'Candidate beaten by police officer'

Seen in the circle is independent presidential candidate Kim So-yeon with bruises on the left side of her face, which she reportedly sustained during a scuffle with police officers at Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul, Saturday. Captured from the Internet

By Kim Rahn

Kim So-yeon, one of four independent presidential candidates, was allegedly beaten by a police officer during a campaign rally Saturday.

Her aides also claim the officer spat in her face. Police deny the claims.

According to supporters of Kim, a former member of the Korean Metal Workers’ Union, officers assaulted her while she and some 300 supporters were attempting to march toward Cheong Wa Dae after a speech at Gwanghwamun Square in central Seoul.

She planned to hold another rally in front of Cheong Wa Dae.

Police blocked them from approaching the presidential office and the two sides clashed, with scuffles taking place for about two hours.

After the incident, tweets spread that a policeman spat in her face and punched her. Kim’s camp released a photo of her with bruises on the left side of her face.

Some tweeters also mentioned this incident. Seoul National University law professor Cho Kuk said, “Candidate Kim was beaten by police. This is an unprecedented situation! A thorough investigation should be conducted to hold those in charge accountable.”

Regarding this, police said she was hit accidentally. “We reviewed the video recording of the scene. Some of her supporters pulled an officer’s arm and while he was shaking them off, his arm hit Kim’s face. The claim about spitting is not true,” an officer from Jongno Police Station said.

He said the officer in question was instead beaten by supporters. “He has been hospitalized as he appears to have suffered a fracture around one eye,” the official said.

Police added they blocked the supporters’ march because it was an illegal rally.

“According to the Election Law, it is banned for a group of more than five people to march on the street for electioneering,” he said.

Kim is one of two candidates from the labor sector. She pledged to eliminate the practice of recruiting temporary workers Kim said she joined the race because she wanted to show that workers can play a pivotal role in the political arena and they don’t need help from somebody else to have their voice heard in public policy.