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| A law enforcement officer takes position as a building burns during nationwide unrest following the death in Minneapolis police custody of George Floyd, in Los Angeles, California, May 30, 2020. Reuters |
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| Los Angeles police officers watch a police car burn during a protest in Los Angeles, Saturday, May 30, 2020, Protests were held throughout the country over the death of George Floyd, a black man who died after Minneapolis police officers restrained him on May 25. AP |
By Jung Min-ho
Koreans in the United States have been warned to avoid large gatherings and follow the advice of authorities after violent protests, looting and arson erupted across the country over George Floyd's death.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Monday, 26 cases of property damage have been reported by Korean businesspeople in the U.S.
With the protests against police brutality and violence intensifying, the ministry has set up an emergency headquarters to protect citizens. Vice Minister Lee Tae-ho will hold a meeting with 10 top officials in the country.
"All offices are keeping in close contact with citizens in their regions," a ministry official said. "We are cooperating with U.S. authorities to protect our citizens."
Floyd, 46, died Monday night (local time) after he was pinned to the ground under the knee of the white Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. The incident, which was recorded on a video, touched off outrage that has swept the country.
Four police officers ― Chauvin, Tomas Lane, Tou Thao and J. Alexander Kueng ― were sacked immediately and Chauvin has been arrested on charges of third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
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