하기 위해 현재의 시점에서 무엇보다 필요한 것은 변호사시험 제도를 전면적으로 점검하는 것이라고 판단합니다. 이에 법전교협은 4회 연속 기획으로 변호사시험 제도 전반에 대한 다양한 측면에서의 점검을 순차적으로 진행하고, 그 결과물을 백서로 도출하려고 합니다. 이번에는 그 첫 단계로서 변호사시험 제도를 종합적으로 검토하는 기회를 가지고자 합니다. 여러 가지로 바쁘시겠지만 부디 참석하시어 양질의 법률가를 양성을 목표로 출발한 로스쿨 체제의 안정적 발전을 위한 노력에 힘을 보태주실 것을 삼가 당부드립니다. - 2019. 4. 법학전문대학원교수협의회 상임대표 한상희 □ 프로그램 14:00 - 14:20 등 록 14:20 - 14:40 식전행사 사 회: 김종철 교수(법전교협 공동대표/연세대 법전원) 개회사: 한상희 교수(법전교협 상임대표/건국대 법전원) 인사말: 국회의원 이재정 인사말: 민만기 법전원협의회 부협회장/성균관대 법전원 14:40 - 18:00 토론회 사 회 김종철 교수(법전교협 공동대표/연세대 법전원) 발제 제1주제 (14:40 - 15:10) ‘로스쿨 10년’ : 수(數) 통제의 흑역사 김창록 (법전교협 공동대표/경북대 법전원) 발제 제2주제 (15:10 - 15:40) 변호사시험에 관한 외국 사례 연구 : 최근 미국의 동향을 중심으로 박종현 (국민대 법과대학) 발제 제3주제 (15:40 - 16:10) 변호사시험 자격시험화를 위해 한상희 (법전교협 상임대표/건국대 법전원) 휴 식 (16:10 – 16:30) 종합토론 (16:30 – 18:00) 발제 오현정 (법무법인 향법, 변호사), 이성진 (법률저널, 기자), 최유경 (한국법제연구원, 연구위원), 이경수 (법조문턱낮추기실천연대 공동대표) ※ 위 프로그램은 변경될 수 있습니다. 보도자료<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/11qM5oil1xPTqU6GEaiQDwuP1gGQ9ZI5pkw2…; rel="nofollow"> [원문보기/다운로드]</a> 토론회 자료집<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y9dX-rtDWoOwSaEh8HmJKot0E0sPhnIC/view?…; rel="nofollow"> [원문보기/다운로드]</a> <img alt="20190416_웹자보_변시토론회.png" src="http://www.peoplepower21.org/./files/attach/images/37219/641/521/001/52…; /></div>

로스쿨, 변호사시험, 변시, 법전원, 권력감시

화, 2019/04/16- 11:19

PSPD English Newsletter, November 2017

People Power 2017

This month of PSPD

시민들의 의견

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ROK·US·International Civil Society Statement

Call to Resolve the Threat of War on the Korean Peninsulaand Suspend ROK-US Combined Military Exercises

This Month of PSPD

Inquiry of exercising and preparing active stockholder’s rights of National Pension according to stewardship code

Issue report: Apartments of Seoul - Increased Comprehensive Real Estate Holding Tax in contrast to 2018-2019 market price increase, only 0.8%

Candlelight movement against U.S.’s unreasonable cost of U.S. military presence

No more crawling 5G speeds! 7 users file a dispute settlement

2019 Homeless Memorial Ceremony

Visit of Rohingya refugees camp in Bangladesh

This Month at PSPD

PSPD held the 2022 Public Interest Whistleblower Award Ceremony

Revise Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union And Labor Relations Adjustment Act(TULRAA)!

State audit on the relocation of the presidential office by the request of citizens, only partly accepted.

Shout for peace on the Korean Peninsula with the Nobel Peace Prize winners!

Welcoming the enactment of the delivery unit price linkage system that has been delayed for 14 years

Introducing the “sparkly” research of a budding researcher

Consolation, determination, and hope!

Call to Resolve the Threat of War on the Korean Peninsula
and Suspend ROK-US Combined Military Exercises