Police Consider Arrest Warrants
By Kim Rahn
Staff Reporter
Police are considering seeking arrest warrants for at least three people accused of using violence during a rally against the resumption of American beef imports.
The request to a local court will mark the first such move against ralliers by police since protests began in early May.
A police officer at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said Monday that they may request warrants for three or four people who were taken to police stations Sunday after all-night protests.
``They engaged in illegal, violent action, such as climbing atop patrol buses, breaking bus windows and assaulting riot police officers. We'll decide whether to request the warrants after discussing the issue with prosecutors,'' the officer said.
If warrants are issued the protestors will be charged with violating the Law on Assemblies and Demonstrations, disturbing traffic, interfering with public officials' duty and violence. Police have secured photos and video evidence of their actions, he said.
The ralliers are among 545 protestors whom police have arrested since May 24, when candlelit vigils turned into street marches headed toward Cheong Wa Dae. Among them, 211 were booked without physical detention, 14 released, 21 remitted to summary trials, and 299 were questioned in police custody.
Despite this stern action, citizens and civic groups plan to continue the protests.
Police also asked 10 leaders of a coalition of civic groups, which organized the candlelit gatherings to present themselves for questioning by Thursday. This was their second request, after the coalition leaders refused the first one.
In the meantime, 100 notable figures in the civic sector issued a statement opposing American beef imports and the construction of a pan-national waterway.
Titled ``At the time of the 100th day of President Lee Myung-bak's inauguration,'' they said the President has promoted policies that run counter to public opinion and this is the reason why citizens have staged these rallies.
``People worry that Korea's democracy is going backwards. The President should apologize to the people and stop the attempts to import American beef and build the canal,'' they said.
The figures included Paik Nak-cheong, Seoul National University professor emeritus; Paik Ki-wan, a well-known political activist; and Park Won-soon, a lawyer and head of the Hope Institute.