Exercise #4

July 14, 2024 By: Jinsu Kim

1. Local Environmental Issue:

 

A recent environmental issue in my local area of Yongsan-gu is the ongoing soil and groundwater contamination from the U.S. military base. According to recent reports, the pollution levels remain alarmingly high, with benzene detected at 1,423 times the acceptable limit in 2020(Choi, 2022).

My position on this issue is one of deep concern and frustration. As a resident of Yongsan-gu, I believe immediate action is necessary to address this environmental crisis. The contamination poses significant risks to public health and the local ecosystem. I think the U.S. military should be held accountable for the cleanup costs and there should be more transparency about the extent of the pollution.

I believe the planned relocation of the base and the creation of Yongsan Park present an opportunity for thorough environmental restoration. However, I’m worried that without proper oversight and commitment from both Korean and U.S. authorities, the cleanup might not be as comprehensive as needed.

2. Civil Disobedience in Environmentalism:

Civil disobedience has played a significant role in the history of environmentalism, including in the context of military base-related environmental issues in South Korea.

In the context of Yongsan-gu, civil disobedience has been less prominent in addressing the base contamination issue since it is related to army base, which contains many classified information. However, environmental groups and few media oulets have used other tactics such as information disclosure requests to South Korean government and public awareness campaigns to pressure authorities for action(강혜인, n.d.).

To answer whether civil disobedience works to bring positive change, I would argue that it can be effective when used strategically. Civil disobedience can raise public awareness, put pressure on decision-makers, and sometimes lead to policy changes. However, its effectiveness often depends on the broader political and social context.

In the case of the Yongsan base contamination, while there haven’t been large-scale acts of civil disobedience, the persistent efforts of environmental groups and press to uncover and publicize information about the pollution have contributed to keeping the issue in the public eye and on the political agenda. This suggests that a combination of tactics, including but not limited to civil disobedience, can be effective in pushing for environmental change.