the river must flow!~ 강을 흘어야 한다! (summary of the group sentiment at the prayer ceremony and meeting with buddhist monks)

* group photo( some people are holding little fish0signs that say" 강을 흘어야 한다!"

* jiyoung and I

*at the prayer ceremony for the river's health and future life

*looking at dredging with the group

* speaking at the group discussion( in bad korean lol)

*looking at dredging.

*The sign says this is a habitat for migratory birds(철새 도래지) .

and yes, there is construction going on right here.

남한강 강길 걷기 Walking Along the South Han River

남한강 시작한 공사 /South Han River Construction

Dance at the Construction Site

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nTQzLsUUoo&feature=autofb

This a link to view the dance we did together at a construction site along the 남한강( South Han River)

Thanks Jiyoung for posting this on you tube. This happened on April 24th.

Walking Along the River

“We can no longer abandon our rivers, the gifts of nature."

This is what President Lee Myun Bak said n Novermber of 2009, at the groundbreaking ceremony in Gwanju for the start of consturction at Yeongsan River. I wonder now after walking along the sites, does massive dredging equal love and care for the river? Is dredging and construction going to help the river ecosystem? ( I certainly think no.) We certainly may be pleased with the parks and sports areas setup along side the river. It may make us feel nice and comforted. But then it seems like we're are abandoning their well-being for the sake of our personal pleasure, right?

*Program: Walking along NamHanGang road, visiting Yeoju 4 river project construction sites, talking with SuGyeong buddhist monk.*

This past Saturday I visited construction sites along the NamHanGang( Nam Ham River). Below was the schedule, including the places we walked along. Many sites have already started being dredged and being there, seeing the trees piled up and bulldozers bulldozing away as herons flew here and there, really made me wonder: what is the exact reason for all this dregding. According to the government, we need dredging to prevent future flooding and to restore the water quality of Korea's drinking water.

The trip lasted from 8 am to about 730. At the last construction site visited, we did the Elm dance to create a sense solidarity with one another, a deep respect for the Earth. I have included the original intention of this dance below, which I found on the internet.

"INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ELM DANCE, as Evolved in Solidarity with the People of Novozybkov

It does not matter when in the music you begin the dance, except to start on a beat. The dance consists of four beats of movement, alternating with four beats of swaying in place. When swaying in place, imagine that you can feel the energy from the heart of the Earth spiraling up through the floor into your body. When the energy reaches the heart chakra, send it out for the healing of the elms and all beings. This is an act of intention. Anastasia Geng who created the dance from the Latvian song, said the purpose of the dance is for building strong intention.("http://www.joannamacy.net/theelmdance.html)

At the time we danced, we were told to acknowledge and respect the spirits of the trees that have been sacrificed. Surrounded by uprooted trees and construction noise, there was the music we had brought and the warbling sound of a bird calling out three times every munite or so, and the wildly blooming cherry blossoms in the backround amidst all of this destruction. The juxtaposotion of the cherry blossoms waking up on the mountside was an eerie reminder of how the river must have looked before construction began. It must have had the same vibrance, offered up the same awe. Now it was littered with uprooted trees and piles of already dregdged sand. And a sign that said "tree trash."

This last site where we did the Elm Dance is where the government has banned farmers from growing crops since last year. However, they allow a golf course here to survive and the grass and sand to be properly cared for. How can this not seem wrong to anyone's eyes?

On this trip, I realized that there are people who deeply care about the health and future of the rivers. There were Korean environmentalists from the Korean Women's Environmental Organization and plenty of others from other environmental think tanks. There were mothers who brought children children. There were professors and students, and Buddhist monks.I was the only foreigner there and it made me think, hey, more expats should see this, witness it, investigate the reasons for themselves. We living in Korea, we who benefit from the health and well-being of the country''s rivers should be aware of what is being done to them, yeah?

After we visited the sites, we joined in a conversation with a Buddhist monk( see above info). We all inroduced ourselves and gave reasons and opinions on the project. I realized the Korean community is mobilizing and doing so much to express their dismay at the 4 River Reconstruction Project. After visiting the construction sites, we attended the 미래세대와 함께 하는 생명기도회. This had varios religions groups offering prayers for the life and wellbeing of the river's future. It also included a dance perfromance and traditional Korean songs. In essence, it was an offering to the river and the future generations that will benefit from it. They are not abandoing the river. They are not giving up the fight to save the rivers. I think the President should have held back his words last year to "not abandon the rivers". At least have the decency to not make a mockery of people who really care, who really will not abandon them, people who are shedding tears because they care so much.

People are talking, people are fired up, myself included. After work, I will upload pictures and part of a passage I translated into English from a book recently written on the four rivers project. There are so many facts and figures in this book called , " The River is Alive." It is all in Korean so I will do my best to translate small parts at a time. I want to provide you with more facts and figures. The best I can tell you is keep reading articles from both sides, but most of all go visit the sites.

http://eng.me.go.kr/board.do?method=view&docSeq=8149&bbsCode=res_mat_video

just to post a video from the government's point of view on the 4 rivers project, check out this video by the ministry of the environment. it shows their perspective on the 4 rivers project and how it will be executed .

(there is alot of info on dredging. )

it is important to keep both sides in mind, isnt it?

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/4243823/Bidding-Proposal-for-The-IFOAM-Organic-World-Congress-th

This is the Korea Bidding Committee 's proposal to host the OWC in Paldang. It states that the governor, Kim Moon Su, has already agreed to support the idea of hosting the OWC in the Paldang Watershed Area in Namyangju city.

Also, his article shows how rich of an area Paldang truly is and how much the world could benefit by having the OWC showcased here. It contains a lot of facts about Paldang, Namyangju city, and what exactly the 2011 OWC would entail if it is held in Namyangju city.

At least read the first 3 pages or so if youre interested to know more...


I guess it makes sense now as to why the governor would avoid speaking with the farmers about Paldang's removal... So he supports the OWC being held in Paldang on paper( at least here) but he will not come meet with the farmers or help them save their farm?


Also, last year when IFOAM came to Paldang, he avoided meeting with the Pres and Vice Pres. I was told this by the farmers on Saturday.

Inform me more!!! **If anyone finds any document stating that the governor has formally changed his mind and wants ot hold the 2011 OWC else where, please inform me. At least then I will know he is stating his true opinion out loud for Koreans to hear. **

팔당 농지보존/ 현재 상황 paldang preservation/current situation

정보와 재 생각....

팔당 농지보존 paldang preservation 저는 미국사람입니다 그래서 재 한국어실력이 좀 나빠요..저번주말에 더 정보를 모으러 팔당 농장으로 다시 갔다.그때 팔당의 사무국장하고 만나고 더 정보를 얻으려고 영화 2개를 봤다.저는 거의 울었다 왜냐하면 너무 많이 슬펐기때문이다.얘기하면서,그 배운 점은 지사 김문수씨가 현재 상황에 대해 얘기하기위해 농장으로 한번 밖에 안왔다는 것이다. 근데 2008년에 김문수씨가 팔당에서 IFOAM의 2011의 organic world conference OWC를 하려고 했다. 이것은 그의 추천였다. 그래서 그는 그의 환경에 대한 입장을 바꾸고 이명박 대통령의 4강 계획을 따라 가는 것 같다. 무엇보다 그는 단지 다른 장소에도 주최로 열리고 싶다. 이 말을 들었을때 충격적이었다.

사실은 팔당 유기 농업의 농부들은 필당으로 살고부터 질산 (nitrate) 수준이 정말로 내려갔다. 깨끗한 강의 식수를 위해 유기 농업이 정말 좋다!! 많은 과학적인 증거가 있다. 무엇보다 그는 단지 다른 장소에도 주최로 열리고 싶다. 이 말을 들었을때 충격적이었다..

또한 그 정부가 식수오염때문에 농장을 파괴하려고 한다고 했지만 그것은 정말 거짓말있구나!!! 사실은 팔당 유기 농업의 농부들은 필당으로 살고부터 질산 (nitrate) 수준이 정말로 내려갔다. 깨끗한 강의 식수를 위해 유기 농업이 정말 좋다!! 많은 과학적인 증거가 있다.

translation:

Information and My Thoughts...

This past weekend I visited Paldang to gather more information.At that time, I met with the Preisdent of Paldang (Mr. Bang) and to learn more I watched 2 movies. I almost cried because they were so sad.( People were being arrested, fighting for their land, homes, and family.) While watching, the thing I learned was that the governor of Gyeongii-do, Kim Moon Su, has not come even one time to discuss the current situation. However, in 2008, he suggested having the 2011 IFOAM OWC(Organic World Conference) in Paldang. It appears he has changed his stance on the environment and seems now to just be following President Lee Myung-bak's 4 river plan. Moreover, now he wants to hold the OWC in a different location .I was shocked after I heard this...


Also, the government is claiming that they are planning to get rid of the farm because of water pollution. (masuggesting that an organic farm will further pollute the river...) But actually, since the organic farmers movied to Paldang (about 30 years ago) the nitrate levels have dropped significantly. ( I was told they are now at around 5-6 ppm, where as they used to be three times this amount.)

Organic farming is great for keeping river water clean. There is much scientific evidence to support this.


I will post the IFOAM's document ( written by their Vice President ) on the benefits of organic farming shortly.


Good night everyone! I am so tired now from thinking and typing in Korean!

New York Times on the 4 River Restoration Project

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/14/world/asia/14korea.html?_r=2

This was written back in 2009, but it discusses the 4 river restoration plan in detail, and why it is not as green as it claims to be.

Please check out this article:

http://korea.indymedia.org/drupal/?q=ko/node/1832- taken from Korea Indy Media. I just came upon it today. It discusses the similarities between the Canal Project and the Four Rivers Restoration Project.

Discussion Panel: Effects of the Four Rivers Project on Paldang Organic Village

** The Four Major Rivers Restoration Project currently being undertaken in South Korea is designed to be a green project. However, organic farmers located in the Paldang region( in Gyeonggi-do) are being forced to relocate.This is due to the belief that organic farming will pollute the rivers. Parks, sports areas as well as bike paths are planned to replace the farms starting in June 2010. I am organizing a discussion panel open to the public to be held during the last weekend of May. Below is my proposed plan.**


Purpose: The Paldang Organic Farming Village is being forced to relocate due to President Lee Myun Bak's Four Rivers Restoration Project. Using a facilitated discussion, the objective is to forecast the effects of the Four Rivers Restoration Project on Paldang Organic Village. How would removing the organic farming village negatively affect the environment here? How would it negatively affect the farmers and their families? On the other hand, in what ways is the project expected to benefit the environment in and around Paldang? How are farmers being recompensed for their relocation? These are some of the questions to be discussed and answered by the panel. The discussion is an opportunity for both sides to deeply consider the repercussions of destroying the Paldang Organic Farming Village in an organized, peaceful manner. It is also a wonderful opportunity for the public to become well-informed of Paldang’s current situation and make their own decisions as to who is right.

Method: A facilitated dialogue involving those both for and against the destruction of Paldang Organic Farming Village under the Four Rivers Restoration Project and the proposed construction of a recreational area. The discussion will be led by a facilitator and will involve a series of questions (to be determined). A space of 30 minutes will be reserved at the end for questions and answers.

Expected Date: last weekend in May ( after talking with the farmers this weekend, they would like it to be much earlier...middle ofMay at the latest~) AKA to be determined

Location: to be determined. Paldang Community center would be ideal. However, transportation to and from the farm is difficult if a large number of people attend. As I would like 100 people or more to attend, a lecture hall in a university would naturally provide more space. Targeted Audience: Korean and expat community

Outcome: Generating a lasting spirit of committment to the cause of justice for the Paldang farmers and generating sufficient press for what's being done to the Paldang Organic Village and its community. If the government knows people sincerely care about South Korea's environment and its people, especially non-Koreans, perhaps they will reconsider their position this time around and in the months and years to come. Let's let them know we care enough about Paldang to want to know the entire story, from both sides.

excerpt from the letter I wrote to the farmers

"...토론회의 목전은 팔당을 파괴 후에 생길 결과에 대해서 대화를 하려고 합니다.정부에 입장에서 볼때 팔당을 파괴 후에 그 근처에 나다나는 환경은 변화가 어떻게 생길까요? 무엇보다 농부들의 생활에는 어떤 영향을 미칠까요?고객 토론회동앙 한국과 국제 보도 기관, 보도진으로 오시면 아주 좋을 것이라고 생각합니다."
Vanessa Falco (바네사)

translation: "I plan to have a discussion in front of the public to discuss the effects of destroying Paldang. From the government's position, how will the surrounding environment around Paldang change after Paldang's farms are destroyed? And moreover, how will this all impact the farmers--their lives and families? I think if we can generate domestic and international press it will be a good thing for getting out the truth about what will happen if Paldang is gone. "

Talking with the Farmers: Preparing for the May Discussion

( picture taken by Jiyoung-it's all her-the translation too!) I borrowed it because I didnt take my currently broken camera~

Yesterday I met for a second time with the farmers at Paldang Organic Farm. My Friend, Jiyoun( I am so thankful for her and her translating help !) and I got up at 6 am and traveled to meet the CEO of Paldang Organic Food, Kim Byung Soo. We interviewed him and several other farmers with several questions. I will post our formal list of questions later. Here is some of the information we learned yesterday.

1.) Why is the government asking you to leave?
~ NUMBER ONE REASON:water pollution: the government is telling the farmers they will pollute the water by staying on their organic
farm.
~Public interest-the government is saying
that people need parks and bike paths and soccer fields in this area.

What the farmers think:
~the nitrate levels (No3)in the water are only 5 or 6 ppm. This is a result of the organic farm.
~Over twenty years ago, the nitrate levels in the water were over three times this quantity, unsuitable for even drinking. So this reason for their relocation is unwarranted.

2.) The governor of Korea is Kim Moon Su? When did he visit to discuss the situation and what did he say?

~He and the President Lee Myung-bak are the movers and shakers of this plan to get rid of Paldang
~ Kim Moon Su has betrayed them, as he now supports Lee Myun Bak’s plan to remove Paldang farmers.
~In 2008, he, ironically enough, proposed with another Paldang farmer, Kim Byung Su, to have the IFOAM Organic World Conference(OWC) here in Paldang in 2011.However, he refused to meet with IFOAM President and VP last year when they came to Paldang. He also refused to meet with the farmers to further discuss the approaching destruction of Paldang.
~He wants to change the location of the 2011 OWC.

3.) What exactly will replace the farm? Why is it a bad idea?
~A park with soccer fields, tennis courts, etc and bike paths
~The famers believe the park will use herbicides and pesticides ,similar to conventional farming practices, and subsequently further polluting the river( NOTE : the IFOAM along with myself believe this as well. There is much evidence to support the notion.)
~They especially don’t see the need for bike paths which are useful in bigger cities anyway
~People may pollute the area as well with garbage

4.) Where are they being asked to go?

~Farmers will get land 1/3 of the size they currently use
~Relocate half -hour away in a mountainous area-virtually unfarmable

~They must wait at least three years to actually use the land( which is not fertile for organic farming)
~They must relocate again after 10 years
~Government has said they will help pay for greenhouses

5.) What have they done so far? What clashes have they had with the government/police

~This is their fourth attempt to save Paldang Organic Village
~10/26 2009- 900 police and 22 people(farmers and consumers) arrested when the construction workers came to measure the land
~2/24 -11 people arrested-à currently on a trial now
~They have been invited to speak with congress but are not allowed to ask questions. They just have to listen to the 4 River Project plan
~ June 2nd- Paldang votes for new mayor-they hope he will help fight with them to protect their land

6.) How Paldang farmers view the 4 Rivers Restoration Project:

*Quick Backround For You! :In 2007, Lee Myun Bak proposed a canal--336-miles long-- connecting Seoul to Busan. Name of project : Pan Korea Waterway . How would the rivers change ? They are constructed to be slow-water canals using locks and dams.)Currently, government says it is absolutely unrelated to the 4 Rivers Project, which is “Green”*

~ Lee Myun-bak is the former Hyundai Construction CEO. They believe he wants to help his construction buddies through the 4 Rover Project
~The Pan Korea Grand Waterway has now become the 4 River Restoration Project with a new, fake ‘green’ name.
~70% if Koreans opposed this plan in 2007.
farmers believe it is a horrible plan and will destroy biodiversity, which is magnificent, in Paldang
~ dredging the river and constructing dams will further destroy biodiversity and create water pollution