Proposal for a Korea Indymedia Center
The 1999 anti-globalization (alternative-globalization, etc.) struggle in
Seattle has resulted in the formation of local “Indymedia Centers” all
across the globe. Over 120 Indymedia Centers have been formed out of
existing grass-roots movements as a way to spread alternative discussion of
local issues and movements.
Even in Korea the progressive anti-globalization movement has paid close
attention to the Indymedia movement since its conception. In the past
discussion of the Indymedia has occurred in several quarters and there is
currently a rising effort in Korea to create a Korean node in this network.
Of course this isn’t the first attempt to form an Indymedia center in Korea
and there seems to be differing opinions on the possibility and need of an
Indymedia center here.
Across the globe Indymedia plays diverse roles and fills diverse needs
wherever it’s formed.
1. Promotion of alternative discussion
In many cities across the globe a medium for alternative discussion does not
exist and in these places Indymedia is able to create a space for the
exchange of alternative ideas, both flowing from local grass-roots movements
and around issues not covered by the commercial press. In Korea however
there are already several spaces (ex: Jinbo Net) that fulfill this role and
if an Indymedia center was formed here it would be unnecessary and pointless
to duplicate the efforts of these other groups.
2. Providing access to information on foreign movements
The Indymedia Center name is able to connect many local centers around the
world, facilitating the exchange of information and materials on new
movements in a non-hierarchical network. This is precisely the purpose of an
Indymedia homepage—to connect users with the local pages of their
interest where they can easily find information on local progressive
movements, grass-roots news, protest / struggle information, etc. A Korean
Indymedia Center could fulfill this role, however because of the highly
developed focus of Internet media in Korean alternative discussion, there
are already many Korean organizations creating strong international links
and translating diverse materials into Korean.
3. Spreading information on local movements internationally
When we connect to www.indymedia.org we can immediately access information
on local movements ranging from Manila to Tokyo, Brazil to Italy. However
foreigners searching for a diverse array of issues and news on Korean
progressive movements (in English) often find themselves lost. As yet Korean
progressive movements still lack a suitable channel for the propagation of
their news. Currently individual organizations maintain their own tactics
for English translation and propagation of news, however there is no one
spot able to gather this news together and present it to a large audience of
foreign activist.
This last point is where we can find a basis for a Korean Indymedia Center.
The fact that the non-Korean speaking world has no access to information on
Korea’s healthy and lively progressive movements is nothing but
regrettable. Currently individual organizations have created strong
international solidarity links, however for unconnected activist gaining
access to this information is still a difficult task.
This should be the principal aim of any attempt to form a Korean Indymedia
Center: to spread news and information on Korean progressive movements
internationally. Achieving this aim is not as difficult a task as it might
appear. Work towards and Indymedia Center Korea is work toward a
non-hierarchical network. Especially the use of fulltime professional
editors / staff is something to be avoided. The power of Indymedia is in the
idea that anyone can become a reporter. Many of the activists in Korea have
English skills. These activists along with those working in solidarity can
provide a steady stream of diverse news on Korean activism.
This means that the responsibility for managing the Indymedia Center does
not need to fall into the hands of one organization rather anybody can
publish over the internet raising the voice of Korean resistance in English,
Japanese, Chinese, or any other language available to those using the
website.
In the future it would be great to see Korea’s Indymedia Center take on
more diverse tasks however, the most important task now is for a Korean
Indymedia to fill a gap where information on Korean movements are not
reaching non-Korean speakers. And that should be our main focus while trying
to open this site. (In actuality the most important point is the update [and
availability] of Korean news in English)
Activists who have been involved with Korean labor and other diverse
movements over the past several years have formed an IMC-Korea working
group. This especially includes those using or concerned with the use of
English in spreading information on Korean movements. With your interest and
support we hope to create a Korean Indymedia Center.
Please lend your support and solidarity.
Korean Indymedia Center Working Group (less formal than that…)
|
|
Jiyul ends hunger strike on 100th day 
