Berkley Center

Background: As part of the Education and Social Justice Project, in May 2015 undergraduate student Dana Drecksel interviewed Brother Dohyun Park, an activist from Gangieong Village. In this interview, Park discusses his activism against the construction of a naval base in the village, his time spent in prison, and his community’s reactions to the construction.

How did you become associated with the situation in Gangjeong village?

The first time I went there to see Father Kim, who was there for a month as a villager against the naval base. In 2011, around October, is the first time I went there. And I saw some tension, and there was a kind of tension, but there was not any special conflict. That was my first impression.

And after that, I came back, and I went again, and there was a big conflict between activists and police. In 2011, September 2, it was police on the villagers and activists, and the police take them outside so the navy could build a defense. And at that time, a big conflict, there was. On October 2011, I stayed there for around six to seven months. I stayed at one of the Jesuit priest men’s houses, a house for the Jesuits. So, I had a chance to stay there for six months, but I belonged to an organic farming apostolate, a kind of community, a movement community. And I came back after around six months, and stayed at least a month and then, I went back there to Gangjeong for about a week. And actually, I moved to Gangjeong two and a half years ago. Before that there was a kind of community called, in English, a “step stone” community.

In Gangjeong village?

Yeah, yeah. And that was kind of rent for a year, so I had to pay for about a year. And the Jesuits then decided to build a community building, and soon the building construction would start.

After I moved to Gangjeong, after six months, I was imprisoned. Behind the bar. And I was there for six and a half months. That was a…life experience.

Yeah, I read your letter from prison. It was fascinating! What was it like in prison, behind bars?

It just allowed me, to me, limited freedom. I stayed 24 hours in a 1.5 by 2 meters room. For an hour, I was allowed to get some exercise in a little bigger space. I had visitors, so I had a chance to go meet visitors for 10 minutes around in a narrow alley. There was no room, you can guess!

What was life like in the prison?

The main schedule was pray, reading, and writing letters. Handwriting letters—that was a big experience because usually I use a computer, not many chance to handwriting. That was a really simple life. That was great experience, actually; through letters with others, I could communicate with others. Anyway, it was a good time. I did not have experience with that type of communication.

Did they tell you how long you were going to be in prison, and why you were put in prison?

I didn’t know that. That was not sentenced. Still, the trial is still going on. So almost two years, still, it was not finished. And the reason why I was put in jail is a little difficult to explain. If someone has a reason to escape, or a person destroys some evidence, they can put the person put in jail with no trail. The maximum sentence is around six months, so that’s why I was a released after six months.

Were there lots of other villagers put in prison with you? Before.

There were many put in prison before me. Around 30 people, yeah.

From the research I have done so far, I see that many people affiliated with the Catholic Church in particular are very against the construction of the naval base and have been imprisoned by the police. Why do you think that the people affiliated with the Catholic Church have taken such an active stand?

It is not simple to explain. But anyway, it is important that…Bishop Khan made it clear that the naval base is not good and has big problems. He was against it, the naval base. There was many reasons, he said. And you know the structure of Catholic. Kind of… I really like him, but the real meaning is according to Jesus. So…. he, Bishop Khan, was part of demonstration. So that’s the most important, and that’s why the Jesuits and some of the priests were more free to be involved in the demonstration.

What is the current situation like in the village, with the construction process?

According to the navy plan, this year the construction will be finished. But 100 percent, they cannot finish the construction of the naval base.

They cannot?

No, they cannot. They must prolong it, for one year, or two year, I don’t know. They might celebrate something this year, but they cannot finish it this year.

But with the situation, we have to accept some villagers that desert, with what is finished with the naval base. Many people might think, “Yeah, but the naval base was finished! Why do we have to do against the naval base like that? What can we do against the naval base?” Still they, the same people with the same nationality, are going to work. What is right…there might be many different ways.

And still, if we face that sort of thing, this is what we, Catholic activists, are thinking about. What can we do? What kind of program, or whatever? How can we live with the death in situations, the death of villagers, and the death of others? There have been tension in certain groups; still that kind of issue affects many people. So what I think, in my mind, is that we have to read about the real history of Korea. Why Korea? Why we should be divided? And what we should do up until now?

And the president, or some other politicians, are interested in their own power. And they have done many things, just to keep their power. So, now, not many more people are doing something called…umm…peace movements…non-violent activity or whatever. We don’t want war, or nuclear weapons, or conflict between north and south, and many other big problems.

So have some villagers have begun to act differently since the naval base construction is nearing completion?

Yes, villagers have been changed by the letter of [inaudible]. So some are against naval base, few are pro-naval base, and many have been changed…maybe they were tired, for eight-year struggle. And in the view of Father Benedict, they have lost a lot. That’s why it is natural that they have changed like that, anyway… We want to give some hope, but we still struggle to do that.

Besides the activity of the villagers and other islanders, what was the response like from other Koreans? Like Koreans from the mainland?

Many people are against construction. But I don’t know how much percent. But to me, to my knowledge, about 10… up to 20 percent of the Korean population get the situation in Gangjeong. Actually, up to 20 percent are against the naval base. And there are many issues in South Korea now. Did you hear about the boat…the… umm….

The Sewol Ferry? Yes, I have heard about it.

Ahh… and the labor? Twenty-four workers committed suicide because they lose their job. And they did not keep their promise, the workers. And here, the employed people have difference. It was big and gets bigger.

And still, there are many with big problems with nuclear plants, including nuclear weapons. I don’t like North Korea, when they developed the nuclear weapon, but it makes me angry that South Korea is still dealing nuclear materials they can use…with America! I don’t like that; that makes danger for South Korea.

Yeah, not good. Well, is there anything else that you want to add about your experience in Gangjeong, or experiences otherwise?

No, I don’t think so.

Well, your perspective is extremely helpful, and I can’t wait to go to the village. Thank you for taking time to speak with me.