‘Touch not one stone, not one flower’

Between 1948 and 1954, up to 60,000 men, women and children were killed during the Jeju Uprising and subsequent suppression by the South Korean army [EPA]

In 2005, Jeju was declared an (***)Island of Peace(***) [EPA]

But in 2011, construction began on one of the world(***)s largest naval bases [Reuters]

It has been vehemently opposed by locals, who fear that their island could become a port of call for the US military(***)s marine ballistic missile defence system [Reuters]

The construction of the naval base, which will be capable of housing more than 20 warships, could cost approximately $920.5mn [EPA]

Some fear it could trigger an arms race in the region [EPA]

Since plans for the naval base were announced five years ago, 94% of the residents of Gangjeong village, the site of the naval base, have voted against it [Reuters]

Activists say islanders and the rich natural habitat are at risk due to the construction of the base [EPA]

Seoul has sent additional police to the island in a bid to counter the mounting protests [Reuters]

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‘Touch not one stone, not one flower’

It has been called an ‘Island of Peace’, but many residents fear Jeju could soon be at the centre of an arms race.