hankyoreh

a naval base construction contractor

By Huh Ho-joon, Jeju correspondent

After eight years of conflict over the construction of a naval base in Jeju Island’s Gangjeong Village, the local government now appears poised to hold an investigation into procedural issues raised by residents.

Based on the results of the investigation, which would examine matters such as the appropriateness of the site selection process, Jeju Self-Governing Province also plans to consider setting up a framework for compensation.

The Gangjeong Healing Subcommittee, part of the transitional committee for governor-elect Won Hee-ryong, held a press briefing on June 23 to announce its policies for addressing the village’s naval base conflict and actions to resolve resident conflicts. Won is the sixth governor elected for the island by popular vote, as part of the June 4 municipal elections.

The transitional committee’s plan has five main components: investigating the base construction process and achieving a consensus on judicial procedures, “healing” the Gangjeong community and providing compensation based on the investigation findings, formulating a development plan for Gangjeong with the support of residents, preventing legal violations and evasions in future construction efforts and maintaining the ecosystem in appropriate condition, and setting up a special “Gangjeong committee” with a reorganized and expanded support team.

The investigation is expected to cover the appropriateness of the measures taken at the time the previous local government courted the base project, including village meetings, environmental impact assessments, and the lifting of regional conservation status. There are also plans to apologize formally and publicly if the investigation uncovers anything the government is deemed accountable for.

But residents will likely have to content themselves with an apology or disciplinary action, since the irreversible progress made on the construction so far means that the project can’t actually be reconsidered even if serious flaws are revealed.

The transitional committee is currently holding discussions on who is to lead the investigation.

One focus of attention in the recent announcement is its mention of setting up a framework for compensation once the investigation results are in. The committee also announced plans to help heal divisions in the community, including administrative and financial support and programs by a new conflict resolution team staffed with private experts. A local development planning committee for Gangjeong is also being set up, with some private sector representatives.

Meanwhile, the new plan for the ongoing construction effort involves minimizing environmental damage through systematic monitoring of contamination at and near the site, including damage to the ocean, cultural properties, animal and plant life, and nearby Gangjeong Stream. Construction for Gangjeong Port, the local harbor, is to incorporate opinions from the village hall.

Won’s idea for a “joint governance” model involves setting up a special committee for Gangjeong, with a support team there developing its own plans.

“The biggest issue in the Gangjeong conflict is the way resident sovereignty has been ignored,” the transitional committee said.

“The joint governance model is a defining part of the sixth elected provincial government that involves increasing and reorganizing the administrative system for Gangjeong Village,” it explained.

use a barge to move a caisson. Samsung Mulsan and this barge‘s captain were accused by police of operating the barge without prior approval. (by Ryu Woo-jong

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