Sewol families clash with riot police

Protesters clash with police during a rally in Jonggak, central Seoul, Saturday, on the occasion of the first anniversary of the Sewol ferry disaster. / Yonhap

21 relatives of victims released after being detained for one day

By Kim Se-jeong

Twenty-one relatives of people who died during the sinking of the ferry Sewol were released Sunday after being detained following violent clashes with police a day earlier.

They were among tens of thousands of people who participated in a street protest held in downtown Seoul, marking the first anniversary of the ferry disaster. Officers also detained 80 other people.

Police said 74 officers were injured during the six-hour confrontation ― One police officer had his ear damaged after being hit by an amplifier held by a protester.

Nine protesters were injured and taken to nearby hospitals. One man was taken to a nearby hospital after he was apparently stamped on by police officers.

Police said the released relatives will be called in for questioning soon, adding the release does not mean that they will not be charged.

Among the 21 relatives was Kim Young-oh, the father of a Danwon High School student who died during last year’s maritime tragedy. He conducted a 46-day hunger strike last year.

The confrontation began near Seoul Plaza where a memorial service took place around 4:30 p.m. The crowd attempted to move to Gwanghwamun Square where the bereaved relatives are demanding a full investigation into the ferry sinking. According to police estimates, almost 10,000 people participated in the event, but organizers say the real number exceeded 30,000.

Police used pepper spray and water cannons on the crowd as they broke into police vehicles. Meanwhile, protestors set off fire extinguishers taken from the vehicles; wrote anti-government messages on police buses using spray paint; and jumped on top of the vehicles.

Police said Sunday that they plan to strictly punish the protesters who attacked police officers or destroyed police vehicles in accordance with the law.

“We tried to maintain order and keep the event peaceful, but some participants turned violent,” police said in a press release. “There will be no leniency for those who led the violent rally.”

Meanwhile, in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, 400 residents took part in a commemorative event at Wadong Stadium in Danwon-gu. Local artists sang, danced and read poetry in remembrance of the student victims and demanded that the ship be salvaged swiftly. Among 304 who died, 262 were from Danwon High School, including teachers.