From Monday to Thursday of last week, we had guests from “dawn dew” (saebyuk-iseul) who have been the supporter for our Jeju community for long time and also helped us to construct the container houses in Samgori on last summer’s habitat camp in Gangjeong. This time, they stayed in the container guest room in Samgori and helped us to repair the roof and gallery. On Wednesday night, members of TF Jeju team and “DawnDew” team had dinner together so that we could have more sharing time with each other.

On Monday and Tuesday, Father Pat, a member of Gangjeong International Team, brought a friend, Amy who works for Catholic Peace and Justice Center to Gangjeong and while eating the delicious dinner treated by Father Pat, we had discussed how they can support Gangjeong Struggle in the future.

On Thursday, 3 members from Korea Peace Education Institute (KOPI) and 2 kids visited us, Emily gave them a basic introduction guide tour in the village, and at the same date, Hosu also guided a Quaker grandma who visited Gangjeong from oversea.  

We used to have so many guests. Although these friends couldn’t stay in the village for long time but some have visited us for many times and always helped what they can help when they visited us. To welcome the guests is not an easy works especially when we are lodged with lots of works already. Sometimes we are very tired but we have tried our best to remember the thankful mind for having lots of friends with us. ^^

On Tuesday, members of “People for Jeju, Demilitarized Island of Peace” went to Jeju city to participate the press conference and workshop for the 10^th year anniversary of Jeju to be declared as Island of World Peace. We had delivered the Peace Message video made by “People for Jeju, Demilitarized Island of Peace” in this event.

On Saturday (Jan 31^st), we got notice of Administrative Enforcement to demolish the protesting tent which blocked the gate of Military Housing construction gate. 800 hundred security guys and police came to our village. It was like a war. For several days, we had prepared ourselves to respond this emergency situation. From the midnight of Jan 30^th, lots of people brought lots of wood to make fence and with iron sticks, people built up protesting tower. Each of us came to stay in the site from the midnight as we are afraid if we came later than the police, we may be blocked outside. For the whole day, some climbed up to the tower, some stay inside the tent, some stay inside the village bus, some made human chain to protect the tent, bus and tower, some lying down on the wood fence to prevent it from being taking away by the security guys. Many people were so sad even cried when we saw how young the security guys were. They looked not even 20 year-old! Anyway, it had been really a long day and it’s so hard to see our friends stay on the dangerous high tower with the police men who tried to caught them. Even though the police set up mattress, it looked like toys. We were very angry for the lives of people were not really being regarded as most precious thing. In the end, more than 20 people got arrested and some got released soon but some who have been targeted by police may be jailed.   

Prayer requests:

1. Pray for justice and peace here.

2. Pray for recovery of our body and mind.