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An estimated 20,000 snarl traffic in Seoul for an unapproved rally
November 12, 2007
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The event, billed as the “Great National Rally,” also jammed the highways leading into Seoul, as police tried to block the group of mostly union workers, farmers and student activists from attending. About 15,000 protesters were barred from coming to Seoul by police. In Geochang, an estimated 100 farmers occupied the 88 Olympic Expressway interchange, paralyzing traffic more than an hour, police said. Police also banned trains from stopping at several subway stations in the center of Seoul. Pedestrians and drivers raged about the congestion. “I am sick of these protesters who force people to put up with all of these inconveniences,” said Woo Wi-ja, 27, a store owner. “I think today’s traffic was five to six times worse than usual,” said Kim Jong-hoe, 56, a taxi driver. At about 1 p.m. yesterday, the 16-lane road connecting Namdaemun to Seoul Plaza near City Hall was completely occupied by an estimated 20,000 protesters, according to a press release from the National Police Agency. Police blocked the grassy plaza with 300 buses and 23,000 riot policemen. They also closed the roads from City Hall to Gwanghwamun, one of the busiest spots in the country. Protesters attempting to enter into the plaza scuffled with riot police, causing dozens of injuries on both sides, according to the release. More than 110 protesters were arrested. Screaming slogans such as “Cancel the Kor-U.S. FTA” and wielding multicolored flags, the protesters called for the South Korea-United States free trade pact to be canceled, the removal of Korean troops from Iraq and the implementation of pro-labor policies. “Today’s protest was blocked because President Roh Moo-hyun is afraid of me, a presidential candidate, standing in front of the people,” said Kwon Young-ghil, the presidential candidate of the Democratic Labor Party, on a makeshift podium on a truck. Han Na-in, a manager at Dunkin’ Donuts near Deoksu Palace, where police and protesters battled, said, “Today’s sales were less than half of what they usually are.” After the rally near City Hall, the protesters divided into several groups and marched through the streets in Seosomun-ro, Euljiro and Namdaemun. At about 5 p.m., they all gathered again near the Gwanghwamun intersection and tried to march to the U.S. Embassy building. Police stopped them by shooting water with water cannons. “We reported to the police that we will hold a peaceful rally at Seoul Plaza about a month ago,” said Yoon Ji-hye, publicity official at the Korea Alliance for Progressive Movements, a co-organizer of the rally. “The police banned the rally and they blocked the roads, causing traffic congestion.” Jhe Seong-ho, a professor of law at Chung-Ang University, said the protesters should be punished. “I think they need to pay compensation for interfering with traffic and business of stores,” he said. By Kang In-sik JoongAng Ilbo/ Kim Soe-jung Staff Writer [soejung@joongang.co.kr] |
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