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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.

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The tiny island of Jeju is located off the south coast of the Korean Peninsula. It is known for its beauty, but also for its violent past [EPA]
Published On 18 Sep 2011
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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]
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In 2005, Jeju was declared an (***)Island of Peace(***) [EPA]
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But in 2011, construction began on one of the world(***)s largest naval bases [Reuters]
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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]
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The construction of the naval base, which will be capable of housing more than 20 warships, could cost approximately $920.5mn [EPA]
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Some fear it could trigger an arms race in the region [EPA]
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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]
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Activists say islanders and the rich natural habitat are at risk due to the construction of the base [EPA]
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Seoul has sent additional police to the island in a bid to counter the mounting protests [Reuters]