[Statement] We Oppose THAAD System Deployment in South Korea
익명 (미확인) 님|화, 2016/02/16- 19:57
We Oppose THAAD System Deployment in South Korea
(Seoul, 16 February 2016) After North Korea conducted its 4th nuclear test and launched a long-range rocket, the governments of South Korea and the US officially announced plans to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in South Korea. We are gravely concerned about the negative impact of this planned deployment in South Korea, and strongly urge both governments to avoid deploying this weapon as it will escalate tension on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia, and create further problems related to the North Korean nuclear issue.
The problems we foresee include:
1. Escalation of Military Tension in Northeast Asia
We note with concern that deployment of THAAD in South Korea will make this nation officially part of the Northeast Asia Missile Defense system, led by the US and Japan. This will inevitably escalate military tension between the US-South Korea-Japan and North Korea-China-Russia and the nuclear arms race in the region.
The US and South Korean governments continue to argue that deployment of the THAAD system in South Korea is a response to the existence of North Korean nuclear weapons and missiles. However, THAAD is not an effective tool to defend against North Korean ballistic missiles targeting South Korea, due to its short range and low peak altitude.
Both governments also insist that China has no need to worry as THAAD radars can be fixed towards North Korea and deployed in terminal mode with low detectable range. However, a multitude of experts contend that it is easy to change terminal mode to forward-based mode, putting most Chinese territory under detectable range, regardless of THAAD’s location in South Korea.
We believe the main purpose of THAAD in South Korea will be to use the AN/TPY2 radar to identify and trace in the early stages any mid- to long-range ballistic missile from China or North Korea heading to the US mainland or US army bases in Japan or Guam. Based on information provided by the South Korean government to the US and Japan, the rate of interception by the US Missile Defense strategy will increase.
2. More Difficulty in Resolving Nuclear Issues on the Korean Peninsula
We emphasize that deployment of the THAAD system in South Korea will make it more difficult to resolve nuclear issues on the peninsula, especially due to the strong opposition from China. China has been managing North Korea’s brinkmanship diplomacy through coordination of the Six-Party Talks and support for or even pressure on North Korea. Deployment of THAAD in South Korea will remove the motivation for China to play an active role in continuing to manage North Korea’s nuclear activity or play a constructive role in reopening the 6-party talks. In addition, rather than resolving the North Korean nuclear issue, deploying THAAD in South Korea will justify to North Korea the importance of developing the quality and increasing the numbers of its nuclear weapons to overwhelm the missile defense system.
Fundamentally, the North Korean nuclear crisis is the result of hostile relations between North Korea and the US. These hostile relations on the Korean peninsula can be resolved through dialogue and negotiations between the relevant stakeholders, including North Korea and the US. /END/
Strongly denounces "hydrogen bomb testing of North Korea"
The Chosun Central Broadcasting of North Korea claimed through a special major report that it has successfully carried out its first hydrogen bomb test on 6 January. It is the 4th nuclear test. This time, the North Korea announced that it was hydrogen bomb, a more powerful weapon. The success of the test has yet to be confirmed but the North Korea clearly expressed its will to keep the regime with human extinction weapons by this test. It is very sad and miserable that North Korea relies on threatening not only the Korean Peninsula but also international society with mass destruction development in order to keep its regime. PSPD strongly denounces nuclear test of North Korea endangering the peace and the safety of whole Korean peninsula.
The North Korean government absurdly insists that a test is an arbitrary measure to secure the peace and the safety of the peninsula and the region. However, no state has the right to possess and test inhuman nuclear which is mass destructive and unlawful. As seen in the nuclear history, its development in the name of nuclear deterrence simply has accelerated nuclear race and endangered the peace and the security of human races. Without exception, nuclear tests of North Korea put the region in jeopardy and increase the probability of breakout of nuclear war.
In addition, we should question whether our current government has put diplomatic efforts and played a role to resolve nuclear matters of North Korea while the situation is getting worse up today. The government keeps saying nuclear of North Korea is a threat but it has failed to suggest a realistic measure to stop it. It has insisted and sustained that hostile disregard, sanctions and oppressions could deter but they haven’t worked out. Moreover, the argument that funding North Korea of past governments was led to nuclear development proves to be unpersuasive. The government easily mentions sanctions against North Korea but there is no good measure in fact.
Serious situation of nuclear tests of North Korea suggests that radical discussions are required to denuclearize the Korean Peninsula even if it is difficult. In other words, the Korean government and states in concerns should stop repeating current policies which have failed and urgently resume six party talk for the purpose of denuclearization of Northeast Asia.
South Korea: Reopen Kaesong Industrial Complex Immediately
(Seoul, 11 February 2016) On 10 February 2016, the South Korean government announced the closure of Kaesong Industrial Complex, citing North Korea’s 4th nuclear test and launching of a long-range rocket as reasons. However, South Korean civil society organisations emphasise that closure of Kaesong Industrial Complex is an absolutely improper measure. We call on the South Korean government to immediately reopen Kaesong Industrial Complex. It is not a time to immediately end relations with North Korea. Instead, we must find wise solutions to escape this cold period.
We note with concern that the closure of Kaesong Industrial Complex goes completely against the 2013 agreement between the two Koreas in which they each committed to continue operations at Kaesong Industrial Complex regardless of the political situation. This recent unilateral decision by the South Korean government is also a violation of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the two countries, which is a de facto international treaty.
The South Korean government argues that approximately 120 billion KRW (around 120 million USD) in wages paid to workers at Kaesong Industrial Complex has been used in development of nuclear weapons and missiles. This accusation has no grounds because most wages paid to North Korean workers are in the form of social and cultural policy funds and gift cards.
We deplore the South Korean government actions, which ignore the lives of the North Korean workers and difficulties faced by South Korean companies, around 120 of whom face bankruptcy as a result of the closure. While the South Korean government is discussing an alternative site for a factory and financial support, nothing can replace Kaesong Industrial Complex to companies. At the same time, the approximately 54,000 North Korean workers and their families are now at the edge of a precipice. They are not at all related to North Korea’s nuclear testing or long-range rocket launch.
It is obvious that additional sanctions will not resolve North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, as the past 20 years of sanctions against it have not been successful. It is clear that establishing a peace system and denuclearisation is the only effective solution, not simply repeating already-failed policies of sanctions. The South Korean government must reopen Kaesong Industrial Complex immediately. /END/
Endorsed by below 69 civil society organisations and networks:
Busan Counseling Center Against Sexual Violence, Busan Women's Association United, Cheonan Women's Association, Chungbuk Civil Society Organizations Network in Korea, Chungnam Civil Society Organizations Network in Korea, Citizens Coalition for Democratic Media, Civil Peace Forum, Civil Society Organizations Network in Korea, Cultural Action, Daegu Citizens Union for Peaceful Reunification, Daegu Gyeongbuk Women's Association United, Daegu Women's Association, Daejeon Civil Society Organizations Network in Korea, Daejeon Women's Association for Democracy, Daejeon Women's Association United, Eco Horizon Institute, Eco Justice, Goyang Peace Nuri, Green Korea United, Green Transport Movement, Gwangju Jeonnam Women's Association United, Gyeonggi Civil Society Organizations Network in Korea, Gyeonggi Women's Association United, Gyeongnam Civil Society Organizations Network in Korea, Gyeongnam Women's Association, Gyeongnam Women's Association United, Housewives Association, Jeju Women's Association, Jeju Women's Human Rights Solidairty, Jeonbuk Civil Society Organizations Network in Korea, Jeonbuk Women's Association United, Jeonnam Civil Society Organizations Network in Korea, Korea Association of Christian Women for Women Minjung, Korea Sexual Violence Relief Center, Korea Single Parent United, Korea Women's Hot Line, Korea Women's Political Solidarity, Korea Women's Studies Institute, Korea YMCA, Korea Youth Corps, Korean Association of Women Theologians, Korean Catholic Women's Community for a New World, Korean Differently Abled Women United, Korean Federation for Environmental Movement, Korean Sharing Movement, Korean Women Workers Association, Korean Women's Association United, Korean Women's Environmental Network, National Solidarity for Solving Prostitution Issues, Network for Gender Sensitive Budget, Peace Ground, Peace Network, Peace3000, People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, Pohang Women's Association, Pusan Women Education Center, Research Institute of the Differently Abled Person's Rights in Korea, Reunification Tree, Saewoomtuh, Suwon Women's Association, The National Association of Parents for Cham Education, Tongilmaji, Transparency International Korea, Ulsan Women's Association, Women Education Center, Women Making Peace, Women Migrants Human Rights Center of Korea, WomenLink, Young Korean Academy
This is an English version of “Sorrowful Homecoming” a documentary produced by “Team Witness” and uploaded twice on the website of the Korea Center for Investigative Journalism (Newstapa) on Mar. 2016.
This documentary include testimony as North Korean ‘comfort women’ victim who was raped by japanese military during the japanese colonial Rule.
Mr.Dakashi Ito who is japanese journalist shooted twice in 1999, 2015 when he visited North Korea.
This is an English version of “Sorrowful Homecoming” a documentary produced by “Team Witness” and uploaded twice on the website of the Korea Center for Investigative Journalism (Newstapa) on Mar. 2016.
This documentary include testimony as North Korean ‘comfort women’ victim who was raped by japanese military and ‘comfort station’ where the building countless innocent girls were raped by the japanese military during the japanese colonial Rule.
Mr.Dakashi Ito who is japanese journalist shooted twice in 1999, 2015 when he visited North Korea.
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:
Recognize the risk of nuclear use and the unacceptable humanitarian consequences of such use
Reject nuclear weapons by joining the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW)
Remove North Korea’s nuclear weapons through a verifiable and irreversible plan
Ratify the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty
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.
The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) is a coalition of non-governmental organizations in one hundred countries promoting adherence to and implementation of the United Nations nuclear weapon ban treaty. This landmark global agreement was adopted in New York on 7 July 2017. The campaign was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize 2017, for their “groundbreaking efforts to achieve a treaty-based prohibition” of nuclear weapons. PSPD is also ICAN partner organization. More information about ICAN can be found at: www.ICANw.org
<div class="xe_content"><h1>Statement Welcoming the DPRK-US Hanoi Summit</h1>
<h1>Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC)</h1>
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<p style="text-align:right;">February 25, 2019</p>
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<p>The Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC), a global network of civil society peacebuilding organisations, welcomes the historic convening of the Second DPRK-US Summit in Hanoi, Viet Nam on February 27-28. Following on from the meeting of the leaders of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and the United States (US) in Singapore in June, 2018, this is an important next step to ensure that diplomatic efforts are made to proceed with the peace process for the Korean Peninsula. We recognise and applaud the efforts of those who have enabled this environment for peace and dialogue, including those of the government and citizens of the Republic of Korea. We strongly hope that this upcoming Summit will result in detailed, concrete steps, including specifically a deal to finally put an end to the Korean War.</p>
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<p>We call on the United States to take steps towards lifting of sanctions - particularly those which are proving obstacles to the improvement of Inter-Korean relations, including the reopening of joint Korean initiatives such as the economic zone at Kaesong, tourism and exchange at Mount Kumgang, and other civil exchange activities. The Summit should also make steps towards the normalisation of relations between the DPRK and the US, including concrete initiatives such as the establishment of reciprocal liaison offices. This will in turn promote the transformation of relations between the DPRK and its regional neighbours, including the normalisation of relations between the DPRK and Japan.</p>
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<p>The Summit must also result in concrete and detailed measures towards the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, including a roadmap of steps to be taken by both parties. Such steps towards denuclearisation should be grounded in international law. We advocate for the establishment of a Nuclear Weapons-Free Zone (NWFZ) in Northeast Asia, which would greatly contribute to confidence building and the development of regional mechanisms for peace and security.</p>
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<p>Agreements made by governments can be delayed or impacted by various factors. In order to ensure that the results of the summit are sustainable and fully implemented, we also hope that each government will recognise the importance of the resumption of civil exchange, and the involvement of civil society in the peace process. Such participation will ensure that the respective societies can work towards the vision of pursuing a common, cooperative security, and building peace not only for the Korean Peninsula but for the broader Northeast Asian region. As civil society organisations working to build peace in the region and around the world, we pledge to make all efforts to support this peace process, and ensure that it continues to move forward, towards bringing about a genuine, irreversible and sustainable peace for Korea and for the world.</p>
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<p>Statement <a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MlCEzfsPU6NFFercOPkwf8UpW1eQsciUG1Y…; target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[See and Download]</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.peoplepower21.org/Peace/1613600" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Korean Ver >></a></p>
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<div class="xe_content"><h1>GPPAC Northeast Asia Response to</h1>
<h1>DPRK-US Hanoi Summit Outcome</h1>
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<p style="text-align:right;">4 March 2019</p>
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<p>The second DPRK-US Summit came to an end in the Vietnamese Capital of Hanoi on February 28. It is regretful that this summit did not produce any concrete agreement, and many were disappointed that it did not result in a long-awaited declaration of the end of the Korean War. Yet, GPPAC believes that the Hanoi Summit should not be prematurely judged as a failure. Rather, we must recognise that the path towards realising a peaceful, nuclear-free Korean Peninsula will require a great deal more work, on all levels of society.</p>
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<p>It is extremely significant that both the DPRK and the United States have clearly expressed their willingness to continue dialogue and negotiations. The Hanoi Summit was one step as part of a long-term process. It is vital that the international community focuses not only on the lack of an agreement, but rather on the next steps required to further develop constructive dialogue. We encourage not only the DPRK and the US, but also other regional actors including China, Japan, Russia and the Republic of Korea, to play an active role in supporting this process, ensuring that talks will continue. These efforts should also include discussion on a concrete roadmap and timeframe, recognising the increased role of both nuclear umbrella and non-nuclear-weapon states, and include sincere consideration of possible multilateral frameworks.</p>
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<p>Importantly, this broad support for the Korea peace process must also include the involvement of civil society. As a global network of peacebuilding organisations, GPPAC pledges to work together with its members in both Koreas as well as around the world to promote dialogue and cooperation for the Korean Peninsula. Concretely, we will continue this through the regular convening of the Ulaanbaatar Process, with participation of regional civil society and experts. This is vital not only for the Korean Peninsula, but also as steps towards the establishment of regional mechanisms for sustainable peace and denuclearisation in the broader Northeast Asian region.</p>
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<p>>> Download</p>
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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
32nd Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Item 3: Promotion and Protection of all Human Rights, Civil, Political, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, including the Right to Development
Interactive Dialogue with the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
Oral Statement Delivered by Ms. Gayoon Baek on Behalf of
People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD) and
MINBYUN-Lawyers for a Democratic Society
Thursday, 16 June 2016
Thank you, Mr. President. This is a joint statement by People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD) and MINBYUN-Lawyers for a Democratic Society, on behalf of 9 NGOs in the Republic of Korea.1)
We welcome the report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression (A/HRC/32/28), and share the view that not only states but also private sector should be responsible for promoting and protecting freedom of expression in the digital age.
In the Republic of Korea, Article 83(3) of the Telecommunications Business Act 2) allowing the provision of subscribers’ personal information without warrant is being arbitrarily used by state law enforcement agencies. There is a lack of oversight by external bodies such as courts and no reviewing process. In 2013 alone, the number of warrantless seizure of subscribers’ personal information has reached over 10 million cases3) , which amounts to one fifth of the total population of the Republic of Korea. The reason of such seizers is not disclosed by the Government, which leads to violations of the rights to know and to privacy. As a result, in May 2016, five hundred people filed a constitutional complaint about the provision of subscribers’ personal information and are waiting for the court decision.
We would like to ask the Special Rapporteur:
• Would the provision of subscribers’ information without permit of an independent authority amount to a breach of right to anonymous expression in a digital age?
• Who should be ultimately responsible between the state and private sector, for such warrantless seizures of information and breaches of the right to anonymous communications? Private sector and state transfer responsibilities on each other. Because of vague stipulations that state interferences ‘can’ or ‘may’ take place, government surveillance is now more clandestine, massive in scale, automatic, ubiquitous, and cheaper to conduct than before. If the problem of accountability remains unclear, the right to freedom of opinion and expression in the digital age would be hindered.
Thank you.
1) Catholic Human Rights Committee, Human Rights Movement Space 'Hwal', Korean Alliance for Progressive Movement, Korean Confederation of Trade Union, Korean Progressive Network 'Jinbonet', MINBYUN-Lawyers for a Democratic Society, People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, SARANGBANG Group for Human Rights, The Center for Freedom of Information and Transparent Society
2) Telecommunications Business Act Article 83 (Protection of Confidentiality of Communications) (3) A telecommunications business operator may comply with a request for the perusal or provision of any of the following data (hereinafter referred to as "provision of communications data") from a court, a prosecutor, the head of an investigative agency (including the head of a military investigative agency, the Commissioner of the National Tax Service and the Commissioner of a Regional Tax Office; hereinafter the same shall apply) or the head of an intelligence and investigation agency, who intends to collect information or intelligence in order to prevent any threat to a trial, an investigation (including the investigation of a violation committed by means of a telephone, the Internet, etc. among the offenses prescribed in Article 10 (1), (3) and (4) of the Punishment of Tax Evaders Act), the execution of a sentence or the guarantee of the national security: 1. Names of users; 2. Resident registration numbers of users; 3. Addresses of users; 4. Phone numbers of users; 5. User identification word (referring to the identification codes of users used to identify the rightful users of computer systems or communications networks); 6. Dates on which users subscribe or terminate their subscriptions.
3) Situation of Provision of Subscribers’ Personal Information in 2013, Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning
32nd Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council
Item 3: Promotion and Protection of all Human Rights, Civil, Political, Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, including the Right to Development
Interactive Dialogue with the UN Special Rapporteur
on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association
Oral Statement Delivered by Ms. Minjuwha Baek on Behalf of
People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD)
Korean Center for United Nations Human Rights Policy (KOCUN)
MINBYUN-Lawyers for a Democratic Society
Friday, 17 June 2016
Thank you, Mr. President.
My name is Minjuwha Baek, and I am the daughter of the 69 year-old farmer Namgi Baek in the Republic of Korea who was mentioned in the Special Rapporteur’s report. My father was targeted and knocked down by the police’s water cannon on 14 November last year, during a protest for the increase in rice prices. He remains in coma for more than 200 days due to severe brain damage.
The Government imposed an arbitrary ban on the protest, claiming it was not an assembly but a crime. They named the protest unlawful and not peaceful, even before it took place. The police arrested or summoned more than 500 protesters. This includes Mr. Sang-kyun Han, the president of Korean Confederation of Trade Unions(KCTU), facing up to 8-year imprisonment for organizing the protest.
The police blocked main roads and streets with hundreds of bus barricades and thousands of police forces, even hours before the protest. The police shot water cannons with capsaicin to protesters indiscriminately for hours.
No apology, No investigation, No justice.
The government of the Republic of Korea insisted on having a thorough investigation. For 7 months, all they did was summoning my sister once. If you hit someone who is not attacking you, you should apologize and do everything to fix it. Every human being knows this.
We want a sincere apology, thorough investigation, and justice for my family and for all.
Mr. President,
If you allow me for 5 seconds I would like to invite my father to speak for himself. (Holding Mr. Baek's photo)
Situation of Farmer Baek Nam-gi in the Republic of Korea
26 September 2016
People's Committee for Farmer Baek Nam-gi and Condemning State Violence
A farmer, who was shot by police's water cannon on 14 November 2015 during his protest calling for just rice price, was passed away after 317 days of remaining unconscious. Unfortunately, no perpetrator was properly punished nor proper investigation has been conducted until today. As soon as Farmer Baek passed away, the police tried to seize his body, saying that autopsy is necessary when cause of death is not clear. Families and supporters strongly protest against this attempt since they believe that it is clear that Farmer Baek's death is caused by the police's brutality. The police and Prosecutor’s Office even re-quested for a warrant for an autopsy, but the court denied to issue it. The police and the Prosecutor’s Of-fice may reapply for a warrant.
1. Background: People’s Mass Mobilisation on 14 November 2015
Farmer Baek Nam-gi joined the People's Mass Mobilisation on 14 November 2015 to demand that rice prices for 2015 be guaranteed. On the day, around 130,000 people joined the rally against the govern-ment's anti-people and anti-democracy policies. They came from different groups including workers, farmers, students and urban poor to raise their voices for a society where people's rights and demo-cratic principles are fully guaranteed.
During a protest, Farmer Baek Nam-gi was struck in the head by police water cannon. He was struck by direct spray which continued after he had been knocked to the ground and was taken to the emer-gency room of Seoul National University Hospital. Since then he remains unconscious.
2. Medical Condition
Because of a brain haemorrhage due to a fractured nose, optic nerve damage, and a concussion, the medical staff in the emergency room said that after undergoing brain surgery that day, further surgery would be pointless for such a serious injury and would only help to extend his life but not lead to re-covery.
By February of 2016, more than 50% of his cerebrum, brain stem damage and still unconscious, he re-mained in this state from which he was unable to recover reliant on an artificial respirator until he was taken to the intensive care unit where he lies 317 days after the initial injury.
24 September 2016: Despite being administered a concentrated diuretic, his condition was very seri-ous as he was unable to pass urine, received a transfusion or have antibiotics or nutrients adminis-tered.
25 September 2016: On the 317th day of his injury, he passed away.
For further information about the medical opinion, please see the statement released by Association of Physicians for Humanism which is attached to this document.
3. Investigation Process
After Farmer Baek collapsed because of police's water cannon, the police and Prosecutor's Office did not conduct a proper investigation.
On 18 November 2015, Baek's family filed a criminal complaint to the Prosecutor's Office on seven al-leged perpetrators including the then National Police Agency Commissioner General Kang Sin-myung and Chief of Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Koo Eunsoo. Since then, the Prosecution’s office did nothing but have interview with his daughter as a complainant. Until today for 10 months, the Prose-cutor's Office is saying that the case is still under ‘investigation’.
Kang's term ended in August, without any official response to the family’s call for an apology.
On 22 March 2016, Baek's family filed a compensation suit against the Government and the police.
On 12 September 2016, hearing was held at the National Assembly. Even though abuse of police forces and excessive use of police power was confirmed, the main responsible person, the then Police Commissioner General Kang Sin-myung refused to. He said it was 'inappropriate' to issue an apology for every injury or death during crackdowns of demonstrations and causes and legal responsibilities must be clearly defined beforehand. Also, evidence and documents against the police were not sub-mitted. No truth was found.
4. Current situation (as of 26 September 2016)
After Farmer Baek passed away at 4pm, the police tried to seize the body for autopsy, arguing cause of death is not clear. The police even blocked roads going to the hospital and did not allow people to enter.
On the other hand, Baek's families and his supporters are strongly opposing the idea of autopsy. They believe that the police and Prosecutor's Office try to argue different cause of his death, such as chron-ic disease, not the water cannon shooting.
Around 6:30pm, the Prosecutor's Office, Farmer Baek's lawyer, doctors, parliamentarians joined post-mortem examination. A large number of people gathered in front of the hospital and around the time that they started post-mortem examination, the police opened a small way, so that people can pay their respect to Farmer Baek.
At 9:17pm, the People’s Committee held a press conference and made it clear that the cause of his death is a ‘cerebral haemorrhage’, not an acute renal failure and an autopsy is not necessary.
Nevertheless, at 0:10am on 26 September the Prosecutor’s office made a request for a warrant of au-topsy to the court and If a warrant is issued, the Prosecutor's Office can conduct autopsy without con-sent of the family.
On 26 September 2016, the court refused to issue a warrant but the police and the Prosecutor’s Office may reapply for a warrant.
5. Our Call
Guarantee freedom of peaceful assembly of all people!
End impunity! Punish responsible person for Farmer Baek Nam-gi's Death!
Hold special prosecutor to end impunity!
President Park should make an official apology!
Legislate a strong regulation on the use of water cannon!
Reference 1. Medical Opinion by Association of Physicians for Humanism
Patient: Baek Nam-gi (male, 69)
The patient lost consciousness as he fell down by the force of a police water cannon on 14 November 2015. He was moved to the emergency room of Seoul National University Hospital. Testing revealed a traumatic subdural haemorrhage and subarachnoid haemorrhage resulting from a brain haemorrhage and multiple fractures across a large region of his skull and eye socket.
The results of the initial neurological examination and video inspection indicated that his condition would not improve and that surgery would also be meaningless so he could be discharged from the hospital. The patient is currently in the intensive care unit 317 days after receiving life-saving surgery.
Following surgery, the patient has remained in a coma and reliant on an artificial respirator unable to breath by himself. Having had repeated complications including pituitary function loss of the entire brain, pneumonia, fungemia, bedsores, a pulmonary embolism and septicaemia, and currently suffering multi-ple organ failures including renal failure and a pulmonary edema, the patient is receiving intensive treat-ment in the intensive care unit but it is not likely that he can be kept alive much longer.
The causes of the patient's condition are the brain haemorrhage and skull fracture sustained due to the power and pressure of the police water cannon. These can be confirmed in the CT scan recorded on the same day and surgery log. In the process of being moved to the intensive care unit 317 days after sustain-ing the injuries, complications and multiple organ failures caused by a common infection and being admin-istered medicine. Due to treatment of the wounded area and physical deterioration, there is a very high possibility of his condition worsening in light of the patients' likely death an autopsy is deemed unneces-sary. In addition, if the family does not wish for there to be an autopsy after the patients' death is an-nounced, the cause of death is the aforementioned underlying medical condition and there is no reason for this to be doubted.
25 September 2016
Association of Physicians for Humanism
Kim Gyeong-il, Specialist Neurosurgeon
Lee Hyeon-eui, Specialist Neurosurgeon
Lee Bora, Internal Medicine Specialist
Reference 2. Oral Statement delivered by Ms. Baek Minjuwha, a daughter of Farmer Baek Nam-gi at the 32nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council
PSPD’s position on President impeachment bill by National Assembly
National Assembly approving impeachment, an obvious result reflecting people’s demand
(9 December 2016, Seoul) People had won. Today (9 December 2016), the President Park Geun-hye’s impeachment indictment has been passed with approval of 235 out of 300 incumbent National Assembly. The National Assembly’s impeachment bill passing is an obvious result to meet the demands of people calling for an immediate resignation of the President. The President, who is impeached from both people and national assembly, should not stand against the people and resign immediately
The President’s impeachment bill approved by the National Assembly proved that all power comes out from the people. While the politicians were perplexed and calculating their political interests in this unprecedented state of President’s constitutional violation and monopolization of state affairs, it was people who was always stayed firm and led to passing of impeachment. Although impeachment has been passed, it is still a matter of fact that people’s scar, anger and despair is in incalculable situation.
The National Assembly’s impeachment passing today is just a starting point of judging powers who were monopolizing state affairs including Park Geun-hye. As people’s will, constitutional order must be back on track and state running must be normalized. To start, Park Geun-hye who was unaware of the President’s role and cannot be expected of any sort must resign from that position and be investigated as suspect. The Prime Minister, Hwang Kyo-ahn who will be next in line from today’s impeachment must also immediately resign. He is also a person who shares direct responsibility with Park regime’s failure of state affairs. Also, officials including Special Prosecutor’s Office must not delay investigation on the President’s all forms of illegal activities and allegations and must implement forced investigation. The Constitutional court must finalize the review as soon as possible and respond to people’s demands.
As it was confirmed today, even when people who are vested with sovereign rights have no less of a clear opinion, there are still political powers present to guard powers that had monopolized state of affairs and against impeachment. These people who were entrusted with power temporarily to represent people are only pursuing their own individual political interests and colluding with specific political powers like the President to maintain their power. Such political forces should be eliminated. This is the reason why Sanuri Party must be dismantled.
Signature Campaign to End the Korean War
시민들의 의견
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