A March On Jeju Island
On the cusp of July and August, nearly 200 students and 150 adults participated in a 3-day march in opposition to the construction of a second airport on Jeju-Do, South Korea. The plans include leveling two small mountains on the eastern side of the island and the likely relocation of an elementary school. If built, the airport will increase an implanted trend of hyper-tourism which puts heavy stress on local groundwater resources and displaces farmers. Jeju activists fought an 11-year struggle against the construction of a new naval base that the Seoul government claimed was to become a civilian dock, so they believe the new airport will also have a military character despite official denials. The activists invited members of the community and students from primary and secondary schools in Seogwipo, Pyoseon, and Seongsan to walk 20 kilometers a day in summer heat, starting from the new naval base in Gangjeong and heading for the airport site in Seongsan.