People Power 2017, This Month of PSPD
 

It’s been three months since Moon administration started its sailing. PSPD is making every effort to propose good policies and promote reforms in order for the new government to respond to wishes of candle citizens. At the same time, it would not hesitate to fight against powers which interfere with reforms of the government or the National Assembly.

It is the 30th Anniversary of June Democracy Movement this year. Together with 5.18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, they provided a foundation to start democracy in Korea. Taking this opportunity, we would like to express sincere respect and gratitude for who have been sacrificed or had tribulation while fighting for the democracy in Korea, human rights and livelihood of the people.
  
 
Project to support livelihood of whistle blowers 

Whistle blowers have contributed to reveal the truth but many of them get fired or discriminated afterwards. Succeeding from last year, PSPD carries out ’2017 project to support whistle blowers’ for who suffer from financial and psychological difficulties. Living expenses of two million won for six months to the maximum is paid to who lost income by dismissal or discharge and legal and psychological help are provided if required. It is a support program of the Beautiful Foundation, and Minbyun, Civil Society Organizations Network in Korea, Human Rights Medical Institute and PSPD cooperate to implement. PSPD will keep trying to do its best to build a society where whistle blowers are protected.

 
The Board of Audit and Inspection of Korea commences the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) audit

PSPD has requested public interest audit for the MOFA and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) on 19 April in respect to concealing and deleting Korea AID project (ODA projects in Africa) documents and records. On 16 June, PSPD received a letter from the Board of Audit and Inspection of Korea that the audit has begun. Despite of having responsibility to prevent internal corruption and control wrongdoing, the MOFA kept silence and let people’s tax to be abused to pursue personal interest through ODA project. Furthermore, the MOFA ordered KOICA to delete related documents and data, and even conceal them despite of involvement of the Blue House and Mir Foundation in Korea Aid project was revealed during National Assembly Audit last September. Monopolizing national administration committed by Park Geun-hye and Choi Sun-sil has been found in various fields but not all revealed yet. Through this audit, all corruption has to be found concerning Korea Aid and responsibility must be asked to public servants for illegal and unjust acts so that the same thing does not happen in the future.

  
Kimpo screen horseracing plan withdrawn
It’s been more than 1,500 days since demonstration started to stop screen horseracing from Yongsan in order to sustain peaceful residential area and safe school environment. Screen horseracing should be kicked out from Yongsan to restore safe and peaceful surrounding. Fortunately, Kimpo screen horseracing planned by Korea Racing Authority was dropped out. Therefore, horseracing matter in Yongsan and Wolpyongdong of Daejeon has to be resolved soon, too.
Kim Young-rok, a candidate for ministry of agriculture and fishery responded on 28 June at hearing that screen horseracing in Yongsan needs to be moved. Hence, Moon administration is expected to take actions as soon as possible as follow. △ Reconsider gambling and speculation business from scratch △ Reduce speculation industry and enhance regulation on state speculation projects to reduce harms and abuses △ Closedown of screen horseracing in Yongsan and Daejeon.

  
People encircled the US Embassy demanding to withdraw THAAD deployment

THAAD deployment threats the peace of Korean peninsula and increases tension in Northeast Asia so that people keep protesting to stop THAAD deployment which will be used by US in Korea. There has been constant struggle of residents in Kimcheon and Seongju of Gyeongbuk province and protest of religious field including Won Buddhism is getting stronger. That is because THAAD has no benefits but harms. It worsens the relationship not only with North Korea but also with China. It also increases financial burden and destroys regional community.
Therefore, people gathered in Seoul Square on 24 June and shouted out ‘Go away THAAD, Come Peace’. ‘National Action to Stop THAAD deployment in Korea’ filed an injunction and Seoul Administration Court allowed the demonstration to encircle US Embassy on 23 June for the very first time in history. Hence, participants peacefully surrounded the US Embassy making human belt and delivered a message to US ‘Don’t force THAAD deployment’. PSPD will actively continue with actions to stop THAAD, improve South-North Korean relationship and achieve peace in Korean peninsula in cooperation with people who love peace.

Problems with Special employment labor must be settled

Have you ever heard a word ‘Special employment labor‘? How is it different from regular workers? The fundamental problem is that they are forced to gain an owner or self-employer status that they are not entitled to exercise three basic labor rights. For instance, cargo drivers, construction heavy machine workers, parcel deliveryman, workbook teachers, after-school teachers, insurance salesman, golf caddie, broadcast writers, work-at-home postman, they are all categorized as special employment labor and exist in various industries and jobs. Although their works are same as ordinary workers, they are not recognized as they are and not protected by labor laws such as Basic Labor Standard and Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act.

Labor Society Committee of PSPD, Special Employment Labor Council of Korea Confederation of Trade Union and Minbyun held a press conference on 27 June requesting to secure three basic labor rights for special employment labor, and submitted a letter of opinion to National Administration Planning Advisory Committee urging to include this matter in national reform tasks of the new government.

Recently, National Human Rights Commission released recommendation to secure labor rights of special employment labor. Therefore, the government and the National Assembly should start working to change regulations accepting the recommendation.
 

Urge to dispose privatizing railways and integrate Railway Service and Rail Network Authority
Moon government has established ‘National Administration Planning Advisory Committee’ and started to select tasks to fulfill election promises. ‘Civil society for Making Railways for Public Interest’ which is consisted of 213 civil and social organizations including Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice, PSPD and YMCA presented a statement on 20 June demanding to adopt policy that enhances public interest and safety of railway service, and delivered a letter of opinion to the National Administration Planning Advisory Committee.

President Moon agreed to integrate Korea Railway Service and Korea Rail Network Authority at policy response session on 14 April and gave reasons as follow.  ① There is no synergy in terms of railway rental fee, station area development but creates conflicts between authorities. ② Separating facility management and maintenance increases accidents threatening railway safety ③ Integration is unavoidable in terms of national competitiveness ④ Technology is much behind advanced states and integration can be a breakthrough. They are all what Civil Society for Making Railways for Public Interest has been insisting.

The Civil Society will actively urge and work together for Moon government to include the integration in national tasks and execute it at the early stage of his term in order to strengthen public interest and international competitiveness of Korea Railway. 
 

People Power 2017

This month of PSPD

December has already come. Though winter is cold, I believe that you have lots of warm memories for this year. A former president Park Geun-hye, a culprit of monopolizing national administration has been arrested by the power of a great civil candle revolution and Lee Jae-yong, a vice chairman of Samsung is in prison after being sentenced for 5 years at the first trial. Cleaning out deep-rooted evils and corruptions are in process and still there are many things to be done since conservative and privileged people in power systematically disturb the process.

Nevertheless, we have to keep walking the long path towards righteous and fair society bravely and decisively.

PSPD will do the best even on the last day of the year.

Discussion held in respect to the 4th and the last recommendation of UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to Korean government

UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) has conducted deliberation and given the 4th and the last recommendation to Korean government on 9 October. It has been in 8 years since the last recommendation was made in 2009. It is very meaningful in a sense that the committee inspected status of Korea and provided specific measures for improvement. Hence, a forum <Significance and measures to realize recommendations of UN CESCR> was held on 20 November at the National Assembly by National Human Rights Commission of Korea which have involved in deliberation process and ‘NGO groups to respond to UN CESCR’s recommendations’.

Court supported PSPD’s appeal and ordered the police to compensate for interrupting Sewol Ferry memorial march

In April 2015, PSPD has taken a legal action against the police for damage and compensation in regard to giving unlawful order to dismiss the memorial march which was held to remember the 1st year of Sewol Ferry disaster. Seoul Central District Court upheld PSPD’s appeal confirming the ruling of the first trial on 22 November and decided compensation of 300,000won each to 22 activists and executives of PSPD. It said, even though a part of march took place not in the course reported in advance, it does not make the whole march illegal. It is the confirmation of leading cases of the first trial and supreme court that the police was not supposed to order dismissal as far as march has neither direct threat or/and harm to other’s benefit, nor protection of the law or/and public order and safety. The police should not waste judicial resources by appealing but admit its responsibility. Furthermore, some alterations must be allowed and accepted in terms of march route and hours different from what are being reported in advance so that rallies and marches do not get interrupted or unfairly dismissed.

Urge Paris Baguette to hire bakers directly

Recently, it became a big issue that Paris Baguette has employed more than 5,000 bakers at business outlets nationwide in the form of illegal dispatch. Labor and Social Committee of PSPD is actively participating in a solidarity of more than 60 organizations <Civil and social committee to settle down Paris Baguette’s illegal dispatch and to secure labor rights of the youth labor> and urging Paris Baguette headquarter to accept direct employment measure of the Ministry of Employment and Labor as soon as possible.

Who owns DAS? Corruptions and allegations on a former president Lee Myung-bak must be investigated promptly

People are paying attention closely to corruptions and illegal conducts of a former president Lee myung-bak including DAS scandal. There are various allegations from political manipulation carried out by National Intelligent Service and cyber commander of the Army to serious economic crimes such as tax evasion, embezzlement and breach of trust. 

In particular, a special prosecutor Jeong Ho-young has confirmed that borrowed-name accounts are belong to DAS. As Article 5 of Real Name Financial Transaction Act states, all deposits in those accounts are assets not under real name so that interests and dividend income were supposed to be taxed at the rate of 99% including local tax. If weren’t, it still can be done now. Furthermore concealing offshore accounts are connected with following violations and crimes in general. ▲ Tax evasion under「Punishment of Tax Offences Act」▲ Violation of obligation to report overseas financial accounts under「Adjustment of International Taxes」 ▲ Violation of obligation to report foreign currency transaction under「Foreign Exchange Transactions Act」 ▲ Tax evasion under「Aggravated Punishment on Specific Crimes Act」 ▲ Flight domestic property under「Aggravated Punishment of Specific Economic Crimes Act」 and 「Act on the prevention of Flight of Domestic Property ▲ Accepting and Concealing criminal property under「Regulation and Punishment of Criminal Property Concealment」. PSPD has been shocked by endless list while listing up allegations on MB related financial allegations. Therefore, PSPD urges authorities for comprehensive and complete investigation including prosecutors, National Tax Service, Ministry of Strategy and Finance, Financial Service Commission and Financial Supervisory Service.  

Preparatory Committee for Civil Peace Court to find the truth of civilian massacre by Korean military during Vietnam War

A press conference to establish preparatory committee for <Civil Peace Court to find the truth on civilian massacre by Korean military during Vietnam War> was held on 21 November at the Press Center. The Committee pointed out that in spite of allegation has been raised for the last 20 years that Korean soldiers killed civilian, there have been no measures taken to find facts followed by responsible actions. It also explained the plan to hold civil peace court in Seoul next April when the massacre becomes 50th year in order to bring the issue to the public and clarify legal responsibility of Korean government.

At the Civil Peace Court, plaintiffs would be civilians killed or hurt by Korea soldiers during Vietnam War and their bereaved families. Defendant would be Korea in the form of reparation by the state. Holing a court is expected to result followings. Strict standard (facts) will be applied to judge civilian slaughter and the value of the peace will be spread out through recalling true faces of Vietnam War which is regarded as the most unjust war in the late 20th Century (Peace). Admitting misconducts, giving sincere apology and taking all responsibilities (Honor) would make people to think about mature Korean Society. As Korea asks Japan to take legal responsibility concerning sex slaves for Japanese Army, Korea has to admit its faults and make an apology.

10th anniversary event for ‘School of youth activists for public interest’ 

It has been ten years since ‘School of Youth Activists for public interest’ started by youth intern program in 2008. 412 young people have participated in the youth intern program and the activist school (20 sessions in total), and more are waiting to participate this winter. It was great to see graduates at the anniversary event on 25 November.

Prosecutors demand severe punishment for 22 activists of 2016 General Election Network at the first trial for violating the Election Law.

Prosecutors demand from eight-month term in prison to fine of one to five million won to 22 activists of 2016 General Election Civil Network (Net) at the final trial of the first court on 20 November. National Election Commission reported the Net for violating the Election Law and Prosecutors and the Police excessively seized and searched office and houses on 12 April last year, just one day before 4.13 General Election. Now, they even demand severe punishment for simple participants. Obviously, it is an intention to give pressure to civil society which tried to increase rights of voters and also abuse of authority to oppress people who criticize power holders.

Saenuri party, a ruling power at that time politically offended the Net insisting power behind the curtain and impure political conspiracy. However, it has been revealed that the Blue House mobilized and systematically supported conservative groups and got them to move against rallies and candidates of opposition party in order for them to lose at the General Election. Because the Net carried out voters movements and campaign ‘Don’t vote him/her’ completely by its free will and for the public interests, Park Geun-hye and Saenuri Party did not like how it worked and targeted it. The court should rule that the Net is innocence since their activities had abided the law. Moreover, National Assembly’s special committee for political reform must abolish toxic articles such as article 90 and 93 of the Election Law and slanders against candidates. 

People Power 2017
This month of PSPD

It is still hot like summer but September has come already. I hope you wisely spent the hot summer. Hereby PSPD present its activities waiting for cool breeze to come after typhoon goes by. The report includes activities in July in accordance with that magazine <Participatory Society> July and August are bound up in one volume.

Reported Lee Geon-hee, chairman of Samsung Group for violating Real Name Financial Transaction and Confidentiality

On 3 August, PSPD reported Lee Geon-hee, a chairman of Samsung Group for violating ‘Regulation and Punishment of Criminal Proceeds Concealment’ and ‘Real Name Financial Transaction and Confidentiality’. He has opened accounts under other names for the purpose of hiding illegal assets and laundering money and issued cheques to pay construction of his residence and Samsung Seoul Hospital. 

<KBS 60 minutes> reported the allegation last May that cheques paid for construction of Samsung owners’ Hannam-dong residence were from slush fund. In that report, an insider of Samsung Electronic explained that some were issued from Lee Geon-hee or borrowed-name accounts which were found by a special prosecutor Cho Jun-woong but others were from unconfirmed accounts.

A regulation to punish borrowed-name financial transaction which takes place to conceal illegal assets and launder money has become in effect from 29 November 2014. Therefore, it is punishable if cheques from borrowed-name accounts were used after 29 November 2014. PSPD has already requested Financial Service Commission to investigate Samsung slush funds on 27 July.      

Published policy book discussing problems associated with Article 11 of Assembly and Demonstration Act and suggesting measures

PSPD has informed the police to hold ‘Competition of writing a letter of appeal to the President’ in front of Yeonpoong Gate of the Blue House in October last year but it was rejected on the ground of Article 11 of Assembly and Demonstration Act which prohibits assembly within 100 meter radius from the Blue House. 

Hence, PSPD filed a petition for annulment on the ground of infringing the freedom to Assemble but it was dismissed by Seoul Administration Court. The reason Article 11 prohibits is to protect president and his functions. However, a rally of writing a letter has no threat whatsoever so that applying it to that case is immoderate.

Though PSPD has received a very disappointing result from the first trial, it will appeal and try to improve excessive application of the law. On the other hand, PSPD has published a policy book <Assemble where can be heard and seen> on 21 August discussing problems of Assembly and Demonstration Act and suggesting improvement measures.   

[Refresh Korea] published

[Refresh Korea, 70 key words to open the door for candle reform and democracy] has been published in mid-July. It talks about directions and visions of Korean society after candle civil revolution and suggests policies in detail. It could be regarded as a revision of <Repair the nation out of order> printed around 2012 presidential election.

A publisher introduces it as “Blueprints of national reform and new democracy put away in good order by PSPD wishing the candle revolution initiated by a sovereign can bear fruitful results”. Cho Jeong-rae, a writer and a member of PSPD commented in a word of recommendation that ‘<Refresh Korea> provides a specific new direction for how to repair and change destroyed and seriously ailing nation to where everyone lives happily’. A weekly magazine <Hankyoreh 21, ver. 1172> recommended it saying ‘A great textbook for citizens. The book all public library must have. Suitable for a ‘handbook’ compressed more than 500 pages. It is available in online and offline bookstores. 

‘No War’ press conference and flash mop held

North Korea is experimenting ICBM one after another, and relationship among South, North Korea and US are in conflict. Hence, PSPD and various civil and social organizations jointly held a press conference on 10 August and expressed concerns on increasing tension in Korean Peninsula. They urged to stop provocative military actions and try to talk without giving any condition. Moreover, they demanded not only to stop ulji Freedon Gudian (UFG) Korea-US joint military drill but also to limit roles of China and withdraw THAAD which accelerates arms race in Northeast Asia. 

When UFG drill started on 21 August, ‘Peace Flash Mop’ demonstration wishing for the peace took place in Seoul City Hall Square. A lot of people made a symbol of the peace and unfolded a banner ‘Peace, Not war’. No one including US and North Korea must say a word about the War.   

Requests further investigation to National Intelligence Service concerning allegations on mobilizing citizens for public opinion manipulation

In cooperation with Jinbo Network Center, PSPD presented 15 corruption incidents in June which National Intelligence Service must investigate. Clean out Task Force of NIS has investigated 13 cases and announced to confirm that citizens were mobilized to manipulate and control public opinions.

However, PSPD has pointed out some omitted allegations and sent a letter of request to NIS for supplementary investigation on 8 August. NIS said ‘Cyber Auxiliary Team’ had worked from May 2009 to end of 2012 but the Hankyoreh reported last April that ‘Alpha Team’ started in December 2008. Hence, manipulation activity from the start of Lee administration in March 2008 to May 2009 has to be investigated too.

PSPD will also suggest reform measures to cut down functions and authorities, and how to enhance watch and control over NIS. Finding illegal conducts and evading the law of NIS should be done by systematic reform. 

Selected 14 whistle blowers for public interest to provide living cost subsidy

Result of a project subsidizing living cost to whistle blowers for public interest was released on 23 August. Applications had been received from 19 June to 21 July from whistle blowers who have been dismissed from workplace or had contract terminated after whistle blowing. 14 have been selected through fair examination and they will receive from one million to two million won per month for the next six months. It is the second year of the project that 15 have received subsidies of 170 million won in total last year. It is funded by the Beautiful Foundation, and psychological treatment and legal consultation are also provided in cooperation with Institute for Medicine & Human Rights, Minbyun and Civil Society Organizations Network in Korea.

Wrongdoings reported by the recipients are various and all different. They include a public servant’s embezzlement of public money, public consigned organization’s embezzlement of government’s subsidy, violation of security regulation by public organization, infringing human right of the handicapped and children, corrupted private schools and educational institutes and their infringement on educational authority, illegal manufacture of food and medicine, distribution of illegal petrol and defective construction. PSPD has supported whistle blowers from its establishment and will prepare well for the coming 8th righteous citizen award and the night of whistle blowers. 

Sent a letter of opinion regarding to the Police reform towards democracy and human rights 

PSPD has sent a letter of opinion <Proposals for the police reform in order for democratic police and to stop human right infringement> to the Korean National Police Agency, Committee for police reform, the Blue House and the National Assembly on 19 July. First of all, it insists to decentralize the organization, decrease authorities, and to adopt democratic control. Measures were suggested as follow.   

△ Decentralize the police organization through autonomy △ Reform of National Police Commission in order to control the police in a democratic manner △ Separate investigation and administration △ Prohibit collecting security and policy information and abolish information bureau △ Stop collecting security information irrelevant to crime allegations and suspend security department tasks which do not have legal grounds. 

Furthermore, it also proposed measures to prohibit human right infringement at the site of assembly and demonstration as below. △ Stop exercising police authority which infringes the freedom to assemble and demonstrate △ Limit evidence collecting from assembly sites only to illegal conducts △ Suspend or minimize authority in collecting telecommunication data △ Stop watching citizens using CCTV installed for gathering traffic information. Fortunately, the Police Reform Committee has been established that PSPD will try to make opinions mentioned above to be reflected. 

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.

2017 Nobel Peace Laureate Announces Plan for Korean Denuclearisation

ICAN’s five steps to denuclearise the Korean peninsula

Speakers

• Beatrice Fihn, Executive Director of ICAN
• Akira Kawasaki, member of ICAN's International Steering Group

Location Pan Pacific Hotel, Singapore (level 2, Ocean 4 Meeting Room)

Time June 11, 12:00 PM Local

The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), the winner of the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize, will present a plan for the comprehensive, verifiable and permanent denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula at a press conference in Singapore on Monday, June 11. The Korean Peninsula Denuclearization Roadmap or “5R plan," was developed with input from leading nuclear disarmament experts from around the world. It lays out clear steps for the negotiating parties, Northeast Asia region, and the entire world to take in order to completely and irreversibly end the threat of nuclear war on the Korean Peninsula and in the region.

ICAN’s five steps to denuclearise the Korean peninsula

 

Peace is a complex process. If Trump and Kim really want tomorrow’s summit to do more than just capture the world’s attention, they must embark on a long-term plan to real and lasting peace. Denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula is possible, and can be achieved through following five steps:

 

1. Recognize the risk of nuclear use and the unacceptable humanitarian consequences of such use
2. Reject nuclear weapons by joining the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW)
3. Remove North Korea’s nuclear weapons through a verifiable and irreversible plan
4. Ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty
5. Rejoin the NPT and world community

 

Below, we give a brief description of what each step will entail. Or download the full roadmap including expert commentary.

 

Each step in a nutshell

 

#1 Recognize that nuclear weapons pose an unacceptable risk to humanity

The start to solving any problem is admitting that there is one. North Korea and the US must both recognize the risks and unacceptable humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons.

 

#2 Reject nuclear weapons, join the Nuclear Ban Treaty

Rather than risk the kind of disputes over verification and compliance that led to the collapse of previous talks, the United States and North Korea should agree to use a multilateral process through the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). The treaty, adopted by the UN in 2017, forbids the development, testing, possession, use, and threatening to use nuclear weapons. North and South Korea should immediately join the TPNW, rejecting any role for nuclear weapons in their security policies.

 

By joining the treaty, North Korea would commit to immediately cease any development, production, and manufacture of nuclear weapons, and irreversibly eliminating its nuclear weapons program. North Korea would be obliged to conclude and implement the highest level of IAEA non-proliferation safeguards.

 

South Korea would be obliged to reject the potential use of nuclear weapons on its behalf by the United States,i.e. to opt out of the US “nuclear umbrella”. The ROK would not have to end its military alliance with the United States; the TPNW does not prohibit military cooperation with nuclear-armed states and/or non-party states. The ROK could continue to rely on US extended deterrence, but not extended nucleardeterrence.

 

Together, these undertakings would denuclearise the Korean peninsula.

 

#3 Remove North Korea’s nuclear weapons in a verifiable and irreversible way

Under the TPNW, North Korea would work with a competent international authority to develop and implement a time-bound, verifiable, and irreversible plan for the total elimination of its nuclear-weapon programme. The international community would play a key role in this process by verifying the elimination of North Korea’s nuclear-weapon programme. While this is a big step, that obviously depends on North Korea’s full cooperation and willingness to disarm, verified destruction of the North Korea’s nuclear weapons could be accomplished in as little as a few years.

 

#4 Ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty

The United States and DPRK should both commit never to test nuclear weapons by ratifying the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. Ceasing all nuclear-weapon test explosions would provide an effective measure of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. As a legally-binding instrument founded on a robust verification system, the CTBT would also help overcome the trust deficit that is a real impediment to progress on denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula.

 

#5 Rejoin the NPT and world community

Following the elimination of its nuclear weapons, North Korea should rejoin the Non-Proliferation Treaty. The United States should pursue multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations as stipulated by NPT Article VI.

 

Download the full Roadmap here