The Threat of Warships on an ‘Island of World Peace’ by Noam Chomsky

Image by dmytrok via Flickr

Dandelion Salad

by Noam Chomsky
In These Times
Oct. 6, 2011

Jeju Island, 50 miles southeast of South Korea’s mainland, has been called the most idyllic place on the planet. The pristine, 706-square-mile volcanic island comprises three UNESCO World Natural Heritage sites.

[…]

For more than four years, island residents and peace activists have engaged in determined resistance to the base, risking their lives and freedom.

The stakes are high for the world as well. Recently the Korean JoongAng Daily, in Seoul, described the island as “the spearhead of the country’s defense line”—a line recklessly located 300 miles from China.

In these troubled waters, the Jeju base would host up to 20 American and South Korean warships, including submarines, aircraft carriers and destroyers, several of which would be fitted with the Aegis ballistic-missile defense system.

For the United States, the base’s purpose is to project force toward China—and to provide a forward operating installation in the event of a military conflict. The last thing the world needs is brinksmanship between the U.S. and China.

[…]

via In These Times

From the archives:

Ann Wright: Gaza Freedom Flotilla and Save Jeju Island, interviewed by Cindy Sheehan

The People vs. The Machine by Cindy Sheehan + Gloria Steinem leads the fight to save Jeju Island

Yang sprung from jail by growing pressure on South Korean government by Bruce Gagnon

http://www.savejejuisland.org/Save_Jeju_Island/Welcome.html