CASE OVERVIEW
Background Information
In 2005 POSCO signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indian state of Odisha for the construction of a 12 billion dollar ironworks. This gigantic project immediately encountered opposition from the indigenous people. The construction project was controversial because it went against India’s Forest Rights Act and the environmental impact assessments carried out were inadequate. If the project proceeded indigenous people would be forcibly displaced from their homes and environment. The fact that POSCO would be responsible for such forced displacements was pointed out by various organizations.
It means a great deal to those who are oppressed to know that they are not alone. Never let anyone tell you that what you are doing is insignificant.
OUR ACTION
KTNC Watch spoke out against this POSCO project, addressing concerns both to the Korean Government and to POSCO. KTNC Watch monitored the project area between 2008 and 2010 and conveyed the indigenous people’s opinions. In 2012 the citizens of India and the Netherlands joined Korea in filing appeals to the OECD NCPs in Korea, the Netherlands, and Norway. The following year a total of eight UN human rights related special rapporteurs and expert working groups demanded that POSCO stop the project in India. POSCO pulled out of the project in 2017 as a result of this opposition.