Police arrest 47 during nationwide rally

SEOUL, June 11 (Yonhap) -- South Korean police said Thursday they arrested 47
protesters on violence and vandalism charges during a mass demonstration
commemorating the country's pro-democracy movement.

Defying a police ban, some 33,000 South Koreans gathered in central Seoul and
elsewhere Wednesday night, accusing the incumbent administration of undermining
the nation's hard-won democracy and demanding an apology over the suicide of
former President Roh Moo-hyun.
Wednesday marked the 22nd anniversary of South Korea's pro-democracy struggle and
comes just weeks after Roh, once a champion of democracy and clean politics,
leaped to his death amid an intensifying corruption probe. The liberal leader's
death has fueled anger among South Koreans, with critics charging the
investigation was too harsh and politically driven.
Although the rally proceeded without major clashes, police arrested 24
demonstrators in Seoul and 23 in the southern port city Busan, accusing them of
violent and illegal activities.
Police had disallowed a rally outside the Seoul City Hall, citing security
reasons, triggering criticism that the incumbent Lee Myung-bak government is
suppressing civil liberties.
The conservative Lee administration has been cautious in permitting events that
could develop political overtones, especially after the months-long rallies
against U.S. beef imports last summer.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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