JUST BLOW

Eric Sirotkin and International Law Students at Inha University

Each time I meet someone here the first question they have of this tall gringo is “What makes you do this work?” The answer is always evolving for me, but its clear that some things stand out. First, it’s an area of peacemaking that few historically in the U.S. participate in or even understand. But really I think I felt that this is a conflict crying out for resolution and healing. Torn families, a dying cold war, two countries with a common heritage - this should be a no-brainer. Yet, its a place where old wounds still blister and huge military-industrial and U.S. geo-global objectives rule. But both David and Goliath are dancing on the precipice of great change and a slight wind of peace can topple them over at anytime. So here I am standing with as many people I can find and keep blowing.

I met with very exciting peace group representatives that are doing great work. At the Nautalis/ARI office. They work on international issues relating to both peace and energy. The work on pulling together resources and experts into a pool that can be used by NGO-s, government and others. We discussed the situation in Korea and the history of the 386 generation democratization movement. Professor Yi Kiho, pictured on the right,has taught political change and social movement or civil society and NGOs in the university and is the Director. We talked alot about new technology and the power for organizing. Deputy Director Tim Savage, left, was on teh phone quite a bit with news outlets around the answering questions about the DPRK nuclear test. Later that night at Dinner, Program Officer, Kim,Jee-Yeon and an intern Dennis Kim spoke about their younger generation’s view of the conflict and the craving for a new way to make change beyond the traditional in your face street action typical of the now older generation. I shared with them my views on the power of the energetics of activism, and how we make a difference in the way we do things,as well as the result. Visit them at http://www.globalcollab.org/Nautilus/northeast-asia.

I then, after a mad dash of confusion changing metro lines) had a meeting with us Minbyun lawyers - the progressive lawyers alliance here in Korea. 'MINBYUN-Lawyers for a Democratic Society' was established on May 28, 1988. MINBYUN aims at the development of a systematic and organizational structure in response to human rights violations with the goal of becoming a valuable participant in the entire democratization movement. In addition, MINBYUN provides legal advice and cooperation to non-governmental organizations working for social progress.

We had a short luncheon and discussed legal issues of statute of limitation s for war crimes, their role in foundation of the TRC act and the loss of their dear friend, President Roh. The former President, a human rights lawyer, was born out of the same movement for change of the 1980‘s that birthed their organization. OIne key point about the Truth Commission process was that they had fought for Public hearings as part of the Framework Act that set up the TRC, but the conservative forces blocked it. Also, they are prohibited under the Act for making public the names of perpetrators. From discussions it is clear that the failure to hold hearings really decreases the chance for any national trauma healing, as was so prominent in South Africa. They want to contact us about a suit to stop a base in Korea, as the Japanese had had some success with an ecological argument in court in San Francisco. We will be in contact in the future. We should definitely invite them to a Guild conference, as they totally relate to our message of human rights and social justice. See http://minbyun.jinbo.net/english/index.htm

I then got to engage in my biggest joy. Teaching a 2 1/2 course on...well on whatever I wanted - to an international law undergrad class at the law school. THe professor, Lee Seokwoo, whom I had briefly met several years before on my prior trip to Seoul, let me loose on the class. They were very attentive and asked many questions at the end. In addition, I learned later that they always get a break after an hour, but no one had told me. So instead they sat attentive and respectful and took into the lecture tentatively titled: How to be an international law lawyer without even trying.

As the cab took me home to my hotel we passed downtown and I could tell that there’s “somethin’ happenin’ here”- as Stephen Stills was known to croon. The suicide has brought people forward with their courage - and hopefully not just their anger. The funeral plans go forward, people still play respects, but demonstrations are beginning. The all too familiar scene of hundreds of riot police assembling down the side streets with their large shields has begun. Last night I saw dozens of police buses, some cordoning off “free speech zones” around plazas downtown. Something might explode. For even though the suicide note said “Don’t blame anyone,” people are talking about the current President pushing through the zealous prosecutions that led Roh Moo-Hyun to take his fateful leap. I will keep my hand on the pulse.