Okinawan and South Korean citizens hold peace symposium urging withdrawal of US troops

Okinawan and South Korean citizens hold peace symposium urging withdrawal of US troops

At the Yomitan Village Regional Promotion Center on February 10, Jon-hyon Moon (right edge) speaks about the opposition movement against the expansion of the base in Pyeongtaek, South Korea.


 

February 11, 2019 Ryukyu Shimpo

 

On February 10 at the Yomitan Village Regional Promotion Center, Kadena Peace Action and other groups held a symposium titled “Popular Conference of Okinawa and South Korea” which addressed peace and military bases in Northest Asia.

Jon-hyon Moon (83 years old), who participates in the opposition movement against U.S. and South Korean military bases in South Korea, said, “If North and South Korea are to be unified, the US troops should be withdrawn from South Korea.

Also, the U.S. troops of Kadena Air Station should return to the United States.” It was planned that this symposium would be held again at Miyako-jima Marine Terminal on February 11.

 

Moon has participated in activism against the bases, for example in 2006 when residential plots of land were compulsorily seized for expansion work on a U.S. military base in Pyeongtaek.

He assessed that while the Jae-in Moon government established itself through the opportunity posed by the Candlelight Revolution, “In terms of U.S. military bases, the South Korean and Japanese governments are similar in that they do what the U.S. government asks; they are like puppets.

” In addition he stated, “Young South Koreans often participate in the sit-ins at Henoko, and Okinawa stands in solidarity with South Korea.

Let’s drive out the U.S. forces even if it takes some time.”

Jon-hyon Moon also reported on the opposition movement against construction of a South Korean naval base on the Jeju Islands.

Former member of the House of Councillors Tokushin Yamauchi also sat on the panel, and spoke about issues including the construction of U.S. military bases during and after the Battle of Okinawa.

Kadena Town Assembly member Koei Tanaka brought up the harm sustained in the areas surrounding Kadena Air Base.

Representative Hayako Shimizu of Miyako-jima Peace Action reported on the current progress status of construction of the Ground Self Defense Force base on Miyako-jima.

 

(English translation by T&CT and Erin Jones)

 

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