By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak pledged Monday to strengthen rule of law in the country, saying certain candlelit vigils against the resumption of American beef imports turned violent and damaged society.
``We will try to build a society where law and order are strictly observed and rule breakers are dealt with sternly,'' he said in a speech to an association of lawyers, judges and law enforcement officials in southern Seoul.
Lee cited candlelit protests and cyber attacks by Internet users against government agencies as examples of ``provocative populism,'' saying he will no longer condone such activities.
``The provocations by populists have seriously damaged our society. I will show them that no one is above the law,'' he said.
The Lee administration has cracked down on anti-U.S. beef protesters and taken legal action against them.
Justice Minister Kim Kyung-han said earlier that the vigils, which were largely peaceful in their initial stages, turned violent and destructive at the instigation of extremists. The protests have been held in downtown Seoul since the government signed the beef deal.
The protesters have demanded a renegotiation of the deal, saying Seoul failed to take sufficient safety measures.
``If the rule of law is broken, there will be no democracy, no human rights and no public safety,'' Lee said.
``I will fulfill this pledge to establish the rule of law under any circumstance,'' he added, citing the Latin proverb, ``Pacta sunt servanta,'' meaning, ``A promise should be kept.''
On criticism that he abused his authority by pardoning corrupt entrepreneurs and politicians on Liberation Day Aug. 15, Lee said they committed crimes in the past.
``I will not condone entrepreneurs and politicians who commit wrongdoings during my term,'' Lee said.
jj@koreatimes.co.kr