Novelist fuels naval base controversy

Published on 2012/03/12 | Source

By Yun Suh-young

Novelist Gong Ji-young chimed in on opponents' arguments against the construction of a naval base on Jeju Island, adding fuel to raging debate over the project.

Gong wrote on Twitter "You don't listen to the Jeju people nor budge at the cutting of the budget by the National Assembly. You, who beat innocent citizens and put them into the water, are nothing more than pirates", referring to the Navy.

Her remarks came after proportional representative candidate Kim Ji-yoon of the Unified Progressive Party wrote that she opposed the naval base construction on her Twitter on Mar. 4.

She compared the Navy to pirates, inciting the ire of naval sailors.

Kim Ji-yoon

Kim was sued by the Navy's chief of staff Friday for defaming the Navy and only the day before was also sued by independent lawmaker Kang Yong-seok for the same reason.

Kim said in a statement that she will not submit to the lawsuits and will continue fighting to stop the building of the naval base.

"The military authorities are on a witch hunt to oppress the opponents of the project", said Kim during a press conference held Monday to disclose her position about the ongoing controversy.

Gong's comment is stirring up a bigger storm after Kim's remarks sparked fierce debate online.

Gong is drawing criticism for making political comments.

Twitter user, dlsv****, said, "These sailors in the Navy give up two years of their freedom to serve the country. People like you who do not do anything for the country and rattle gibberish online are the real pirates".

Gong said Sunday that although she had a friendly relationship with the Navy's chief of staff, she thought it was right to tell the Navy that what it has done this time is wrong.

There were others who supported Gong, saying she had the right to speak up about social issues.

The debate over the naval base is not expected to end soon as a growing number of people are joining in on whether the project is justifiable.

Construction companies resumed the blasting of rock beds Monday after temporary stopping due to bad weather conditions on Sunday.

공지영 "제주 해군기지, 해적 맞다" 파문

소설가 공지영 씨가 "제주 해군기지는 '해적기지'가 맞다"는 주장을 펴 파문이 일고 있다.

공씨는 지난 10일 인터넷 뉴스 방송인 뉴스타파 7회를 시청한 뒤 자신의 트위터에 "제주도민의 말도, 국회의 예산삭감 행위에도 아랑곳 않고 시민을 패고 물속에 처넣는 너희들은 해적이 맞다"는 내용의 글을 올렸다.

해적기지 논란은 통합진보당 청년 비례대표 경선 후보인 '고대녀' 김지윤 씨(28)가 제주 해군기지를 '해적기지'라고 표현하면서 시작됐다.

공씨는 트위터에서 "강정 해군기지 입출항 시 서로(배들끼리) 부딪힐 확률이 높고 심지어 기동력도 전혀 없다"며 "그런데 1조원을 들여 강행하는 이유는?"이라고 해군기지 공사 강행에 반대 의사를 내비쳤다. 그는 조현오 경찰청장과 제주 해군기지 건설에 찬성 의사를 밝힌 서경석 목사 등을 비난하기도 했다.

이에 네티즌들은 "언제부터 대한민국 안보를 군대 한 번 안 다녀온 사람들이 좌지우지하게 됐나" "반어법인가? 아님 작가는 원래 표현방법이 삐딱한가?" "이렇게 누군가는 잘못된 부분을 꼬집어 줘야 한다" "이렇게 트위터에 적는 것도 용기다" 등 분분한 의견을 보였다.