Base Move Brings Anguish to Daechu-ri

“Who would want to leave their homes? But this is a government project, and we don’t have a choice,” said Bang Hyo-jeung (aged 61) after he agreed to the government’s territory compensation in January and left the village. His family had lived in Daechu-ri for three generations.

Bang, who received a total of 300 million won for the 800-pyeong plot of land where his house and crop field lay, sighs as he stood in front of Daechu-ri Elementary School as the police carried out forced demolitions on Thursday morning.

He lives in a 33-pyeong apartment on lease in nearby Songhwa-ri, but he and his wife (aged 59) have visited their old home every single day.

They wanted to feed the livestock they left behind, and chat with old neighbors.

What he heard from those who refused the government’s compensation and are now facing forced demolition was harsh words and taunts like, “Why did the traitors who agreed to the building of the U.S. military base return?” Before they knew it, the whole village was split into two factions.

Bang thinks that young student activists who have frequented the village recently have something to do with their old neighbors’ refusal to comply. He says, “The compensation was less than adequate. But I left because it was part of a government project that has to be carried out.”

When university students armed with bamboo sticks yelled, “U.S. soldiers get out” as they battled police, he commented, “As long as the South and North are divided, U.S. forces in Korea must exist.”

He decided to sell all his livestock and put this sad memory behind him, before the government finishes the demolition process.

Close to the end of the interview, his wife who had been listening quietly said, “Let’s go home, before something bad happens,” and led him by the hand.

“We planted corn before we moved, but I don’t know if we will be able to eat it this summer. If the field survives, then we will share the produce with our children. If not, that’s fine.”

“I am not leaving. I am going to die here.”

Bang Hyo-tae (aged 70) pounded his chest when he spotted the police force entering the play yard of Daechu-ri Elementary School in Daechu-ri, Pyeongtaek City on Thursday around 10:00 a.m..

Bang is a third generation native of the village and is caring for his 101-year-old mother. He sat through the night at the school on Wednesday. He sided with students and laborers who sat in front of the main gate of the school and took part in demonstrations. He clapped and sang along to the unfamiliar songs.

The police threw Bang into the asphalt road. His eyes were filled with tears.

“Is it a crime to live on my land? I did not get one cent of the deposit. How can I just watch them destroy my crop field? It is like they are evicting my children.”

He thinks that the compensation is not enough.

“Pyeongtaek land costs 500,000 won to one million won per pyeong. The government is offering me 150,000 won to leave. This is thievery.

Bang says that having to leave his home is worse than getting poorly compensated.

“I do not have much longer to live. I cannot adapt to a new environment.”

Still, many have left the village already. Bang says, “Those who left did so because the government made Daechu-ri a very hard place to live in. They are also in some sense victims.”

His four children gave him a phone call yesterday. They tried to persuade him to leave, because the village is not safe, but he has no intentions to do so.

“I can give my land to my country. But the police with their sticks and shields are saying that they will make a base for Americans. I cannot agree to that.”

He says, “I am worried about my mother who is probably homebound, but if the government thinks that we will give up, it is mistaken.”

Kum-Chun Hwang kchwang@donga.com