The following update comes from CS campaign partner Ma Yong-Un, regarding two prominent activists for protection of the Saemangeum wetlands, Father Moon Kyuhyun and Reverand Sukyung:
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Father Moon Kyuhyun
Father Moon has continued his efforts to conserve the Saemanguem tidal flat and has been working to establish a wetland education center at the Saemangeum tidal-flat in Buan to promote public awareness on conservation of the wetland. He keeps trying to persuade people to reconsider the destructive project whenever he has a chance.
Father Moon also had led a anti-nuclear waste dumpsite campaign in Buan from 2003. This story began on July 11, 2003 when Governor of Buan country filed his application for a Nuclear Dumpsite to the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy (MOCIE).
Resistance from people in Buan began immediately. Candlelight vigils were held for more than 200 days. Elementary, middle school, and high school students went on strike for 41 days. Angry people blocked a highway nearby. In addition, there were several demonstrations where more than 20,000 residents out of the 70,000 total population of Buan participated. Father Moon was a co-president of local people's organization against the nuclear waste dumpsite proposal and was a key person to lead the local people's struggle demanding scrapping of the proposed nuclear waste dumpsite plan in Buan and changing national energy policy from nuclear to renewable energy sources.
In December 1st, 2004, Buan inhabitants were finally liberated from what seemed to be an everlasting nightmare, as the governmental plans for the nuclear waste disposal site were brought to a standstill.
When people were celebrating the victory, Father Moon proposed a plan to make his town to be a leader in renewable energy. He organized 'Buan Citizen's Generator' project and made a plan to provide Buan with clean energy from renewable energy sources. In May,2005, two 3kW solar power systems will be installed in his church and a Wonbulgyo temple in Buan.
This is a very good example of leading local people's struggle against the dangerous energy source and find a sustainable and environment-friendly alternative with active participation of local people. Father Moon has been playing a key role in it.
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Rev. Sukyung
Rev. Sukyung had started a pilgrimage for life and peace with Rev. Dobeop on March 1st, 2004 to spread a message of life and peace throughout the country. He visited many dozens of cities, towns and villages and met people from local government official to ordinary people. He actively raised his concerns on many destructive projects of cities and villages he visited and contributed to initiate dialogues between developers, local governments and local people to find out a sustainable and peaceful alternative.
Unfortunately, his had to suffer from a relapse of knee problems during the pilgrimage as he just had walked such a long distances for months instead of using any kind of vehicles. He had to take a surgery on his knees right after the Samboilbae(the Three steps and one bow march) and they had gone worse. Due to his knee problem, he had to stop the pilgrimage from late last year and had to receive medical treatment. He has stopped any kind of external activities for about half a year and is recuperating his health at the moment.
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Ma Yong-Un
International Campaigner
Korean Federation for Environmental Movement(KFEM) /
Friends of the Earth Korea(FoE Korea)
