The (강정) Gangjeong community has been in discord over the creation of the Jeju Civilian-Military Complex Port since 2007.
Last Monday on May 31st, the community, the province and the provincial council signed a joint declaration as an attempt to settle the conflict. However some residents expressed their denial of the declaration. Todd Thacker reports.

Report

For more than a decade, the Gangjeong community in Seogwipo has been divided over the creation of the Jeju Civilian-Military Complex Port.
In an attempt to settle the conflict, the community, the province and the Provincial Council signed a joint declaration on Monday (May 31).
It’s been 14 years since the port project was first announced.

At the signing ceremony, Governor Won Heeryong apologized for past mistakes made during the site selection and construction process.

Recording
Won Heeryong / Jeju Governor
My fellow citizens in Gangjeong, I sincerely apologize for the scars and painful division you had to experience, as well as for the economic and social damage.
<싱크 : 원희룡 / 제주도지사>
"존경하는 강정마을 주민 여러분. 그동안 견뎌내야 했던 마음의 상처, 공동체 파괴의 아픔, 경제적, 사회적 피해에 대해 다시 한번 깊은 사과와 위로의 말씀을 올립니다."

(좌남수) Jwa Nam-su, chair of the Provincial Council, apologized for the passage of two motions submitted at a regular session of the council in 2009.
One motion dealt with changes to the Absolute Preservation Area and the other pertained to an environmental impact assessment.

Recording
Joa Nam-su / Chair, Jeju Provincial Council
I know the council cannot escape the responsibility of your community’s pain. As chair of the council, I deeply apologize for the council’s misjudgment.
<싱크 : 좌남수 / 제주도의회 의장>
"우리 도의회도 그 책임에서 결코 자유로울 수 없음을 잘 알고 있습니다. 도의회의 잘못된 부분에 대하여 도의회 의장으로서 깊은 유감을 표하고 사과를 드립니다."

The (강정) Gangjeong community has accepted the apology and declared that it will cooperate with the two provincial offices to help the community recover.


The joint declaration, which was signed by the three parties, states that the province and the council will fully support Gangjeong development projects. This will include an annual 5 billion won in funding until the year 2025 for community restoration. The Gangjeong community will also use the breakwater at the port as a source of revenue.

Meanwhile, village opponents of the complex port, the (강정) Gangjeong Peace Network, and other civic groups, held a joint press conference prior to the signing ceremony to urge the suspension of what they call the “deceptive agreement.”


Though local resentments and conflict remain at issue, it’s crucial that the signatories of this joint declaration make every effort to work together for the benefit of all.

Todd Thacker, KCTV