The government will deport two foreign activists for protesting the construction of a naval base in Gangjeong village on Jeju Island.

The government will also deny entry to foreigners coming to the island for similar activities.

According to the Ministry of Justice on Thursday, Angie Zelter, 61, from the United Kingdom, and Benjamain Monnet, 33, from France, will be deported for violating the Immigration Law. Local police referred the case to the prosecution for indictment but prosecutors decided to deport them rather than request arrest warrants.

According to the police, Zelter, an internationally noted anti-war activist, and Monnet broke through the fences and entered restricted zones several times to block the construction work that started with blasting Gurombi Rock, one of the most visited tourist spots in Jeju.

“Zelter’s and Monnet’s actions were more than a matter of freedom of speech. They have repeatedly violated the local Immigration Law,” an immigration official said.

The authorities deported an American activist, Alpha Newberry, last year on similar charges.

Zelter and Monnet are two of four or five foreign protesters who have based themselves near the construction site. About 20 other foreign nationals are estimated to have taken part in anti-base demonstrations.

The Immigration Office of Jeju rejected the entrance of Elliott Adams, former president of the U.S. Veterans For Peace, and Tarak Kauff, a board member of the VFP, and sent them back to their country. The two were heading to Gangjeong.

“We have concluded that the two, who attempted to arrive at Jeju by way of Shanghai, could be a threat to the public interests of Korea,” the office said.

Residents of the village opposing the construction of the base criticized the government’s decision, saying it went against its international commitments.

By Bae Ji-sook (baejisook@heraldcorp.com)