Throughout history, Korea has been afflicted by attacks from foreign powers due to its geographical proximity to neighboring countries. Even though the three oceans surrounding Korea have given the country advantages in terms of trade and natural resources, it has also made the country vulnerable to aggression from foreign countries.

In this regard, YiYi, a respected Neo-Confucian scholar from the Chosen Era, once proposed that Korea have a standing army to protect it from invasions.Yet his proposal was rejected and Japanese aggression caused great damage. The decline of Korea’s military power, in fact, led to the destruction of the country and a huge loss of national heritage. The political leaders of the Chosen Era, grieving bitterly after the aggression, rigidly reinforced the Office of Border Defense and reorganized the military, but by the time they had taken action, it was already too late.

The latest dispute over the construction of a naval base on Jeju Island brings back memories of Korea’s unfortunate history. In response to China’s assertion of sovereignty over Ieodo, a submerged reef located at the southernmost area of Korea, controversy over building a naval base in Gangjung on Jeju Island sparked confrontation among interested parties and engulfed the people of the Korean Peninsula in a rage. Over the last ten years, the Korean government has tried to push forward construction of naval base on Jeju Island in order to strengthen national security in the southern sea but construction has repeatedly started and stalled and has made little progress because of continuing resistance.

Opposing parties including civic organizations have strongly protested against the national project on the basis that it would be hazardous to the peaceful island. Beginning with the blasting of Gureombi rocks on the seashore, the conflict between the government and opposing groups have intensified, with both parties refusing to yield their positions an inch. 

Although numbers of opposing parties continue to increase, the need to build a naval base in Gangjung is irrefutable. The project ultimately aims at consolidating Korea’s naval power and securing major maritime trade routes. Considering China’s rapid growth and continuing territorial disputes about islets among Northeast Asian countries, the project should move forward with the support of the nation, and should not be postponed by its people. Currently, the southern waters are used as an important trade route to bring in natural resources such as crude oil and raw materials. Korea is a country that is highly dependent on imported goods so protecting the southern area has now become a big issue. In the face of China’s rise, Korea should be prepared to keep China from infringing on its sovereignty, not to mention Japan’s claim on islets in the eastern waters. Of course, that China could become a threat to Korea and even further to other Northeast Asian countries is only speculation; however, taking into account China’s countless attempts to absorb Korea’s history and cultural heritage, strengthening Korea’s naval power in the southern area should be considered as a way of developing national power, not breaking up a peaceful alliance. Moreover, it is always better to be prepared than to be unprepared.

There are numerous arguments that critics raise towards the project, but the biggest concern among all is conservation of cultural heritage and of nature in Gangjung village. Protest has proliferated all over the Korean peninsula starting from the locals to political and civic movements. Even civic groups from foreign countries have been taking part in protests and calling for renunciation of the project.Yet, their arguments do not reflect the fact that Korea is still a divided nation which has agreed to a ceasefire following the end of the Korean War in 1953. Although the current tendency of the international community is to strive to achieve world peace, tensions from the Cold War era remain and conflicts still arise between nations. It is not difficult to imagine wars breaking out on multiple continents. Thus, if the opponents’ objective truly is to protect Jeju Island, they should reconsider their efforts to keep it from becoming a strategic point. A strong naval force should be maintained to protect Jeju Island’s picturesque scenery and cultural heritage. Without the naval base, local people on Jeju Island could be exposed to potential threats such as foreign aggression. The people of Iraq suffered the loss of the magnificent legacy of Mesopotamian civilization after experiencing multiple wars. Now it has become a troubled region and only vestiges of the ancient civilization remain. To prevent such loss to Korea, a strong Korean naval power is required.

While the construction of a naval base in Jeju Island looms large, the procedural problems associated with the project are now starting to cause problems. Although the government insists that they have committed no procedural errors during construction, people in Gangjung village harshly blame the government for not hearing favors from all the residents. Following the blasting of Gureombi rocks without having notified residents, the government now faces an angry backlash and greater resistance.

“If you want peace, be prepared for a war,” an old saying goes. A naval base in Gangjung village would be an important military strategic point in the southern sea and would give Korea a stronger naval force. However, since the building of a naval base in Jeju Island strongly supports national interests, the government should reach an agreement with Gangjung villagers prior to gearing up for a full-scale project. In the midst of heated debates among politicians and activists, the government should not neglect such questions as who should be protected and what should be prioritized. After all, the purpose of toughening national security is to benefit its own people, is it not?

Kim Ju-Eun(Reporter)

20113412@kookmin.ac.kr