Welcome to BASE21

A delegate from Japan, Domatsu, makes a speech at the rally against the BIT (photo by Chamsesang News)

On 22nd March, Japanese prime minister Koizumi and Korean president Kim Dae-Jung held a Korea-Japan summit, where the two Heads of State signed the much resisted investment treaty and promised to promote definite steps for a free trade agreement. Throughout Koizumi's visit, Korean activists have been protesting against the visit.

Following finalisation of the text for the Korea-Japan Bilateral Investment Treaty(BIT) last December, Korean activists under the umbrella organisation Korea Peoples' Action Against WTO & BIT(KoPA) had been intensifying the level of struggle against the BIT in preparation for Koizumi's visit to Korea.

KoPA had already started a broad campaign against BITs with Japan and US, and Free Trade Agreement(FTA) with Chile ever since it came to be formed in 1999. However, with the government's announcement that it plans to hurry towards BITs and FTAs, KoPA has also strengthened its fight against further incorporation of Korean economy into the 'race to the bottom' neo-liberal capitalist system.

During February, at the time of Bush's visit to Korea, KoPA held series of rallies against the plan for a FTA with the US, which will liberalise Korean services, including culture and electricity. During Koizumi's visit to Korea 21st-22nd March, KoPA once again took to the streets in order to stop the Kor-Jap BIT.

Participants hold a banner from Japan, in a march through the city on 21st March. The picket at the back reads "Koizumi, we don't welcome you!" (photo by Chamsesang News)

KoPA started off with a demonstration on 15th March in central part of Seoul. Close to 50 activists participated, campaigning about the purpose and essence of the BITs and FTAs while also demanding for the government to "release the text". An activist from Peoples' Health Coalition spoke on how Kim Dae-Jung's neo-liberal policies have deteriorated the living conditions of the people, and Secretary General of the National Farmer's League spoke about the effects of Kor-Chile FTA on Korean peasants. A member of the Railway Workers Union came to make a solidarity speech - elaborating on the inter-relationship between the government's attempts to privatise public utilities and the investment treaties that are being made with world's economic powers. At this, the participants confirmed the importance of firm solidarity between the ongoing strikes of public utility workers and the struggles against BIT and FTA. A dock worker from Japan, who had come to Korea in solidarity with the electricity workers, was also present at the demonstration to show solidarity with the Korean activists.

On the day of Koizumi's arrival on 21st March, KoPA, along with other progressive networks such as Peoples' Solidarity and Anti-War Pro-Peace Common Action held a press conference in front of the Japanese Embassy and a mass rally against the BIT and Japan's heightening militarist threat. President of National Alliance for Democracy and Reunification compared to the recent moves by Japan to economically and militarily dominate East Asia with the colonisation of Korea during the first half of 20th century. Owata, a delegate from 'Jap-Kor BIT No! Urgent Campaign', said that the BIT and FTA must be stopped through solidarity action between the peoples of the two countries. He also called for a definite resistance to imperialism and globalisation. As participants tried to peacefully hand in a letter of protest, officials from the Embassy merely replied that all staff were too busy with preparations for the prime minister.

Protesters at the mass rally, 21st March. (Photo by Chamsesang News)

KoPA's action continued onto the 22nd, when activists protested nearby the 'Blue House' (presidential offices) at the time the official signing was taking place. There was a brief clash with the riot police who blocked representatives from approaching the Blue House to hand in the letter of protest.

Although the BIT has been signed and the struggles against the BIT have not been able to mobilise large numbers, definite action is crucial at this moment since the signed BIT is to go through ratification in the National Assembly. It will be the first in the series of investment and free trade treaties the Korean government is promoting, and its ratification will accelerate even further and justify the race to liberalise the Korean economy to the grips of transnational speculative capital.