Protestors Want US Beef Safety
By Kim Tae-jong
Staff Reporter
Candlelight vigils started last month out of public concern over the safety of a bread and butter issue, namely the government's hasty decision to resume imports of American beef.
However, while multiple themes for the vigils have emerged, namely the safety of American beef and anti-Lee Myung-bak. These days signs of anti-American sentiment are appearing on the streets.
Thousands of citizens took to the streets in downtown Seoul Friday night to join the now nightly ritual, pressing for the government's renegotiation of the beef deal with the U.S.
But some of the participants began to criticize the United States for what they call an American imposition of unfair treaties on Korea.
The angry voices came as the vigil coincided with the sixth anniversary of the accidental death of two middle school girls involving a U.S. armored vehicle in Yangju, Gyeonggi Province. Their deaths triggered the candlelit vigil as a new form of protest in Korea.
A coalition of about 2,000 civic groups, which organizes the candlelit vigils, was afraid that the vigil would turn into an anti-U.S. protest, moving away from their focus on the U.S. beef deal renegotiation.
Family members of the two dead schoolgirls also expressed their hope that the anniversary would not be linked to the issue.
Since the first candlelit vigil on May 2 by thousands of schoolgirls, it has become a nightly ritual with the participation of citizens from all walks of live ― students, workers, activists and even parents with their children. Consequently, the number of protestors has risen, with organizers claiming 700,000 were in Seoul Tuesday.
It was the biggest civil disobedience movement in 21 years.
Organizers are seemingly unable to control what those attending the candlelight vigils say during the protests.
Doctors, pharmacists, nurses and dentists demanding the government scrap its plan to privatize public medical insurance. Students and teachers denounced the new education policies that put greater emphasis on English immerging methods.
Basically, the coalition takes a stance that it will not attempt to control the slogans of various civic groups but their ultimate goal is the renegotiation of the beef deal.
However, the organizers say they will start a campaign to oust President Lee unless he completes the renegotiation by June 20.