Contents
1. Research Goal and Thesis Statement...............................1
2. Areas of Research and Method of Analysis.........................4
3. Theoretical Approach.............................................10
1. Characteristics of American Military Crimes........................18
2. Korean American Structural Characteristics and U.S. Crimes........20
in Military Tows
3. Korean & American Relations and Solutions American military Crime..29
4. Government and Non-Government Organization's countermeasures..30
Chapter III: The NGOs in Uijong-bu and Dongduchon
1. Introduction of the NGOs.........................................32
a. Uijong-bu: CB-NGOs.............................................33
b.Dongduchon: CB-NGOs...........................................38
2. Civil Society-NGOs...............................................46
3. Comparison of NGOs.............................................51
Chapter IV: Analysis of the NGO Activities in Research Areas
1.Theoretical Framework & Summary of Questions..................53
2. Individual Responses
a. CB-NGO.......................................................57
b. CS NGO.......................................................69
3. Comparison and Implications......................................72
Chapter V: Networking in Order to Prevent American Military Crimes
1. Human Rights & Domestic Networking............................75
2. International NGO Coalitions: Okinawa.............................78
Chapter VI: Conclusion...............................................83
Bibliography..........................................................86
Appendix (Interviews)................................................97
Acknowledgment 118
Abstract
This paper focuses upon the activities of the social organizations/NGOs and their efforts toward alleviating the difficulties that arise due to the human rights abuses by the American military in South Korea. In the past scholars, social movements, governmental agencies have connected events in the military towns to Korean nationalism. For instance, nationalist social movements and scholars often linked problems within military towns to issues such as anti-American demonstrations and reunification. Furthermore, the American government connected the American military socio-political standing in South Korea to issues such as national safety and maintenance of the morale of American troops. These attempts at social manipulation for predefined goals by the Korean social organizations and U.S. government resulted in the unchecked violation of the human rights abuses of the prostitutes in military towns across South Korea. Therefore, this paper focuses upon the realities, human rights violations of the Korean residents, especially prostitutes, in the military towns. By focusing on the activities of the NGOs (Non Government Organizations) and their attempts to promote social welfare within the military towns, and fight against human rights abuses by the American military in South Korea, the realities and necessary reforms in the military towns will become apparent.
Understanding the relationships between the NGOs, U.S. military and Korean citizens must be done with a general awareness of the history of military town prostitution and U.S. military criminal acts after the end of WWII. Chapter two includes this historical background. Recognition of the relationship between international policy and individual human rights is essential to understanding the history of the military towns.
Chapter three and four delve into the world of social organizations such as 'Sprouting Land' (Saewoomtuh: ??????), Tabitha's Community (???Ÿ?????ü), 'My Sister's Place' (Durae-Bang: ?η??), and The National Campaign for Eradication of Crimes by US troops in Korea (?????????? ?????? ???? ??????)1). Chapters three and four are the focus of my thesis paper. As previously stated, the majority of social organizations focused upon the nationalist methods of scholarship and activism, however in 1990's a small minority took interest in issues such as individual human rights, feminism, and environment.
In order to expand upon the above framework, I have conducted a series of case studies in the areas of Tongduchon (????õ) and Uijongbu (??????) upon NGOs dealing with issues concerning the military towns. These case studies include questionnaires, live interviews, and in addition, my personal accounts, which where obtained through participation in volunteer programs at Saewoomtuh and the 'National Campaign'. The information obtained through the questionnaires and direct interaction with the NGOs has facilitated better understanding of the current environment and the extent of human rights abuses in the military towns, by the American military in Korea.
Chapter three includes a description of the military towns in Tongduchon(Camp Casey) and Uijongbu(Camp Stanley) and the CB-NGOs located in these areas. In addition, this chapter also includes a brief description of the NGOs in Seoul, the 'National Campaign', dealing with issues concerning the military towns. Chapter four includes a brief explanation of the questions distributed to social activists who work in the NGOs. In addition chapter four elaborates upon the history, present status, and future of each separate NGO and analyzes the responses to the interviews, taking into consideration the theoretical framework outlined in the introduction.
Chapter five explores the alternatives to the social movements, and the realities and prospects of international networking. On the domestic front, the future success of the NGOs depends upon the cooperation and communication between the various NGOs. On the international front many foreign organizations are conducting exchanges between scholars and activists. These exchanges promote communication between members of various societies who are concerned with issues in the military towns.
The conclusion, chapter six, summarizes the main points of the thesis paper. In the process of writing this paper, I realized the importance of understanding the effects of U.S. policy upon individuals and the social-political environment of foreign countries. Accordingly, the U.S. and Korea must recognize the suffering of the women and children who reside in the military towns. Without acknowledgement of the seriousness of the U.S. military abuses of human rights in foreign countries, the scope of violations individuals will only intensify.
1 From here forth this organization will be referred to as the 'National Campaign'.