Demonstrators Blocked From Approaching Cheong Wa Dae
By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
Over 60 people sustained injuries in the fiercest clashes yet with riot police during all-night street protests over the weekend against the resumption of American beef imports.
Riot police fired a water cannon at demonstrators at close range, knocking down many people who were marching toward Cheong Wa Dae, eye witnesses said. It is the first time that police have used water since the candlelit vigils started in late April. In the clash, dozens of riot policemen were also injured, according to police.
Police rounded up 228 rally participants. Of them, three were released, with 225 currently being questioned.
On Sunday night, more than 20,000 citizens, undaunted by the large-scale roundups by riot police, took to the streets in central Seoul for the ninth straight day. Riot police blocked the central Gwanghwamun area, keeping them from marching toward Cheong Wa Dae.
More violent clashes are expected as civic groups and associations of university students vowed to continue their protests until the government renegotiates the beef deal.
Saturday's candlelit vigil, the largest so far, continued overnight till around 9 a.m. Sunday. Many protestors marched to Cheong Wa Dae. They were part of the 40,000 people who had gathered at Seoul Plaza, according to police. The figure shows a big gap with civic groups' estimation of approximately 100,000.
Protestors and police confronted each other at two major roads to Cheong Wa Dae near Gyeongbok Palace, central Seoul, from around 11 p.m., Saturday. As the protestors neared the presidential office, police began using the water cannon and firing extinguishers against them.
An Internet radio station Radio 21, which was broadcasting the scene live, reported that a high schoolgirl received an eye injury from the water cannon and may lose her eyesight. The claim is yet to be confirmed.
A candlelit rally was held Sunday evening as well, with some protestors who had participated in Saturday's overnight rally resting for a few hours near City Hall before joining up with Sunday's gathering.
Officials from civic groups said that among the injured, 17 sustained serious injuries.
The issues of the rallies are also going beyond the safety of the beef _ citizens denounce President Lee, chanting slogans such as ``Down with Lee Myung-bak'' and ``Go away, violent police.''