South Korea: US Military expansion plan threatens the right to food of 200 rice farmers, Daechuri, Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do Province

On March 6 and 15, 2006, riot police attempted to forcibly evict residents of Daechuri village, Pyeongtaek. Many residents were severely injured and over 40 protesters were arrested. The farmers of Daechuri and surrounding communities have been protesting for the past 4 years against attempts to expand a United States military base which would imply forcible evictions of the farming communities. The farmers solely depend on rice farming for their subsistence and an adequate compensation is not guaranteed. As such, the right to feed oneself of 200 farmers’ families is threatened.

An international action is urgently needed to support the farmers of Pyeongtaek. Please write a polite letter to the President of the Republic of Korea, Mr. Roh Moo-hyun, requesting him to immediately stop forced evictions and police brutality and respect the right to food of the Pyeongtaek rice farmers.