A TEAM of 20 activists from Greenpeace UK painted a mural outside the embassy of the Republic of Korea in London, to show their support for and solidarity with Al Wilson, a Greenpeace activist and climber from St Ives, and four of their colleagues who have been trapped in South Korea since November.

The four Greenpeace International climbers and a captain of the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior have been banned from leaving South Korea for over four months awaiting trial for a protest against plastic pollution. Their hearing is on May 16.

Imogen Michel, one of the Greenpeace UK climb team painting the mural, said: “I know two of the climbers banned from leaving Korea personally, and we really want all of them, and Captain Hettie, to know that we’re thinking of them. We want to thank them for their protest against plastic pollution, an issue so many people are passionate about but which is so difficult to fix without an ambitious Global Plastics Treaty.

“But most of all we want them to know that they’re missed, and that we’re looking forward to them being able to come home and see their friends and families again. We know that Korea is a democratic nation with a strong tradition of peaceful protest, and so we hope this case can be resolved quickly now that we have a date for the hearing.”

On November 30 last year, four activists - Al Wilson, Ash (Taiwanese), Jens (German) and Sam (Mexican) - boarded a tanker that was about to load toxic plastic chemicals from South Korea’s Daesan Refinery complex, and held a peaceful protest on the foremast of the vessel.

The protest was part of Greenpeace International’s ‘Sailing for Change: Plastic Free Future’ ship tour and took place during the fifth round of negotiations for a Global Plastics Treaty (INC-5) in Busan, South Korea. The activists were banned from leaving the country awaiting trial. In addition, Hettie, a captain of the Rainbow Warrior, has also been held.

Al Wilson said: “After undertaking a peaceful protest in South Korea, trying to ensure a strong Global Plastics Treaty, we have spent four months here. Unable to work or really engage with our normal lives, it has been four slow months of waiting for our case to progress.

“The months have been filled with uncertainty and trying to remain positive has been exhausting, and, at times, lonely. All of the support from around the world helps me to stay strong, and remember that we are just a few people out of millions trying to create a better future for our planet.

“Thank you to everyone showing support and taking action. I hope to join you again as soon as possible!”

The ongoing prosecution of the activists - who staged a peaceful protest against plastic pollution during a critical moment of international negotiations - raises serious concerns about the protection of fundamental freedoms and civic space in South Korea.

Greenpeace is urging the Korean government to swiftly resolve this case and demonstrate its commitment to democratic values and environmental justice.