Despite a police blockade, thousands of South Koreans gathered in downtown Seoul Wednesday, accusing the incumbent administration of undermining the nation's hard-won democracy and demanding an apology over the suicide of former President Roh Moo-hyun.
June 10 marks the 22nd anniversary of South Korea's pro-democracy struggle and comes just weeks after Roh, once a champion of democracy and clean politics, leapt to his death amid a pressing corruption probe. The liberal leader's death has fueled anger among South Koreans, with critics charging the investigation was too harsh and politically driven.
Although the rally was proceeding peacefully without major clashes, dozens of demonstrators and policemen tussled, pulling and shoving, according to Yonhap News.
Police, who had disallowed a rally outside the city hall, unsuccessfully attempted to form a barricade of riot buses to prevent the rally from getting bigger.
Lee Jung-hee, a female lawmaker of the progressive Democratic Labor Party, fainted and was taken to a hospital while trying to block a police bus from breaking up the rally. The party's leader Kang Ki-kab threw himself on top of several policemen, shouting "Don't you dare block us!" The two lawmakers were among dozens who camped on the streets from Tuesday in protest against the police ban.
Police warned they will resort to force if demonstrators defy the ban and go ahead with a candlelight vigil in the evening, expected to be joined by nearly 10,000, according to civic groups.
"We will hold all illegal demonstrators responsible by collecting evidence through video clips even after the rally breaks up," an unnamed police officer was quoted as telling Yonhap.
Rallies were held in other major cities nationwide, including Gwangju, Daegu and Busan.
Progressives here claim democracy has been backtracking since Lee took office last February, beefing up police control of the central Seoul area to prevent protests. The conservative administration has been cautious in permitting events that could develop political overtones, especially after the months-long rallies against U.S. beef imports last summer.
Wednesday's rally also overlaps with escalating ideological conflict following the suicide of Roh, who served as the country's leader from 2003 to 2008.
Despite allegations his family received millions of dollars from a local businessman, Roh's May 23 death led to an outpouring of grief by South Koreans.
President Lee, in a speech read by his home affairs minister, claimed "illegality and violence" were distorting Korea's hard-won democracy.
"We Koreans created a brand new democratic history 22 years ago by peaceful means," he said. "Let's strive further to establish social unity," he said in a ceremony commemorating the democratization movement.