Riot Police Hitting Rally Participants Draws Fire

Members of the New Progressive Party mimic the actions of a riot police officer in front of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency building, Friday, who they allege hit a citizen with his armor during Wednesday’s anti-government protest. / Yonhap

By Bae Ji-sook
Staff Reporter

Video clips appearing to show riot policemen using excessive force to quell participants at the recent anniversary of the June 10 pro-democracy movement at Seoul Plaza are drawing fire on the Internet.

In one, a squad of riot policemen are seen running after a group and one officer hits a man on the head with his armor, knocking him to the ground. In another, a riot police officer appears to smack an individual on the back of the head with his shield with a significant level of force. In other scenes, participants were clubbed.

The People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD) and other civic groups denounced the police for the excessive use of force. Tens of thousands of comments criticizing the police were posted on Web sites showing the video clips.

The National Police Agency initially denied the allegations, but when the video sources were revealed it said the culprits within its ranks would be punished.

A spokesman said hitting an individual with armor is a violation of police regulations and that the use of sticks had not been authorized.

``The violence is clearly a suppression of the people's right to assembly and is a serious threat,'' said Ahn Jin-gul, an official of the PSPD.

Meanwhile, the Jung-gu District Office, where Deoksu Palace ― the main memorial altar of the former President Roh Moo-hyun is located ― asked for the altar to be removed Thursday.

The office sent a statement saying it has caused great discomfort to foreign tourists. The administration said if the altar is not dismantled, it will be forcibly removed and those responsible will be fined.

``We are planning to maintain it until July 10, the 49th day after Roh's death. Then we will take it away by ourselves. I don't understand why the administration is in such a rush to take it away ― it already attempted to do so the day after Roh's funeral. I think they want this mourning fever to cease,'' said a member of the civic group managing the altar.

bjs@koreatimes.co.kr

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