Military Madness > American hegemony, and The Ghosts of Jeju

 

Deeply disturbing video that I could not stop watching. American hegemony against the spectacular costs to innocent villagers who get in the way. Focussed on Korea's treasure - Jeju Island, the film touches on other countries where simple villagers were displaced or massacred at the orders of, and sometimes at the hands of, the American military for fear of being communists.

The Ghosts of Jeju is a 2013 documentary film directed and produced by Regis Tremblay, focusing on the historical and ongoing struggles of the people of Jeju Island, South Korea, particularly in the context of the controversial Jeju Naval Base construction in Gangjeong Village. The film intertwines the island’s traumatic past with its contemporary resistance, highlighting themes of human rights, environmental destruction, and opposition to militarization. Below is a detailed overview based on available information.Overview

• Title: The Ghosts of Jeju
• Director/Producer: Regis Tremblay
• Release Year: 2013
• Runtime: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Genres: Documentary, History, War
• Country: United States, South Korea
• Language: English (with Korean, Japanese, and French subtitles; Spanish and Russian translations planned by 2015)
• IMDb Rating: 9.0/10 (based on 9 reviews)
• Synopsis: The film documents the resistance of Gangjeong Village residents against the construction of a large naval base, set against the backdrop of Jeju’s historical trauma, particularly the Jeju Uprising (1948–1954) and the atrocities committed under the U.S. Military Government of Korea post-World War II. It uses previously classified photos, films, and documents to expose these events and draws parallels to the modern struggle against U.S. and South Korean militarization

Grok:

History of the Jeju Naval Base at Gangjeong VillageOrigins and Planning (1993–2007)

• Initial Proposal: The idea for a naval base on Jeju Island was first proposed in 1993 during the presidency of Kim Young-sam, aimed at enhancing South Korea’s maritime security and protecting vital sea lanes, through which 99% of South Korean exports and all oil imports flow.
• Site Selection: During the Roh Moo-hyun presidency (2003–2008), the southwestern villages of Hwasun and Wimi were considered but faced strong local opposition, leading to their rejection. In 2007, Gangjeong Village was selected as the site. On April 26, 2007, a controversial vote involving only 87 of over 1,000 eligible voters approved the base, bypassing standard voting protocols by using applause to gauge support. This lack of transparency fueled local distrust.

Construction and Protests (2007–2016)

• Construction Beginnings: Construction started in January 2009, with a projected cost of ₩977 billion (approximately US$907 million as of 2011). The base was designed to host up to 20 military vessels, including Aegis destroyers and submarines, and to serve as a port for occasional civilian cruise ships.
• Environmental and Cultural Concerns: Gangjeong’s coastline, designated an Absolute Conservation Area (ACA) in 1991 and part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2002, is ecologically sensitive, home to endangered species like the Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin and red-footed crab, as well as soft coral reefs. In 2009, Jeju Governor Kim Tae-hwan nullified the ACA designation, prompting criticism from environmental groups for inadequate Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs). Archaeological findings from 4–2 BCE were also uncovered, raising concerns about cultural heritage violations.
• Local and International Resistance: The project sparked significant opposition from Gangjeong villagers, Jeju residents, mainland activists, and international peace organizations. Protesters, including religious groups, environmentalists, and figures like Vandana Shiva and Noam Chomsky, cited environmental degradation, the militarization of Jeju (designated an “Island of World Peace” in 2005), and fears of the base serving U.S. strategic interests against China rather than North Korea. By 2011, construction was halted seven times due to protests, which included marches, sit-ins, and hunger strikes. Over 500 arrests were reported, with allegations of police brutality and the use of hired “thugs” by construction companies.
• Legal Outcomes: In July 2012, the South Korean Supreme Court upheld the base’s construction, acknowledging flaws in the EIA but deeming them insufficient to halt the project.

Completion and Operation (2016–Present)

• Opening: The base was completed in February 2016, despite ongoing protests, and officially opened as the Jeju Civilian-Military Complex Port. It houses Maritime Task Flotilla 7 (MTF-7), established in 2011, which includes Aegis destroyers, submarines, and helicopters, with no operational limits, allowing patrols as far as South Korea’s maritime interests extend (e.g., counter-piracy operations in the Indian Ocean).
• Strategic Role: The base enhances South Korea’s ability to protect sea lanes and respond to regional threats, particularly in disputes over Socotra Rock (claimed by South Korea within its exclusive economic zone) and potential aggression from North Korea. South Korean officials, including Rear Admiral Koo Ok-hyoe in 2011, emphasized deterrence against North Korea, not China, and clarified that no permanent U.S. or foreign naval presence would be allowed, though U.S. ships could visit.
• Ongoing Tensions: The base remains controversial. Critics argue it undermines Jeju’s “Island of World Peace” identity and increases the risk of the island becoming a military target. Protests continue, though on a smaller scale, with events like the 2018 International Fleet Review drawing renewed opposition due to environmental and noise concerns. The base’s dual-use design for cruise ships has been questioned for practicality.

Significance and Impact

• Strategic Importance: Located at the northern center of the First Island Chain, the base provides South Korea with a strategic hub for maritime surveillance and power projection, particularly in the East China Sea and Yellow Sea, near key Chinese cities like Shanghai. It supports South Korea’s economic security, given its reliance on maritime trade, and strengthens its naval presence amid regional tensions with China and North Korea.
• Community Impact: The base has divided Gangjeong Village, disrupting traditional lifestyles (e.g., tangerine farming and fishing) and straining community relationships. Promises of economic benefits like jobs and tourism have largely gone unfulfilled, leaving a legacy of resentment. The destruction of Gureombi Rock, a culturally significant volcanic formation, and environmental damage to the coastline remain sore points.
• Historical Context: The resistance is tied to Jeju’s history of oppression, notably the April 3 Incident (1948–1954), a massacre of over 30,000 islanders by South Korean and U.S. forces during anti-communist purges. This history amplifies local sensitivity to central government policies and militarization.

Critical Notes

• The base’s development reflects a tension between national security imperatives and local autonomy, with critics arguing that the top-down “decide-announce-defend” approach ignored democratic processes.
• While the South Korean government denies U.S. control, suspicions persist that the base aligns with U.S. strategic goals, particularly in countering China’s regional influence, given its capacity to host Aegis-equipped destroyers compatible with U.S. missile defense systems.
• The environmental and cultural costs, alongside the social division in Gangjeong, highlight the complex trade-offs of military infrastructure projects in ecologically and culturally sensitive areas.

If you meant a different location (e.g., “Gongjeong” instead of “Gangjeong”), please clarify, and I’ll investigate further. For more details or specific aspects (e.g., environmental impact, protest movements), let me know!