DEMOLITION OF HOUSES FOR U.S. MILITARY EXPANSION ? SOUTH KOREA
11 September 2006

SUMMARY
According to the local source, the South Korean government has officially announced the demolition of vacant houses in the villages of Daechuri and Doduri, Pyongtaek (100km southwest of Seoul, near west coast of Korean Peninsula) this week.  Local media reported that about 15,000 police and 500 hired thugs would be mobilized during the operation. 

Although no exact dates were given, local residents and activists expect the demolition to start in the morning of Tuesday, 12 September 2006.

The Pan-S Korea Commission against US base expansion in Pyongtaek (KCPT) has been holding candlelight vigil in front of the Ministry of National Defense at 5 pm every evening for more than 2 years.  Simultaneous candlelight vigils in Seoul, Pyongtaek, and other cities are also being planned, as well as a mass march in Seoul on 24 September 2006.

Over 20 supporters (peace keepers) from different parts of Korea have moved to the villages of Daechuri and Doduri since January 2005.  They have occupied houses that were abandoned by those residents who chose to leave.  Supporters hope this move will make it more difficult for the government to demolish those houses as a first step towards demolishing the entire village.  They are also hoping that more people in the international community will know about the imminent demolitions that make way for a military base, and express their concern and solidarity. 

To learn about the background of eviction in Daechuri village, Pyongtaek and the U.S. military expansion in Korea, please refer to Hotline Asia Urgent Appeal UA060327(3). 

*** Please respond before 13 September 2006 ***

ACTION REQUESTED

Write to the Korean government to express your sympathy and concern for this grave and urgent development; urge the authorities to halt the demolition in Daechuri and Doduri.
Send letters to:

1. President Roh Moo-hyun
   Blue House
   1 Sejongno Jonno gu
   Seoul, South Korea (110-820)
   Fax:  (82) 2 770 4943

2. Minister of Defence, Yoon Kwang-woong
   Ministry of Defence
   22 Leetaewon road, Yongsan gu
   Seoul, South Korea (104-701)
   Fax: (82) 2 748 6026

3. Diplomatic representatives of South Korea (or Republic of Korea) in your country.

SAMPLE LETTER
***Please avoid typing 'cc ACPP' at any part of your letter but send copies to us separately for monitoring purpose. ***

We are gravely concerned with the governments plan to demolish houses in Daechuri and Doduri villages in Pyongtaek this week (11-15 September 2006) for the expansion of Camp Humphery, a U.S. military base.

We respect your country's accession to International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).  However, the spirit of providing socio-economic security to your people is shadowed by the act of arbitrary and violent seizure of Daechuri village for the expansion of Camp Humphery.

Thus, we humbly request you to:

1. Immediately stop attempts to evict residents of Daechuri village.

2. Re-consider to stop military base expansion in Pyongtaek, for the sake of the elderly villagers and peace in the land of Korea.

***Thank You for Your Continued Support***

For more information:
Please visit http://antigizi.or.kr/english/

Video with English subtitle can be viewed at: http://www.stopcrackdown.net/zeroboard/view.php?id=freeboard&page=1&sn1=&divpage=1&sn=off&ss=on&sc=on&select_arrange=headnum&desc=asc&no=848

SOURCE:
Catholic Human Rights Committee
The Pan-S Korea Commission against US base expansion in Pyongtaek

Yours faithfully,
Linda Noche
Coordinator

Thank You for Your Continued Support.

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