By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter

Forty-four moms face a summons for their alleged violation of the law on rallies during last year's candlelit vigils against the import of American beef.

Last week, police asked the members of an online community, dubbed ``Stroller Moms Corps,'' to present themselves at Jongno Police Station in central Seoul soon, according to police and the members, Monday.

The mothers took part in the candlelit demonstrations with their babies in strollers last year. Clashes between riot police and protesters usually did not happen when the mothers were present, as both sides tried to protect the babies.

Police said that the mothers are suspected of having violated the law on rallies and obstructed traffic by illegally occupying and marching on the streets on May 29 and 31.

The investigation started with a counter-complaint from a blogger, who was accused by the community members of libeling them, according to police. The blogger filed the complaint in early March, and police have since sorted out the members for the summons.

A member of the community, with the ID Ilu, claimed that they did not violate the law, saying the mothers walked on sidewalks on May 29 and held a performance with ``taegeukgi'' with police' permission at sunset on May 31 during the pre-reported rally.

Police said the probe is separate from that into three community organizers, who were summoned last September for leading the ``illegal'' protests. One of them was booked without physical detention for standing in front of demonstrators and confronting police's water cannon with her baby in a stroller, making police unable to forcibly disperse the demonstrators.

Internet users denounced the summons. One blogger, Scottmom, said on Daum, ``Police investigate moms walking with babies in strollers. But they don't probe conservative group members who wielded wooden sticks, fired gas gun and brought gas tanks to demonstrations downtown. I've never seen a report that such people have been summoned or punished.''

But some denounced the members for being irresponsible to take children to rallies that could have become violent.

rahnita@koreatimes.co.kr