By Park Si-soo
Staff Reporter
More than 100 protesters were taken into custody during street rallies in central Seoul, Saturday. The rallies were held to commemorate the one-year anniversary of anti-U.S. beef protests that swept the country last year. The government made has it clear that it will not tolerate any illegal demonstrations going forward.
The opening ceremony for the Hi Seoul Festival, an annual event held by the city, was cancelled due to the protest. Police said more than 600 protesters staged unauthorized street rallies around Seoul Station, Seoul Plaza, and Myeong-dong, starting at around 4:40 p.m.
Braving rainfall, the protesters, mainly from anti-government civic groups, condemned the Lee Myung-bak administration for paying little attention to those most vulnerable to the ongoing economic crisis, including low-income earners and non-permanent workers. They blamed a series of government economic policies for a widening social polarization.
``We will continue to fight against this dictatorial government in line with the anti-U.S. beef protests last year,'' organizers said in a joint statement.
Police said some 1,300 people gathered in Gwanghwamun and hampered the Hi Seoul Festival events. Clashes between police and protesters occurred as the crowd was dispersing. A total of 112 people were taken into custody for violence, police said, adding the crowd was dispersed by around 11:40 p.m. No injuries were reported.
The government pledged stern countermeasures against violent rallies. ``We will never be lenient to violent and unauthorized protests. If necessary, stern countermeasures will be mobilized,'' the Ministry of Justice and other related ministries said in a joint statement.
Meanwhile, Seoul city said despite the cancellation, the remaining programs for the festival will go ahead as planned. The nine-day festival will continue until May 10, featuring various events at Seoul Plaza, Cheonggye Stream and the capital's five palaces.