-Caveat Lector- http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/apasia_story.asp?category=1104&slug=SKorea% 20US%20Protest
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER Saturday, December 7, 2002 · Last updated 6:44 a.m. PT S. Koreans Protest Outside U.S. Embassy By SANG-HUN CHOE ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER SEOUL, South Korea -- About 15,000 people carrying candles protested across the street from the American Embassy on Saturday, in the largest show of anti-U.S. sentiment in years. The protesters, upset with what they say is preferential treatment to American soldiers in Korea, booed and chanted "President Bush apologize!" and "Let's drive out the murderous American GIs!" About 9,000 police armed with helmets, batons and plastic shields spread out in districts around the embassy. Police buses surrounded the embassy compound. The protest underscores how sensitive ties between Washington and Seoul have become. The allies' bond, forged during the Korean War, is being tested by widespread anger that followed acquittals of two American soldiers whose armored vehicle struck and killed two 13-year-old South Korean girls in June. The two soldiers left the country after they were acquitted last month. "The trial may be over, but the judgment continues," said Yoon Kyong-hee, a student leader. After a two-hour rally, the protesters broke through a police barricade and spilled into the 12- lane boulevard in front of the embassy. Police rushed to occupy five lanes to keep back the protesters, who hurled dozens of eggs at the building. No serious injuries were reported. In the past, anti-American protests had usually attracted small numbers of activists. Most of Saturday's protesters were ordinary citizens who ignored South Korean President Kim Dae- jung's warning that anti-Americanism and demands for the withdrawal of U.S. troops hurt South Korea's national interest. Because of the protest, a delegation of U.S. lawmakers led by Rep. Henry Hyde, R-Ill., canceled a trip to Seoul on Saturday. Hyde "did not want the delegation to become the focal point of demonstrations here," the embassy said in a brief statement. Hyde's delegation had planned to fly to Seoul on Saturday from Japan. The embassy said Hyde will visit "at a less sensitive time," but President Kim's spokeswoman Park Sun-sook said Hyde canceled his trip. Protesters distributed leaflets urging citizens not to buy American goods including Coca- Cola, Marlboro cigarettes and McDonald's hamburgers. News reports said there were also smaller protests in 40 provincial towns across the country, and between 50,000 and 100,000 Koreans turned out in all. Police could not confirm the figures. A six-person vocal group sang a song during the rally in Seoul that was rife with American slogans and a refrain of "Yankee go home!" Kim maintained that U.S.-Korean ties remain strong. "The United States is an ally that cooperates with us in keeping the stability and peace on the Korean Peninsula," his spokeswoman said. U.S. troops fought on the South's side during the 1950-53 Korean War, and 37,000 U.S. soldiers are stationed in South Korea. The soldiers' acquittals ignited outrage among South Koreans who believe the agreement that oversees the U.S. deployment gives special treatment to the Americans. Protesters said the two men should have been tried in a South Korean court. Polls show that view is shared by a majority of Koreans who say they will vote in the Dec. 19 presidential election. All candidates have said the accord, which has been revised twice, must be changed again. <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/";>www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html";>Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/";>ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
