Hundreds of professors urge gov`t to guarantee freedom of expression

SEOUL, June 8 (Yonhap) -- Groups of professors from South Korea's leading
universities on Monday joined a growing movement among their colleagues to demand
that the Lee Myung-bak government guarantee the freedom of expression and stop
oppressing civic movements.
"The incumbent government has turned a deaf ear to public anger expressed by
participants in the months-long candlelight vigil (last summer) and the mourners
for late former President Roh Moo-hyun," said a statement released by some 130
professors at Korea University, President Lee's alma mater.
The statement was distributed through e-mail to media outlets.
The Lee administration, inaugurated in early 2008, has been accused of using
excessive force in its crackdown on mass protests against U.S. beef imports last
year. It came under fire again recently for blocking off the plaza in front of
Seoul City Hall to prevent people mourning the death of former President Roh from
gathering there.
Roh took his own life on May 23 as a bribery investigation into him and his
family intensified. Roh's supporters blame Lee and the prosecution for his death,
saying the probe was politically motivated.
Police barricaded the city hall plaza with buses for more than 10 days after
Roh's death in an attempt to prevent rallies in central Seoul. Authorities
withdrew the barricade last week but warned it will be set up again if necessary.
Another group of professors at Sungkyungkwan University, Korea's oldest, issued a
similar statement, calling on President Lee to apologize for using force against
the mourners.
Professors at Seoul National and Chungang universities last week also expressed
their concerns about freedom of expression, and others at Dongguk and Kyunghee
universities are expected to take part in the movement soon.
The National Federation of Students Association joined in on Friday, denouncing
the Lee government's handling of Roh's death, and more student groups were
expected to follow suit.
On Monday, hundreds of authors, poets and literary figures also released a joint
statement, urging the government to respect civil liberties.
"During the past year of the Lee administration, democratic principles and
general values have been brutally suppressed," the statement said.
Authorities have said they will not allow a street rally planned for Wednesday,
June 10, when opposition party members, civic and religious group members plan to
gather in downtown Seoul. The date marks the 22nd anniversary of the
democratization movement that led to South Korea's first direct presidential
election in decades.
brk@yna.co.kr
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