Demonstrators throw stones and wield sticks to destroy a police bus in downtown Seoul, Friday, during a rally against American beef imports.
/ Korea Times Photo by Hong In-kee |
By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
Protests against American beef imports are becoming more violent, with clashes between protestors and riot police occurring nightly, and even during the daytime.
The demonstrations, which seemed to have lost steam, became violent after the government Wednesday decided to issue import protocols in the state gazette.
Calling for the government to scrap the decision, demonstrators have been constantly staging all-night rallies, taking to the streets in downtown Seoul to approach Cheong Wa Dae. They complain that the government is not listening to what they have to say.
Wooden sticks, stones, slingshots, and plastic bottles full of stones are part of the ``weapons'' protestors are using to damage patrol buses and attack riot police. Some protestors heaped up sacks of sand in front of patrol buses, which were blocking the roads to the presidential office, in an attempt to climb onto the buses.
Demonstrators have attacked journalists from conservative-leaning newspapers, which they claim carry unfair reports about the protests. They also broke windows to storm into the head offices of the Chosun Ilbo and Donga Ilbo dailies.
People have now even been rallying during the daytime, taking to the streets in attempts to approach the presidential office.
In earlier rallies, protestors chanted ``No violence'' whenever clashes occurred. But in recent rallies, such slogans have disappeared.
The ruling Grand National Party denounced the rallies, saying the candlelit gatherings have become a political, anti-American protest led by a small number of ``professional demonstrators,'' and that the Gwanghwamun area has become lawless.
Police, who have refrained from using violence after public criticism over their earlier use of water cannons, are again taking stern measures.
Recently, they fired water cannons and used fire extinguishers to disperse protestors. Some riot police have assaulted ralliers, with both sides punching and kicking each other in scuffles. Dozens of people from both sides have been injured in the clashes.
Starting Friday evening, police added colored dye to the water in their water cannons to identify protestors who commit acts of violence.
Police have taken 135 demonstrators to police stations since Wednesday. They even detained an elementary school student and lawmakers. Rep. Ahn Min-seok of the opposition United Democratic Party claimed he was beaten by police even though he disclosed his identity.
Police also sought arrest warrants for two members of a civic coalition charged with organizing the candlelit rallies, and for a college student who attacked a police officer during questioning.
The coalition plans to hold gatherings, Saturday and Sunday.
rahnita@koreatimes.co.kr
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yistory@koreatimes.co.kr
