Peaceship on the Mouth of Han river – slide show m..2006/08/08 696

(photo1)
This is the mouth of the Han River.
Imjinriver and hanriver meet here to reach the west sea. This area was called Jo river before the Korean war. The official name now is ‘Han gang ha goo’ which means the mouth of han river.

This is where fresh water meets sea water, and inland water transportation meets the world. This is the ecological paradise, the birthplace of Korean history, and civilization.

(photo2)
But after the war, wire fences were put up on the bank of either side of the river from Kangwha to Seoul. Jo river and han river became a politically created lake. Seoul changed from an international port to a mere riverside city surrounded by the barbed wires of division. Andmemories of the Han-river as a international waterway has faded away.

(photo3)
There is an underwater barrier down the river after the Kimpo Bridge, stopping any boat from going through. With a blocked river, our imagination has been cut off as well. The division of the nation severed the waterway, leaving tears and sighs in its place.

(photo4)
Each year, millions of people visit Odu Mountain Tong-il observatory. On the notice board, however, there is a ‘DML’ in the middle of Imjin and han rivers that run through North and south. And yet nowhere in the ceasefire agreement can we find a mention of MDL of DMZ in the mouth of Han-river area.

(photo5)
Truce agreement says ‘the region of the mouth of Han-river is open to civilian ships from both sides’. According to truce agreement, the MDL and the DMZ exist only on land. The west side of the DMZ ends in Jangdan, across the Imjin river. You can see ‘Jang dan’ from ‘Odoo’ mountain unification observatory.

(photo6)
Shall we have a closer look? The administrative authority over the north side of DMZ lies with the Chinese and the North Korean army, and south side with UNC. South Korean soldiers stand guard there, but we don’t have a pinch of administrative authority. This is one of the reasons that there is no train yet on the already finished Keongyui and Dong hae railway lines.

(photo7)
Do you know what happened on Nov. 17th 2000. It is the most significant day in the history of DMZ. On this day, UNC and North Korean Army agreed to have joint administration over Keongyui, and donghae railway lines by north and south Korean armies. It was a small start. But part of the administration of DMZ was transferred to south Korean army.. However, 2 years later, UNC said no when the south suggested exchange visits and operations to clear landmines. It was to encourage the north to speed up the clearing up operation. UNC’s refused it on the ground that we have to obtain permission to cross DML. The UNC argued that the administration is under the two Koreas, but the jurisdiction still lies with UNC. And yet nowhere in the truce agreement can we find the word ‘jurisdiction’. It uses the word ‘administration’ only. The agreement on Nov. 17th should mean part of the UNC’s administration was transferred to the South Korean government, but UNC is making unreasonable claims of jurisdiction.

(photo8)
But The mouth of hanriver region is different. It starts from upper Sacheon river which is the west end of the DMZ and finishes at Mal island that is part of Kangwha islands. The blue bit is the hanriver mouth area. There is no such thing as UNC’s administrative rights over this region. If there is anything, there is a right to set up navigation regulation for the passing ships. This navigation regulation is something very practical such as both parties agreeing to rescue any ship in distress regardless of their nationality.

(photo9)
There is the northern Limit line(NLL) in the west sea. And two battles broke out there just because crossing this line amounts to crossing the MDL on land. Of course it was a sad misunderstanding. MDL exists only on land. NLL was drawn there under UNC’s own regulation to stop soldiers from the south going to the North. It is an arbitrary line that has never been agreed upon with the north. We have mistaken NLL for MDL because we have forgotten that there is no MDL or DMZ on Han river mouth region. We must understand the nature of this area if we don’t want another battle breaking out there.

(photo10)
Everything and everyone that crosses MDL has to obtain permission from the UNC, whereas the mouth of hanriver area is a division free zone that’s open to all civilians. This was confirmed once.

(photo11)
Nov. 24th 1990 witnessed an astonishing event. While constructing Jayoo motorway meaning freedom motorway built in preparation of the reunification, a ship sailed across the river, for the first time since the division. A Korean special aide to chief of UNC managed to persuade him. This incident proved the fact that there is neither MDL nor DMZ.

(photo12)
From here at the top of the mountain, the North looks so close it feels as though I can touch it if I reach out, and to the south han river spread out like a clear empty sheet. I imagine. I can picture fleets of ship heavy with fish and salt slowly sailing up the Han river as they did before the war. Now we are working to open this waterway again.

(photo13)
We can find in the mouth area the Han river a precious opportunity to open a new era of rapprochement between the North and the South. Keongyui and Donghae railways brought abouta significant change in the Truce agreement, but opening a waterway in han river mouth is a much safer approach where all we have to do is to observe the rules laid out by the the ceasefire agreement. It is an act of dispelling a taboo that didn’t even exist.

(photo14)
The fishermen of Kangwha island will be guaranteed uninhibited fishing in extended fishing zone. And farmers on both sides will be able to share their farming resources. The people who had to take boats to leave hometown behind before the division will be able to take boats back home. Just imagine arriving in Gaeseong in one hour after leaving Inchon Airport via reopened waterway! What a happy dream!

(photo15)
The final decision to open the waterways in han river mouth region lies with UNC, not the Korean government. That’s why we have to meet head of UNC. That’s why we are reaching out to the citizens together with whom we can start the wave of peace. We have to meet and persuade them““`

(photo16)
Most important thing is to look inside ourselves to realize that we have been slaves to our ignorance and inertia. When we can imagine what have been inhibited, when we can free ourselves from the ignorance and inertia, we’ll be able to renew ourselves and hear the sweet songs of streams called peace.

(photo17)
To restore the waterways in the mouth of the han river region is to restore lives that we have forgotten. Memories of the past leads to the vision of the future, I want to rewrite our future by sharing our past. Thank you.

Epilogue
Any sane person would picture an apple in their mid, when they hear the word ‘apple’.
If you think of a pear when somebody says apple, then you need help.
‘Demilitarization’ means ‘no military’. But say it to any Korean and he will picture in his mind armed soldiers in a heavily militarized zone.
The word ‘Demilitarization’ reminds them the exact opposite and yet nobody doubts their sanity. That’s Koreans who have to live with the relics of Cold War and divided homeland.
In war, guns dictate the people. In divided korea, inertia dictates people.
I question whether we can be free without breaking free from this inertia.

이시우님께서 남기신 글입니다.
:
: 한강 하구를 아십니까? This is the mouth of the Han River.
: 임진강과 서울의 한강이 만나 서해에 이르는 강을 한국전쟁 전에는 조강이라 불렀습니다. 그러나 지금 이곳의 공식명칭은 한강하구입니다. Imjinriver and hanriver meet here to reach the west sea. This area was called 조 river before the Korean war. The official name now is 한강하구 which means the mouth of han river.
:
: (기수역사진)
: 이곳은 민물과 바닷물이 만나고, 한반도의 모든 뱃길이 모여 나라밖과 어울리던 곳이었습니다. 이곳은 생태의 보고이자, 한반도 역사의 자궁이었으며, 문명의 정점이었습니다. This is where fresh water meets sea water, and inland water transportation meets the world. This is the ecological paradise, the birthplace of Korean history, and civilization.
:
: (한강철책사진)
: 그러나 전쟁이 끝나고 강화에서 서울에 이르는 강의 양쪽에는 철책선이 세워졌습니다. 조강과 한강은 정치적인 호수가 되고 말았습니다. 국제적 항구도시였던 서울이 분단의 철책에 포위되어 강변도시로 전락해버렸습니다. 우리의 기억 속에서 한강하구는 어느새 잊혀져 버린 것 같습니다. But after the war, wire fences were put up on the bank of either side of the river from Kangwha to Seoul. Jo river and han river became a politically created lake. Seoul changed from an international port to a mere riverside city surrounded by the barbed wires of division. Andmemories of the Han-river as a international waterway has faded away.
:
: (김포대교수중보사진)
: 한강의 김포대교 아래에는 수중보가 있어 한강의 배들은 더 이상 나아가지 못합니다. 한강이 막히자 우리의 상상력도 막혀 버렸습니다. 동북아를 한눈에 훤히 바라봐야 하는 지금, 우리의 시야는 아직 한강조차 벗어나지 못하고 있습니다. 분단은 한강을 드나들던 뱃길을 막는 대신 눈물길을 만들었습니다. There is an underwater barrier down the river after the Kimpo Bridge, stopping any boat from going through. With a blocked river, our imagination has been cut off as well. The division of the nation severed the waterway, leaving tears and sighs in its place.
:
: (오두산전망대 설명판사진, 지도)
: 연간 수백만 관광객이 찾는 오두산 통일전망대의 안내판에는 남과 북 사이로 흐르는 임진강과 한강의 중간선에 ‘군사분계선’ 이란 글씨가 박혀있습니다. 그러나 정전협정 어디에도 한강하구에 군사분계선과 비무장지대가 있다는 말은 없습니다. Each year, millions of people visit Odu Mountain Tong-il observatory. On the notice board, however, there is a ‘DML’ in the middle of Imjin and han rivers that run through North and south. And yet nowhere in the ceasefire agreement can we find a mention of MDL of DMZ in the mouth of Han-river area.
:
: (정전협정지도)
: 정전협정 1조 5항에는 ‘한강하구수역은 쌍방 민간선박의 항해에 이를 개방한다’ 라고 되어 있습니다. 정전협정에 의하면 군사분계선과 비무장지대는 육지에만 있습니다. 정확한 비무장지대의 서쪽 끝은 자유로를 타고 가다가 오두산 통일전망대를 지나 낙하리근처에서 바라보이는 임진강 건너 장단입니다. Truce agreement says ‘the region of the mouth of Han-river is open to civilian ships from both sides’. According to truce agreement, the MDL and the DMZ exist only on land. The west side of the DMZ ends in Jangdan, across the Imjin river. You can see 장단 from 오두산 mountain unification observatory.
:
: (전방초소의 한국기와 유엔기 사진)
: 조금 더 자세히 알아볼까요? 군사분계선 북쪽 비무장지대 관리권은 중국군과 인민군에게, 남쪽 비무장지대 관리권은 유엔군사령부에 있습니다. 전방 철책을 지키는 것은 한국군이지만 우리는 지키기만 할 뿐 단 한줌의 관리권도 없습니다. 경의선과 동해선 공사가 끝난 지 오래되었지만 아직 기차가 다니지 못하고 있는 것도 이 사실과 무관하지 않습니다. Shall we have a closer look? The administrative authority over the north side of DMZ lies with the Chinese and the North Korean army, and south side with UNC. South Korean soldiers stand guard there, but we don’t have a pinch of administrative authority. This is one of the reasons that there is no train yet on the already finished 경의 and 동해 railway lines.
:
: (판문점 설경사진)
: 혹시 2000년 11월 17일 어떤 일이 있었는지 아시나요? 이날은 비무장지대 역사에서 가장 기록할 만한 날이었습니다그것은 경의선과 동해선 지구를 남북의 군인이 관리하도록 하는 ‘남북관리구역‘에 대해 유엔사와 인민군이 합의한 날이기 때문입니다아주 작은 일부에 불과하지만 한국군에게 비무장지대에 관한 관리권이 양도된 것입니다.그러나 2년 뒤 유엔사는 남쪽이 북의 지뢰제거 작업을 독촉하기위해 남북지뢰제거상호교환사업을 제안했을 때 군사분계선을 넘는 것은 여전히 유엔사령관의 허가사항이라며 이를 막았습니다.관리권(administration)은 남북에게 있지만 관할권(jurisdiction)은 여전히 유엔사에 있다는 해석이었습니다.그러나 정전협정 어디에도 관할(jurisdiction)이란 말은 없습니다.오직 관리(administration)란 단어만이 쓰이고 있습니다. 남북관리구역에 대한 인민군과 유엔사간 합의서는 분명 정전협정상 유엔사가 행사하던 관리권의 일부를 우리 정부에 넘긴 것으로 해석하는 것이 상식임에도 불구하고, 유엔사는 억지를 부리고 있는 것입니다.이 문제는 아직도 남북 교류의 큰 장애중 하나로 남아 있습니. . Do you know what happened on Nov. 17th 2000. It is the most significant day in the history of DMZ. On this day, UNC and North Korean Army agreed to have joint administration over 경의, and 동해 railway lines by north and south Korean armies. It was a small start. But part of the administration of DMZ was transferred to south Korean army.. However, 2 years later, UNC said no when the south suggested exchange visits and operations to clear landmines. It was to encourage the north to speed up the clearing up operation. UNC’s refused it on the ground that we have to obtain permission to cross DML. The UNC argued that the administration is under the two Koreas, but the jurisdiction still lies with UNC. And yet nowhere in the truce agreement can we find the word ‘jurisdiction’. It uses the word ‘administration’ only. The agreement on Nov. 17th should mean part of the UNC’s administration was transferred to the South Korean government, but UNC is making unreasonable claims of jurisdiction.
:
: (한강하구 사진)
: 그러나, 한강하구는 다릅니다. 한강하구는 비무장지대의 서쪽 끝인 사천강 위쪽에서 시작되어 강화도 끝섬 말도부근에서 끝납니다. 푸른색 부분이 한강하구입니다. 한강하구에 유엔사령관의 관리권 같은 것은 없습니다. 굳이 있다면 선박의 통항규칙을 정할 수 있는 권리뿐입니다. 그 통항규칙이란 선박이 폭풍이나 조류의 영향으로 재난을 당하였을 때 그 선박과 인원이 어느측에 속하였든지 쌍방은 모두 이를 구제할 책임을 진다든가하는 아주 실무적인 규정입니다. But The mouth of hanriver region is different. It starts from upper 사천 river which is the west end of the DMZ and finishes at 말 island that is part of 강화 islands. The blue bit is the hanriver mouth area. There is no such thing as UNC’s administrative rights over this region. If there is anything, there is a right to set up navigation regulation for the passing ships. This navigation regulation is something very practical such as both parties agreeing to rescue any ship in distress regardless of their nationality.
:
: (백령도 북방한계선모형)
: 서해 5도에 북방한계선이 있고 이 선을 넘으면 육지의 군사분계선을 넘은 것과 같다고 오해하는 바람에 두 번이나 서해교전이 일어났습니다. 그러나 군사분계선은 육지에만 있습니다. 북방한계선은 남측군인이 북으로 더이상 넘어가지 못하도록 통제하기 위해 만든 유엔사의 내부규정이었을 뿐입니다. 북과 단 한번도 합의된 적 없는 임의적인 선인 것입니다. 우리가 지금까지 북방한계선을 군사분계선인 것처럼 오해하고 있는 것은 한강하구에서부터는 군사분계선과 비무장지대가 없다는 사실을 잊고 있기 때문에 생기는 넌센스입니다. 결국 제 3의 서해교전을 막기 위해서라도 우리는 한강하구의 성격을 제대로 이해해야만 하는 것입니다.
: There is the northern Limit line(NLL) in the west sea. And two battles broke out there just because crossing this line amounts to crossing the MDL on land. Of course it was a sad misunderstanding. MDL exists only on land. NLL was drawn there under UNC’s own regulation to stop soldiers from the south going to the North. It is an arbitrary line that has never been agreed upon with the north. We have mistaken NLL for MDL because we have forgotten that there is no MDL or DMZ on Han river mouth region. We must understand the nature of this area if we don’t want another battle breaking out there.
:
: (해안절벽사진)
: 군사분계선을 통과하는 모든 것이 유엔사령관의 허락을 받도록 되어 있는 것과 비교한다면 한강하구는 민간인에게 개방된 분단의 해방구와도 같은 곳입니다. 이것이 확인된 일이 이미 있었습니다.
: Everything and everyone that crosses MDL has to obtain permission from the UNC, whereas the mouth of hanriver area is a division free zone that’s open to all civilians. This was confirmed once.
:
: (배항해사진)
: 1990년 11월 24일 놀라운 일이 일어났습니다. 분단 후 최초로 이 강에 배가 지나간 것입니다. 통일을 대비해 만들던 자유로 공사의 작업선이었습니다. 당시 유엔사령관의 특별고문이었던 한국인이 유엔군사령관을 설득해서 이루어진 일이었습니다. 이곳이 군사분계선도 없고 비무장지대도 아니라는 사실이 증명된 것입니다.
: Nov. 24th 1990 witnessed an astonishing event. While constructing 자유 motorway meaning freedom motorway built in preparation of the reunification, a ship sailed across the river, for the first time since the division. A Korean special aide to chief of UNC managed to persuade him. This incident proved the fact that there is neither MDL nor DMZ.
:
: (김포애기봉 건너 북한 사진)
: 북이 손에 잡힐 듯 내려다보이는 산 정상에서 여백처럼 비어 있는 한강하구를 바라보며 상상의 나래를 펼쳐봅니다. 전쟁 전 조기와 소금을 실은 강화 시선배가 선단을 이루어 능청능청 한강을 거슬러 올라가던 모습을 말입니다. 이제, 우리는 다시 그 뱃길을 열어보고자 합니다.
: From here at the top of the mountain, the North looks so close it feels as though I can touch it if I reach out, and to the south han river spread out like a clear empty sheet. I imagine. I can picture fleets of ship heavy with fish and salt slowly sailing up the Han river as they did before the war. Now we are working to open this waterway again.
:
: (서울한강사진)
: 남과 북이 화해의 역사를 열어갈 귀중한 기회가 한강하구에 있습니다. 경의선과 동해선이 정전협정에 큰 변화를 가져온 일대 격변이라면 한강하구는 정전협정의 합의를 지키기만 하면 되는, 더 쉽고 안전한 길입니다. 한강하구의 뱃길을 여는 것은 존재하지도 않던 금기를 툭툭 털어내는 일입니다.
: We can find in the mouth area the Han river a precious opportunity to open a new era of rapprochement between the North and the South. 경의 and 동해 railways brought abouta significant change in the Truce agreement, but opening a waterway in han river mouth is a much safer approach where all we have to do is to observe the rules laid out by the the ceasefire agreement. It is an act of dispelling a taboo that didn’t even exist.
: (임진강사진)
: 강화도의 어민들은 어로한계선을 북상시켜 자유로운 어업을 보장 받을 것입니다. 농민들은 청동오리가 유기농 농사를 훌륭히 마치고 난 뒤 북에 있는 동포들에게 청동오리를 배에 실어 보내게 될 것입니다. 배를 타고 고향을 떠났던 이산가족은 배를 타고 고향땅에 다시 발을 딛게 될 것입니다.
: 막혔던 뱃길이 열려 개성과 인천공항이 1시간 거리가 되는 상상. 이 얼마나 즐거운 일인가요?
: The fishermen of 강화 island will be guaranteed uninhibited fishing in extended fishing zone. And farmers on both sides will be able to share their farming resources. The people who had to take boats to leave hometown behind before the division will be able to take boats back home. Just imagine arriving in 개성 in one hour after leaving Inchon Airport via reopened waterway! What a happy dream!
:
: (돌아오지 않는다리 사진)
: 현재 한강하구의 뱃길을 여는데 최종결정권을 가진 것은 안타깝게도 우리 정부가 아닌 유엔사입니다. 하지만, 한반도의 평화유지를 위해 주둔하는 유엔사가 평화를 꿈꾸는 노력을 부정하지는 않을 것입니다. 그래서 우리는 유엔사령관을 만나야겠습니다. 함께 평화의 물결을 일으킬 수 있는 많은 시민들을 만나야겠습니다. 만나서 이야기하고 설득해야겠습니다.
: The final decision to open the waterways in han river mouth region lies with UNC, not the Korean government. That’s why we have to meet head of UNC. That’s why we are reaching out to the citizens together with whom we can start the wave of peace. We have to meet and persuade them““`
: (판문각사진)
: 무엇보다 우리 스스로에게 덧씌워져 있던 무지와 관성을 성찰하는 일이 중요합니다. 막혔던 상상력이 열리고 무지와 관성에서 벗어나, 나 자신과 새롭게 만나는 감동이 빚어질 때, 평화의 시냇물은 우리 곁에 흐르기 시작할 것입니다. 우리 곁의 사람들을 울리며 퍼져나가는 평화의 물줄기가 모이고 모여 강을 이루고, 마침내 넘실대는 평화의 바다를 이루어낼 것입니다. 한강하구에 평화의 배를 띄우기 위한 준비모임을 제안합니다.
: Most important thing is to look inside ourselves to realize that we have been slaves to our ignorance and inertia. When we can imagine what have been inhibited, when we can free ourselves from the ignorance and inertia, we’ll be able to renew ourselves and hear the sweet songs of streams called peace.
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: (할아버지와 손녀사진)
: 결국 한강하구의 뱃길을 복원하는 것은 잊혀진 우리의 삶을 복원하는 일입니다. 과거에 대한 기억은 곧 미래에 대한 상상이기도 합니다. 그렇기 때문에 우리는 이 일을 강화와 김포, 서울과 고양, 일산과 파주지역에 살고 있는 분들의 한강하구에 얽힌 기억의 실타래를 풀어내고 그 기억을 경청하는 일로부터 시작하려고 합니다. 그 기억들을 온전히 되새김으로써 우리는 한강하구가 꿈꾸게 될 미래를 다시 볼 것이기 때문입니다. 여러분들의 과거를 나눔으로써 우리의 미래를 새롭게 쓰고 싶습니다. 고맙습니다.
: To restore the waterways in the mouth of the han river region is to restore lives that we have forgotten. Memories of the past leads to the vision of the future, I want to rewrite our future by sharing our past. Thank you.
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