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...)

-- NevinD - 27 Apr 2005
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