By Park Si-soo
Staff Reporter
Courts are taking a tough stance against people using violence at rallies, slapping heavy fines and compensation payments on both protestors and police, and sending a clear message that ``violence is not justifiable in any event.''
Clashes between candlelit protest participants and riot police have left many injured on both sides. Protesters blame the police for using excessive force, while officers allege protesters have turned rallies against the government's decision to resume American beef imports violent. Both have filed lawsuits against each other.
Jeonju District Court ruled last January that the government must pay 64 million won ($64,000) in compensation to the bereaved family of Hong Duk-pyo, a rice farmer whose death in November 2005 was ruled to have been caused by the excessive use of force by riot police during a protest against the government's move to open the local rice market.
Hong was participating in a large-scale rally in Yeouido, Seoul, on Nov. 15 and was struck in the neck by police baton and riot shield.
Following the incident, he lapsed into a coma and died of sepsis on Nov. 18, which resulted from spinal damage.
The court statement said, ``Hong was wounded in the neck apparently by police. And it's directly linked to his death.''
Underlining that forced dispersion by police is only acceptable when police officials are in jeopardy, the court said ``Given the seriousness of Hong's wounds, police utilized crackdown means that were beyond what's acceptable, which is illegal.''
The National Assembly enacted the bill on the rice market opening in November 2005 and under the rule, imported rice will account for 7.96 percent of the local market by 2014.
Police are also threatening that they will file suits against demonstrators deemed responsible for damaging property during the candlelit rallies.
Cheongju District Court last July ordered 11 accused protesters to pay 10 million won in compensation to Chungbuk Provincial Police Agency for damaging police buses.
The court said ``Police should allow peaceful rallies. When it comes to violent protest, however, protestors are responsible for the damage they cause.''
In 2003, Ulsan District Court also ruled against protestors who caused damage worth 27 million won ($27,000) to the local government.