Amnesty Int`l head meets families of Yongsan victims

Amnesty International Secretary General Irene Kahn met Sunday with families of protesters killed in a clash with Korean riot police and promised to pay keen attention to the government`s handling of the incident, the Yonhap News reported.



In January, a police SWAT team raided a dilapidated four-story building in Seoul`s Yongsan ward, where dozens of protesting tenants were occupying the top floors to block the area`s redevelopment. Six people, including a police officer, were killed in a blaze that erupted during the pre-dawn raid.



In the aftermath of the incident, Kim Seok-ki, then head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, resigned from his post and withdrew from his nomination as head of the country`s police. Kim had faced fierce public criticism for permitting the raid, despite knowing the protesters were armed with fire bombs and other flammables.

Kahn visited the memorial hall of the victims, and also held a meeting with their families for about 30 minutes, promising to keep a close eye on the government`s handling of the matter, according to families.



"I hope a more thorough investigation would be conducted for the matter to be settled properly," Kahn was quoted as saying.



The secretary general was scheduled to meet with senior officials at the Justice Ministry and the National Human Rights Commission Korea on Monday and Tuesday, respectively, before leaving the country later this week.