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by Christian / Base21 Media Activists
dvs-b@t-online.de

Last week we'd to learn, that the US administration requested a large military support for the US led occupation of Iraq of the South Korean government. Before yesterday some South Korean papers wrote that the government is ready to send some 10.000 combat troops to occupied Iraq.

Last Saturday some 500 - yeah, you read well: FIVE HUNDRED - peoples protested against this plan. Today I asked my friend � political active in the KCTU (Korean Confederation of Trade Unions) and a hardcore left wing group - if he knows about this plans. Pretty calm and bored he answered: "No, didn't know about that."

Remember last winter: South Korean new elected president Roh said: "For our national interest we've to send some non-combat - "and I promise you, only non-combat" - troops to Iraq. In a stark opposition what he promised during the election campaign, that his government never will support any "unjustice aggression" (ha, there are justice aggressions?) against Iraq. The result: A storm of outrage erupted. Tens of thousands took peacefully the streets to protest against the aggression against Iraq, but also against governments decision to support it.

In March it comes out that the National Assembly, the South Korean parliament, will vote soon over the bill to dispatch - "really, you can believe us: Only some non-combat, unarmed troops", Roh promised - to Iraq. In the end of March heavy fights in front of the National Assembly building on Yeouido (read our reports) between thousands of political activists, students, unionists... - and large units of the infamous riot cops erupted. I remember this very well, because one of my comrades during the clashes got injured heavily beside me.

But even more than 80% of the South Korean population were opposing this plans the bill passed the parliament (just democracy!).

And now we've to see a daily ongoing war of the occupation troops mainly against the civilians in Iraq (according to Robert Fisk in the British daily Independent there are dying weekly 1000 people because of the public disorder, by crime, by "blood revenge", but more and more by attacks of the occupation forces), but also a strong movement of resistance against the occupation. Even the from the occupying forces appointed interim government - un-elected 25-member "Governing Council" - refuses more foreign troops in Iraq (NYT, 9.23.03).

So, where is the answer of the South Korean anti-war movement?
Before the demonstration last Saturday a comrade promised me: "You'll see a huge crowd protesting against governments plans to dispatch combat troops" I saw only 500 people.

Next Saturday many organizations are planning - according to my comrade - with a "huge" demonstration to take the streets of Seoul to protest against the ongoing occupation of Iraq, against the war targeting of the Korean Peninsula (by the US), Israeli occupation of Palestinian Territories and recently against South Korean government's plans to send combat troops to Iraq, to join the occupation.

So, let's see what will going on!
I mean let's join the demonstration and let's create a strong and powerful anti-war movement in South Korea!
Join the demonstration:
Saturday, September 27, 2 pm
Daehak-no (Subway No.4, Ex. 2)