The present authorities claim that the naval base can be put into civilian use also, a trick to deceive the people, the statement said, adding:

The south Korean defense ministry on May 4 announced the Jeju port would be a military facility reserve area even after it was chosen as a trade port. On April 26 it clarified in a revised version of the enforcement ordinance "law on protection of military bases and facilities" that "it shall provide the entry and departure of ships specified by the commanding officer with jurisdiction power."

This means the Jeju naval base will remain the military facility reserve area irrespective of its selection as a trade port and the civilian ship will have to get permission of the competent commanding officer for entry or departure. This indicates the defense ministry's clear intention not to hand over the right to control the port to the Jeju Island side.

The statement called for halting the Jeju naval base construction which threatens the people's life, pollutes natural environment and destroys peace.

The Jeju Island side should stand firm against the "government", not reading its face any more, it stressed.