To the Editor:
Re “A Naval Base in South Korea” (letter, New York Times on the Web, Aug. 16):
Jin-soo Nam, a minister-counselor for the South Korean Embassy, claims that the Jeju base “has no connections to American military installations.” This is not true.
The Aegis sea-based missile defense system planned for Jeju is networked to United States space systems and ground-based X-band radar. Furthermore, the “town hall meetings” Mr. Nam refers to were no bastion of democracy. Less than 10 percent of the village attended, and a “vote” was held by clapping.
Having just spent 15 days in Gangjeong, I can assure Mr. Nam that the villagers’ grievances are just and that their demands are more than reasonable.
MATTHEW HOEY
Cambridge, Mass., Aug. 16, 2011
The writer is outreach coordinator for the Save Jeju Island Campaign and a missile defense analyst at the Military Space Transparency Project.
2. Letter from Korean Embassy about Gloria Steinem's NYT op-ed Article
주미한국대사관이 쓴 글로리아 스타이넘 기사에 대한 반박글
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/16/opinion/a-naval-base-in-south-korea.html
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Published: August 15, 2011
To the Editor:
Re “The Arms Race Intrudes on Paradise,” by Gloria Steinem (Sunday Review, Aug. 7):
The government of the Republic of Korea would like to clarify misunderstandings about its naval base on Jeju Island.
The Jeju base was built solely for the defense of the Republic of Korea and has no connections to American military installations. There are no plans to use the base for American missile defense, nor have Korea and the United States had any discussion regarding this issue.
The construction site was selected after accommodating opinions of local residents in a legitimate process, including town hall meetings.
The Korean government intends to construct an eco-friendly base. Environmental assessments show that the project will have no effect on the environment. Additionally, preservation measures are being taken to protect vulnerable species native to Jeju Island.
JIN-SOO NAM
Minister-Counselor for Cultural and Public Affairs
Embassy of the Republic of Korea
Washington, Aug. 10, 2011