Police clamp on 'slaying' protest featuring US envoy's effigy

By Park Si-soo

Police have put the brakes on a “slaying” performance featuring the effigy of U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Harry B. Harris in front of his office in central Seoul on Friday.

They didn't ban the event itself, protecting freedom of expression, but ordered the event's organizers ― two anti-U.S. organizations -― to stay at least 80 meters from Harris' office. They also banned the use of flammable and sharpened materials during the performance.

The decision came a day after the event's organizers ―

People's Sovereignty Solidarity

and the

Youth Party

― told police of the event. Unveiling details, they shared an image of Harris in trouble on their Facebook pages, but deleted them after controversy erupted.

The organizers say the performance was to “punish” the U.S. envoy, who they say behaves like a “colonial governor,” takes issue with President Moon Jae-in's pro-North Korea overture and paints Seoul into a corner in the defense-cost sharing talks.