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The Nonviolent Peaceforce Corea (NPC), whose co-representative Park is, has worked hand in hand with the Pan-National Committee to Deter the Expansion of U.S. Bases since last year, though it is not on the committee’s official member list. On May 2, the NPC joined key alliance members People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy and the Korean Federation for Environmental Movement in issuing a statement against the “forceful relocation” of USFK bases on Pyeongtaek, which they said aims to ensure “strategic flexibility” or the freedom to deploy the USFK in trouble spots elsewhere. That was after Han on April 20 took office as prime minister of a government ostensibly supporting the relocation.

The statement bluntly criticized the government, saying its negotiations to relocate USFK bases are “riddled with flaws” and the issue should be re-examined from scratch. “Expanding USFK bases in Pyeongtaek violates both the Constitution and the Mutual Defense Treaty between the Republic of Korea and the United States of America, and there are no legal ground for the government to use its public power to oppose our demonstrations,” it said.

However, the organization seems to have stopped taking an active role in the alliance after Han said on May 12 the relocation plan was non-negotiable. Park is reportedly still a member of the NPC. An official with the organization told the Chosun Ilbo on Wednesday, “We share the same purpose” as the pan-national committee “in a broader context, but we had no role in staging demonstrations. Instead, we will produce a video clip on the Pyeongtaek issue and show it to celebrate International Peace Day on Sept. 21.”

The NPC is the Korean office of an international organization headquartered in Belgium and working to promote peace around the world. It was introduced in Korea by Park himself in 2001. It also took part in a press conference condemning the government’s negotiations on USFK strategic flexibility and the relocation plan, which were agreed in Korea-U.S. talks before Han was appointed prime minister. It has not commented on military action taken by North Korea and China and the human rights situations there.

Meanwhile, the premier herself said Wednesday the bulldozing of 90 houses in Pyeongtaek is “inevitable” if the relocation plan is to go ahead as scheduled, adding, “We need to proceed with the demolition work within the legal framework.”

(englishnews@chosun.com )