Protesters Throw Firebombs at Police


By Na Jeong-ju
Staff Reporter

A group of workers and students rallying for improved workers' rights on Sunday hurled Molotov cocktails at riot police during a labor union demonstration in central Seoul.

Hundreds of firebombs rained down on riot police when they clashed with protesters attempting to march toward Kwanghwamun, Seoul following a rally in front of City Hall. Police said 44 riot police troopers and more than 40 protesters were injured. Police hurled away 111 violent protesters.

It is the first time since March 2001 that Molotov cocktails have been thrown in a labor demonstration, though they were thrown during anti-U.S. rallies last year and recent anti-nuclear protests in Puan, North Cholla Province.

The protesters were holding rallies calling for an improvement in the treatment of irregular workers and government intervention to stop companies from seizing employees' property as compensation for damage caused by labor strikes.

Police estimated up to 35,000 protesters assembled for the rallies held in Myongdong, Chongno and in front of City Hall in Seoul, causing severe traffic jams for hours.

The rallies were organized by the nation's largest labor union, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions.

``The recent series of suicides by workers are blatant acts of murder committed by our society,'' the trade union alleged in a statement, referring to five workers -- Bae Dal-ho, Kim Joo-ik, Lee Hyun-joong, Lee Yong-seok and Kwak Jae-kyu -- who killed themselves in protest against worsening labor conditions.

jj@koreatimes.co.kr


11-09-2003 21:29




Unionized workers and student activists hurl firebombs at riot police during an anti-government rally against its hard-line labor policy near the Seoul City Hall, Sunday.