Reflections

Now that KEEP is officially over, though unofficially we're still going to be visiting some organizations again, I'm going to take a moment to reflect.

The first thing that I was struck by in meeting all of these progressive, anti-imperial, and anti-US organizations was the intensity of their movement. These are people who will patiently and diligently hold a rally once a week outside of the US base for 17 years knowing that change does not come quickly. The Eradicators started their rallies with little support from the general Korean public while facing a society that supported the American troops in Korea. At this point, they've built awareness, fought battles and created connections to anti-US occupation movements in many parts of the Pacific Rim including Okinawa, the Philippines, Guam and Hawaii.

The other thing that struck me is how easy it was for me to miss all of this 투쟁, all of this struggle, on my other visits to my mother's land. Contrasting a tourists' visit to Korea, or even a typical Korean American's visit, to the collective experience that I've just had is more than just night and day. It's startling and yet somehow to be expected. During the weeks that I've been here I've seen more protests, sit-ins, demonstrations and rallies that I would have in months in the US. But the control of media, the insidious neoliberal goverment policies and the general apathy that I've also seen here makes clear to me how difficult it is for movements to gain ground and grow.

The final thing I'll mention before grabbing dinner: Lee Myung Bak tried to institute an "English Only" policy in the public school system. How twisted is it that 63 years after Japanese occupation ends the head of this "democratic" nation replicates that model with it's new colonial master? It makes me more than a little sick just thinking about it because it's harder to fight something like that than it is to fight a very clearcut imperial presence.

The real final thought that I'll expand more on later: Nationalism and it's role in Korean movement culture.

Thanks for tuning in folks. I'll have better posts with more pictures as the days go on. I thought it would be important to get some thoughts out first though. Also, most of this will be coming from memory since I lost my notebook with all my notes in it. Bear with me if it seems like I'm not sure of some of the details.

And she left her day job

Soju, $1.

Norebang, $15.
Sunny's titanic moment . . . priceless.

Police state

35,000 police in the streets. Every major intersection is lined on all sides for several blocks with paddy wagons. Police in full riot gear, many wearing tear gas backpacks, march down the sidewalk 2 or 3 across in large formations. Police use water canons to spray people with blue dye mixed with water. Police are given incentives (gift certificates and a rewards-style point system) to arrest people. The police arrest anyone with blue dye on them. The subway is restricted and many stops are completely blocked off. The area around city hall is surrounded by police and anyone who comes near it is arrested.

This is Seoul. On August 15, Liberation Day. On a revered national holiday that celebrates Korea's liberation from Japanese colonialism in 1945 at the end of World War II. Korea is now fighting for liberation from its own government.

.

Under siege

The general secretary of Korean Association of Progressive Movements (KAPM) was arrested last night.

We had just met with him and another leader just 3 days earlier. They had both anticipated that warrants might soon be out for their arrest because one of their members was already in jail, and two others had warrants out for their arrest and were seeking refuge at Chogyesa 족에사, a Buddhist temple in Seoul (along with 6 other activist leaders).

Rallies are illegal in Korea and so leaders of progressive organizations in Korea are being targeted and accused of organizing the vigils. Americans take freedom of speech and freedom of association for granted. In Korea, you're literally risking your life for democracy.

Non-update update!

Hey y'all! this is sunny at last!!

i just want to say that i've been having a really intense and fun time here in corea and the program is almost over. there's only one more visit to an organization and then a two day eval left. but here's the sitch.. i've been learning so much and trying to understand so much that i haven't had the time to post. that all having been said, i will be processing the trip probably for the next month or so so please check back for updates. detailed updates. including my (ever) developing analysis and tons of pictures. maybe even video of our trip to noraebang (karaoke room) if you're lucky!

lots of love and in solidarity,
sunny

A tiger will be born today

We met with 8 movement leaders who have warrants out for their arrest because of their supposed involvement organizing the candelight vigils.  Buddhist monks are providing refuge at one of the temples in Seoul, where they've been living under one tent since July 6.  During our meeting,  a torrential downpour abruptly interrupted our discussion while we rushed to get everything under cover.  The rain was accompanied by long rays of sunlight breaking through the clouds, and it's said that when that happens, a tiger will be born.  It must have been the same weather for the birth of each one of those leaders.

Followed!

While we were walking around the U.S. military base, Yongsan, which is huge and literally right in the center of Seoul, learning about environmental contamination as a result of the base, etc., the Korean security forces who are supposed to "protect" the base (um, why does "the most powerful military in the world" need to be protected at all?) started to follow us. They finally sort of coralled us at an intersection and asked us what we were doing. Apparently, if we had looked foreign (that is, caucasian), we wouldn't have been questioned, but anytime a group of Koreans are walking around the base, they get paranoid. Do they really think 9 people walking around in a group can take down the U.S. Military? It's a nice thought.

The way delivery is supposed to be

We were meeting with the E-land Union in front of the Homever store at the World Cup Stadium. They've been on strike since June of 2007, which started with a 21-day occupation of the store. They are protesting unjust labor practices against "irregular" workers, most of whom are women. The union put together this short documentary video about the issues and the occupation. I cried, so maybe have some tissues handy. http://blip.tv/file/365769.

They've been ordering take-out and having all of their meals delivered because they can't leave. In fact, workers are there 24 hours a day (in shifts). We were there for dinner and the delivery person brings delicious food on a moped, in real dishes, and then comes back later to pick up the dishes. No disposable dishes. No waste. This is my kind of country.

Streets of Seoul

Our first day in Seoul, we saw a Free Tibet protest timed with the start of the Olympics, pungmul, and candlelight vigil protesters!

Jirisan 지 리 산

Jirisan is a famous mountain in southern Korea. Jirisan is important in Korean resistance history, first during Japanese colonialism, and then later during the U.S. occupation. We arrived here yesteday as guests of Sang Wook Yoo 상 욱 in his mountain retreat.

For some reason, I'm having a problem uploading photos, so that will have to wait until next time.

I'm eating the best food of my life and so happy!