FTA demonstrators set to defy police ban

Police are on the alert as civic groups plan a large scale protest against the Korea-U.S. talks for a free trade agreement in Seoul next week.

More that 100,000 protestors are expected to take part in the demonstration organized by the Korean Alliance Against the Korea-U.S. FTA, a nationwide activist group that represents 282 farmers` organizations, labor unions and civic groups.

The protest has been planned to coincide with the start of the second round of FTA talks from July 7 to July 14.

The Korea Alliance has announced that the group will start peaceful rallies next Monday and that the protestors will not resort to violence, even if the police employ excessive force.

Police have already warned the Korea Alliance that they will not be allowed to congregate at the Gwanghwamun intersection in central Seoul, and at the five-star Shilla Hotel where the talks are to be held. However, a spokesperson for the alliance defiantly declared that rallies will indeed go ahead at both locations.

The National Police Agency has been put on high alert, and 100,000 officers are to be deployed around the clock throughout the course of next week.

Meanwhile the director of the National Police Agency, Lee Taek-soon, said yesterday that firm measures will be taken against illegal and violent demonstrations.

Speaking at a meeting with national desk editors from 27 newspapers, Lee said that he hopes next week`s protests will be as peaceful as the Feb.12 Pyeongtaek demonstration against the proposed U.S. military base, and anti-FTA protests in the U.S. capital, Washington.

Lee pointed out that "although the percentage of violent protests has decreased from 1.13% to 0.87% since President Roh`s participatory government took over from the previous regime, the use of illegal demonstration tools such as metal pipes and bamboo sticks still persist within some protests."

Lee added, "It is a shame that violent demonstrations persist in spite of the fact that democracy has progressed since the old authoritarian regimes to ensure the freedom of speech."

He said a rise in the number of violent protests has resulted in a 17.4% increase in police casualties this year, and that measures will be taken to avoid physical confrontation.

(cheesuk@heraldm.com)



By Choi He-suk