ID :
187682
Fri, 06/10/2011 - 10:50
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/187682
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College students set to rally for tuition cuts
SEOUL, June 10 (Yonhap) -- College students, civic groups and opposition parties prepared to hold a large-scale rally in central Seoul on Friday to demand the government take steps to lower tuitions amid concern the protest could lead to a clash with police.
The planned demonstration is expected to be the largest in a series of candlelight vigils that college students have held in recent weeks to call for lower tuitions. Organizers estimated that tens of thousands of people would turn out for the protest.
Police have warned of stern responses if protesters occupied streets or engaged in other illegal acts.
"We expect tens of thousands of collegians, people from all walks of life, opposition parties and civic groups to attend the rally," said a coalition of about 510 civic groups in a statement. "Police should allow them to hold a free, peaceful demonstration."
Leaders of four opposition parties will also attend the rally, including Rep. Sohn Hak-kyu, head of the main opposition Democratic Party.
The issue of tuition has been sensitive in a country where students annually protest against tuition raises. But this year's move has drawn keen attention from the political parties after the GNP's new floor leader Hwang Woo-yea recently vowed to implement a "half-priced college tuition" policy to woo voters ahead of next year's major elections.
In response to the spread of protests, the GNP said it will come up with specific measures to slash tuitions as early as next week. Hwang has come under attack from his own party as he has unveiled the proposal without consultations with the government about how to secure the enormous budget needed for the drastic cut.
On Friday, Prime Minister Kim Hwang-shik warned students against collective action.
"It is desirable for civic groups and college students to present and debate various opinions, but expressing views through collective action is not helpful to resolving problems at all," Kim told a government policy coordination meeting.
The planned demonstration is expected to be the largest in a series of candlelight vigils that college students have held in recent weeks to call for lower tuitions. Organizers estimated that tens of thousands of people would turn out for the protest.
Police have warned of stern responses if protesters occupied streets or engaged in other illegal acts.
"We expect tens of thousands of collegians, people from all walks of life, opposition parties and civic groups to attend the rally," said a coalition of about 510 civic groups in a statement. "Police should allow them to hold a free, peaceful demonstration."
Leaders of four opposition parties will also attend the rally, including Rep. Sohn Hak-kyu, head of the main opposition Democratic Party.
The issue of tuition has been sensitive in a country where students annually protest against tuition raises. But this year's move has drawn keen attention from the political parties after the GNP's new floor leader Hwang Woo-yea recently vowed to implement a "half-priced college tuition" policy to woo voters ahead of next year's major elections.
In response to the spread of protests, the GNP said it will come up with specific measures to slash tuitions as early as next week. Hwang has come under attack from his own party as he has unveiled the proposal without consultations with the government about how to secure the enormous budget needed for the drastic cut.
On Friday, Prime Minister Kim Hwang-shik warned students against collective action.
"It is desirable for civic groups and college students to present and debate various opinions, but expressing views through collective action is not helpful to resolving problems at all," Kim told a government policy coordination meeting.
