President Lee calls for 'mature' citizenship ahead of rally

By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, June 10 (Yonhap) -- President Lee Myung-bak urged the South Korean public
Wednesday to exercise "mature" citizenship ahead of a large rally criticizing his
administration planned for the anniversary of the nation's democratization
movement.

"Over the 20 years since the June 10 democratic movement, our democracy has
become firmly rooted and no one can reverse that process," the president said in
a speech read on his behalf by the home affairs minister at a ceremony marking
the movement's 22nd anniversary.
"The reason we were able to achieve democratization in such a short time is
because of the strong will and joint efforts of our people who value peace and
liberty," the president said.
But democracy is also often abused those who are after selfish interests, he
charged.
"There are incidents when we often witness selfishness and ideological debate
instead of what is best for the country," he said.
"Images of people breaking the law and using violence to get what they want are
also distorting the true democracy we have worked so hard to achieve," the
president said.
People were gathering in downtown Seoul Wednesday for a rally accusing the Lee
administration of backtracking on democracy. Many demonstrators also blame the
government for the death of former President Roh Moo-hyun, who killed himself
amid a corruption probe they say was politically motivated.
On June 10, 1987, millions of South Koreans rallied to pressure the then
military-ruled government to hold direct presidential elections.
Lee's government was challenged by months of protests that sometimes turned
violent soon after its inauguration early last year, following its decision to
lift a near five-year-old ban on U.S. beef imports.
Opponents accuse the government of oppressing freedom of expression by setting up
police blockades and prohibiting public rallies after nightfall.
bdk@yna.co.kr
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