By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter
In a new form of voluntary defiance of the use of police force, citizens and students protesting the imports of U.S. beef turned themselves into authorities, making the crackdown on what they call illegal candlelit vigils more complicated.
Protestors call it a ``chicken cage tour,'' a mocking of the voluntary tour in the riot police bus to the police station after the turn-in. The riot police bus, mostly a modified big bus with cage-like, steel-bared windows, is often called ``dakjang'' here which literally means a chicken cage.
Many young protestors take pictures of themselves in the bus and consider the investigation to be fun activities. Obviously, such actions became a source of embarrassment to the authorities.
On major portals, Internet users have posted parody pictures and stories to mock the authorities' suppression against them.
``It's a free one-night tour to a police station. It's fun. Let's enjoy it,'' an Internet user said, posting a picture with patrol wagons and making it a tour advertisement.
The parodies started to appear on the Internet as police have strengthened the crackdown on illegal protestors.
Candlelit vigils have been held almost every night in downtown Seoul since May 2. But tension has heightened since last week after protestors clashed with riot policemen after they crossed the police line.
Police have taken 211 participants to police stations but few seem to worry about the stern countermeasures.
The ``volunteer turn-in'' displays a difference from traditional protest patterns. Experts said it is a transient phenomenon to have their voice heard in a new and stronger manner.
``It seems like some protestors are seeking a new or stronger way to have their voice heard,'' said Bak Hee-je, professor at Yonsei University. ``Ridiculing authorities became common in various rallies.''
He also said that he does not think that young students are taking part in the rally only as for fun activities.
``It is true that young protestors enjoy the rally as a `play and fun' aspect. But it's just a small part of what they try to do in the rally. They started it to make a difference,'' he said.