SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 270 words
HEADLINE: U.S. Military Policemen Attacked by Koreans; Protest In Kwangju
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
Angry South Koreans beat and stoned U.S. soldiers early today in a street dispute near a U.S. military base in the northern outskirts of Seoul, a news report said.
Three people including an American military policeman suffered minor injuries, reported Yonhap, the South Korean news agency.
Students staged an anti-U.S. protest in the southern port city of Kwangju. The incident in Seoul began when U.S. military police apprehended two American soldiers who allegedly attacked a Korean outside their base, the report said.
About 100 Koreans gathered on the scene, some demanding the two Americans be turned over to South Korean police for punishment, Yonhap reported. The crowd began beating and stoning the American military police, smashing windows of a U.S. jeep and a guardpost, the report said.
Yonhap did not give further details, and comment from South Korean and U.S. authorities was not immediately available.
U.S. soldiers have been warned to avoid disputes and clashes with Koreans because of growing anti-American sentiment in South Korea. Dissidents and student activists have $ d anded the withdrawal of some 43,000 American soldiers based in South Korea under a mutual defense pact.
Police said six college students were arrested today for staging a protest at Kwangju air base, where there is a U.S. Air Force contingent.
Police said the students shouted anti-U.S. slogans for 20 minutes, with a placard reading "Let's drive out the United States." They also scattered leaflets demanding the withdrawal of American soldiers and their nuclear weapons allegedly kept in South Korea, police said.
Document 501
Copyright 1991 Agence France Presse Agence France Presse
June 9, 1991
SECTION: News
LENGTH: 791 words
HEADLINE: Roh gains upper hand after six weeks of violence
BYLINE: MIKE GONZALEZ
DATELINE: SEOUL
BODY:
South Korea's President Roh Tae-Woo appears to have gained the upper hand against radical students who for the past six weeks have posed the greatest challenge of his three-year administration, analysts say.
A string of government moves, luck and the law of diminishing returns all have played in favor of Mr. Roh, who now has the beginnings of a national consensus to halt the demonstrations.
The anti-government forces are increasingly on the defensive and their numbers are slipping. At the most recent demonstration Saturday 10,000 people turned out, many fewer than the hundreds of thousands in earlier protests.
Dissenting voices are saying that the government is using its newfound confidence to engineer a crackdown. They also say the advantage enjoyed by the government will be short-lived.
The turning point in people's minds was a mob assault on Prime Minister-designate Chung Won-Shik by students on June 3.
Other moves by the government, such as accusing dissidents of being behind at least one of the seven self-immolations of the past six weeks, have also had an effect on a population that had been sitting on the fence.
The latest windfall for the government came Friday, when an autopsy on a student who died at a demonstration on May 25 showed she had died from being crushed, not from tear gas asphyxiation as dissidents had said.
Government officials have also emphasized all along that the demonstrators would run out of steam once the annual protest period -- coinciding with dates such as the May 18 anniversary of the 1980 Kwangju massacre -- came to an end.
The diminishing numbers at recent demonstrations seem to bear them out, although this year's protests have gone on longer than usual.
Summer vacation, which starts later this month, will also rob the students of a meeting place.
Furthermore, many South Koreans are loath to see an elected president -- albeit one with only 36 per cent of the vote against a divided opposition -- driven out of office by demonstrators.
The demonstrators have taken to the streets in force since riot police beat a student to death on April 26, in the largest protests since Mr. Roh, called a dictator by students and dissidents, took power in early 1988.
The assault on the prime minister, widely presented in the press as the most outrageous example of the students' insolence, seems to have had the greatest effect in building a palpable consensus against the students.
Scenes of the elderly premier, covered with a mixture of egg and flour and being dragged around the Korean University of Foreign Studies as a mob of 300 students shouted epithets, have been played over and over on television.
Some ordinary South Koreans have remarked that Mr. Chung, who had gone to the campus to deliver his last lecture as a professor, should have realized the danger that was implied.
One columnist, Kim Ho-Lim of Korea Daily, even hinted that Mr. Roh had provoked the students into committing violent acts to build a solid consensus against them. Mr. Kim, like others, said the consensus now exists.
An opinion poll conducted by an outside research firm for the information ministry had 85 per cent of respondents saying they were "shocked" by the attack, while 10 per cent said it resulted from a wish to correct injustice.
Similarly, for the first time since the unrest began six weeks ago, housewives began last week to stage counter-demonstrations.
While diplomats here privately suspect the government of putting the housewives up to the demonstrations, newspapers have front-paged them.
Even those who sympathize with the anti-government forces concede that the momentum is now with the government.
Kim Suk-Jun, a professor of political science at Ewha University, acknowledged that "most Koreans are now criticizing the students' activities. The dissidents are trying to recover their prestige."
But Mr. Kim also criticized the role the press has played, and blamed conservative editors for what he called a biased portrayal of events.
"The common people are being manipulated," he said. He also warned that legislative elections later this year would bare the ruling party's internal splits and destroy the consensus emerging around the government.
But for the moment, government officials say the government has a measure of popular backing.
Sensing that the tide has turned and the population will now back strong measures to restore law and order, Mr. Roh's government has felt confident enough to unleash a massive manhunt for 88 top dissidents.
More important, institutional reforms will be implemented at universities to curtail students' opportunities to mount anti-government activities.
Document 502
Copyright 1991 Agence France Presse Agence France Presse
May 19, 1991
SECTION: News
LENGTH: 759 words
HEADLINE: S. Korean dissidents hole up at cathedral, pledge endless struggle
DATELINE: SEOUL
BODY:
South Korean dissidents leading the latest wave of anti-government unrest pledged Sunday to continue their struggle until President Roh Tae-Woo's government was overthrown.
A dissident task force set up to organize a funeral for a student beaten to death by police called for daily rallies at Myongdong, an affluent shopping and financial centre here, from 6:00 p.m. (0900 GMT) Sunday.
Some 500 hard-line students and dissidents had transformed an area behind the Roman Catholic Cathedral at Myongdong, a traditional venue for anti-government sit-ins, into their campaign headquarters following a day of the worst street violence since Mr. Roh's inauguration in early 1988.
An estimated 300,000 demonstrators joined protests nationwide on the 11th anniversary of a popular uprising in the southwestern city of Kwangju. Some 200 people died when troops put down a 1980 uprising in the city.
The funeral of a student demonstrator coinciding with the anniversary fuelled the unrest.
The dissidents set the period from May 18 to May 25 as a time of "all-out national struggle to oust Roh Tae-Woo's regime."
In a statement, they reiterated their demand for abolition of "bad laws" including the unpopular National Security Law, the release of "prisoners of conscience" and disbandment of riot police snatch squads and the state intelligence agency.
A spokesman for the task force described Saturday's protests as "very successful," and said more than 500,000 protestors had mobilised across the country.
"This will be a long-term struggle, which may continue until elections in 1992 and early 1993," Lee Dong-Jin said in reference to legislative elections followed by a presidential election.
May is traditionally a month for student protests, but this year's unrest was aggravated by the death of Kang Kyong-Dae, killed by riot police during a demonstration April 26.
Six people, including a woman who set herself on fire here Saturday, have burned themselves to death to protest at his killing.
Another woman, Park Seung-Hee, 20, died of burns on Sunday at Chunnam University hospital where she had been fighting for her life since setting herself on fire during a demonstration at the university campus April 29.
She was the first of eight people to set themselves on fire in the protests.
Mr. Kang's body was to be buried at the cemetery of victims of the Kwangju uprising late Saturday, but the funeral procession was still locked in a confrontation with riot police blocking its entry to the city center for a funeral ceremony.
In the capital dissidents directing the latest wave of anti-government unrest pledged Sunday to continue their struggle until Mr. Roh was overthrown.
They called for daily rallies at Myongdong, an affluent shopping and financial centre here, where some 500 hard-line students and dissidents have established their campaign headquarters following a day of the worst street violence since Mr. Roh's inauguration in early 1988.
An estimated 300,000 demonstrators joined protests nationwide that erupted on the anniversary of the Kwangju uprising and battled police until dawn.
Police said they arrested more than 300 demonstrators and 250 police were injured, 15 seriously.
In a statement, the militants reiterated their demand for the abolishment of "bad laws" including the unpopular National Security Law, the release of "prisoners of conscience," and the disbandment of riot police snatch squads and the state intelligence agency.
In Pusan, a city of four million on the south coast, 4,000 people demonstrated in the streets after attending a rally organised by an opposition splinter group, the Democratic Party (DP).
Riot police fired tear gas to disperse the marchers throwing rocks and fire bombs and shouting "down with the Roh regime." Some 1,000 protestors regrouped to stage sit-down demonstrations in the rubble-strewn main street under a fog of tear-gas fumes.
At the rally, DP leader Lee Ki-Taek demanded the immediate dismissal of Mr. Roh and his government as the only way to resolve what he described as a "polital-social crisis."
At Taejon, 160 kilometres (100 miles) south of Seoul, the leading opposition party, the New Democratic Union, staged an outdoor rally where leader Kim Dae-Jung told 50,000 people that Mr. Roh must form a government of national salvation comprising all political groups.
After the rally 5,000 demonstrators clashed with riot police launching tear gas, and pitched battles continued across the city centre.
Document 503
Copyright 1991 Agence France Presse Agence France Presse
May 19, 1991
SECTION: News
LENGTH: 664 words
HEADLINE: Wary President Roh to pledge reform, but maintain hard line
BYLINE: CHARLES WHELAN
DATELINE: SEOUL
BODY:
President Roh Tae-Woo will emerge Monday from his secluded presidential retreat pledging reforms to assuage popular discontent but wary of making concessions to dissidents who mounted the biggest protest seen under his rule at the weekend.
Analysts see few options for an embattled president contending with public outcry over a slowing economy, government corruption, rising inflation and police brutality but to bow to a growing clamour for the dismissal of his prime minister.
But Mr. Roh, a democratically elected head of state who has two years of a five-year term still to run, is unlikely to seek appeasement with militant students and dissidents demanding his overthrow.
They turned the South Korean capital of 10 million people into a war zone Saturday in demonstrations which press reports said Sunday came close to matching the scale of widespread riots in 1987 which forced a then autocratic regime to introduce sweeping democratic reform.
The dismissal of Prime Minister Ro Jai-Bong and his cabinet, demanded by the opposition and many members of the ruling party, could be announced this week, political commentors say.
Between 300,000 and 500,000 people took to the streets across the country Saturday on the 11th anniversay of the quelling of a popular uprising in the southwestern city of Kwangju in which troops killed hundreds of civilians.
Traditional spring student unrest, normally ignored by the population at large, ignited this year following the beating to death of a 20-year-old first-year student at a minor demonstration in the capital on April 26.
From a public already exasperated by evidence of deep government corruption in a property scandal which brought down the deputy premier and economic minister in February, and incensed by government incompetence displayed in its handling of a huge pollution scandal the following month, the demonstrators drew applause if not active support.
Mr. Roh satisfied no one when he sacked his home minister, responsible for the police, apologised publicly and said he would bring the five policemen held responsible for Mr. Kang's death to justice.
He has been holed up throughout the weekend in the presidential residence in woodland north of the capital, meeting key advisors, leading politicians and public figures, to work out further concessions.
Eight people set fire to themselves to dramatize the protests, six of them dying, as unrest gathered momentum before climaxing in the capital where tens of thousands of students and police battled for more than 20 hours.
Some 500 hard-core students and dissidents retreated to the grounds of a Roman Catholic cathedral in an affluent financial district where they set up a campaign headquarters and planned further demonstrations.
To the relief of a jittery government which put 50,000 troops around the capital on full alert a week ago, the public never joined in the riots and with the passing of Saturday's anniversary of the Kwangju massacre, which normally signals the end of springtime student unrest, Mr. Roh may have weathered the storm.
But newspapers were predicting a crisis week to come in which the president will attempt to placate public opinion and opposition discontent while maintaining a hardline approach to unrest.
As a conciliatory gesture to the opposition he is expected to release around 100 political detainees, probably on Tuesday's anniversary celebration for Buddha's birthday, when prisoners are often amnestied in South Korea.
But he is unlikely to reverse his hardline call reiterated over the past few days for a crackdown on street protests and a return to law and order.
Prosecutors have issued warrants for the arrest of 100 leading militants and are considering re-arresting Moon Ik-Hwan, a 73-year-old Protestant pastor and figurehead of South Korean dissent who was jailed for seven years and later paroled following his unauthorized visit to North Korea in 1989.
Document 504
The Associated Press
May 19, 1991, Sunday, BC cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 541 words
HEADLINE: Protesters Clash Again With Police
BYLINE: By PAUL SHIN, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: KWANGJU, South Korea
BODY:
Thousands of protesters in Kwangju attacked riot police with clubs and pipes Sunday in some of the fiercest street fighting in three weeks of anti-government protests.
The pitched battles marked the anniversary of the 1980 Kwangju uprising in which at least 200 people died protesting a martial law government.
On Sunday, more than 15,000 students and workers shouting "down with the murderous regime" attacked police blocking a funeral march for Kang Kyung-dae, a 20-year-old student beaten to death by police on April 26.
At least 120 police and protesters were injured in 12 hours of fighting and the count was rising, the national news agency Yonhap said. Some of the injured were reported in serious condition.
The student's death has touched off the largest anti-government demonstrations since President Roh Tae-woo came to power in 1988 and posed the most serious challenge yet to his rule.
More than 200,000 people staged violent protests around the country on Saturday that turned fashionable streets of downtown Seoul into battle zones. There also were protests in at least 20 cities.
Dissident students, workers and opposition politicians are demanding the resignation of Roh's Cabinet, and there has been speculation Roh will reshuffle his ministers in coming days in response to the pressure.
To try to placate protesters after last month's beating death of the student, Roh fired the minister in charge of police, and five police officers have been charged in the death. But protesters are demanding the arrests of the former minister and the national police chief.
The government faces six elections around the country in the next 20 months, including the next presidential election, and polls have suggested that the popularity of the government is at an all-time low.
In Kwangju, hundreds of police and protesters fought hand to hand on Sunday. Protesters using iron pipes and clubs beat riot troopers swinging shields and truncheons. Police fired volleys of tear gas and sometimes used the butts of gas-launching rifles to beat the protesters.
A four-lane highway was blocked for more than four hours while the fighting raged in and around the area. Columns of black smoke from piles of burning tires billowed into the air.
Anti-U.S. sentiment is high in Kwangju, a city 165 miles south of Seoul, because residents believe Washington condoned the military suppression of the 1980 uprising. The United States has denied the accusation.
The funeral procession for Kang, including family members and about 700 mourners, was trapped in the fighting and unable to move.
Protesters set fire to two police vehicles, including one armored multiple tear gas launcher. Roads were littered with rocks, firebombs and shapnel from tear gas canisters, and the air reeked with gas.
Organizers of the funeral procession had announced they would bury the student without holding final rites in Kwangju. Students and workers who had planned the rites complained that the decision meant giving in to the government and refused to accept it.
Roadside rites are traditionally performed in Korean funeral services at locations meaningful to the deceased. The government claimed dissidents were using the body for a political motive.
Document 505
The Xinhua General Overseas News Service
MAY 19, 1991, SUNDAY
LENGTH: 118 words
HEADLINE: south korean students clash with police
DATELINE: pyongyang, may 19; ITEM NO: 0
BODY:
more than 200,000 people in more than 20 south korean cities took to the streets on saturday in protest against the government, and to mark the 11th anniversary of the kwangju uprising, reports from seoul said. in seoul, thousands of students clashed with riot police. some protesters threw firebombs, rocks and clubs at the police who fired back with tear gas, dispersing the protesters. the government declared demonstrations illegal and deployed more than 50,000 riot police in some major cities. in kwangju, some 200 kilometers south of seoul, 100,000 students, citizens and workers attended a street rally to honor 200 victims of the 1980 democracy uprising against a martial law government.
Document 506
Copyright 1991 Agence France Presse Agence France Presse
May 18, 1991
SECTION: News
LENGTH: 700 words
HEADLINE: Riots squads deploy as students prepare for funeral march
DATELINE: SEOUL
BODY:
Riot police were mobilised across the capital to combat massive demonstrations expected here Saturday as dissidents and militant students prepared to defy an official ban and march on the city centre, bearing the body of a student killed by police.
Hundreds of riot police used a construction crane to erect barriers of steel across a main highway leading into the centre from Yonsei University, some three kilometres (two miles) to the west, where the procession was to start around 11 a.m (0200 GMT).
A funeral procession of 60,000 students was beaten back by police Tuesday at the same spot in an earlier attempt to reach City Hall bearing the body of Kang Kyong-Dae, 20, a university student beaten to death by police at a minor campus demonstration on April 26.
Four student have died and a fifth is in serious condition in hospital after setting themselves on fire to protest the killing.
A defence ministry spokesman confirmed Friday that an order to the garrison command putting an estimated 50,000 troops to be on full alert had been circulated a week ago.
Three weeks of anti-government unrest is expected to climax later in the day in Seoul and in cities across the country, particularly in southwestern Kwangju, where 11 years ago Saturday hundreds of civilians died when troops put down a popular uprising.
Some 22,000 police were preparing to mount a massive show of force in the capital anticipating a turnout of some 100,000 demonstrators in the biggest street protest since Mr. Roh took office in February 1988.
Thousands of police in full riot gear, backed by tear gas-firing trucks, had moved into the city centre around dawn. City centre hotels had issued leaflets warning guests to keep windows closed to protect themselves against anticipated tear gas barrages.
A government statement Saturday condemned the funeral procession.
"We express deep regret at the attempts by radical student activists and some dissident figures to fan social unrest by exploiting the death of Kang Kyong-Dae," it said.
It accused "pro-communist forces" of attempting to use the funeral to stage a revolution to overthrow the government
The students plan to hold funeral rites for the student at Seoul's main railway station and then move on to City Hall plaza for a demonstration to mark the Kwangju anniversary, which will coincide with similar rallies planned in twons and cities across the country.
Three radical labour unions will join the action by launching a one-day strike of some 400,000 workers which has been outlawed by the government.
Following the funeral procession, the body of Mr. Kang is to be transported by road convoy to Kwangju, 400 kilometres (250 miles away) for burial later Saturday at a cemetrary for Kwangju massacre victims.
Some 60,000 demonstrators were still attempting to break through police cordons into the city centre from the west where they had seen off a road convoy bearing Mr. Kang's casket for burial in Kwangju, a four-hour drive away.
As dissident pop singer Chung Tae-Chung urged them to fight to bring down the government and unite the Korean peninsula, 2,000 hardcore activists launched rocks and firebombs at police ranks.
They were attempting to break through to reach the affluent downtown shopping area of Myongdong, three kilometres (two miles) away, where several thousand other students were awaiting them, student leaders said.
Students ransacked 12 riot police buses in the Myongdong area amid sporadic violence.
In Pusan, 20,000 demonstrators were engaged in fierce street battles with police in which 20 people were injured while in Kwanju police fired tear gas on protestors rallying in the city centre in anticipation of the arrival of Mr. Kang's funeral cortege.
Militant students and dissident are calling for the overthrow of Mr. Roh's government and many observers are predicting a cabinet reshuffle to appease opposition sentiment when the current crisis dies down.
Kim Dae-Jung, the leader of the largest opposition party, the National Democratic Union, distanced himself from the unrest Saturday when he called on his supporters to defeat Mr. Roh at the polls.
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
Document 507
Copyright 1991 Agence France Presse Agence France Presse
May 18, 1991
SECTION: News
LENGTH: 265 words
HEADLINE: Student suicide in Seoul as another fights for life
DATELINE: SEOUL
BODY:
A female student was pronounced dead in hospital here Saturday after she set herself on fire at the start of massive demonstrations planned across South Korea.
The student, in her early 20s, set herself ablaze outside Yonsei University minutes before dissidents and militant students began a funeral march from the campus to the city centre in defiance of an official ban.
She was pronounced dead at the campus hospital, doctors said.
Meanwhile, a 17-year-old high school student, Kim Chul-Su, was fighting for his life in Bosung, some 50 kilometres (30 miles) from Kwangju in the southwest of the country, after setting himself on fire Saturday.
The national news agency Yonhap said he was in serious condition in intensive care.
The death of the female student brings to six the number of people who have burned themselves to death in a wave of anti-government protest that began three weeks ago.
A female student, 21-year-old Park Seung-He, is also in fighting for her life in Kwangju after setting herself on fire on April 29.
The wave of protest was sparked by the death of Kang Kyong-Dae, 20, a student fatally beaten by police at a campus demonstration on April 26.
A funeral procession bearing his body on a second attempt to march towards the city centre left Yonsei University this morning.
The procession coincides with the 11th anniversary of the Kwangju massacre, when hundreds of civilians were killed when troops moved in to put down a popular uprising.
Demonstrations are planned across the country to commemorate the Kwangju victims.
Document 508
Copyright 1991 Agence France Presse Agence France Presse
May 18, 1991
SECTION: News
LENGTH: 352 words
HEADLINE: Thousands gather at cemetery for massacre anniversary
DATELINE: KWANGJU
BODY:
Several thousand people gathered at the city cemetery here for a memorial service for 200 youths who died during an anti-government uprising which erupted here 11 years ago Saturday.
The 1980 Kwangju revolt was crushed by military troops, eventually paving the way for then-army general Chun Doo-Hwan to become the president of the country.
Relatives of those killed in the uprising burned incense and mourned at an altar set up amid their graves, while opposition politicians offered chrysanthemums.
Banners at the cemetery carried slogans such as "We demand to know the whole truth about the Kwangju massacre" and "Let us overthrow the Roh Tae-Woo regime."
Chun Kye-Ryang, head of an association of bereaved families of Kwangju victims who lost his high school-aged son during the uprising, charged that Mr. Roh has done little to satisfy the Kwangju people's grievances.
Professor Lee Kwang-Woo of the Chunnam University said the people of this southwestern provincial city would continue to uphold the fighting spirit of young men who died 11 years ago, and would resolutely continue their struggle for democracy.
Mr. Chun said earlier that the Roh government should identify the military commanders who ordered troops to open fire on demonstrators in 1980 and punish them.
He also said that since the Roh government qualified the 1980 Kwangju uprising as a "democratic movement" and not a rebellion in 1989, it should review the cases of some 300 "rebels" who had been convicted, and clear them.
He said he rejected compensation money offered by the government as a protest against its inaction on these matters.
The government last week announced that a total of 2,213 Kwangju citizens received compensation, some as much as 130 million won (180,000 dollars).
Most of the recipients were wounded during the uprising.
Hong Nam-Soon, 79, a former lawyer and activist, said anti-government feeling in this city of 900,000 remained high.
He was arrested after the 1980 uprising and sentenced to life by a military tribunal, but amnestied after 20 months in prison.
Document 509
Copyright 1991 Agence France Presse Agence France Presse
May 18, 1991
SECTION: News
LENGTH: 906 words
HEADLINE: New suicide as largest protest in four years starts in Seoul
DATELINE: SEOUL
BODY:
A woman died after setting herself on fire and thousands of students took to the streets here on Saturday to battle riot police blocking their banned procession to the city centre.
As the biggest street protest under President Roh Tae-Woo was building in the capital, a high school student was fighting for his life after setting fire to himself near Kwangju, the southwestern city marking the anniversary Saturday of a brutal massacre by troops 11 years ago.
A 38-year-old woman, Lee Jeung-Sun, was pronounced dead in hospital here after flinging herself from a bridge in flames as a planned anti-government demonstration turned ugly.
Initial reports had wrongly identified the woman as a student in her 20s.
Ms. Lee set herself on fire outside Yonsei University as dissidents and militant students, in defiance of an official ban, began a funeral march from the campus in western Seoul to the city centre, three kilometres (two miles) away.
She poured paint thinner over herself and jumped to her death from a railway bridge outside the campus gates after throwing anti-government leaflets and chanting "disband the ruling party and topple the violent regime."
Meanwhile high school student Kim Chul-Su, 17, was fighting for his life in Bosung, some 50 kilometres (30 miles) from Kwangju in the southwest, after setting himself on fire.
The death of the woman in Seoul brings to five the number of people who have burned themselves to death in a wave of anti-government protest which began three weeks ago.
A female student, 21-year-old Park Seung-He, is also fighting for her life in Kwanju after setting herself on fire on April 29.
Demonstrations were planned later Saturday across the country to commemorate the 11th anniversary of the Kwangju massacre, when hundreds of civilians were killed when troops moved in to put down a popular uprising.
They were determined to accompany a banned funeral procession to the town centre bearing the body of Kang Kyong-Dae, 20, a student killed by police at a campus demonstration on April 26.
His death inflamed traditional spring anti-government demonstrations, and tens of thousands of students battled riot police drawn up behind reinforced barricades across an eight-lane highway leading to the city centre.
A woman died after setting herself on fire and hurling herself from a railway bridge as the procession set off from the campus.
Meanwhile, a high school student was fighting for his life after attempting to burn himself to death near Kwangju.
The death of the woman in Seoul brought to five the number of people who have burned themselves to death in a wave of anti-government protests which began three weeks ago.
Some 800 metres (yards) from the university, violence was mounting as students broke through a first line of steel barriers but were forced back by a police charge under a heavy tear-gas barrage.
Injured students were carried away by colleagues who regrouped and threw hundreds of firebombs at police lines 100 metres (yards) away across the rock-strewn road.
The coffin of Mr. Kang, drapped in the national flag and decked with flowers, was removed from the road and placed in a nearby bus.
A funeral procession bearing his body was blocked Tuesday following violent clashes at the same spot on a first attempt by demonstrators to accompany the coffin to the city centre for funeral rites.
In Kwanju some 60,000 mourners assembled at a cemetery where 200 victims of the 1980 massacre are buried.
Dissident organisers of Mr. Kang's funeral procession in Seoul planned to transport his body by road convoy to the cemetery for burial later Saturday.
They lit incense, offered food and prayed to the spirit of the student in a traditional rite Koreans believe offers consolation to the dead.
The body of student Kang Kyong-Dae was taken to Kwangju, where tens of thousands of students and farmers clashed with police while waiting to bury him.
The protestors there called for Mr. Roh's ouster at a rally held in a main downtown thoroughfare in the city, a hotbed of anti-government sentiment, to commemorate the anniversary of the uprising in Kwangju.
At least 200 people died by the government's own admission when troops put down the uprising on May 18, 1980.
After the rally the demonstrators headed for the provincial government building where they clashed with tear gas-firing police.
In southeastern Pusan, 20,000 demonstrators fought fierce street battles with police in which 20 people were injured.
Police in Seoul seemed overwhelmed many times during the day and prosecutors demanded the arrest of more than 100 students and dissidents.
Mr. Kang's death enflamed traditional spring anti-government unrest. Mr. Roh has dismissed his home minister and apologised for the killing, but this has not satisfied his critics.
But in a hardline stance reiterated over the past two days, the president has called on his government to block further unrest and deflected opposition demands for the dismissal of Prime Minster Ro Jai-Bong and his cabinet.
The situation is becoming difficult for him, diplomats said Saturday, adding that he might have to sacrifice his prime minister after all.
The death of the woman in Seoul brings to five the number of people who have burned themselves to death in a wave of anti-government protests that began three weeks ago.
Document 510
The Associated Press
May 18, 1991, Saturday, PM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 836 words
HEADLINE: Three Protesters Torch Themselves, Other Fight Police To Make Funeral March
BYLINE: By M.H. AHN, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
Three more protesters set themselves on fire today - one fatally - and others hurled firebombs and rocks at riot police who blocked 30,000 marchers from staging funeral rites for a student slain by police.
The protests came on the 11th anniversary of the Kwangju pro-democracy uprising, the bloodiest anti-government demonstration in modern Korean history.
Nationwide, 200,000 to 250,000 people participated Saturday in rallies, sympathy strikes and street demonstrations in more than 20 cities, including 50,000 in Kwangju, the national news agency Yonhap said.
The Han-kyoreh Shinmun, a dissident newspaper, said 400,000 people participated. That would make the protests the largest since President Roh Tae-woo came to power in February 1988.
The self-immolations brought to eight the number of protesters who have set themselves ablaze - five fatally - in the three weeks since the fatal beating of the student, Kang Kyung-dae.
Today, a woman died and a high school student and a bus driver were hospitalized with burns after they torched themselves.
Kang, 20, was beaten to death by police on April 26 after a demonstration at Seoul's Myungji University. The killing led to the latest anti-government protests and a growing political crisis for President Roh Tae-woo.
Roh responded by firing the minister in charge of police, and five police officers have been charged in the death.
Dissident students, workers and opposition politicians say that isn't enough. They want the resignation of the Cabinet, the arrest of the former minister and the national police chief.
Roh warned against street violence and the government charged today that subversive pro-Communist groups were behind the escalating unrest.
Police were deployed nationwide and military troops in Seoul were on high alert during today's anti-government protests.
In Seoul, mid-afternoon battles between protesters and police took place in at least six areas downtown after the funeral march was blocked.
Streets quickly emptied, as offices closed and foreign tourists scurried into downtown luxury hotels. Clouds of tear gas filled the city.
One group of about 50 riot police was surrounded by screaming protesters and stoned by students from an overpass. Ten police were injured.
Students wrote anti-government slogans on a major boulevard with red spray paint. "Finish the suppressive regime," the signs said. "Establish democratic government."
A few citizens, mostly young Koreans in their late 20s or early 30s, cheered protesters, but police tried to keep pedestrians separated from the violence and few people were on the street.
The 30,000 marchers whose funeral procession was blocked sat down in the street for about five hours in front of iron police barricades, fronted by armored police vans and city garbage trucks. Late in the day they agreed to hold final roadside rites at a new location.
"Down with murdererous regime!," the students yelled, hurling rocks at police.
The student mourners wore white T-shirts with Kang's picture and danced to the beat of drums and cymbals. Accompanying them was Kang's casket, draped with a South Korean flag and topped by white and yellow flowers.
Afterward, at least 20,000 students waving banners and chanting anti-government slogans poured from sidestreets hurling firebombs.
About 500 students chanting "Get out, Roh Tae-woo" joined a night march by 10,000 Buddhists celebrating Buddha's May 21 birthday. As the marchers passed through Seoul, riot troopers fired on them twice, sending the protesters coughing and choking into sidestreets.
Protesters attacked with iron pipes and clubs some photographers and television crews shooting pictures of the woman who set herself ablaze as the funeral march was starting.
The victim, identified as Lee Jung-soon, 39, left a note calling for "an end to military dictatorship."
A soundman and cameraman working for Cable News Network were hospitalized with severe internal injuries, the network said. Associated Press photographer Itsuo Inouye was punched and kicked.
In southern South Korea, Kim Chul-soo, 19, poured paint thinner on himself and set himself ablaze in his high school classroom after ceremonies marking the anniversary of the Kwangju uprising. He was in critical condition.
In Kwangju, Cha Tae-kwon, 32, was said to have set himself on fire after watching an evening newscast carrying reports of two others during the day. Cha was hospitalized suffering burns to his abdomen and hands, but was not in critical condition.
About 50,000 students, citizens and workers attended a street rally in Kwangju to honor the 200 victims of the 1980 democracy uprising against a martial law government.
"Drive out yankees," protesters chanted.
Anti-U.S. sentiment is high in Kwangju, 163 miles south of Seoul. Residents believe the United States condoned the military crackdown on the uprising. Washington denies the accusation.
Document 511
Copyright 1991 Kyodo News Service Japan Economic Newswire
MAY 18, 1991, SATURDAY
LENGTH: 1121 words
DATELINE: TOKYO, MAY 18
BODY:
-- TWO JAPANESE HELICOPTERS ARRIVED IN BANGLADESH ON FRIDAY AND ARE TO UNDERGO TEST FLIGHTS SATURDAY BEFORE JOINING THE AIRLIFT AIDING VICTIMS OF LAST MONTH'S KILLER CYCLONE.
-- THE NEPALI CONGRESS PARTY HAS WON A NARROW MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN NEPAL'S MAY 12 ELECTIONS.
-- RICHARD SOLOMON, U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR EAST ASIAN AND PACIFIC AFFAIRS, SAID THE U.S. NEEDS TO PROVIDE ECONOMIC AID TO THE PHILIPPINES AND OTHER STRATEGICALLY IMPORTANT ASIAN COUNTRIES.
-- A U.S. OFFICIAL SAID THE U.S. WILL URGE JAPAN TO BE RECEPTIVE TO FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT DURING BILATERAL STRUCTURAL TALKS IN TOKYO.
-- U.S. SEN. ALAN CRANSTON, CHAIRMAN OF THE SENATE'S EAST ASIAN AND PACIFIC AFFAIRS SUBCOMMITTEE, SAID HE WILL INTRODUCE A JOINT RESOLUTION TO REVOKE CHINA'S MOST FAVORED NATION TRADE STATUS.
-- U.S. PRESIDENT BUSH SAID THE U.S. WILL HOLD OFF ON PUNITIVE ACTION AGAINST JAPAN'S SEA TURTLE IMPORTS PENDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A JAPANESE BAN ON THE IMPORTS.
-- CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY GENERAL SECRETARY JIANG SAID IN MOSCOW THAT SOCIALISM HAS VARIOUS PATHS AND CHINA AND THE SOVIET UNION WILL NOT RETURN TO THEIR ALLIANCE OF THE 1950S.
-- THE U.S. DOLLAR IS EXPECTED TO STAY STEADY IN TOKYO TRADING NEXT WEEK WITH STRONG PROSPECTS OF CENTRAL BANK INTERVENTION.
-- TOKYO STOCKS ARE LIKELY TO HOLD FIRM IN SLOW TRADING NEXT WEEK.
-- SLIDING SHORT-TERM INTEREST RATES WILL SUPPORT JAPANESE GOVERNMENT BOND PRICES NEXT WEEK, ANALYSTS SAY.
-- THE SOVIET UNION ACQUITTED A FORMER JAPANESE IMPERIAL ARMY SOLDIER OF CHARGES OF SPYING ON THE SOVIET RED ARMY DURING WORLD WAR II.
-- JAPAN DEDICATED ITS FIRST NONEXPERIMENTAL PLUTONIUM-FUELED FAST BREEDER REACTOR.
-- TRADE-DEPENDENT ASIA-PACIFIC NATIONS WILL GRAPPLE WITH THE STALEMATE IN MULTILATERAL TRADE TALKS WHEN THE PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION CONFERENCE (PECC) OPENS IN SINGAPORE ON MONDAY.
TOKYO, MAY 18 KYODO -
-- JAPANESE TRADE OFFICIALS REACTED WITH A MIXTURE OF RELIEF AND REGRET TO U.S. PRESIDENT BUSH'S DECISION NOT TO TAKE IMMEDIATE PUNITIVE ACTION AGAINST JAPAN OVER ITS IMPORTS OF ENDANGERED SEA TURTLES.
-- TWO YOUNG SOUTH KOREANS SET THEMSELVES ON FIRE WITH PAINT THINNER AND ONE OF THEM DIED IN ANTIGOVERNMENT PROTESTS ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1980 KWANGJU UPRISING.
-- BOMBS BELIEVED PLANTED BY DISAFFECTED MILITARY TERRORISTS INJURED A NIGHT WATCHMAN AND DAMAGED TWO BANK BUILDINGS IN THE NORTHERN PHILIPPINE RESORT CITY OF BAGUIO.
-- KOREAN MEMBERSHIP IN THE U.N. WILL BE HIGH ON THE AGENDA WHEN JAPAN AND NORTH KOREA HOLD THEIR THIRD ROUND OF NORMALIZATION TALKS NEXT WEEK.
-- PRIME MINISTER KAIFU SAID JAPAN MAY NOT MEET THE LATEST DEMANDS FROM WASHINGTON FOR TOKYO TO PURCHASE AMERICAN-MADE WEAPONS.
-- A GROWING NUMBER OF MAJOR JAPANESE CORPORATIONS ARE WITHDRAWING FROM THE PRACTICE OF "ZAITECH," A WAY OF INVESTING SURPLUS FUNDS IN STOCKS OR OTHER FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS IN A PROFITABLE BUT RISKY MONEY GAME.
-- SEVEN FOREIGN JUNIOR DIVISION WRESTLERS WON THEIR BOUTS SATURDAY, THE SEVENTH DAY OF THE 15-DAY SUMMER GRAND SUMO TOURNAMENT AT RYOGOKU KOKUGIKAN SUMO ARENA.
-- THE PAKISTANI GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL WHO NEGOTIATED THE RELEASE OF TWO KIDNAPPED JAPANESE STUDENTS LAST MONTH HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED FROM HIS POST AS COMMISSIONER OF LARKANA TO AN INSIGNIFICANT POSITION IN THE PROVINCIAL CAPITAL.
TOKYO, MAY 18 KYODO -
-- HAWAIIAN-BORN OZEKI KONISHIKI CONTINUED TO SET THE PACE IN THE SUMMER GRAND SUMO TOURNAMENT, TURNING BACK A CHALLENGE FROM POPULAR TOP MAEGASHIRA TAKAHANADA FOR HIS SEVENTH WIN WITHOUT A LOSS.
-- A SEVEN-MEMBER MOUNTAINEERING TEAM FROM JAPAN'S TOKYO UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE HAS ARRIVED IN ISLAMABAD TO SCALE 8,047-METER BROAD PEAK IN THE KORAKORAMS.
-- FOREIGNERS WHO BREAK THE LAW APPEAR TO FIND IT EASY TO ESCAPE JUSTICE IN THE PHILIPPINES, WHERE SEVERAL JAPANESE TOURISTS HAVE WRIGGLED OUT OF COURT AND POLICE AUTHORITIES' REACH.
-- OVERNIGHT LEADER FUSAKO NAGATA BOGEYED THE LAST TWO HOLES FOR A 2-OVER-PAR 74 BUT MANAGED TO MAINTAIN A TWO-STROKE LEAD GOING INTO THE FINAL ROUND OF THE 50 MILLION YEN YAKULT LADIES GOLF TOURNAMENT.
-- JAPAN AND CHINA AGREED TO ALLOW NONDESIGNATED AIRLINES TO OPERATE FLIGHTS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES AT CIVIL AVIATION TALKS IN BEIJING.
-- THE LABOR MINISTRY WILL BEGIN INTRODUCING A FOREIGN TRAINEES ADVISORY SYSTEM FOR SMALLER BUSINESSES AUGUST 1.
-- THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE IS CONSIDERING CHANGING ITS RULES FOR THE ISSUANCE OF CORPORATE BONDS TO KEEP SECONDARY-MARKET PRICES FROM COLLAPSING.
-- TWO MAJOR JAPANESE SHIPBUILDERS, MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES LTD. AND ISHIKAWAJIMA-HARIMA HEAVY INDUSTRIES CO., ARE LOCKED IN A FIERCE BATTLE FOR A DEFENSE AGENCY ORDER TO BUILD A STATE-OF-THE-ART AEGIS CLASS DESTROYER.
-- WORLD BOXING COUNCIL STRAWWEIGHT CHAMPION RICARDO LOPEZ OF MEXICO BRIMMED WITH CONFIDENCE ON THE EVE OF HIS TITLE DEFENSE AGAINST JAPANESE CHALLENGER KIMIO HIRANO IN SHIZUOKA.
-- THE SRI LANKAN MILITARY OVERRAN A TAMIL REBEL CAMP OFF BATTICALOA AT DAWN SATURDAY IN WHAT A MILITARY OFFICIAL CALLED THE BEGINNING OF A MAJOR FOUR-DAY OFFENSIVE.
-- HYOGO BANK, A "SECOND-TIER" OR SMALLER REGIONAL BANK CONVERTED FROM A SOGO (MUTUAL) BANK, HAS SOUNDED OUT THE BANK OF IKEDA, A MIDDLE-RANKING OSAKA-BASED REGIONAL BANK, ON A POSSIBLE MERGER.
TOKYO, MAY 18 KYODO -
-- JAPANESE AND U.S. TRADE NEGOTIATORS FAILED TO RESOLVE THEIR DIFFERENCES ON A NEW SEMICONDUCTOR TRADE PACT AFTER TWO DAYS OF SCHEDULED TALKS AT THE MINISTRY OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND INDUSTRY, A JAPANESE OFFICIAL SAID.
-- JAPAN HAS EXPLAINED A MEASURE AIMED AT ALLOWING IT TO KEEP RESTRICTIONS ON RICE IMPORTS AT A RECENT MEETING OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (GATT) IN GENEVA, THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY, AND FISHERIES SAID.
-- FOUR JAPANESE MINESWEEPERS ARE LIKELY TO CARRY OUT JOINT MINE-CLEARANCE OPERATIONS WITH THE U.S. NAVY ONCE THEY REACH THE PERSIAN GULF, DEFENSE AGENCY SOURCES SAID.
-- PRESIDENT SUHARTO OPENED THE CONTROVERSIAL KEDUNG OMBO DAM PROJECT IN CENTRAL JAVA UNDER HEAVY GUARD, RULING OUT FURTHER COMPENSATION FOR FARMERS WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LAND TO THE PROJECT.
-- MALAYSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER ABDULLAH DESCRIBED AS "ARROGANT" U.S. VICE PRESIDENT QUAYLE'S STATEMENT THAT THE EAST ASIAN ECONOMIC GROUP PROPOSED BY MALAYSIA WOULD BE "COUNTERPRODUCTIVE" WITHOUT U.S. PARTICIPATION.
-- FORMER FIRST LADY IMELDA MARCOS WILL RETURN TO THE PHILIPPINES BY NOVEMBER WITH OR WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF PRESIDENT CORAZON AQUINO'S GOVERNMENT, HER LAWYERS SAID.
-- "ROCKY" LIN MING-JIE OF TAIWAN POUNDED OUT A UNANIMOUS 10-ROUND DECISION OVER JAPAN'S SECOND-RANKED YUICHI HOSONO FOR HIS FOURTH DEFENSE OF THE JAPAN STRAWWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP.
Document 512
Copyright 1991 Kyodo News Service Japan Economic Newswire
MAY 18, 1991, SATURDAY
LENGTH: 398 words
HEADLINE: ASIAN NEWS; 100,000 DEMAND ROH'S OUSTER ON KWANGJU ANNIVERSARY
DATELINE: SEOUL, MAY 18
BODY:
SOME 100,000 PEOPLE TOOK TO THE STREETS AND CLASHED WITH POLICE THROUGHOUT SOUTH KOREA ON SATURDAY, THE 11TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1980 KWANGJU UPRISING, DEMANDING THE RESIGNATION OF PRESIDENT ROH TAE WOO.
TWO PEOPLE -- A 39-YEAR-OLD WOMAN AND A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT -- SET THEMSELVES ON FIRE IN ANTIGOVERNMENT PROTESTS. THE WOMAN DIED, WHILE THE HIGH SCHOOLER WAS IN CRITICAL CONDITION.
IN SEOUL, SOME 20,000 DEMONSTRATORS BATTLED RIOT POLICE FIRING TEAR GAS TO BLOCK A BANNED FUNERAL MARCH FOR KANG KYONG DAE, A MYONGI UNIVERSITY FRESHMAN BEATEN TO DEATH BY POLICE DURING A DEMONSTRATION LAST MONTH, FROM ENTERING THE CENTER OF THE CAPITAL.
DOWNTOWN SEOUL WAS PARALYZED FOR SEVERAL HOURS BY DEMONSTRATORS, JOINED BY COMPANY EMPLOYEES LEAVING WORK AND AT LEAST 200 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.
AS PROTESTERS HURLED FIREBOMBS AND POLICE RESPONDED WITH VOLLEYS OF BLINDING TEAR GAS, ONE HIGH SCHOOL GIRL ADDRESSED THE CROWD, SAYING, "LET'S ALSO JOIN THE FOREFRONT OF THE MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRACY."
A 39-YEAR-OLD WOMAN, IDENTIFIED AS LEE JEONG SUN, DOUSED HERSELF WITH PAINT THINNER ON AN ELEVATED RAILWAY BRIDGE NEAR YONSEI UNIVERSITY AT AROUND 11:40 A.M., JUST AFTER THE FUNERAL MARCH BEGAN.
SHE THEN SET HERSELF ALIGHT, SHOUTING ANTIGOVERNMENT SLOGANS, AND JUMPED OFF THE BRIDGE. SHE WAS RUSHED TO A HOSPITAL, WHERE SHE WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD.
LEE LEFT A NOTE DEMANDING THE DISSOLUTION OF THE PLAINCLOTHES RIOT POLICE -- WHO KILLED KANG ON APRIL 26 -- AND THE RESIGNATION OF ROH'S "MILITARY DICTATORSHIP."
IN THE SOUTHWESTERN PROVINCIAL TOWN OF BOSONG, AN 18-YEAR-OLD HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT, KIM CHOL SU, SET HIMSELF ON FIRE WITH PAINT THINNER IN HIS HIGH SCHOOL CLASSROOM AFTER CEREMONIES MARKING THE KWANGJU ANNIVERSARY. HE WAS IN CRITICAL CONDITION.
SATURDAY'S SELF-IMMOLATIONS BROUGHT THE TOTAL NUMBER OF PROTESTERS TO SET THEMSELVES ALIGHT SINCE KANG'S DEATH TO SEVEN, FIVE OF WHOM HAVE DIED.
SUICIDE, WHILE A SHOCKING FORM OF PROTEST IN ANY SOCIETY, IS ESPECIALLY STARTLING IN HEAVILY CONFUCIAN KOREA, WHERE KILLING ONESELF IS REGARDED AS A CRIME AGAINST ONE'S PARENTS.
IN KWANGJU, SOME 20,000 PEOPLE TOOK PART IN RALLIES, CHANTING "DISBAND THE DEMOCRATIC LIBERAL PARTY" AND "ROH REGIME RESIGN."
HUNDREDS WERE KILLED IN 1980 WHEN THE SINCE DISCREDITED MILITARY-BACKED GOVERNMENT SENT PARATROOPERS INTO THE SOUTHWESTERN CITY TO CRUSH AN UPRISING FOR DEMOCRACY.
Document 513
Copyright 1991 Agence France Presse Agence France Presse
May 17, 1991
SECTION: News
LENGTH: 895 words
HEADLINE: S. Korean police to consider student compromise on funeral march
DATELINE: SEOUL
BODY:
Militant students and dissidents, in an apparent compromise, offered Friday to stage funeral rites for a student martyr outside the capital's main railway station.
Police said they were studying the proposal.
Dissident spokesmen told a press conference they were prepared to switch the venue for Saturday's funeral rites for Kang Kyong-Dae, 20, beaten to death by police on April 26, from the sensitive City Hall plaza to the railway station, one kilometre (1,100 yards) away.
A procession of 60,000 students was beaten back by police Tuesday in an earlier attempt to march on City Hall bearing the body of Mr. Kang.
"We've decided to hold the road rite in the Seoul Station plaza to avoid violence that would occur if we staged it at the City Hall plaza," Mr. Kang's father, Kang Min-Jo, said.
Lee Jong-Guk, Director of the National Police Headquarters, said the police were carefully considering the proposal.
"If the road rites were to be held at the Seoul Station plaza, many citizens would suffer because of traffic jams," he was quoted as saying by a police spokesman.
"In principle, we are against allowing the funeral rites to be held at the Seoul Station plaza, but we'll reconsider the matter because of the current situation," Mr. Lee was quoted as saying.
Reverend Moon Ik-Hwan, who is heading a dissident task force organising the funeral, said police had initially proposed the railway station plaza as an alternative venue for the funeral rally.
"The government should not block the funeral procession again by mobilizing police," he said.
On Thursday students rejected a police offer of safe conduct for the funeral procession to Yoido plaza, a vast square isolated from the city center.
The body of Mr. Kang is being kept at Yonsei University in western Seoul, two hours' march from the city centre.
Earlier Friday, funeral organisers, in an apparent compromise, offered to switch the funeral rites for Kang Kyong-Dae, 20, beaten to death by police on April 26, from the sensitive City Hall plaza to the railway station, only one kilometre (half a mile) away.
Police said they were studying the proposal but a day earlier had stressed that no march on the city centre would be contemplated.
A procession of 60,000 students was beaten back by police Tuesday in an earlier attempt to reach City Hall bearing the body of Mr. Kang, seen as a martyr by militants. Four student have died and a fifth is in serious condition in hospital after setting themselves on fire in protest at the killing.
"We've decided to hold the road rite in the Seoul Station plaza to avoid violence that would occur if we staged it at the City Hall plaza," said Mr. Kang's father, Kang Min-Jo, who was among those teargassed as police broke up Tuesday's procession.
According to press reports, more than 20,000 police will be mobilized in the capital to block any fresh attempt to march on the city centre.
Lee Jong-Guk, director of the National Police Headquarters, said the police were carefully considering the proposal.
"In principle, we are against allowing the funeral rites to be held at the Seoul Station plaza, but we'll reconsider the matter because of the current situation," Mr. Lee was quoted as saying.
On Thursday students rejected a police offer of safe conduct for the funeral procession to Yoido plaza, a vast square isolated from the city centre.
Mr. Kang's body is being kept at Yonsei University in western Seoul, two hours' march from City Hall plaza.
The defence ministry spokesman said police would be able to handle any trouble in the capital and observers said a martial law order from Mr. Roh, considered only a remote possibility, would be necessary to mobilise the estimated 50,000 troops in the capital command.
Students and dissidents plan to follow the funeral ceremony with a rally in front of City Hall to commemorate Saturday's 11th anniversary of what has become known as the Kwangju massacre. That has also been banned.
Some 200 people died in Kwangju when troops put down an anti-government uprising in the southwestern city. Similar commemoration rallies will be held in cities across the country, they say.
Three radical labour unions will join the action, launching a one-day strike of 400,000 workers which has been outlawed by the government.
South Korean dissidents blame the United States for connivance in the Kwanju massacre and the anniversary is traditionally used to target the presence of more than 40,000 U.S. troops here.
Police have stepped up security outside U.S. installations but some 200 students hurling firebombs attacked at a U.S. compound housing 2,000 people near the centre of the capital Friday. They were dispersed by riot squads firing tear gas after causing little damage.
On Thursday student radicals demonstrated outside the U.S. Embassy before riot police moved in and arrested 15 of them.
Dissidents, inflamed by the death of Mr. Kang, are pressing for the overthrow of Mr. Roh and his government while opposition leaders and some key figures in his own ruling party are calling for the sacking of Prime Minister Ro Jai-Bong and his entire cabinet.
Mr. Roh reiterated Friday in a presidential statement that "the government will sternly deal with any activities seeking to topple the government or any violence."
Document 514
Copyright 1991 Kyodo News Service Japan Economic Newswire
MAY 17, 1991, FRIDAY
LENGTH: 175 words
HEADLINE: ASIAN NEWS; SEOUL TROOPS PUT ON ALERT TO QUELL UNREST
DATELINE: SEOUL, MAY 17
BODY:
SOUTH KOREAN TROOPS IN CHARGE OF THE DEFENSE OF SEOUL HAVE BEEN PUT ON ALERT AMID THE MOUNTING SOCIAL AND POLITICAL TURMOIL THAT HAS FOLLOWED THE APRIL 26 FATAL POLICE BEATING OF A STUDENT, LOCAL MASS MEDIA REPORTED FRIDAY.
ACCORDING TO REPORTS, THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE CAPITAL GARRISON COMMAND ON MAY 9 ORDERED ITS TROOPS ON FULL ALERT TO DEAL WITH DEMONSTRATIONS OF STUDENTS AND DISSIDENTS DEMANDING SWEEPING REFORMS, INCLUDING THE RESIGNATION OF PRESIDENT ROH TAE WOO.
SOCIAL UNREST HAS BEEN GROWING IN SOUTH KOREA SINCE KANG KYUNG DAE, A 20-YEAR-OLD COLLEGE STUDENT, WAS BEATEN TO DEATH BY POLICE IN A CLASH APRIL 26 OUTSIDE SEOUL'S MYONGI UNIVERSITY.
MILITANT STUDENTS AND DISSIDENTS HAVE BEEN INTENSIFYING THEIR ANTIGOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES PRIOR TO THE MAY 18 ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1980 KWANGJU MASSACRE IN WHICH HUNDREDS OF CIVILIANS WERE SHOT DOWN BY TROOPS SUPPRESSING AN UPRISING IN THE SOUTHWESTERN CITY.
THAT UPRISING, CRUSHED BY TROOPS AND TANKS, LEFT SOME 200 PEOPLE DEAD AND THAN 1,800 OTHERS INJURED BY OFFICIAL ACCOUNT.
Document 515
Copyright 1991 Kyodo News Service Japan Economic Newswire
MAY 17, 1991, FRIDAY
LENGTH: 369 words
HEADLINE: ASIAN NEWS; 50,000 DEMONSTRATE IN SOUTH KOREA
DATELINE: SEOUL, MAY 17
BODY:
AN ESTIMATED 50,000 PROTESTERS CALLING FOR THE OUSTER OF THE GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDENT ROH TAE WOO TOOK TO THE STREETS ACROSS SOUTH KOREA ON THURSDAY, THE EVE OF THE 11TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE KWANGJU UPRISING.
IN SEOUL, PUSAN, AND THE SOUTHWESTERN CITY OF KWANGJU ITSELF, WHERE THE 1980 UPRISING FOR DEMOCRACY WAS CRUSHED BY PARATROOPERS AT THE COST OF HUNDREDS OF CIVILIAN LIVES, PROTESTERS HURLING FIRE BOMBS AND ROCKS FOUGHT PITCHED BATTLES WITH POLICE.
IN KWANGJU, A KYODO NEWS SERVICE REPORTER COVERING A DEMONSTRATION WAS HIT ON THE HEAD BY A ROCK THROWN BY RIOT POLICE AND TREATED AT A HOSPITAL.
FRIDAY'S DEMONSTRATIONS WERE LIKELY JUST A PRELUDE TO MUCH LARGER DEMONSTRATIONS SATURDAY, THE DAY WHEN SPRING STUDENT PROTESTS TRADITIONALLY HIT THEIR PEAK.
THIS YEAR'S PROTESTS HAVE GAINED INTENSITY BECAUSE OF THE APRIL 26 POLICE BEATING DEATH OF A UNIVERSITY STUDENT, ESCALATING SINCE THEN INTO THE LARGEST DEMONSTRATIONS SINCE PRESIDENT ROH TOOK OFFICE IN 1988.
ROH'S GOVERNMENT HAS WARNED IT WILL USE FORCE TO PUT DOWN WHAT IT CALLS ILLEGAL RALLIES.
WHILE THERE IS NO INDICATION ROH IS PLANNING TO CALL IN THE MILITARY, TWO MAJOR NEWSPAPERS REPORTED FRIDAY THAT MILITARY UNITS IN SEOUL HAVE BEEN PLACED ON ALERT.
BOTH THE CHOSUN ILBO AND HANKUK ILBO SAID THE COMMANDER OF THE CAPITAL GARRISON COMMAND, RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEFENSE OF SEOUL, HAS ORDERED ALL SOLDIERS TO PREPARE FOR POSSIBLE ACTION AGAINST PROTESTS.
THE ORDER WAS ISSUED MAY 9, THE NEWSPAPERS SAID, IN WHAT WOULD BE THE FIRST TIME MILITARY UNITS ARE KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN PLACED ON ALERT IN SEOUL SINCE THE 1987 PROTESTS AGAINST THE AUTHORITARIAN RULE BY PRESIDENT CHUN DOO HWAN.
IN KWANGJU, KYODO CORRESPONDENT HISASHI HIRAI SUFFERED A GASH ON HIS HEAD REQUIRING 12 STITCHES WHEN HE WAS HIT BY A ROCK DURING A DEMONTRATION BY 50 FARMERS PROTESTING AGRICULTURAL IMPORTS.
HIRAI AND OTHER WITNESSES SAID THE DEMONSTRATORS AND POLICE HAD MOVED APART AND THE SITUATION SEEMED UNDER CONTROL WHEN A RIOT TROOPER THREW A ROCK THAT HIT THE 39-YEAR-OLD REPORTER ON THE TEMPLE.
AFTER THE KILLING OF MYONGJI UNIVERSITY FRESHMAN KANG KYUNG DAE BY IRON-PIPE WIELDING RIOT TROOPERS, POLICE WERE ORDERED TO REFRAIN FROM EXCESSIVE FORCE.
Document 516
Copyright 1991 Kyodo News Service Japan Economic Newswire
MAY 16, 1991, THURSDAY
LENGTH: 334 words
HEADLINE: ASIAN NEWS; ROH REJECTS CALL FOR CABINET'S RESIGNATION
DATELINE: SEOUL, MAY 16
BODY:
SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT ROH TAE WOO ON THURSDAY AGAIN REJECTED OPPOSITION PARTIES' DEMANDS THAT PRIME MINISTER RO JAI BONG'S CABINET RESIGN TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR LAST MONTH'S POLICE KILLING OF A STUDENT PROTESTER.
ROH TOLD HIS PRIME MINISTER THAT THE CABINET SHOULD TAKE A FIRM STAND IN DEALING WITH NATIONWIDE ANTIGOVERNMENT PROTESTS TRIGGERED BY THE STUDENT'S APRIL 26 BEATING DEATH, A PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESMAN SAID.
HE QUOTED ROH AS SAYING THE CABINET SHOULD NOT BE AGITATED BY THE DEMONSTRATIONS, NOTING THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS ALREADY APOLOGIZED FOR THE INCIDENT AND SACKED THE HOME MINISTER, RESPONSIBLE FOR THE POLICE.
DESPITE THE GOVERNMENT'S TOUGH PRONOUNCEMENTS, MANY OBSERVERS NOW THINK THAT ROH WILL BE UNABLE TO CONTAIN THE GROWING UNREST WITH HARD-LINE MEASURES ALONE, AND THAT HE MAY HAVE TO FIRE THE PRIME MINISTER.
OPPOSITION LEADERS AND DISSIDENTS HAVE INTENSIFIED THEIR CALLS FOR THE RESIGNATION OF ROH AND HIS SCANDAL-PLAGUED ADMINISTRATION, AND FOR DEMOCRATIC REFORMS.
THE CHOSUN ILBO, A MAJOR DAILY, REPORTED FRIDAY THAT RO HAD EXPRESSED HIS INTENTION TO RESIGN IN A MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT. THE NEWSPAPER PREDICTED A CABINET RESHUFFLE NEXT MONDAY AT THE EARLIEST.
THE HANGUK ILBO, ANOTHER MAJOR DAILY, ALSO REPORTED THAT A RESHUFFLE, INCLUDING THE PRIME MINISTER'S DEPARTURE, IS EXPECTED AROUND NEXT WEEK.
NATIONWIDE PROTESTS ARE LIKELY TO HIT ANOTHER PEAK SATURDAY, THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE BLOODY 1980 MILITARY CRACKDOWN ON A POPULAR UPRISING IN SOUTH CHOLLA PROVINCE, KNOWN AMONG DISSIDENTS AS THE KWANGJU MASSACRE. STUDENTS ALSO PLAN ANOTHER FUNERAL MARCH IN SEOUL THAT DAY FOR THE SLAIN STUDENT, KANG KYUNG DAE.
KANG, A FRESHMAN AT SEOUL'S MYONGJI UNIVERSITY, WAS BEATEN TO DEATH BY IRON PIPE-WIELDING RIOT POLICE AS HE FLED A DEMONSTRATION OUTSIDE HIS SCHOOL.
MEANWHILE, THAN 10 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN SOUTH CHOLLA PROVINCE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES IN A CONFRONTATION WITH POLICE THURSDAY AS THEY BOYCOTTED CLASSES TO PROTEST KANG'S KILLING.
Document 517
Copyright 1991 Agence France Presse Agence France Presse
May 12, 1991
SECTION: News
LENGTH: 554 words
HEADLINE: Roh faces political battle with opposition
BYLINE: DIDIER FAUQUEUX
DATELINE: SEOUL
BODY:
South Korean President Roh Tae-Woo is facing a political battle with the opposition as radical students continue to clash with riot police around the country.
The already tense political situation could get even worse following the decision by the main opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) to take part in demonstrations planned for Tuesday in the capital during the funeral of student Kang Kyong-Dae, who died April 26 after being beaten by police.
His death ignited the current violence between students and riot police which has entered its third week, with the students demanding the resignation of Mr. Roh, a former general democratically elected in 1987, branded by them a dictator who favours the country's business elite.
The parliamentary opposition have called for the immediate dismissal of Prime Minister Ro Jai-Bong, whom they accuse of giving greater powers to the police. They also want the disbanding of the notorious plain-clothed riot police squads, members of which were involved in beating Mr. Kang.
They have given the president until May 18, the 11th anniversary of the Kwangju massacre, to meet their demands or they will organise a series of demonstrations the next day against his "anti-democracy regime."
Some 200 people died by official count and several hundred according to the opposition, when paratroopers put down a popular anti-government movement in Kwangju in the southwest of the country.
Up to now Mr. Roh has rejected the demands, but the influential Donga-Ilbo newspaper said Sunday he was "seriously considering" dropping his prime minister once order had been restored.
Differences have also appeared within his ruling Democratic Liberal Party (DLP) with party number two Kim Young Sam urgently recommending to the president Saturday that he revamp his entire cabinet to diffuse the crisis.
Mr. Roh turned down the suggestion, saying the sacking of his interior minister following the death of Mr. Kang was enough.
The president has also called on the justice ministry to look at the possibility of releasing between 100 and 200 political detainees, arrested under the tough national security law which provides for the detention of communist sympathisers and those who travel illegally to the North.
The opposition has said there are 600 political detainees curently being held together with an equal number of students arrested during the street clashes.
The first to benefit from this clemency is expected to be Kim Dae-Jung, the head of the NDP, sentenced for not having informed the authorities of a visit two years ago by a member of his party who met North Korean leader Kim Il-Sung in Pyongyang.
Mr. Roh also seems to be determined to do everything possible to end the violence in the streets which he said was caused by "a small minority of extremists," despite the fact that some 200,000 people took part in demonstrations nationwide May 9.
Local press reports have suggested that up to 80 activists and student leaders could be arrested in the next few days for having organised the demonstrations.
The test for the government will come Tuesday depending on how many turn out for the funeral of Mr. Kang, sources here say. Information Minister Choi Chang-Yun has said the protests lack the support of the middle class.
Document 518
Copyright 1991 Agence France Presse Agence France Presse
May 10, 1991
SECTION: News
LENGTH: 326 words
HEADLINE: Roh supports premier under fire from dissidents
DATELINE: SEOUL
BODY:
President Roh Tae-Woo told his embattled premier on Friday not to flinch under the worst wave of anti-government protests South Korea has seen in three years, as labor unions promised more unrest for the weekend.
The meeting between Mr. Roh and Prime Minister Ro Jai-Bong followed a night of clashes between police and some 200,000 demonstrators nation-wide, the worst since Mr. Roh was elected in 1987.
The opposition wants Mr. Roh to fire his premier and the cabinet following the death of a student protestor after a police beating on April 26.
"The opposition demands that you and the cabinet members resign, but you and the whole cabinet should not be shaken by such political demands and push ahead with firm conviction," Mr. Roh's spokesman quoted him as telling the prime minister.
But a coalition of labor unions promised more unrest, saying 300,000 people would turn out Saturday for the funeral of labor leader Park Chung-Soo, who died last week while under detention.
Although press reports said Mr. Park committed suicide in protest against the government by throwing himself from the roof of the hospital where he was detained, some suspect foul play.
More demonstrations are planned through next week, culminating on May 18 -- the 11th anniversary of the Kwangju massacre in which 200 people died in clashes with police.
Demonstrations have grown in size since student protester Kang Kyong-Dae was killed by riot police.
Dissidents say Mr. Roh, a 58-year-old retired general who was popularly elected, should also step down.
The national news agency Yonhap said scores of protestors and riot policemen were injured, some of them seriously, in clashes Thursday.
Seoul looked little the worse for wear Friday morning after the violent clashes.
Street cleaners had completed their hard work overnight, sweeping away the .ricks that littered the city's central lanes and hosing the remains of bonfires.
Document 519
Copyright 1991 Kyodo News Service Japan Economic Newswire
MAY 10, 1991, FRIDAY
LENGTH: 326 words
HEADLINE: ASIAN NEWS; 174 S. KOREAN DEMONSTRATORS ARRESTED
DATELINE: SEOUL, MAY 10
BODY:
SOUTH KOREAN RIOT POLICE ARRESTED 174 ANTIGOVERNMENT PROTESTERS THURSDAY DURING A SERIES OF VIOLENT DEMONSTRATIONS NATIONWIDE THAT STRETCHED LATE INTO THE NIGHT, THE NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL (NSC) SAID FRIDAY.
A TOTAL OF 276 RIOT POLICE WERE INJURED, THE NSC SAID, IN BATTLES WITH DEMONSTRATORS, WHO TURNED OUT A HALF MILLION STRONG TO DEMAND THE DISMANTLING OF THE GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDENT ROH TAE WOO.
PROTEST ORGANIZERS CLAIMED THURSDAY'S DEMONSTRATION IN SEOUL ATTRACTED 200,000 PEOPLE, WHO RALLIED ON UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES THROUGHOUT THE CAPITAL AND CHOKED OFF THE DOWNTOWN AREA IN BATTLES WITH RIOT POLICE.
ALTHOUGH THE DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE RULING DEMOCRATIC LIBERAL PARTY, FORMALLY INAUGURATED A YEAR AGO, HAD LARGELY SUBSIDED BY MIDNIGHT, 400 DISSIDENTS STAGED AN ALL-NIGHT VIGIL AT MYONGDONG CATHEDRAL.
ORGANIZERS SAID 500,000 PROTESTERS ATTENDED THE RALLIES THROUGHOUT THE NATION THURSDAY AND INDICATED THEY EXPECT DEMONSTRATIONS ON A SIMILAR SCALE MAY 18 TO MARK THE 1980 MILITARY CRACKDOWN ON A POPULAR UPRISING IN KWANGJU, SOUTH CHOLLA PROVINCE.
THE SOUTH KOREAN AUTHORITIES SAY 200 PROTESTERS AND POLICE WERE KILLED IN THE KWANGJU UPRISING BUT DISSIDENTS MAINTAIN THAT SOME 2,000 CIVILIANS WERE KILLED BY TROOPS IN WHAT THEY CALL THE "KWANGJU MASSACRE."
IN PUSAN, WHERE 40,000 DEMONSTRATORS CROWDED THE DISTRICT IN FRONT OF THE MAIN RAILWAY STATION, ROCKS WERE HURLED AT THE JAPANESE CONSULATE, BREAKING SOME WINDOWS AND DESTROYING THE GUARD POST IN FRONT.
SOUTH KOREA HAS BEEN ROCKED BY A SERIES OF MASSIVE ANTIGOVERNMENT PROTESTS SINCE THE FATAL BEATING OF A STUDENT DEMONSTRATOR BY POLICE APRIL 26.
THREE STUDENTS AND A LEADING DISSIDENT HAVE SET THEMSELVES ON FIRE IN PROTESTS SINCE THEN. THREE OF THE PROTESTERS HAVE DIED.
IN ADDITION, A JAILED LABOR ACTIVIST TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL AFTER A PRISON YARD SPORTS INJURY FELL TO HIS DEATH EARLIER THIS WEEK IN WHAT STATE TELEVISION CALLED ANOTHER PROTEST SUICIDE.
Document 520
Copyright 1991 Kyodo News Service Japan Economic Newswire
MAY 9, 1991, THURSDAY
LENGTH: 463 words
HEADLINE: ASIAN NEWS; 150,000 S. KOREAN PROTESTERS MARK ROH PARTY ANNIVERSARY
DATELINE: SEOUL, MAY 9
BODY:
AN ESTIMATED 150,000 PROTESTERS TURNED OUT FOR DEMONSTRATIONS NATIONWIDE THURSDAY, RAINING ROCKS AND FIREBOMBS DOWN ON RIOT POLICE IN A VIOLENT OBSERVANCE OF THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF SOUTH KOREA'S RULING DEMOCRATIC LIBERAL PARTY.
IN SEOUL, SOME 40,000 DEMONSTRATORS BATTLED RIOT POLICE IN THE HEART OF THE DOWNTOWN AREA WHILE A HANDFUL OF OPPOSITION POLITICIANS STAGED A SITDOWN, DEMANDING THE DISMANTLING OF THE GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDENT ROH TAE WOO.
EARLIER, ROH AND PRIME MINISTER RO JAI BONG DISMISSED THE CALLS FOR THEIR RESIGNATION AS MERELY PART OF AN OPPOSITION POLITICAL OFFENSIVE, POLITICAL SOURCES SAID.
ROH MET WITH DLP OFFICIALS EARLIER IN THE DAY, THE SOURCES SAID, TO DISCUSS COUNTERMEASURES FOR THE GROWING WAVE OF DEMONSTRATIONS, IGNITED BY THE FATAL BEATING OF A UNIVERSITY FRESHMAN BY RIOT POLICE APRIL 26.
THREE STUDENTS AND A LEADING DISSIDENT HAVE SET THEMSELVES ON FIRE IN PROTESTS SINCE THEN, GIVING FURTHER IMPETUS TO THE DEMONSTRATIONS. THREE OF THE PROTESTERS HAVE DIED.
IN ADDITION, A LABOR ACTIVIST TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL AFTER A PRISON YARD SPORTS INJURY FELL TO HIS DEATH EARLIER THIS WEEK IN WHAT STATE TELEVISION CALLED ANOTHER PROTEST SUICIDE.
ON THURSDAY, 45,000 RIOT POLICE WERE MOBILIZED NATIONWIDE. THEY BATTLED PROTESTERS IN THAN 40 CITIES, INCLUDING PUSAN, WHERE AN ESTIMATED 40,000 TURNED OUT.
IN DOWNTOWN SEOUL, LEE KI TAEK, HEAD OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, STAGED A SITDOWN IN CITY HALL PLAZA WITH OTHER OPPOSITION LEADERS DEMANDING THE RESIGNATION OF PRESIDENT ROH'S GOVERNMENT.
MEANWHILE, SOME OF THE 30,000 PROTESTERS FLOODING THE NEARBY MYONGDONG AND CHONGNO DISTRICTS ATTACKED RIOT POLICE WITH ROCKS AND FIREBOMBS.
AT A CABINET MEETING THE SAME DAY, PRIME MINISTER RO SAID HE HAS NO INTENTION OF STEPPING DOWN, AND REJECTED THE DEMAND FOR THE CABINET TO RESIGN EN MASSE.
RO ALSO SAID HE WOULD TAKE A FIRM STAND IN DEALING WITH THE SOURCES OF THURSDAY'S "ILLEGAL RALLIES."
THE GOVERNMENT, HOWEVER, FACES ANOTHER WAVE OF NATIONWIDE PROTESTS ON MAY 18, MARKING THE 1980 MILITARY CRACKDOWN ON A POPULAR UPRISING IN SOUTH CHOLLA PROVINCE, KNOWN AMONG DISSIDENTS AS THE KWANGJU MASSACRE.
ON THURSDAY, STUDENT ACTIVISTS CALLED FOR A BOYCOTT OF CLASSES IN 59 UNIVERSITIES THROUGHOUT THE NATION AND STAGED ANTIGOVERNMENT RALLIES ON CAMPUS THAT SPILLED OUT THE GATES AND ONTO THE STREETS.
SOME 450 LABOR UNIONS INVOLVING ABOUT 200,000 WORKERS ALSO STAGED STRIKES THURSDAY AFTERNOON TO PROTEST THE DLP ADMINISTRATION.
THE DLP, A MERGER BETWEEN ROH'S RULING DEMOCRATIC JUSTICE PARTY AND TWO MODERATE OPPOSITION GROUPS, WAS FORMALLY INAUGURATED A YEAR AGO AMID PROTESTS THAT THE SUPER-PARTY WAS AN ATTEMPT BY ROH TO STAY IN POWER THROUGH THE CREATION OF A JAPANESE-STYLE MONOLITHIC RULING PARTY.
Document 521
Copyright 1991 Kyodo News Service Japan Economic Newswire
MAY 9, 1991, THURSDAY
LENGTH: 435 words
HEADLINE: ASIAN NEWS; ANTI-ROH PROTESTS ACROSS S. KOREA MARK DLP ANNIVERSARY
DATELINE: SEOUL, MAY 9
BODY:
PROTESTERS PELTED RIOT POLICE WITH ROCKS AND FIREBOMBS THURSDAY AS DEMONSTRATIONS GREETED THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF SOUTH KOREA'S RULING DEMOCRATIC LIBERAL PARTY.
THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS AND LABORERS, JOINED BY A HANDFUL OF OPPOSITION POLITICAL LEADERS, BATTLED POLICE IN THE HEART OF SEOUL, DEMANDING THE RESIGNATION OF PRESIDENT ROH TAE WOO AND HIS CABINET.
EARLIER, ROH AND PRIME MINISTER RO JAI BONG DISMISSED THE CALLS FOR THEIR RESIGNATION AS MERELY PART OF AN OPPOSITION POLITICAL OFFENSIVE, POLITICAL SOURCES SAID.
ROH MET WITH DLP OFFICIALS, THE SOURCES SAID, TO DISCUSS COUNTERMEASURES FOR THE GROWING WAVE OF DEMONSTRATIONS IGNITED BY THE FATAL BEATING OF A UNIVERSITY FRESHMAN BY RIOT POLICE APRIL 26.
THREE STUDENTS AND A LEADING DISSIDENT HAVE SET THEMSELVES ON FIRE IN PROTESTS SINCE THEN, FURTHER INTENSIFYING THE DEMONSTRATIONS. THREE OF THE PROTESTERS HAVE DIED.
IN ADDITION, A LABOR ACTIVIST TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL AFTER A PRISON YARD SPORTS INJURY FELL TO HIS DEATH EARLIER THIS WEEK IN WHAT STATE TELEVISION CALLED ANOTHER PROTEST SUICIDE.
ON THURSDAY, 45,000 RIOT POLICE WERE MOBILIZED NATIONWIDE. THEY BATTLED WITH PROTESTERS IN THAN 40 CITIES, INCLUDING PUSAN, WHERE AN ESTIMATED 20,000 TURNED OUT.
IN DOWNTOWN SEOUL, LEE KI TAEK, HEAD OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, STAGED A SITDOWN IN CITY HALL PLAZA WITH OTHER OPPOSITION LEADERS DEMANDING THE RESIGNATION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDENT ROH.
MEANWHILE, PROTESTERS IN THE NEARBY MYONGDONG AND CHONGNO DISTRICTS ATTACKED RIOT POLICE WITH ROCKS AND FIREBOMBS.
AT A CABINET MEETING THE SAME DAY, PRIME MINISTER RO SAID HE HAS NO INTENTION OF STEPPING DOWN, AND REJECTED THE DEMAND FOR THE CABINET TO RESIGN EN MASSE.
RO ALSO SAID HE WILL TAKE A FIRM STAND IN DEALING WITH THE SOURCES OF THE DISORDER, BUT FACES ANOTHER WAVE OF NATIONWIDE PROTESTS ON MAY 18, MARKING THE 1980 MILITARY CRACKDOWN ON A POPULAR UPRISING IN SOUTH CHOLLA PROVINCE, KNOWN AMONG DISSIDENTS AS THE KWANGJU MASSACRE.
ON THURSDAY, STUDENT ACTIVISTS CALLED FOR A BOYCOTT OF CLASSES IN 59 UNIVERSITIES THROUGHOUT THE NATION AND STAGED ANTIGOVERNMENT RALLIES ON CAMPUS THAT SPILLED OUT THE GATES AND ONTO THE STREETS.
SOME 450 LABOR UNIONS INVOLVING ABOUT 200,000 WORKERS ALSO STAGED STRIKES THURSDAY AFTERNOON TO PROTEST THE DLP ADMINISTRATION.
THE DLP, A MERGER BETWEEN ROH'S RULING DEMOCRATIC JUSTICE PARTY AND TWO MODERATE OPPOSITION GROUPS, WAS FORMALLY INAUGURATED A YEAR AGO AMID PROTESTS THAT THE SUPER-PARTY WAS AN ATTEMPT BY ROH TO STAY IN POWER THROUGH THE CREATION OF A JAPANESE-STYLE MONOLITHIC RULING PARTY.
Document 522
Copyright 1991 Kyodo News Service Japan Economic Newswire
MAY 8, 1991, WEDNESDAY
LENGTH: 334 words
HEADLINE: ASIAN NEWS; S. KOREAN DISSIDENT COMMITS SUICIDE IN ANTI-ROH PROTEST
DATELINE: SEOUL, MAY 8
BODY:
A LEADING SOUTH KOREAN DISSIDENT DIED WEDNESDAY AFTER SETTING HIMSELF ON FIRE WITH PAINT THINNER AND THEN LEAPING FROM THE TOP OF A UNIVERSITY BUILDING IN SEOUL, IN SUPPORT OF STUDENTS' DEMANDS FOR THE OVERTHROW OF THE ROH TAE WOO REGIME.
KIM KI SOL, 25, A RANKING MEMBER OF THE DISSIDENT ALLIANCE CHONMINNYON, WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AFTER BEING RUSHED TO A HOSPITAL FOLLOWING THE FIERY PLUNGE.
IT WAS THE FOURTH INCIDENT OF SELF-IMMOLATION IN SOUTH KOREA IN LESS THAN TWO WEEKS, FOLLOWING THE POLICE BEATING TO DEATH OF A UNIVERSITY FRESHMAN APRIL 26. TWO OF THE STUDENT PROTESTERS DIED FROM THE SELF-INFLICTED INJURIES AND A THIRD IS REPORTED IN CRITICAL CONDITION.
ON WEDNESDAY, KIM CLIMBED TO THE ROOF OF THE MAIN BUILDING OF SEOUL'S SOGANG UNIVERSITY, DOUSED HIMSELF WITH PAINT THINNER AND SET HIMSELF ON FIRE. YELLING ANTIGOVERNMENT SLOGANS, THE FORMER STUDENT ACTIVIST THEN JUMPED OFF THE FIVE-STORY BUILDING.
IN A LETTER KIM LEFT BEHIND, HE CLAIMED THE SUICIDE WAS HIS "FINAL ACT OF FILIAL PIETY AS THE SON OF HIS ANCESTORS' LAND."
"FOR THE CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTRY WHO LIVE AMIDST THE SORROW AND PAIN, I AM CONVINCED THAT SOMETHING MUST BE DONE," KIM WROTE.
MEANWHILE, ANTIGOVERNMENT PROTESTS CONTINUE TO ESCALATE NATIONWIDE AS DISSIDENTS LOOK AHEAD TO THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY THURSDAY OF THE INAUGURATION OF THE RULING DEMOCRATIC LIBERAL PARTY. THE OPPOSITION HAS BRANDED THE PARTY AS MERELY A CREATION OF ROH'S DESIGNED TO PRESERVE HIS HOLD ON POWER.
OPPOSITION LEADERS AND DISSIDENTS INTENSIFIED THEIR CALLS WEDNESDAY FOR THE RESIGNATION OF ROH AND HIS SCANDAL-PLAGUED ADMINISTRATION AND FOR DEMOCRATIC REFORMS.
MEANWHILE, ANTIGOVERNMENT ACTIVISTS ARE SEEKING TO KEEP THE ANTIGOVERNMENT FERVOR ALIVE THROUGH TO THE MAY 18 ANNIVERSARY OF THE MILITARY SUPPRESSION OF A POPULAR UPRISING IN KWANGJU IN 1980.
DISSIDENTS CLAIM 2,000 PEOPLE WERE KILLED IN WHAT IS COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS THE KWANGJU MASSACRE, BUT THE GOVERNMENT MAINTAINS THAT ONLY 200 DIED IN THE INCIDENT.
Document 523
Copyright 1991 Kyodo News Service Japan Economic Newswire
MAY 4, 1991, SATURDAY
LENGTH: 335 words
HEADLINE: ASIAN NEWS; S. KOREAN DEMONSTRATIONS HIT NEW PEAK
DATELINE: SEOUL, MAY 4
BODY:
AN ESTIMATED 50,000 STUDENTS TOOK TO THE STREETS AROUND SOUTH KOREA ON SATURDAY, THE LARGEST NUMBER SINCE PRESIDENT ROH TAE WOO TOOK OFFICE IN FEBRUARY 1988, PROTESTING THE POLICE KILLING OF A STUDENT LAST MONTH.
TWO OF THREE STUDENTS WHO HAVE SET THEMSELVES ON FIRE TO PROTEST THE KILLING HAVE DIED, ADDING IMPETUS TO THE DEMONSTRATIONS, AND NUMEROUS UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS HAVE ISSUED STATEMENTS CRITICAL OF THE GOVERNMENT.
THE DEMONSTRATIONS HAVE CONTINUED SINCE KANG KYONG DAE, A 20-YEAR-OLD FRESHMAN AT SEOUL'S MYONGJI UNIVERSITY, WAS BEATEN TO DEATH BY RIOT TROOPERS AS HE FLED THE SCENE OF A CLASH BETWEEN STUDENTS AND POLICE NEAR THE UNIVERSITY APRIL 26.
ABOUT 10,000 DEMONSTRATING STUDENTS BLOCKED STREETS IN CENTRAL SEOUL ON SATURDAY, BRINGING TRAFFIC TO A TOTAL STANDSTILL.
AROUND THE SAME NUMBER OF STUDENTS ALSO DEMONSTRATED IN PUSAN, THE NATION'S SECOND LARGEST CITY.
TENSION IS MOUNTING AS THE NATION APPROACHES TWO DIVISIVE ANNIVERSARIES -- THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE FORMATION OF THE RULING DEMOCRATIC LIBERAL PARTY AND THE 11TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE KWANGJU UPRISING, SUPPRESSED AT THE COST OF SOME 200 LIVES, BY OFFICIAL ESTIMATES.
THE SOUTH KOREAN GOVERNMENT REACTED UNUSUALLY QUICKLY TO THE FUROR OVER KANG'S KILLING, REPLACING HOME MINISTER LEE SAHNG YEON THE NEXT DAY AND ARRESTING FIVE RIOT POLICEMEN, BUT THE STUDENT SELF-IMMOLATIONS HAVE CONTINUED.
THE 1987 DEMONSTRATIONS THAT SPELLED THE END TO PRESIDENT CHUN DOO HWAN'S AUTHORITARIAN STYLE OF RULE WERE ALSO GIVEN MOMENTUM BY THE DEATH OF A STUDENT -- AFTER TORTURE IN POLICE CUSTODY -- BUT THOSE PROTESTS DREW WIDESPREAD SUPPORT FROM OTHER CITIZENS, SOMETHING NOT EVIDENT SO FAR IN THE CURRENT WAVE OF UNREST.
THE ROH GOVERNMENT IS FACING HARSH CRITICISM OVER RISING PRICES AND A SLUMP IN THE ECONOMY AND IS LOSING POPULARITY FOLLOWING A SERIES OF SETBACKS SINCE JANUARY, INCLUDING A HOUSING BRIBERY SCANDAL AND THE INDUSTRIAL POISONING TWICE IN TWO MONTHS OF A RIVER THAT PROVIDES DRINKING WATER FOR MILLIONS.
Document 524
The Xinhua General Overseas News Service
JULY 14, 1990, SATURDAY
LENGTH: 230 words
HEADLINE: south korea's opposition lawmakers resign in protest
DATELINE: pyongyang, july 14; ITEM NO: 0
BODY:
all eight legislators from the south korean opposition democratic party, led by its president lee ki-taek, resigned today to protest the ruling party's railroading of a controversial package of bills through the national assembly. south korean radio reports reaching here said the lawmakers also called on the opposition to join them in demanding that the government-controlled 299-member parliament be dissolved immediately to clear the way for new elections. the resignations followed pandemonium in the unicameral parliament as the ruling democratic liberal party slammed through all three controversial bills while the opposition occupied the rostrum, the reports said. vice-speaker kim jae-kwang immediately declared voice vote approval of the three bills as dozens of opposition legislators occupied the rostrum to prevent him from presiding over the full session, the reports added. the bills will grant authority to the joint chief of staff chairman to command the army, navy and air force, the reports said, adding that the grant will include compensation for the some 200 kwangju uprising victims. moreover, another bill will help to create a private radio and television station, which provoked a strike at the nation's two main raido-television networks with union members arguing against further government control of the broadcast media, the reports said.
Document 525
The Associated Press
June 11, 1990, Monday, AM cycle
SECTION: Washington Dateline
LENGTH: 260 words
HEADLINE: U.S. Puts Extra Security on Gregg
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
BODY:
The White House said Monday it has stepped up security for U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Donald P. Gregg after death threats from student radicals.
South Korean police clashed with students in Kwangju as Gregg reopened a U.S. cultural center that has been repeatedly attacked.
Some 500 students hurled rocks and firebombs at police who blocked them from marching off the campus of Chosun University. They had claimed they had formed "death squads" to kidnap Gregg during his visit to Kwangju.
The city 155 miles south of Seoul is a hotbed of anti-U.S. sentiment. The radicals accuse the United States of condoning the lethal suppression of anti-government demonstrations in 1980, when South Korea was still under military rule.
White House press secretary Marlin Fitzwater said: "We take all such threats seriously and be assured that we are taking the proper security measures and that they are in place."
Fitzwater noted radicals broke into Gregg's residence last October. The ambassador and his wife escaped unharmed. He said the United States took "a number of security measures to augment the situation" after that incident.
Gregg, in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the cultural center in Kwangju, said the United States had erred in remaining silent for nine years about the Kwangju uprising. "American silence had contributed to a hardening of suspicions and mistrust" among some South Koreans, he said.
Gregg is a former CIA station chief in Seoul and a national security adviser to then-Vice President Bush during the Reagan administration.
Document 526
The Associated Press
June 11, 1990, Monday, PM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 682 words
HEADLINE: Radicals Protest Reopening of Cultural Center
BYLINE: By PAUL SHIN, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
Hundreds of radical students, shouting "Yankee go home," clashed with police today in Kwangju to protest the reopening of a U.S. cultural center that has been repeatedly attacked, news reports said.
About 500 students hurled rocks and firebombs at riot police as they tried to march into the streets of the southern city after an anti-U.S. rally on the campus of Chosun University, the Yonhap News Agency said.
About 800 riot police blocked the university's main gate and fired tear gas barrages each time the demonstrators charged out of the campus, it said.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or arrests in the two-hour clash in Kwangju, about 155 miles south of Seoul.
Students had vowed to do try to block the reopening of the U.S. cultural center in Kwangju, the site of a the bloody suppression of a 1980 pro-democracy uprising against the military government of the time.
Anti-U.S. sentiment is particularly strong in Kwangju. People claim Washington condoned the use of lethal force against the 1980 demonstrators. About 200 civilians were killed in the crackdown and at least 1,700 injured.
The U.S. Embassy in Seoul closed the cultural center about a year ago to protect staff members. The building had been the target of 29 attacks over 10 years by protesters hurling rocks and firebombs.
U.S. officials decided to reopen the center in a new building less than a mile away from the original site that they say is easier to defend.
In a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony today, U.S. Ambassador Donald P. Gregg said the United States had erred by remaining silent for nine years about the Kwangju uprising. He reiterated that Washington was not involved in the suppression of the uprising.
Last year, the U.S. government officially clarified its position on Kwangju to a special committee of the South Korean National Assembly, but radicals called it a cover-up.
When Gregg visited Kwangju in January, he was the first U.S. ambassador known to have been in the city since the uprising.
During that visit, "I came to realize that American silence had contributed to a hardening of suspicions and mistrust on the part of some of the people of this city toward the United States," Gregg said in remarks prepared for delivery at the ceremony.
Police in Kwangju were placed on alert for Gregg's visit after radical student leaders said they had formed "death squads" to kidnap the U.S. ambassador and block the reopening of the center.
About 1,000 riot police guarded the center during the ceremony, which was attended by the city's mayor and other Korean officials. But radicals did not disrupt the opening, U.S. officials in Seoul said.
Before the ceremony, Gregg told Korean reporters that "those who oppose the reopening of the cultural center are a minority."
Gregg said he was aware of the threats against him, but added that they would not prevent the center from opening to the public.
Gregg, a former CIA station chief in Seoul and aide to then-Vice President Bush during the Iran-Contra affair, has been a target of radicals since he was named ambassador last year.
In October, six students wielding iron pipes and homemade explosives attacked his residence in Seoul. Gregg and his wife were inside but escaped harm.
Elsewhere today, the Seoul Appellate Court reduced the sentences of a radical female student and a Roman Catholic priest who had been convicted of illegally visiting Communist North Korea.
Presiding Judge Song Chae-hon cited the changing political climate on the Korean peninsula, including the easing of restrictions on contact with North Korea, as grounds for reducing the sentences.
The court cut the prison sentence for Im Su-kyong, a 22-year-old student, from 10 to five years, and reduced the prison term for the Rev. Moon Gyu-hyon, 41, from eight to five years.
Ms. Im gained national attention when she defied the government by attending an international youth festival in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang last July. The priest went to North Korea to accompany her home, and both were arrested on their return in August.
Document 527
Copyright 1990 U.P.I.
June 4, 1990, Monday, BC cycle
SECTION: International
LENGTH: 361 words
HEADLINE: U.S. Korean envoy replies to dissident charges
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
U.S. Ambassador Donald P. Gregg denied Monday there was any American role in a bloody 1980 pro-democracy uprising in Kwangju and rejected dissidents' charges of U.S. interference in South Korean politics.
Gregg's letter to the hard-line dissident National Democratic Alliance of Korea was a response to one the group sent to the embassy May 23 listing anti-American allegations.
The group blames the United States for the Kwangju tragedy on grounds it allowed South Korean troops under its operational control to quell the civil uprising in which nearly 200 people were killed.
The dissidents' letter, addressed to Secretary of State James Baker, also accused the United States of being behind the three-party merger in February that gave birth to a gigantic ruling party under President Roh Tae-woo.
''I read your letter with considerable sadness because you continue to misunderstand the roles of the United States in 1980,'' Gregg said. ''The Kwangju incident of 1980 was a tragedy for your country. Koreans killed Koreans.''
The ambassador reminded them the United States cooperated with an investigation of the incident by the Korean National Assembly and gave a full reply to all questions posed.
Gregg, attaching a copy of the reply to his letter, said the document ''clearly shows the United States supported democratization and non-violence in 1980.''
''The Kwangju incident was a Korean affair. Only Koreans can solve it. Replying to false allegations that the United States was reponsible only serves to delay the necessary healing of the wound,'' Gregg said.
The Kwangju revolt was sparked by a sweeping government crackdown on political opposition. Rebels held the city for nine days before army troops quashed it.
Gregg also said the charge that the United States directs South Korean politics ''is both false and insulting to your own society.''
''The success or failure of Korean democracy will depend on what Koreans do. Your organization professes to support democracy. If it does, then its efforts would be better directed at democratic activities and in taking responsibility for building democracy,'' Gregg said.
Document 528
Copyright 1990 U.P.I.
May 24, 1990, Thursday, BC cycle
SECTION: International
LENGTH: 166 words
HEADLINE: Dissidents stage protests against U.S.
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
Dissidents staged protests in Seoul and provincial cities Thursday denouncing the alleged U.S. role in the 1980 Kwangju pro-democracy uprising 10 years ago.
The group also opposed President Roh Tae-woo's current three-day visit to Japan.
The National Democratic Alliance of Korea, a hard-core dissident group, said it delivered a letter to the American Embassy in Seoul seeking U.S. apologies in connection with the Kwangju, in which nearly 200 people.
''We firmly believe that the United States cannot be free from responsibility for the Kwangju massacre because the United States has had close relations with (South) Korea and holds operational control over (South) Korean forces,'' the letter said.
In Kwangju, 170 miles south of Seoul, and five other cities about 5,000 students held rallies on a dozen campuses and clashed with police in continuing actions commemorating the nine-day democracy revolt which erupted on May 18, 1980, the domestic Yonhap News Agency said.
Document 529
The Associated Press
May 23, 1990, Wednesday, AM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 388 words
HEADLINE: Student Activist Buried as Martyr
BYLINE: By J.H. YUN, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: KWANGJU, South Korea
BODY:
A student activist who fell to his death while trying to avoid police was buried as a martyr and patriot Wednesday after a funeral procession attended by thousands of students shouting anti-government slogans.
Riot police carrying clubs and shields remained on alert as the procession passed through downtown Kwangju.
In addition to denouncing the government of President Roh Tae-woo, radicals shouted "Drive out Yankees!" reflecting anti-U.S. sentiment that runs deep in this southern city.
About 3,000 students, many wearing white Korean mourning clothes, chanted and hummed funeral dirges as they followed the hearse carrying the body of Shin Jan-ho, 21. Mourners waved long colorful streamers printed with slogans.
Shin was one of 20,000 students who came to Kwangju from around the country to take part in protests Saturday. He suffered fatal head injuries after jumping off a speeding train to avoid police checkpoints.
Violent protests have been staged for five days in Kwangju to mark the 10th anniversary of a May 1980 civil uprising, the bloodiest in modern Korean history. At least 84 police and 400 protesters have been injured.
During the funeral, six students wearing white clothes and black headbands carried a giant Korean national flag at the head of the procession. Others carried a large photograph of the dead student.
Hundreds of citizens watched from the sidewalks as the procession wound along city streets to two university campuses where funeral rites were held.
A traditional fortune teller performed a dance for repose of the soul at Chonnam University. Students frequently interrupted services with dissident songs and slogans.
"The U.S. - real culprit of the Kwangju massacre - get out!" they chanted.
The students dispersed peacefully after the procession moved to a cemetery outside Kwangju, where victims of the 1980 uprising are buried.
Radicals claim the United States condoned the military suppression of the 1980 uprising, in which officials say 200 people died. Kwangju citizens say the death toll was much higher.
Anti-American sentiment is strong in Kwangju. U.S. flags are painted on campus roadways for people to walk on, and banners and posters showing shredded American flags are common.
The United States denied playing a part in the suppression of the 1980 uprising.
Document 530
The Associated Press
May 23, 1990, Wednesday, PM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 538 words
HEADLINE: Funeral Procession For Student Who Died During Protest
BYLINE: By J.H. YUN, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: KWANGJU, South Korea
BODY:
Radical students shouting anti-government, anti-U.S. slogans marched in this southern city today behind the coffin of a dead student activist heralded as a martyr and patriot.
"Drive out Yankees," students shouted, "Crush (President) Roh Tae-woo!"
Riot police armed with clubs and shields were deployed around government offices and along major downtown streets to deter violence. Traffic on streets came to a stop as the procession passed.
About 3,000 radical students, many wearing traditional white Korean mourning clothes, chanted and hummed funeral dirges as they followed a hearse bearing the body of student activist Shin Jan-ho, 21. Some waved long colorful funeral streamers printed with anti-government slogans.
Shin was one of 20,000 students from around the country who came to Kwangju to participate in protests over the weekend. He died of massive head injuries Saturday after jumping off a speeding train to avoid police checkpoints at the train station.
Radicals claim police are responsible for the death and vowed to retaliate.
Violent protests have been staged for a week in Kwangju to mark the anniversary of a 1980 civil uprising, the bloodiest in modern Korean history. At least 84 police and 400 students and citizens have been injured in five-days of protests.
During today's funeral, six students wearing white clothes and black headbands carried a giant Korean national flag at the head of the procession. Others carried a large photograph of the dead student rimmed in black.
Hundreds of citizens watched from the sidewalks as the procession wound along city streets to Chosun and Chonnam Universities where two funeral rites were held.
A traditional fortune teller performed a dance for repose of the soul at Chonnam University. Students frequently interrupted services with dissident songs and shouted slogans.
"The U.S. - real culprint of the Kwangju massacre - get out!" students chanted.
The student was to be buried as a martyr at a cemetery outside Kwangju where victims of the 1980 uprising are buried.
Police officials feared the funeral would spark more violence and about 7,500 riot police were on alert. Thousands of students rioted in the city over the weekend, burning tires on the streets and attacking police with firebombs, rocks and clubs.
Radicals claim the United States condoned the suppression of the 1980 uprising against a martial law government and anti-American sentiment is strong in Kwangju. U.S. flags are painted on campus roadways and banners and posters showing shredded American flags are common.
By official count, about 200 people were killed and more than 1,700 others wounded 10 years ago in the 10-day, pro-democracy revolt in Kwangju, 150 miles south of Seoul. Kwangju citizens claim the death toll was much higher.
Also today, a protester shouting anti-Japanese slogans attempted suicide in front of the Japanese Embassy by stabbing himself in the abdomen to demand Japan make a clear-cut apology for its colonial rule over Korea.
About a dozen riot police guarding the embassy rushed toward him and snatched the knife, the witnesses said. A police patrol car the man to a nearby hospital, but the man's condition was not immediately known.
Document 531
The Associated Press
May 22, 1990, Tuesday, AM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 495 words
HEADLINE: Radicals Battle Police, Begin Week of Anti-U.S. Protests
BYLINE: By C. W. LIM, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
Radicals armed with firebombs and rocks fought police and burned a U.S. flag in Kwangju on Tuesday, and students in the capital declared a week of protests against the U.S. presence in South Korea.
Police tightened security at U.S. facilities and arrested eight radical students who tried to deliver a letter to the U.S. Embassy in Seoul.
Shouting "Drive out the Yankees!" the protesters unfurled an anti-American banner that demanded the U.S. apologize for South Korea's bloody suppression of a 1980 civil uprising in Kwangju.
Also in Seoul, police fired 23 blanks from an M-16 rifle at about 100 students who threw firebombs at a police station.
At a news conference in Seoul, student leaders said they would stage anti-U.S. protests through Sunday.
"We are asking for a formal U.S. apology" over the suppression of the Kwangju uprising, said a statement by radical students, who are a loud minority on South Korean campuses. It also accused the United States of supporting dictatorships in South Korea and demanded an apology for that.
"Unless our demands are met, the United States will be punished," the statement warned.
The student leaders said they would "seek the spread of anti-U.S. feeling among Koreans through various means during the period and unveil the true character of the United States."
In Kwangju, 155 miles south, groups of 100 to 500 students staged violent anti-U.S. protests in the city center after burning a U.S. flag. Police firing tear gas chased the protesters into alleys and sidestreets.
The scattered street protests in Kwangju died down after nightfall. Police did not say how many people were injured or arrested.
The open letter to the U.S. Embassy demanded the United States withdraw its 43,000 troops stationed in South Korea, remove nuclear weapons positioned here, and stay out of Korean politics.
Radicals have staged violent anti-government, anti-U.S. protests to mark the 10th anniversary of the Kwangju uprising, the bloodiest in modern Korean history.
By official count, 200 citizens were killed in the 10-day revolt that began on May 18, 1980. Despite repeated denials by the United States, many citizens feel that Washington condoned the Korean military suppression.
At a hospital morgue in Kwangju, about 500 militants brandishing metal pipes guarded the body of a student activist who suffered fatal head injuries when he jumped from a train to avoid police checkpoints.
The 21-year-old student, Shin Jan-ho, died Saturday, as about 20,000 students from across the nation gathered for a rally marking the Kwangju anniversary.
About 150 students staged an anti-U.S. sit-in Tuesday at Korea Aviation College, 18 miles north of Seoul, when 20 U.S. military helicopters landed on the college's airstrip.
The protesters shouted "Withdraw U.S. troops" and marched around the helicopters, but there were no incidents, the Yonhap news agency said. U.S. helicopters occasionally use the airstrip for training.
Document 532
The Associated Press
May 22, 1990, Tuesday, PM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 556 words
HEADLINE: Radicals Vow More Protests; Eight Students Arrested
BYLINE: By M.H. AHN, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
Hundreds of radical students yelling "Drive out Yankees!" clashed with police today at two universities in the southern city of Kwangju.
Police in Kwangju also fired tear gas to disperse dozens of students who burned a U.S. flag.
In Seoul, radicals vowed to stage a week of anti-American protests, and eight militant students were arrested after unfurling an anti-American banner in front of the U.S. Embassy.
In another development, union workers at Hyundai Motor Co. rejected a proposed new labor contract today, dashing hopes for a quick end to a 7-day-old strike at South Korea's largest automaker.
Recent labor unrest has compounded the troubles of President Roh Tae-woo's government, which has been beset by violent protests by radical students.
At Kwangju's Chonnam University, about 500 students hurled rocks and firebombs at riot police, who responded by firing hundreds of volleys of tear gas during a two-hour clash. About 800 students at Chosun University lobbed rocks and firebombs as they fought police for hours on streets outside the campus.
There were no immediate reports of injuries. Since Friday, Kwangju has been the scene of repeated clashes marking the 10th anniversary of a pro-democracy uprising that was brutally suppressed by troops.
In Seoul, meanwhile, about 100 students attacked a police substation in the southern part of the capital with firebombs today, the South Korean news agency Yonhap reported. The police drove them off by firing blanks from automatic weapons.
The National Council of Student Representatives sent the eight students to the U.S. Embassy to deliver a letter demanding that Washington apologize for allegedly condoning the military crackdown on the 1980 Kwangju uprising. The United States has repeatedly denied the allegations.
By official count, 200 citizens were killed and at least 1,700 wounded in the 10-day uprising. Many Kwangju residents claim the toll was higher.
After unfurling their banner, which also demanded a U.S. apology, the students scuffled with Korean riot police on guard outside the embassy and were taken away.
Radical student leaders vowed at a news conference at Seoul's Hanyang University that they would stage anti-American protests until May 27. The student leaders said their open letter to the U.S. Embassy also demanded that the United States withdraw the 43,000 U.S. troops stationed in South Korea and stop pressuring Seoul to open its markets to American imports.
National police ordered increased security at the embassy and other U.S. facilities.
Radical students also said today they would stage protests while Roh is visiting Japan later this week.
Roh's government has been holding talks with Japan over the wording of an apology it wants for Japan's treatment of Koreans during its colonial rule.
The students said Roh should stop begging for an apology, and that his visit would deepen South Korea's economic dependence on Japan.
In a separate protest, about 100 elderly Koreans tried to push their way through riot police guarding the Japanese Embassy in Seoul to press demands that Japan apologize and fully compensate for its actions during its 1910-1945 colonial rule.
Elderly Koreans have staged daily protests near the embassy for the last week, asking Roh to cancel his visit, scheduled Thursday through Saturday.
Document 533
The Associated Press
May 21, 1990, Monday, AM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 518 words
HEADLINE: Police Try To Seize Body of Dead Student Activist
BYLINE: By J.H. YUN, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: KWANGJU, South Korea
BODY:
Police firing tear gas stormed a hospital ground Monday to try to seize the body of a dead student activist but fled after students fought back with metal pipes and rocks, students and witnesses said.
About 100 combat-clad riot police charged into an outdoor area at Chonnam University Hospital. About 500 students armed with firebombs and metal pipes were guarding the body of 21-year-old activist Shin Jang-ho, which was inside the hospital morgue.
The student suffered fatal head injuries Saturday when he jumped from a train to try to avoid police checkpoints. Students blamed police for the death.
Students had set up a funeral altar with burning incense in the courtyard, which they said was not disturbed in the clash. There were no reports of arrests or injuries.
About 1,000 riot police remained at entrances to the hospital, checking identities of those who entered. More police watched from across a major road outside the hospital's main entrance.
There was no official explanation for the police action. In the past, police have tried to seize bodies of dead activists to return them to their families and to deprive radicals of a symbol to continue anti-government protests.
Government officials in Kwangju called Monday for a halt to violent protests that have rocked this southern provincial city for three days. Radicals vowed more demonstrations.
Radical student leaders called for a huge street rally Tuesday "to oppose the U.S., which manipulated from behind the Kwangju massacre."
Thousands of radical students and dissidents gathered in Kwangju last week for Friday's 10th anniversary of the Kwangju civil uprising against the government. They have staged violent anti-government and anti-U.S. protests for three days.
Protesters claim U.S. military officials condoned the military crackdown on the 1980 uprising, in which officials say 200 people died. Dissidents say the death toll was much higher.
The United States has denied any role in the Kwangju action.
On Sunday, more than 200 students and citizens and 84 police were injured in a six-hour rampage in downtown Kwangju after police blocked 10,000 protesters trying to march to the provincial government headquarters.
Radical student leader Lee Ki-hon told a news conference Monday the police should be held accountable for the death Saturday of Shin.
Radicals said Shin would be buried as a martyr Wednesday after funeral services at Chonnam University. In the past, the deaths of protesters have triggered huge demonstrations.
Kwangju Mayor Choi In-kee said the protests against the government of President Roh Tae-woo and the presence of U.S. troops in Korea had been instigated by outsiders.
"Violence will no longer be tolerated," he said in a statement. Other officials also urged an end to the demonstrations.
In the central city of Taegu, about 80 students shouting anti-government slogans attacked a police substation with firebombs and rocks, the national news agency Yonhap reported.
Yonhap said the students had left a rally at Kyunbuk National University commemorating the Kwangju anniversary.
Document 534
Copyright 1990 Kyodo News Service Japan Economic Newswire
MAY 21, 1990, MONDAY
LENGTH: 124 words
HEADLINE: ASIAN NEWS; ABOUT 180 INJURED IN KWANGJU ANTIGOVERNMENT RALLY
DATELINE: TOKYO, MAY 21
BODY:
ABOUT 180 DEMONSTRATORS AND POLICE WERE INJURED ON SUNDAY IN AN ANTIGOVERNMENT RALLY IN THE CITY OF KWANGJU SOUTHWEST OF SEOUL, YONHAP NEWS AGENCY REPORTED MONDAY.
THE AGENCY SAID ABOUT 100 STUDENTS AND CIVILIANS AND 84 POLICEMEN WERE INJURED IN THE DEMONSTRATION WHEN POLICE HURLED TEAR GAS GRENADES AT STONE AND ROCK THROWING DEMONSTRATORS.
POLICE SAID THEY TOOK 124 DEMONSTRATORS INTO CUSTODY, BUT THE MUNHWA BROADCASTING CORPORATION (MBC) PUT THE FIGURE AT 150.
STUDENTS, WORKERS AND ANTIGOVERNMENT ACTIVISTS STAGED A RALLY TO MARK THE COMMEMORATION OF THE 1980 KWANGJU UPRISING CRUSHED BY THE ARMY.
THEY ALSO HELD A MEETING TO ELECT A NEW LEADERSHIP BEFORE MOST OF THEM LEFT KWANGJU ON SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY MORNING.
Document 535
Copyright 1990 Kyodo News Service Japan Economic Newswire
MAY 20, 1990, SUNDAY
LENGTH: 924 words
HEADLINE: PAIN OF KWANGJU UPRISING STILL LINGERS
BYLINE: KIM CHANG YOUNG
DATELINE: KWANGJU, SOUTH KOREA, MAY 20
BODY:
TEN YEARS HAVE PASSED BUT TIME HAS NOT HEALED THE NATIONAL WOUND LEFT BY THE BLOODY ARMY SUPPRESSION OF THE MASSIVE POPULAR UPRISING IN THIS SOUTH KOREAN PROVINCIAL CAPITAL.
ACRIMONY RAGES OVER ALLEGED GOVERNMENT FOOT-DRAGGING IN PINNING DOWN RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT THE VICTIMS CALL THE "KWANGJU MASSACRE," IN WHICH NEARLY 200 PEOPLE WERE SLAIN AND THOUSANDS INJURED, BY OFFICIAL COUNT. OTHERS SAY THE DEATH TOLL WAS OVER 1,000.
ORGANIZATIONS SEEKING REDRESS FOR THE KWANGJU VICTIMS ARE DEMANDING THAT THE GOVERNMENT FIND OUT WHO ISSUED THE ORDER TO FIRE ON THE DEMONSTRATORS, PUT THOSE INVOLVED IN THE BLOODY MILITARY OPERATION FROM MAY 18-28, 1980, ON TRIAL, RESTORE THE REPUTATION OF THE VICTIMS, AND MAKE REPARATIONS TO FAMILIES OF THOSE KILLED.
AS THE GOVERNMENT DITHERS AND THE OPPOSITION TRIES TO SCORE POLITICAL POINTS FROM THE TRAGEDY, MOST VICTIMS AND THE BEREAVED FAMILIES OF THOSE WHO DIED REMAIN IN SEVERE FINANCIAL STRAITS.
THEY SUFFER DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT AND RECEIVE LITTLE OR NO FINANCIAL AID FROM THE STATE AS THE GOVERNMENT AND THE OPPOSITION BATTLE OVER THEIR CAUSE.
KIM DAE JUNG'S PARTY FOR PEACE AND DEMOCRACY ASSERTS THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD PAY 300 MILLION WON (APPROXIMATELY 430,000 DOLLARS) IN REPARATION TO THE FAMILY OF EACH SLAIN VICTIM.
THE RULING DEMOCRATIC LIBERAL PARTY, HOWEVER, MAINTAINS THAT THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION SHOULD BE LESS THAN 100 MILLION WON FOR EACH PERSON AND SAYS THE MONEY IS NOT REPARATION, BUT ONLY FINANCIAL AID.
BENEATH ALL THE NATIONAL ACRIMONY LIES AN AGE-OLD REGIONAL ANIMOSITY THAT PERVADES THE PYCHE OF THE NATION'S POLITICAL LEADERS.
OBSERVERS SAY KWANGJU, AND THE SURROUNDING NORTH AND SOUTH CHOLLA PROVINCES HAVE BEEN LEFT OUT OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLANS UNDER THE PRESIDENCIES OF PARK CHUNG HEE, CHUN DOO HWAN, AND ROH TAE WOO, THREE GENERALS-TURNED-PRESIDENT BORN IN THE RIVAL EASTERN AREA OF TAEGU.
ON OCTOBER 26, 1979, PARK WAS ASSASSINATED BY ONE OF HIS UNDERLINGS AND CHOI KYU HAH BECAME PRESIDENT. CHOI RELEASED POLITICAL DETAINEES AND PROMISED A SERIES OF POLITICAL REFORMS. STUDENT DEMONSTRATIONS SWEPT THE COUNTRY AND IN KWANGJU THERE WAS A MAJOR UPRISING THE FOLLOWING MAY, WITH THOUSANDS OF CITIZENS DEMANDING THE RELEASE OF KIM DAE JUNG.
CHUN, THEN THE MILITARY COMMANDER IN CHIEF, RESPONDED BY SENDING THE ARMY TO BREAK UP THE PROTESTS, IN WHAT CRITICS BELIEVE WAS A PLOT HATCHED BY CHUN AND HIS FRIENDS TO SEIZE POWER AMID THE TURMOIL. WHEN CHOI RESIGNED IN AUGUST 1980, CHUN BECAME PRESIDENT.
ROH, ALSO A TOP MILITARY COMMANDER AT THE TIME OF THE KWANGJU UPRISING, ON WINNING THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN DECEMBER 1987, TRIED TO FIND A REMEDY TO HEAL THE WOUND OF KWANGJU.
A COUNCIL SET UP ON ROH'S ORDER FINALLY DETERMINED THAT THE TRAGEDY WAS NOT AN "ARMED REBELLION" AS THE GOVERNMENT BRANDED IT EARLIER BUT A "DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT." THE COUNCIL ALSO BLAMED IT ON "EXCESSIVE REPRESSION" BY AIRBORNE TROOPS IN THE INITIAL STAGES OF THE MILITARY OPERATION.
THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, CONTROLLED BY THE OPPOSITION BEFORE THE MERGER BETWEEN ROH'S DEMOCRATIC JUSTICE PARTY AND TWO OPPOSITION GROUPS, CONDUCTED YEAR-LONG HEARINGS ON THE KWANGJU REPRESSION BUT THE PARLIAMENTARY PROBE WAS ALLOWED TO FADE OUT IN DECEMBER.
THERE WAS NO CLEAR-CUT CONCLUSION. EVEN THE EXACT NUMBER OF VICTIMS WHO DIED DURING THE 11 DAYS OF MILITARY REPRESSION REMAINS UNRESOLVED.
THE GOVERNMENT SAID 195 PEOPLE WERE KILLED WITH 32 PEOPLE MISSING AND 1,117 OTHERS INJURED DURING THE BLOODBATH. KIM DAE JUNG AND FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS, HOWEVER, HAVE PUT THE DEATH TOLL AT WELL OVER 1,000.
CHUN, WHO LEFT OFFICE IN 1988, WAS BROUGHT TO THE WITNESS STAND IN PARLIAMENT AFTER A TUG-OF-WAR BETWEEN RIVAL POLITICAL PARTIES. CHUN STUCK TO HIS GUNS, REPEATING HIS THEORY ADVOCATING MILITARY ACTION TO DEAL WITH THE POPULAR UPRISING.
AS A CONCESSION TO PUBLIC OPINION, ONLY ONE KWANGJU-TARNISHED MILITARY-MAN-TURNED-POLITICIAN, CHUNG HO YONG, WAS ALLOWED TO FALL. CHUNG, A RULING DEMOCRATIC LIBERAL PARTY (DLP) LEGISLATOR AND CLASSMATE OF ROH AND CHUN AT THE KOREA MILITARY ACADEMY, WAS FORCED TO GIVE UP HIS PARLIAMENTARY POST IN A POLITICAL COMPROMISE EARLIER THIS YEAR TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR "MISCONDUCT" BY HIS AIRBORNE TROOPS DURING THE UPRISING.
ONE OF THE FEW POSITIVE THINGS ABOUT THE HEARINGS, POLITICAL ANALYSTS SAID, WAS THE OPPORTUNITY THEY GAVE TO SOME OF THE VICTIMS TO TESTIFY ABOUT THEIR SUFFERINGS BEFORE THE NATION.
KIM NAE PUNG, A 23-YEAR-OLD BOOTBLACK AT THE TIME OF THE KWANGJU UPRISING, SAID THAT UPSET BY THE BRUTAL BEATING OF STUDENTS BY A GROUP OF ARMED AIRBORNE TROOPS, HE THREW AWAY HIS SHOE BRSSHES AND JOINED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CITIZENS IN KWANGJU WHO TURNED OUT INTO THE STREETS IN PROTEST AGAINST THE ARREST OF KIM DAE JUNG, THEN THE MAIN OPPOSITION LEADER.
SEEING THE TROOPS FIRE ON THE PROTESTERS IN FRONT OF THE SOUTH CHOLLA PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN KWANGJU TWO DAYS LATER, KIM AND HIS FRIENDS RUSHED TO THEIR NEARBY HOMETOWN OF HWASUN AND BROKE INTO A POLICE ARMORY.
ON MAY 28, THEY LINKED UP WITH OTHER MILITIAMEN AND EXCHANGED FIRE WITH THE AIRBORNE TROOPS UNTIL THEY WERE OVERPOWERED BY REINFORCEMENTS FROM THE 1ST INFANTRY DIVISION, COMMANDED BY PARK JOON BYUNG, NOW THE DLP SECRETARY GENERAL.
THE SHOESHINE MAN WAS ARRESTED, WAS TORTURED DURING POLICE INTERROGATION, AND WAS EVENTUALLY JAILED FOR TWO YEARS.
NOW A BAKERY WORKER WITH A WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN, KIM IS UNREPENDANT OF WHAT HE DID 10 YEARS AGO AT KWANGJU. HE SAID HE WILL FIGHT AGAIN, IF HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF.
Document 536
The Associated Press
May 19, 1990, Saturday, PM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 658 words
HEADLINE: Radical Students Attack Police Stations
BYLINE: By C.W. LIM, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: KWANGJU, South Korea
BODY:
Dozens of radical students attacked two police stations with firebombs today, and riot police surrounded a university where about 15,000 militants had thrown up barricades.
The protests followed a rampage through downtown streets Friday night by thousands of anti-government protesters after a rally marking the 10th anniversary of a pro-democracy uprising in the southern city that was crushed by the military.
About 2,000 riot police armed with shields and clubs sealed off the campus of Chonnam University on the northern edge of Kwangju. About 230 students were arrested by police near the campus, the national news agency Yonhap said.
At a rally inside the campus, thousands of radical students jabbed their fists in the air and screamed "Down with (President) Roh Tae-woo!" and "Yankee go home!"
"Our nation has no hope until Roh Tae-woo is ousted," student leader Song Gap-suk told the rally. Song is one of 17 student militants sought by police on charges of instigating violent anti-government protests.
Students used tires, school desks, chairs and broken furniture to erect 10-foot-high barricades at the university's three gates. More than 500 students armed with three-foot metal pipes stood guard inside the gates.
Groups of several hundred radical students marched around the sprawling campus throughout the day singing protest songs.
Police set up roadblocks around Kwangju to prevent more people from joining the protesters.
At dawn today, police fired warning shots into the air from pistols and rifles, as dozens of militant students attacked two Kwangju police stations with firebombs, Yonhap reported.
The students fled, and no arrests or damage were reported, the news agency said.
Police said about 5,300 people were arrested Friday in nationwide protests in more than a dozen cities marking the 10th anniversary of a pro-democracy uprising in Kwangju, a city of more than 1 million people about 150 miles south of Seoul.
Police said all but 481 of the 4,325 arrested in Seoul had been released. In Kwangju, police said 123 people were arrested and at least 20 injured. Another 23 were injured in other cities.
The Kwangju uprising began when hundreds of thousands of citizens rose up against the central government to protest a crackdown on political dissent. Protesters took control of the city for 10 days before being crushed by tank-led paratroopers.
By official count, about 200 people were killed and more than 1,700 others injured. Kwangju citizens claim the death toll was much higher.
In Kwangju, about 7,000 radical students and citizens rampaged through downtown streets late Friday, hurling rocks at police and burning tires at intersections.
The street clashes erupted after a peaceful three-hour nighttime rally by about 100,000 people in the city center to demand the ouster of the Roh government and the 43,000 American troops in South Korea under a mutual defense treaty.
Roh, a former army general, is unpopular in Kwangju because of his alleged role in crushing the 1980 revolt. He was a key member of the then-martial-law government that suppressed the uprising, the worst in modern Korean history.
Anti-U.S. sentiment is also strong among Kwangju citizens because many believe Washington condoned the ruthless crushing of the revolt. The United States has repeatedly denied the charges.
After the initial nighttime rally, thousands of students marched along downtown streets, shouting anti-government and anti-U.S. slogans.
When blocked by squads of riot police near a district headquarters of Roh's governing party, the protests turned violent. Groups of 200 to 1,000 demonstrators clashed with police at street corners and in back alleys.
Protesters hurled rocks at riot police, who responded with tear gas.
Angry citizens fought alongside the students, throwing bricks, boards and bicycles at police. Protesters ripped apart telephone booths and street signs to make weapons.
Document 537
The Associated Press
May 18, 1990, Friday, PM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 654 words
HEADLINE: Thousands Of People Protest on Anniversary of Kwangju Massacre
BYLINE: By KELLY SMITH TUNNEY, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: KWANGJU, South Korea
BODY:
Tens of thousands of demonstrators clashed with police today, and thousands of other people prayed and wept before altars in memory of the victims of the worst rebellion in modern South Korean history.
Ten years ago today, a widespread civilian uprising for democracy began in this southern provincial city. By the time military forces quelled it 10 days later, at least 200 civilians had been killed.
In today's protests, police reported many arrests and injuries but gave no nationwide figures. One report said that in Seoul alone about 500 people were arrested in a preventive police strike.
Nationwide, 70,000 police were deployed to prevent violence, officials said. In Seoul, 12,000 riot police were posted around government offices, public buildings and foreign legations, they said.
In Kwangju, 150 miles south of Seoul, 100,000 people held a nighttime rally in the city center and shouted for the ouster of President Roh Tae-woo. Organizers claimed 200,000 people turned out but police said only 50,000 did.
"Punish Roh Tae-woo!" the crowd shouted, waving blue, red, yellow banners in an intermittent rain. "Yankee go home!" protesters also screamed.
Radical leaders shouted over loudspeakers that the souls of the Kwangju victims can never rest in peace until Roh is overthrown. Roh was one of several army generals in control of the martial law government that crushed the 1980 revolt militarily.
The speakers also demanded an end to the U.S. military presence in South Korea, claiming that Washington condoned the crushing of the Kwangju uprising by Korean military forces. About 43,000 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea under a mutual defense treaty.
After the three-hour rally, protesters marched through downtown streets, waving banners and shouting slogans. Protesters in groups ranging from 500 to 2,000 people clashed with police in various parts of Kwangju.
In several encounters, police were outnumbered by swarms of protesters hurling hundreds of firebombs at a time. Some police were overpowered by demonstrators and beaten. Many onlookers on the sidewalks cheered protesters and booed riot police marching with shields in front of them.
In Seoul, 2,000 students hurling rocks and firebombs fought riot police in scattered street battles, demanding the disbandment of Roh's new ruling Democratic Liberal Party organized in a three-party merger early this year.
About 300 students burned the flags of the United States and Roh's governing Democratic Liberal Party and fought police in front of Hanyang University. Police responded with tear gas.
At a hillside graveyard on the edge of Kwangju, thousands of people, including families and friends of the victims, attended a memorial ceremony during a steady downpour.
"My child! my child!" cried an old woman in white mourning clothes, rubbing a gray tombstone bearing the name of her slain 17-year-old daughter.
A few yards away, 20 youths put down a bundle of yellow flowers in front of a tomb and made deep bows. They sang anti-government songs and shouted, "Remember Kwangju!" and "Fight for democracy!"
Down the hill, weeping mourners treaded their way to the graveyard along muddy fields holding umbrellas.
Organizers of the memorial service said 50,000 people visited the cemetery, named today by dissidents as "a democratic sanctuary."
The tragedy in Kwangju, a city of 1 million, began May 18, 1980 when hundreds of thousands of citizens rose up against the central government to protest a crackdown on political dissent. The protesters drove out police and took control of the city for 10 days before being crushed by tank-led troops. By official count, 200 people were killed and more than 1,700 injured or wounded. Dissidents claim the death toll was much higher.
Many Kwangju citizens believe Washington condoned the harsh military attack on the pro-democracy revolt. The United States has denied the accusation.
GRAPHIC: LaserPhoto KWG3
Document 538
Copyright 1990 U.P.I.
May 18, 1990, Friday, BC cycle
SECTION: International
LENGTH: 764 words
HEADLINE: Students, police clash in Kwangju
BYLINE: BY SUNG WON SHIM
DATELINE: KWANGJU, South Korea
BODY:
Rock-throwing students staged hit-and-run battles Friday with riot police armed with clubs and tear gas grenades in the southern city of Kwangju on the 10th anniversary of a pro-democracy uprising that killed nearly 200 people.
Students in Seoul reportedly threw firebombs and rocks at riot squads firing tear gas but there were no reports of casualties or arrests. Clashes also were reported in other major cities.
In Kwangju, 170 miles south of Seoul, about a dozen students were reported injured in the clash that erupted when police blocked a street march by more than 80,000 people who attended an afternoon rally in a central square.
Rally participants had demanded President Roh Tae-woo's resignation for economic failure and political suppression. They also alleged U.S. involvement in the crackdown on the nine-day 1980 revolt against government suppression, which left 193 people dead, and threatened a boycott against American goods.
The crowd, defying a police warning, started marching toward the Kwangju chapter building of the ruling Democratic Liberal Party at about 8 p.m. The marchers were met by riot squads about 500 yards from the rally site.
Students started hurling rocks and police threw tear gas grenades and charged into the crowd wielding clubs. A woman student bleeding from the head was helped away by friends. About a dozen students were reported injured in the initial clash, but there was no official word on injuries or arrests.
The crowd dispersed and ran into back alleys, staging hit-and-run battles with police. Sporadic clashes continued in downtown streets with small groups of protesters hurling rocks at police.
Earlier, the anniversary was marked by a memorial ceremony at a cemetery outside the city.
Bereaved family members and friends of the Kwangju victims burned Roh in effigy, accusing him of not taking necessary measures to heal the scars of the tragedy.
Roh was an army major general at the time and a close associate of President Chun Doo Hwan, who dissidents say was the mastermind behind the military action against the uprising.
The uprising erupted on May 18, 1980, to protest a sweeping government crackdown on political opposition. The insurrection was put down by army troops in nine days.
Police were on top alert across the country on the 10th anniversary. Dissident student leaders have set May 22-27 as an ''anti-American'' week and threatened to actions against the United States, one of Seoul's chief allies.
About 7,000 students rallied in Seoul, many of them clashing with police during street demonstrations, news reports said. Authorities posted 11,000 police near campuses of large universities and at strategic points of the city.
A planned massive rally by a dissident coalition at City Hall Plaza in central Seoul did not materialize because 5,000 police in stratetic positions prevented the youths from gathering.
During the memorial rite at the cemetery in Kwangju, where 113 victims are buried, the Association of Kwangju Victims Families accused Roh's government of failing to deal with the Kwangju tragedy.
In a statement, the families said the truths of the ''Kwangju Massacre'' have not been revealed and the government did not restore the protesters' honor and compensate for their deaths.
At the rally that followed the service, the participants adopted a four-point resolution demanding disclosure of all facts about the killings and punishment of those who ordered soldiers to fire on protesters.
The resolution accused the United States of being behind the Kwangju massacre and of orchestrating the recent merger of three political parties that gave birth to the ruling Democratic Liberal Party. It demanded an end to ''U.S. interference'' in South Korea's affairs.
''To express our protests against the United States, we hereby decide to stage a boycott campaign against American goods,'' the resolution said.
The protesters urged Roh to step down in taking responsibility for social unrest and economic failure. It warned of a determined struggle by Kwangju citizens if the government continues cracking down on political protests.
Dissidents accusing the United States of complicity in the Kwangju uprising contend that most South Korean troops are under the operational control of the U.N. Command headed by an American general and that no Korean troops could move to Kwangju without U.S. approval.
U.S. authorities deny any role in the Kwangju incident and say their authority over Korean forces applies only in event of external aggression.
Document 539
The Xinhua General Overseas News Service
MAY 18, 1990, FRIDAY
LENGTH: 244 words
HEADLINE: clashes as south koreans commemorate kwangju uprising
DATELINE: beijing, may 18; ITEM NO: 0
BODY:
more than 50,000 students and citizens held a rally today in south korea' southern city of kwangju to mark the 10th anniversary of a civil uprising there, according to reports from seoul. at the rally, held in kwangju's central square, the demonstrators adopted a four-point resolution demanding the disclosure of all facts about the nine-day revolt which claimed at least 200 lives, and the punishment of those who ordered army troops to open fire on protesters. the resolution also called for the overthrow of president roh tae woo, one of the key army generals in control of the then martial law government that crushed the kwangju rebellion. it also accused the united states of being behind the crackdwon and demanded an end to u.s. interference in south korea's internal affairs. about 8,000 police were reportedly posted around the square and other key locations. before the rally, thousands of people, braving heavy rain, visited a hillside cemetery in the vicinity of the city and paid homage to the victims of the revolt. bereaved families and friends offered prayers and burned president roh in effigy. earlier, tear gas firing police clashed with an estimated 3,000 students who had marched from chunnam univeristy, the city's largest, and tried to hold a rally outside kwangju's teachers' college, according to the reports. students in seoul and other major cities staged similar rallies and fought with riot police, the reports said.
Document 540
The Associated Press
May 17, 1990, Thursday, PM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 466 words
HEADLINE: Korea's Entire Police Force Placed On Alert, Car Plant Strike Continues
BYLINE: By PAUL SHIN, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
South Korea put all 130,000 police on alert today to prevent anti-government violence to mark a 1980 civil uprising, and striking workers of the nation's largest car plant remained off the job for a third day.
The police alert followed a call by a major dissident coalition for nationwide protests this week against the government of President Roh Tae-woo to mark the 10th anniversary of the May 18, 1980 rebellion in the southern provincial city of Kwangju.
The People's Alliance said it will organize a series of protests in Seoul and 16 other cities this week. The alliance was a major force behind massive nationwide protests on May 9, the largest and most violent since 1987.
About 20 people were injured in violent anti-government demonstrations in Kwangju on Wednesday.
In Kwangju, 150 miles south of Seoul, about 7,000 riot police took up positions to guard government offices, public buildings and broadcast stations against possible attacks by radicals.
Police set up checkpoints along main highways leading to the city and inspected travelers.
In the 10-day Kwangju rebellion of 1980, government documents show about 200 people were killed and more than 1,700 others injured or wounded when troops and tanks crushed the revolt. Dissidents claim the death toll was much higher.
In the southeastern industrial town of Ulsan, 27,000 assembly workers of the Hyundai Motor Co. remained off their jobs after halting production at the nation's largest car marker on Tuesday.
The plant, a subsidiary of the giant Hyundai group, makes 2,650 vehicles a day and sold 589,000 cars last year, including 200,000 in the United States and other nations.
Hyundai workers went on strike after talks on a new contract failed to make progress. Union officials reported "some progress" in marathon talks but said both sides were still apart over some key issues, including a shorter work week and more benefits.
The Kwangju uprising, defined as a pro-democracy movement only recently, is one of the most sensitive political issues in South Korea, involving many key ruling and opposition figures. The city is a political stronghold of opposition leader Kim Dae-jung.
Kim was named as a key instigator of the Kwangju revolt and sentenced to death by a military court in 1980. The sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment and the opposition leader was eventually freed a few years later on a stay of the sentence.
Kim, head of the largest opposition group, the Party for Peace and Democracy, claimed this week that the Kwangju uprising was a decoy set up by army generals to seize power in the chaotic days that followed the assassination of the late President Park Chung-hee in late 1979.
President Roh was one of several army generals in charge of the then martial law government.
Document 541
The Associated Press
May 17, 1990, Thursday, PM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 34 words
HEADLINE: Clashes In 13 Cities On Eve Of Kwangju Uprising; Car Plant Strike Continues
BYLINE: By PAUL SHIN, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
Radical students hurling rocks and firebombs fought police in about a dozen cities today on the eve of the 10th anniversary of a bloody 1980 anti-government uprising. [TEXT OMITTED FROM SOURCE]
GRAPHIC: LaserPhoto KWG1
Document 542
Copyright 1990 U.P.I.
May 17, 1990, Thursday, BC cycle
SECTION: International
LENGTH: 540 words
HEADLINE: Students battle police on eve of uprising anniversary
BYLINE: BY SUNG WON SHIM
DATELINE: KWANGJU, South Korea
BODY:
Dissident students staged rallies and clashed with police in Kwangju and other cities Thursday on the eve of the 10th anniversary of a bloody pro-democracy uprising that killed nearly 200 people.
Police were in the second day of 12-day alert across the country. However, police presence was not unusually visible in downtown areas of Kwangju, 170 miles south of Seoul.
About 20,000 students held rallies on 25 campuses in big cities to commemorate the uprising and to press demands for the dissolution of the ruling Democratic Liberal Party, known as the DLP, and the resignation of President Roh Tae-woo, news reports said.
Some of the students clashed with riot squads while attempting street demonstrations following the rallies, radio news reports said.
In Seoul, about 1,500 dissident students held a rally at Seoul National University and fought police while trying to take to the street, reports said.
Police said dissidents students were en route to Kwangju to visit a cemetery outside the city where the victims of the May 18, 1980, civil uprising are buried and to join in protests against the government.
Police said they were checking inter-city bus terminals and railroad stations to single out students arriving for the proposed protest actions.
Kwangju City police have approved a mass rally downtown square Friday on conditions there will be no flammatory anti-government speeches, the rally will be over in three hours and no street demonstrations will be attempted.
The police said any political protests will be blocked. Dissident student leaders, however, said they will stage actions against the government party and Roh.
In Kwangju, about 1,000 students held a rally at Chonnam University. There were placards hung that read, ''Disband DLP,'' ''Execute Roh Tae-woo,'' and ''Drive out Yankees, the real masterminds of the Kwangju massacre.''
In 1 hours, the students tried to march off campus for street demonstrations. They were blocked by police about 200 yards outside the school premises and a clash followed.
The protesters threw hundreds of firebombs and hundreds of rocks and police retaliated with hundreds of tear gas bombs. A policeman suffered burns on his face hit by a gasoline bomb. Several students were wounded. The clash lasted for two hours.
Song Kap-sup, 24, chairman of the hard-line National Council of University Student Representatives, said at a news conference that 161 schools affiliated with his organization will protests Friday and Saturday.
Dissident student leaders in Kwangju said they set May 22-27 as an ''anti-American week'' of protests.
The Kwangju revolt was sparked by a blanket government crackdown on political opposition. Rebels held the city for nine days before being crushed by army troops. 193 people have been confirmed killed and 1,712 injured.
Suh chae-won, secretary general of an association of families of the Kwangju victims, said there should be positive moves by the government to end bitterness among Kwangju people.
''Full truths of the tragedy must be brought to light, and the honor of the Kwangju citizens must be restored and the government must make due compensations for the victims and their families,'' Suh said.
Document 543
The Xinhua General Overseas News Service
MAY 17, 1990, THURSDAY
LENGTH: 88 words
HEADLINE: pyongyang marks 10th anniversary of kwangju uprising
DATELINE: pyongyang, may 17; ITEM NO: 0
BODY:
some 10,000 people from all walks of life today held a rally, braving the rain, to mark the 10th anniversary of the kwangju uprising in south korea, the korean central news agency (kcna) reported. on may 18, 1980, hundreds and thousands of kwangju citizens held a civil uprising against the then south korea government. the uprising was brutally surpressed, with about 200 killed. vice president of the democratic people's republic of korea (dprk) li jong ok and some other dprk officials attended the memorial rally.
Document 544
Copyright 1990 U.P.I.
May 16, 1990, Wednesday, BC cycle
SECTION: International
LENGTH: 448 words
HEADLINE: Police on alert as Kwangju anniversary nears
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
The government placed police on alert across the country Wednesday in anticipation of possible unrest in connection with the 10th anniversary of a pro-democracy uprising that killed nearly 200 people.
A spokesman for the National Police Headquarters said the alert would last until the morning of May 28. During the period, police will guard against violent demonstrations and step up patrols around key public facilities, the spokesman said.
The National Democratic Alliance, a hard-line dissident group, said it will organize anti-government rallies in 17 cities Friday to commemorate the pro-democracy revolt that erupted May 18, 1980, in Kwangju 170 miles south of Seoul.
The Alliance said in a statement that the current crisis is due to the scheme for prolonged one-party dictatorship of the ruling Democratic Liberal Party, an economic policy favoring big businesses, crackdown on dissent and lack of political skills.
''We urge the United States not to support the dictatorial regime of (South) Korea any more and stop threatening the livelihood of Korean farmers by forcing Korea to open markets to foreign farm products,'' said the Alliance, which has affiliates nationwide.
The Kwangju revolt was sparked by a blanket government crackdown on political opposition. At least 193 people have been confirmed killed, 32 others were reported missing and 1,712 were wounded during the insurrection that lasted nine days.
Wednesday, there were more anti-government protests in Kwangju and elsewhere, witnesses and news reports said.
In Kwangju, about 1,500 students and dissidents rallied at Chosun University and vowed to mark the uprising anniversary with a determined struggle to see the ruling party dismantled, reporters on the scene told United Press International by telephone.
At the rally starting about 2 p.m., participants chanted ''disband DLP,'' ''execute (President) Roh Tae-woo,'' and ''Yankee go home,'' the witnesses said.
About 1,000 riot police moved, firing tear gas, and students countered by hurling firebombs and rocks, the witnesses said. There were numerous injuries on both sides, according to the witnesses.
The domestic Yonhap News Agency said about 600 students staged a rally against the government and battled police in Chonju, 125 miles south of Seoul.
Opposition leader Kim Dae Jung, who once was sentenced to death for masterminding the Kwangju uprising, said in Seoul that the truth of the Kwangju tragedy has yet to be revealed.
Kim, who comes from near Kwangju, said he hoped residents of the city will commemorate the uprising anniversary peacefully. He said he does not intend to go to Kwangju for the occasion.
Document 545
Copyright 1990 Kyodo News Service Japan Economic Newswire
MAY 15, 1990, TUESDAY
LENGTH: 224 words
HEADLINE: SEOUL SHARE PRICES FALL FURTHER IN LISTLESS TRADING
DATELINE: SEOUL, MAY 15
BODY:
THE KOREAN STOCK EXCHANGE CONTINUED TO DECLINE FOR THE SIXTH STRAIGHT DAY TUESDAY IN WEAK TRADING, REPORTS YONHAP.
ANXIETY THAT SOCIAL UNREST WOULD BE AUGMENTED ON THE OCCASION OF THE THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE KWANGJU UPRISING, WHICH FALLS ON THIS FRIDAY, KEPT INVESTORS ON THE SIDELINES.
MANY INVESTORS DUMPED THEIR HOLDINGS IN THE MORNING SESSION, PULLING DOWN THE COMPOSITE STOCK PRICE INDEX BELOW THE 720-POINT MARK BUT AN ACTIVE BUYING BY THE SECURITIES HOUSES THROUGH THE NEWLY CREATED STOCK MARKET STABILIZATION FUND AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS PULLED UP THE MARKET CONSIDERABLY NEAR THE CLOSE.
THE ALL-SHARE CSPI LOST 9.66 POINTS TO CLOSE AT 724.76. OVER THE SIX TRADING DAYS UP TO TUESDAY, THE CSPI LOST 71.98 POINTS OR 9.01 PERCENT FROM LAST TUESDAY'S 796.54 POINTS.
ALSO CONTRIBUTED TO THE LATE REBOUND WERE VARIOUS HOPEFUL RUMORS INCLUDING THAT THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER AND FINANCE MINISTER RUSHED TO CHONGWADAE, PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE, TO REPORT SOME MARKET-BOOSTING MEASURES.
OF THE 691 ISSUES TRADED, DECLINES OVERWHELMED ADVANCES BY 677 TO 36 WHILE 62 ISSUES REMAINED UNCHANGED.
TRADING VOLUME REACHED 7.98 MILLION SHARES, SIMILAR TO THE 7.974 MILLION SHARES TRADED ON MONDAY.
MEANWHILE, SOME 300 INVESTORS ANGERED AT THE CONTINUING SETBACK OF THE MARKET STAGED PROTESTS AT SOME TRADING ROOMS IN DOWNTOWN SEOUL.
Document 546
The Associated Press
May 10, 1990, Thursday, PM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 736 words
HEADLINE: Shipyard Workers End 13-day Crane Sit-in
BYLINE: By PAUL SHIN, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
Shipyard workers today ended a 13-day holdout on top of a giant crane because of illness, and the government warned it would move swiftly and forcibly to end future labor and political violence.
Radical students vowed to stage more protests.
The government warning came a day after about 100,000 students and dissidents clashed with riot police in Seoul and 16 other cities, the largest and most violent anti-government protests since 1987.
Police said they arrested 1,864 people in Wednesday's protests but released most with warnings. About 150 people, including some 100 police, were injured, they said.
"The government will mobilize all available resources to restore law and order," Justice Minister Lee Jong-nam told a televised news conference today, joined by security-related ministers.
"The government will strictly enforce laws to eradicate crimes and maintain social stability," said Home Minister Ahn Eung-mo, who controls the nation's 130,000 police.
But student leaders, reached by telephone, said they would continue their daily protests to overthrow what they call President Roh Tae-woo's dictatorship. Students have demanded that Roh annul the recent merger of his ruling party with two opposition groups and speed up reform.
Wednesday's protests were the largest and most violent since nationwide anti-government demonstrations forced authoritarian President Chun Doo-hwan to initiate democratic reforms in 1987 and step down.
The 51 shipyard workers in the southeastern industrial city of Ulsan ended their 13-day holdout on top of a 240-foot crane and were admitted to a hospital for medical tests. Details were unavilable but state-run radio KBS said the workers were exhausted from a hunger strike begun five days ago.
It was not known whether today's government warning influenced the workers' action.
The workers had climbed to the top of the crane when 12,000 police raided their shipyard, the world's largest, on April 28 to end a strike. They were demandend the release of jailed union leaders.
Officials of the Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. in Seoul said they plan to reopen the shipyard next week.
In Seoul, thousands of radical students and dissidents rampaged through downtown streets for more than three hours Wednesday night, torching a U.S. diplomatic building and firebombing police offices and vehicles.
Pitched street battles lasted several hours in the city's fashionable downtown commercial districts as thousands of students, hurling rocks and firebombs, clashed with combat-clad riot police firing tear gas.
Shouting, "Yankee go home," the students attacked the U.S. Information Service center in central Seoul with firebombs, setting off a first-floor fire that raged out of control for two hours.
A U.S. Embassy statement today said two Korean employees sustained minor injuries when they were hit by rocks thrown by protesters attacking the four-story center, which houses a library and trade offices.
The statement said an investigation was under way to assess the extent of the damage. Embassy workers said a U.S. agricultural trade office inside the building was gutted and there was smoke damage throughout.
The main target of Wednesday's protests was Roh's ruling Democratic Liberal Party, which was formally inaugurated on Wedneday. The new party was actually formed in a three-party merger early this year.
Opposition and radical students contend that the merger, involving Roh's old governing party and two opposition groups, was a "political coup d'etat" because it had not been ratified in an election.
Roh took office in 1988 after winning the country's first direct presidential elections in 16 years. His popularity has been declining, hitting an all-time low of 12 percent in a recent public poll by the governing party.
The protesters allege that the United States is behind a plot by government conservatives to prolong their power through the merger beyond 1993, when Roh's single five-year term ends.
The protesters also allege that Washington condoned the South Korean military's suppression of the 1980 civil uprising in the southern city of Kwangju, in which about 200 people were killed and more than 1,500 others injured or wounded, by official count.
Government officials are worried that anti-government and anti-U.S. protests may escalate as the nation marks the anniversary of the nine-day Kwangju uprising on May 18.
Document 547
The Associated Press
January 8, 1990, Monday, AM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 586 words
HEADLINE: Students Burn Effigies of U.S. Ambassador, Roh
BYLINE: By KELLY TUNNEY, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
Hundreds of radical students burned effigies of the U.S. ambassador and President Roh Tae-woo on Monday in the southern city of Kwangju to protest the envoy's visit, reports said.
A separate group of 100 protesters threw human excrement and tear gas powder near a police station several hundred yards from the U.S. Cultural Center residence that U.S. Ambassador Donald Gregg visited, the news reports said.
Gregg, who apparently did not see the protests, was the first U.S. ambassador to visit the city since a 1980 civil uprising in which 200 civilians died and 1,500 were wounded.
Many Kwangju citizens believe Washington condoned the mobilization of the Korean military to put down unrest and silence government dissent. Washington has denied the allegations.
About 500 radical students yelling anti-American slogans battled 900 riot police with firebombs and rocks at Kwangju's Chosun University, said Yonhap, the South Korean news agency.
Fierce fighting continued for an hour inside the campus after riot troopers moved in to break up a rally, Yonhap and newspapers reported. The troopers were supported by two armored fans firing tear gas, the reports said. No injuries or arrests were reported.
"Gregg came here under a scheme with Roh Tae-woo trying to unilaterally shelve the Kwangju issue," Yonhap quoted a student leader at the rally as saying.
Police have been on alert since the ambassador arrived Sunday for a three-day visit. Korean news reports said he was protected by plainclothes officers.
The Hankook Ilbo, a Seoul daily, said police advised against Gregg's visit, but U.S. officials said an explanation of Washington's role in Kwangju should be resolved through dialogue.
"I came here not to make an apology but to express regret and condolences to Kwangju citizens," Gregg said Monday, according to news reports. He also denied any U.S. involvment in putting down the uprising.
Gregg said the United States urged the South Korean government in 1980 to settle the protests in Kwangju peacefully, "but our influence was not enough over the South Korean government," Yonhap said.
Anti-American sentiment is strong, and the U.S. Cultural Center in Kwangju was attacked 28 times before it was closed last year to protect the staff. Gregg has said he hopes it will reopen soon.
Three dissident groups issued statements opposing his visit. The ambassador invited dissidents and leading citizens to a dinner to explain the U.S. position on Kwangju, but Yonhap said many stayed away in protest.
"We rejected his invitation because the truth about Kwangju and the possible U.S. role have not been clarified," said Chun Kye-ryang, a leading dissident and relative of a victim of the uprising.
Last week, the U.S. Embassy issued a statement rejecting former President Chun Doo-hwan's reference to an alleged U.S. role in the Kwangju incident.
Chun said in parliamentary testimony Dec. 31 that he, then an army general, decided on the military suppression of the uprising after receiving information from the United States that the military threat from Communist North Korea was increasing.
The U.S. Embassy said the United States did not see any evidence of heightened threats from North Korea at the time.
Gregg, a former CIA station chief in Seoul, has been the target of protests since he was appointed ambassador last year. On Oct. 13, six radical students broke into his residence and hurled homemade bombs at police before being overpowered. Gregg and his wife, Meg, were unhurt.
Document 548
The Associated Press
January 8, 1990, Monday, PM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 551 words
HEADLINE: Radicals Clash with Riot Police as U.S. Ambassador Holds News Conference
BYLINE: By C.W. LIM, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
Radical students hurling firebombs burned effigies of U.S. Ambassador Donald Gregg and President Roh Tae-woo today in the provincial city of Kwangju to protest Gregg's visit, reports said.
A separate group of 100 protesters threw human excrement and tear gas powder near a police station several hundred yards from the U.S. Cultural Center residence where Gregg visited, the reports said.
About 500 radical students yelling anti-American slogans hurled firebombs and rocks at 900 combat-clad riot police outside the main gate of Chosun University, reported Yonhap, the South Korean news agency.
Two black armored vans fired volleys of tear gas shells to break up a campus rally, but groups of students and riot police clashed in hand-to-hand fighting inside the campus for more than an hour, Yonhap said. No injuries or arrests were reported.
Gregg apparently did not see the fighting, news reports said. He was the first U.S. ambassador to visit Kwangju, a provincial city 155 miles south of Seoul, since a 1980 civil uprising in which 200 were killed and 1,500 injured.
Many Kwangju citizens believe Washington condoned the mobilization of the Korean military to put down unrest and silence government dissent. Washington has repeatedly denied the allegations.
"Gregg came here under a scheme with Roh Tae-woo trying to unilaterally shelve the Kwangju issue," yelled a student leader at the rally, Yonhap said.
The students vowed to continue their struggle to overthrow Roh's government and punish the United States, which they claim played a role in the uprising.
The Hankook Ilbo, a Seoul daily newspaper, said police advised against Gregg's visit, but U.S. officials insisted that an explanation of the American role in Kwangju should be resolved through dialogue.
"I came here not to make an apology but to express regret and condolences to Kwangju citizens," Gregg told a news conference in a downtown hotel, according to Yonhap, which said he denied any U.S. involvement in putting down the uprising.
Gregg reportedly told journalists the United States urged the South Korean government in 1980 to settle the protests in Kwangju peacefully, "but our influence was not enough over the South Korean government."
Anti-American sentiment in strong in Kwangju and the U.S. cultural center has been attacked by radical students 28 times since 1980. It was closed last year after U.S. officials expressed concern for the safety of the staff.
Gregg, a former CIA station chief in Seoul, has been the target of protests since he was appointed ambassador last year. On Oct. 13, six radical students broke into his residence and hurled homemade bombs at police before being overpowered. Gregg and his wife, Meg, were unhurt.
He arrived in Kwangju on Sunday for a three-day stay. Last week, the U.S. Embassy issued a statement rejecting former President Chun Doo-hwan's reference to an alleged U.S. role in the Kwangju incident.
Chun said in parliamentary testimony Dec. 31 that he, then an army general, decided on the military suppression of the uprising after receiving information from the United States that the military threat from communist North Korea was increasing.
The U.S. Embassy said the United States did not see any evidence of a heightened threat from North Korea at the time.
Document 549
The Associated Press
January 7, 1990, Sunday, AM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 351 words
HEADLINE: U.S. Ambassador Tries to Lessen Anti-U.S. Sentiment
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
U.S. Ambassador Donald Gregg met Sunday with citizens of Kwangju in an apparent effort to reduce anti-American sentiment in the city, scene of a 1980 civil uprising that left hundreds dead.
Gregg, who assumed his post last year, was the first U.S. ambassador to visit Kwangju since the 10-day uprising.
Many Kwangju citizens believe Washington played a role in the bloody incident by condoning the use of the Korean military to suppress the uprising. About 200 people died and more than 1,500 were wounded.
Washington repeatedly denied the allegations, but Gregg's two immediate predecessors - James Lilley and Richard Walker - stayed away from the city for fear of anti-American violence.
On Sunday, Gregg had a dinner with dozens of leading citizens, including Mayor Choi In-ki, at a downtown restaurant. He planned to meet with dissident and student leaders before returning to Seoul on Tuesday.
The South Korean news agency, Yonhap, quoted Gregg as describing his trip to Kwangju as "routine and nothing special" and reported that the ambassador was expected to try to explain Washington's position on the 1980 incident.
Gregg also expressed hope that the U.S. cultural center in the city, closed last year, would be reopened at a new location before the end of this year, Yonhap said.
The U.S. cultural center in Kwangju has been attacked by radical students 28 times times since 1980.
Gregg's visit came two days after the U.S. Embassy issued a statement rejecting former Korean President Chun Doo-hwan's reference to an alleged U.S. role in the Kwangju incident.
Dissident groups contend the United States supported Chun's military dictatorship and condoned the mobilization of soldiers to put down the pro-democracy uprising in Kwangju.
Chun said in the testimony that he, then an army general, decided on the military suppression of the uprising after receiving information from the United States that the military threat from communist North Korea was increasing.
The U.S. Embassy said the United States did not see any evidence of heightened threat from North Korea at the time.
Document 550
The Xinhua General Overseas News Service
JANUARY 4, 1990, THURSDAY
LENGTH: 211 words
HEADLINE: former south korean president accused of defaming parliament
DATELINE: pyongyang, january 4; ITEM NO: 0
BODY:
an opposition-controlled parliamentary inquiry committee filed a formal criminal suit against former president choi kyu-hah for defaming parliament. according to news reports from seoul, choi should appear before parliament, under the agreement reached by major opposition parties, to testify his actions during the 1980 kwanju massacre. however, choi refuses to comply, reports said. the opposition demands to know how choi used military suppression during the kwangju uprising, which resulted in the death of some 200 anti-government demonstrators during his rule, reports said. the opposition-dominated kwanju massacre ad hoc committee on december 31 brought the suit to the procuratorate against choi, accusing him of failing to honor a fifth summons to testify in parliament, reports added. choi, who briefly served as president following the assassination of president park chung-hee by his intelligence chief in late 1979, was succeeded by chun doo-hwan, who seized power in an internal army coup. the seoul district prosecution office is responsible for investigating charges prior to possible indictment, reports said quoting the office of the prosecutor-general. if found guilty, choi could be sentenced to five years in prison, reports added.
Document 551
The Associated Press
December 31, 1989, Sunday, AM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 737 words
HEADLINE: Lawmakers Jeer Former President During Testimony On Corruption
BYLINE: By PAUL SHIN, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
Former President Chun Doo-hwan on Sunday cut short his testimony about corruption and abuses during his rule after angry lawmakers shouted, jeered and shoved each other in several free-for-alls.
One opposition lawmaker raced to the podium where the disgraced former leader was addressing Parliament and shouted, "Murderer!" Another hurled a wooden nameplate at government lawmakers. One melee forced a four-hour adjournment.
"I felt heartbroken that I could not finish my testimony, but I will tell my account of the truth in other ways," Chun told reporters before departing.
He returned to the Buddhist temple where he has lived in self-imposed exile since leaving office in 1988 after a seven-year term marred by charges of corruption, human rights abuses and misconduct.
Aides said he would not come back to testify.
During the hearings broadcast on nationwide radio and television, Chun refused to make an outright apology, as opposition parties have demanded, but said he would take "moral responsibility" for wrongdoings under his rule.
He has denied any personal corruption, but 48 of his relatives and associates have been convicted of embezzlement and other crimes.
"I didn't do anything wrong," Chun said.
"It's a lie! It's a lie!" one opposition lawmaker shouted as Chun denied almost all charges of corruption, power abuse and misdeeds.
Chun's testimony before about 200 lawmakers and spectators was aimed at bringing calm to South Korean politics, which have been dogged by public demands to reveal the truth behind allegations against his government.
President Roh Tae-woo, Chun's successor and former associate, appealed to South Koreans in a New Year's message Sunday "to put an end to past affairs once the past president apologizes for wrongdoings."
Kim Dae-jung, a two-time presidential candidate and opposition party leader who was sentenced to death under Chun's rule for alleged sedition, was among the spectators at Parliament.
The testimony, which lasted more than 12 hours, was interrupted repeatedly by shouting matches that forced adjournments and a virtual free-for-all involving about two dozen legislators.
A melee erupted after opposition legislators angrily accused Chun of lying about his involvement in the crushing of a 1980 civil uprising in the city of Kwangju. About 200 people died and 1,500 were wounded in the uprising, which was suppressed by the military. Chun was a top military general at the time and became president the same year with military backing.
Opposition and government party lawmakers shouted, jeered and shoved each other in a melee that adjourned the session for almost four hours.
Although no one was hurt when an opposition lawmaker hurled the nameplate, aides hurriedly led Chun away and government party lawmakers later refused to attend the hearings when they were rescheduled.
Chun was criticized by the public and politicians for what they called insincere testimony. Many accused him of perjury.
"Mr. Chun showed no sign of repentance. His arrogant attitude would incur the wrath of the people," said spokesman Kim Tae-shik of the largest opposition Party for Peace and Democracy.
The No. 2 opposition group, the Reunification Democratic Party, denounced the ex-president as a "man dreaming in a fantasy land."
Newspapers and television stations were flooded with thousands of telephone calls protesting Chun's attitude.
Some opposition leaders charge the Kwangju uprising was a scheme by Chun and his associates to seize power.
Chun, reading from a prepared statement, denied he played any role in the military suppression of the uprising. He said, however, troops on the scene had a standing order to open fire if a war situation occurred.
"Mr. Chun's testimony was nothing but an insult and blackmail to the people," said a statement from Chonminryon, the largest dissident organization. "His testimony was full of distorted explanations that will incur public anger."
Thousands of riot police were deployed around Parliament to prevent attacks by radicals and students who have staged violent demonstrations demanding that Chun be arrested and punished, but there were no clashes.
Chun was forced to agree to democratic president elections in 1987 after months of anti-government protests. His hand-picked successor, Roh, was elected Dec. 17, 1987 in South Korea's first direct presidential election in 16 years.
GRAPHIC: LaserPhotos SEL2, 3, 7
Document 552
The Associated Press
December 31, 1989, Sunday, BC cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 515 words
HEADLINE: Legislators Jeer As Ex-President Chun Testifies
BYLINE: By C.W. LIM, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
Lawmakers hissed, jeered, shouted and yelled Sunday during the long-awaited testimony of disgraced former president Chun Doo-hwan as he testified in Parliament after 13 months in self-imposed exile.
"Is killing innocent people an exercise in self-defense?" yelled opposition lawmakers when Chun denied involvement in a 1980 civil uprising.
Kim Young-bae, a national opposition legislator, marched to a microphone and said for hundreds of thousands to hear on television, "The contents of his testimony and attitude are incurring the wrath of the people."
Kim Dae-jung, a two-time presidential candidate and opposition party leader who was sentenced to death under Chun's rule for alleged sedition, was among 200 legislators and spectators at the National Assembly.
President Roh Tae-woo appealed to citizens in a New Year's message Sunday "to put an end to past affairs once the past president apologizes for wrong-doings."
But by mid-afternoon, newspapers and television stations said they were flooded with calls protesting Chun's testimony as disappointing and angry that he had not apologized. The committee chairman said political party offices also had been deluged by angry telephone callers.
Chun returned to Seoul from a remote Buddhist temple early Sunday to testify on alleged corruption, human rights abuses and misconduct during his seven years in office that ended in early 1988.
There have been widespread public demands to make the truth known about alleged misdeeds of Chun's authoritarian rule to clear the way for more open government and more democratic reform.
Thousands of riot police were deployed around the Parliament building and in nearby streets to prevent attacks by radicals and students who have staged violent demonstrations demanding Chun be arrested and punished, but there were no clashes.
Chun, a former general, took power with military backing in 1980. He has denied any personal corruption but 48 of his friends and relatives have been tried and convicted of embezzlement and other crimes.
The 58-year-old Chun, looking somber, occasionally biting his tongue and growing more weary as the hearings went on into the night, said "the president of a nation is bound to take unlimited responsibility for the state of affairs during his tenure."
Chun did not make an outright apology, as some politicans have demanded, but said he would take "moral responsibility" for misdeeds under his administration. "I didn't do anything wrong," Chun said.
Legislators were outraged when Chun said he had not been involved in the uprising which left 200 dead and at least 1,500 people injured in the southern city of Kwangju. Chun said he was out of line of command.
"Marshall law authorities at that time gave troops on the scene the discretion to open fire if they faced a war situation," he said.
"Testify! Testify!" lawmakers shouted.
Some opposition leaders believe the Kwangju incident was a scheme by Chun and his associates to seize power in the chaotic days that followed the assassination of President Park Chung-hee in late 1979.
Document 553
Copyright 1989 Kyodo News Service Japan Economic Newswire
DECEMBER 30, 1989, SATURDAY
LENGTH: 185 words
HEADLINE: ASIAN NEWS; PARLIAMENT COMMITTEE VOTES TO CHARGE EX-PRESIDENT CHOI
DATELINE: SEOUL, DEC. 30
BODY:
AN AD HOC PANEL OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DECIDED ON SATURDAY TO SUE FORMER PRESIDENT CHOI KYU HA ON A CHARGE OF INSULTING PARLIAMENT FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH AN ASSEMBLY SUMMONS TO APPEAR THE SAME DAY.
THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON THE 1980 KWANGJU INCIDENT ALSO DECIDED TO URGE THE JUSTICE MINISTRY TO TAKE A MEASURE BANNING CHOI FROM LEAVING THE COUNTRY.
THE RULING DEMOCRATIC JUSTICE PARTY (DJP) OPPOSED SUING CHOI, SAYING THE FORMER PRESIDENT IS READY TO ANSWER IN WRITING.
OPPOSITION PARTIES ADOPTED THE RESOLUTION WHEN DJP MEMBERS WALKED OUT, ARGUING CHOI'S REFUSAL IS AGAINST NATIONAL INTERESTS WHILE CHOI'S SUCCESSOR, EX-PRESIDENT CHUNG DOO HWAN, WILL BE TESTIFYING AT THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON HIS SEVEN-YEAR RULE ON SUNDAY.
CHOI WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT IN DECEMBER 1979 AFTER THE ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT PARK CHUNG HEE AND WAS REPLACED BY CHUN IN AUGUST IN 1980.
IN THE MILITARY SUPPRESSION OF THE CIVIL UPRISING IN KWANGJU, SOUTHERN SOUTH KOREA, IN MAY 1980, SOME 160 CIVILIANS WERE KILLED, ACCORDING TO THE OFFICIAL DEATH TOLL. BUT DISSIDENTS CLAIM THAN 1,000 PEOPLE WERE KILLED.
Document 554
Copyright 1989 Kyodo News Service Japan Economic Newswire
DECEMBER 29, 1989, FRIDAY
LENGTH: 265 words
HEADLINE: ASIAN NEWS; KWANGJU GENERAL QUITS PARLIAMENTARY POST
DATELINE: SEOUL, DEC. 29
BODY:
A FORMER SOUTH KOREAN GENERAL WHO WAS SERVING AT THE TIME OF THE MILITARY'S 1980 MASSACRE OF CIVILIANS IN KWANGJU SAID FRIDAY HE IS RESIGNING FROM HIS PARLIAMENTARY AND OTHER PUBLIC POSTS.
CHUNG HO YONG, A RULING DEMOCRATIC JUSTICE PARTY (DJP) MEMBER OF PARLIAMENTARY AND FORMER DEFENSE MINISTER, SAID HE IS RESIGNING TO CONTRIBUTE TO POLITICAL STABILITY.
HE WILL ALSO QUIT AS A MEMBER OF THE PARTY'S CENTRAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND AS REGIONAL PARTY CHIEF.
BUT CHUNG SAID THE RESIGNATIONS ARE NOT LINKED TO THE QUESTION OF ACCEPTANCE OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE KWANGJU UPRISING.
THE OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT COUNT OF THOSE KILLED IN THE UPRISING IS 200, BUT LOCAL CITIZENS CLAIM THE FIGURE IS HIGHER.
CHUNG HEADED THE SPECIAL WARFARE COMMAND WHICH WAS PART OF THE MILITARY FORCE USED TO QUELL THE UNREST.
CHUNG'S RESIGNATION, WHICH WAS DEMANDED BY OPPOSITION PARTIES, CLEARS THE WAY FOR PRESIDENT ROH TAE WOO TO TACKLE THE POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS OF A DECISION BY FORMER PRESIDENT CHUN DO HWAN TO TESTIFY BEFORE THE PARLIAMENT ON SUNDAY.
ALSO ON FRIDAY, A PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESMAN SAID DJP CHAIRMAN PARK JYUN KYU WOULD RESIGN FROM HIS POST.
THE SPOKESMAN SAID ROH, WHO IS ALSO PRESIDENT OF THE DJP, ACCEPTED HIS LETTER OF RESIGNATION WHICH HAD BEEN SUBMITTED EARLIER.
PARK'S RESIGNATION IS SAID TO BE AN ATTEMPT TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIS COMMENTS IN A SEOUL DAILY IN WHICH HE SAID ROH COULD LEAVE THE GOVERNING PARTY AFTER CLEARING THE QUESTION OF INJUSTICES UNDER CHUN'S REGIME.
DJP OFFICIALS SAID A PARTY OFFICIAL NAM JAE HEE WILL REPLACE PARK FOR THE TIME BEING.
Document 555
Copyright 1989 Inter Press Service Inter Press Service
December 20, 1989, Wednesday
LENGTH: 906 words
HEADLINE: ASIA: DUBIOUS DECADE FOR DEMOCRACY
BYLINE: by Kunda Dixit
DATELINE: MANILA, Dec. 20
BODY:
It has been a dubious decade for democracy in Asia. While "people power" flowered in some countries, it bloomed briefly, withered away or was crushed in others.
In China, the demand for more freedom that had built up in the 1980s took on a momentum of its own. Hundreds of thousands of students packed historic Tiananmen Square in June 1989 calling for freedom of speech and punishment for corrupt officials.
The clamor for more political freedoms followed the liberalization of the economy by Deng Xiao-Ping who became Communist Party chief in 1982.
In the power struggle that followed the June crackdown on dissenters, Deng and a clique of hardliners won out and sent tanks to Tiananmen.
Pent-up anger from two decades of suppression in neighboring Burma exploded in 1988. In response, octogenarian generals ordered soldiers with bayonetted automatic rifles to kill students and Buddhist monks on the streets of Rangoon.
After being in limbo since the 1940s, newly affluent South Koreans and Taiwanese stirred to loosen the rigid power structures that had bound them.
In an inverted mirror-image of the changes sweeping Eastern Europe, Taiwan's fledgling opposition party ended a 40-year monopoly on power by the staunchly anti-communist Nationalist Party this month.
Molotov-lit demonstrations for democracy spread in South Korea after the Kwangju massacre of 1980 in which 200 protesters were killed. Elections were finally held in 1987, but the process of democratization remains unfinished.
And despite a movement for reunification of the Korean peninsula, the northern half throughout the 1980s remained a hermit nation in the like-minded company of rigid recluses like Albania and Rumania.
Rapidly-industrializing Southeast Asian nations like Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia kept the lid tight throughout the decade with powerful security laws, arguing that dissent would deflate their booming economies.
In the economically-battered Philippines, a "people power" uprising in 1986 ended 20 years of dictatorship. But as the decade ended, hopes for a prosperous future were dashed by uniformed remnants of authoritarianism.
Three years after democracy's rebirth in the Philippines, Pakistan saw the demise of its own dictator, General Zia-ul Haq in a mysterious plane crash. Multi-party elections were held for the first time in decades.
When newly-elected Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and Philippine President Corazon Aquino met in Tokyo at the funeral of Japanese Emperor Hirohito in February they had much to talk about.
Aquino is the demure widow of a popular oppositionist who was killed in 1983. Bhutto is the daughter of fiery Prime Minister Zulfikar ali Bhutto who was hanged by the general who seized power from him.
Bhutto and Aquino both promised reforms and freedom. Both seem to have followed a stabilizing strategy of compromise with the domestic business and military powers-that-be, and the same superpower patron -- the United States.
In both countries, the larger social and economic issues remained unaddressed. And while Bhutto fought tooth-and-nail to stave off an opposition campaign to oust her, Aquino this month suffered the sixth and most serious military mutiny in her four years in office.
In rebuilding the country's shattered democracy, Aquino relied largely on society's conservative sectors -- politicians, business, the Catholic Church and loyal military factions.
The result was the restoration of the old elite political order, with few real changes.
Philippine democracy is being eaten away not only by the belligerence of a mutinous military but also by the rot that has set in on key democratic institutions.
But in India, Westminster-style democracy, a legacy of the British raj, continues to flourish despite widespread poverty, religious tensions and the centrifugal tugs of separatists.
Indira Gandhi recaptured power in 1980, but was slain by two Sikh bodyguards four years later. Her son Rajiv immediately succeeded her and was elected in a landslide of sympathy votes in December 1984.
The younger Gandhi promised to steer the nation his mother and grandfather had ruled into the 21st century, but on the threshold of the 1990s his people voted him out of power.
India exploded an atomic bomb 15 years ago and in the 1980s orbited its own communication satellite, launched ballistic missiles, computerized railway reservations and positioned itself to be technologically prepared for the next century.
Its vast silent majority of 300 million uneducated poor battle for daily survival, while elected leaders grapple with population growth that negates their modest achievements.
The final frontiers of development in Asia are now in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan. South Asia faces problems of social equity and economic growth that seem impossible to resolve before the next century.
Off India's southern tip, the island nation of Sri Lanka which had flourishing Western-style democratic institutions began the 1980s on a promising note.
But before the decade was over, the island paradise had become Asia's basket case and the country with the highest per capita death rate in the world.
At least 10,000 people have been killed in violence in the south between government troops and Peoples' Liberation Front (JVP) since 1987. Another 9,000 have died since 1983 during six years of war in the Tamil-minority areas of the north.
Document 556
The Associated Press
December 16, 1989, Saturday, AM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 526 words
HEADLINE: Rival Parties Reach Agreement On Issues Related To Ex-President
BYLINE: By PAUL SHIN, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
Governing and opposition leaders proposed Saturday to compensate victims of a 1980 crackdown as part of an arrangement to settle corruption charges in former Presdient Chun Doo-hwan's government.
Under the agreement, Chun must testify about alleged corruption during his seven years of authoritarian rule. Also, two former army generals closely associated with him, Lee Hui-sung and Chung Ho-yong, will be barred from politics.
It also proposes the release of prisoners who are serving long terms for political crimes. Justice Ministry officials said about 200 people are in prison after being convicted of spying for or helping Communist North Korea.
The agreement was reached after seven hours of talks between President Roh Tae-woo and three main opposition leaders - Kim Dae-jung, Kim Young-sam and Kim Jong-pil.
Officials said that under the agreement, the government will accelerate actions to "restore honor" for citizens of the southern city of Kwangju who were labled as rebels by the Chun administration.
They said a bill will be introduced in the National Assembly to pay up to $$500,000 in compensation for each person killed in the crackdown.
Chun, Chung and Lee were all army generals and have been accused of using the Kwangju uprising to seize power following the assassination of President Park Chung-hee in 1979.
According to official count, about 200 people were killed and more than 1,500 were injured when the military crushed the anti-government demonstrations.
Roh, another Chun associate, was elected to succeed Chun and took office in February 1988.
"I am glad that I have been able to reach satisfactory agreement on the clearing away of the past issues," Roh told reporters after the talks.
The opposition leaders said they would not raise other issues related to the Chun adminsitration once all details set by the agreement have been implemented.
No deadline was officially set for implementation of the pact, but presidential spokesman Lee Su-jung said, "All problems should be settled before the end of this year."
Government officials said the "grand compromise" was possible on the 11-point agreement after Roh accepted the key opposition demands for Chun's public testimony and action against Lee and Chung.
"The results are not 100 percent satisfactory but I did my best to put an end to the dispute," said Kim Dae-jung of the Party for Peace and Democracy, the largest opposition group.
Kim Young-sam, president of the Reunification Democratic Party that is the second major opposition party, said, "Once an agremeent has been reached, it is inappropriate for any one to raise the issue again."
Chung is a legislator from Roh's governing Democratic Justice Party and Lee is an executive of a state-run firm.
The agreement declares that Chun, in his public testimony, will have to answer questions by lawmakers about charges of corruption invovling him, his family and associates. So far 47 people, including a dozen members of Chun's family, have been convicted of corruption and power abuse.
Chun surrendered $$24 million in unused political funds before going into rural seclusion last year.
Document 557
Copyright 1989 U.P.I.
October 19, 1989, Thursday, BC cycle
SECTION: International
LENGTH: 363 words
HEADLINE: Opposition warns of joint anti-Roh campaign
BYLINE: By JAMES KIM
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
The leaders of three opposition parties agreed Thursday to unite in a joint struggle to push President Roh Tae-woo out of office if he does not introduce democratic reforms by the end of the year.
Kim Dae Jung, Kim Young-sam and Kim Jong-pil, heads of the Party for Peace and Democracy, the Reunification Democratic Party and the New Democratic Republican Party, met to map their joint strategy against Roh's government, officials said.
At the 2 hour meeting, the three Kims, who got together for the first time in seven months, agreed on how the Roh government must procede to achieve democratization, their spokesmen said.
''If cleanup of past evils and progress for democracy are not made by the end of the year, the three opposition leaders decided to join force to get President Roh to step down,'' the spokesmen said at a joint news conference.
To push their goal, the opposition leaders agreed that Roh's two predecessors, Choi Kyu-hah and Chun Doo Hwan, must testify before the National Assembly to spotlight wrongs committed while they were in power, the spokesmen said.
Choi Kyn-hah was president for 10 months starting in October 1979, followed by Chun Doo Hwan who ruled the nation for eight years until February 1988.
The opposition leaders demanded a government apology for the Kwangju incident when soldiers crushed pro-democracy protests and killed nearly 1,000 people. They also demanded compensation for the families of the victims of the uprising, the spokesmen said.
They also decided tha new laws must be enacted by the end of 1989 to ensure the political neutrality of the police.
On the economic front, the three Kims called for equitable distribution of wealth and tax law revisions to reduce the tax burden for the general public.
If Roh does not carry out the necessary reforms, the opposition will resort to all means to force him out, including subjecting him to a mid-term vote of confidence that he promised while campaigning for the presidency late in 1987 but has since shelved, the spokesmen said.
The opposition jointly controls the National Assembly and could affect the passage of most legislation, including the budget.
Document 558
The Xinhua General Overseas News Service
OCTOBER 19, 1989, THURSDAY
LENGTH: 229 words
HEADLINE: s. korean opposition threatens to force roh to step down
DATELINE: pyongyang, october 19; ITEM NO: 1
BODY:
the heads of south korea's three main opposition parties pledged today to use all possible means to depose south korean president roh tae-woo if he fails to clear the legacy of former president chun doo hwan and carry out democratization. the pledge was contained in an agreement that kim dae-jung of the party for peace and democracy, kim young-sam of the reunification democratic party and kim jong-pil of the new democratic republican party reached today at their first meeting in six months. since chun left the presidency in february 1988, the three main opposition parties have been looking into major problems of chun's seven-year rule, including massive corruption, power abuse and the suppression of the may 1980 kwangju uprising. the kwangju uprising, in which some 200 people were killed, paved the way for chun's rise to power in 1980. forty-seven people, including about a dozen members of chun's family, have been arrested or convicted of corruption. the three kims threatened to use all possible means to force roh to step down if he does not meet their demand by the end of this year. the three leaders also asked roh to hold a national referendum next spring to seek a public judgement on his performance since he came into power in february 1988. they also demanded that key officials of the chun regime be banned from holding public office.
Document 559
Copyright 1989 Kyodo News Service Japan Economic Newswire
October 13, 1989, Friday
LENGTH: 174 words
HEADLINE: ASIAN NEWS; S. KOREA'S LARGEST DISSIDENT GROUP SPLITS
DATELINE: SEOUL, OCT. 13
BODY:
SIXTEEN LEADERS OF SOUTH KOREA'S LARGEST DISSIDENT GROUP SAID AT A PRESS CONFERENCE FRIDAY THAT THEY WILL LEAVE THE ORGANIZATION AND FORM A NEW POLITICAL PARTY BY EARLY NEXT YEAR.
THE SPLIT OF THE NATIONAL COALITION FOR NATIONALISTIC AND DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENTS WILL GREATLY AFFECT THE DISSIDENT MOVEMENT IN SOUTH KOREA, POLITICAL ANALYSTS SAID.
THE NATIONWIDE COALITION WAS FORMED IN LATE JANUARY BY THAN 300 DISSIDENT GROUPS NOT AFFILIATED WITH ESTABLISHED POLITICAL PARTIES.
THE LEADERS ISSUED A STATEMENT SEVERELY CRITICIZING PRESIDENT ROH TAE WOO FOR CRACKING DOWN ON DISSENTS, AND CALLED FOR DEMOCRACY AND A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION INTO THE 1980 KWANGJU INCIDENT AS WELL AS CORRUPTION UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION OF FORMER PRESIDENT CHUN DOO HWAN.
THEY ALSO ACCUSED OPPOSITION PARTIES OF HELPING TO STABILIZE AUTHORITARIAN RULE IN THE COUNTRY BY PLAYING PARTISAN POLITICS.
THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE WILL BE SET UP WITH THE SUPPORT OF LABOR AND FARMERS' UNIONS BY THE END OF THIS YEAR TO INAUGURATE THE NEW PARTY, THEY SAID.
Document 560
The Xinhua General Overseas News Service
SEPTEMBER 5, 1989, TUESDAY
LENGTH: 289 words
HEADLINE: former south korean presidents to testify on fifth republic
DATELINE: pyongyang, september 5; ITEM NO: 0
BODY:
chun doo hwan and choi kyu hah, both former presidents of south korea, will be called to testify against the fifth republic at the national assembly. the decision was made today at a meeting of the ruling democratic justice party (djp) in seoul under pressure from the political opposition in south korea. the meeting, presided over by president roh tae woo, has lain down guidelines for settling the issue of the fifth republic (during the administration headed by chun doo hwan) in three phases. under the guidelines, chun and choi are to testify at a regular national assembly session sceduled for september 11, and the special committee for settling the issue of the fifth republic, and the special committee for investigating the kwangju uprising is to be dissolved at the end of the national assembly session. this is the first time that the djp has agreed to chun and choi being called in to testify. since last year the main opposition, the party for peace and democracy, led by kim dae jung, and the second largest opposition group, the reunification democratic party led by kim yong sam, have been looking into major problems of the fifth republic, including massive corruption, human rights violations and the suppression of the kwangju uprising during chun's seven-year rule. more than 10 members of chun doo hwan's family have been arrested or convicted of corruption since he left office in february 1988. in may 1980 demonstrations by students were suppressed by the army and about 30 political leaders, including the then head of the new democratic party, kim dae jung, were arrested. martial law was extended throughout south korea, the national assembly was closed and all political activity banned.
Document 561
The Associated Press
June 16, 1989, Friday, PM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 586 words
HEADLINE: Radical Students Calling For Roh's Fall Battle Riot Police
BYLINE: By BARRY RENFREW, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
Thousands of radical students calling for the overthrow of President Roh Tae-woo battled riot police with firebombs, rocks and clubs today in campus protests in four cities, police said.
Fighting involving 5,000 students occurred at five campuses in Seoul, Kwangju, Taejon and Chonju after riot police blocked students from marching into the streets, police officials said. Protesters surged out of the campuses to attack police with hundreds of firebombs.
"Punish Roh Tae-woo!" and "Down with dictatorship!" protesters yelled.
Police officials said there were numerous minor injuries, but they had no reports of arrests.
Student leaders called for the overthrow of Roh and demanded to be allowed to take part in a youth festival next month in communist North Korea. South Korea's government has refused to allow the students to take part in the 13th World Youth Festival in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, on July 1-8.
"March to Pyongyang!" students chanted as they beat drums and waved flags.
Peaceful anti-government protests were also held today at many colleges in Seoul and other cities, but police said they had no figures on how many.
The fighting marked the second day of widespread campus clashes in Seoul and other cities and indicated radical students had abandoned a self-imposed ban on firebombs. Some student groups said they would stop using the weapons after seven riot police were killed in a May 3 campus clash, but other groups continued to use firebombs.
The students and allied dissident groups have little public support because of their extremist views and violent tactics.
Student leaders who refused to be identified said they had been forced to use firebombs as self-defense against police attacks. But the fighting today all appeared to have been started by students when police blocked the marches.
About 2,000 students from at least six colleges battled hundreds of police at Hankuk University in Seoul. Riot police surrounding the school hurled rocks at the protesters but did not use tear gas.
Students marched out of the school and attacked riot police blocking the road with wooden clubs and iron bars. Protesters then attacked with firebombs, and several officers were set ablaze. The fires were put out quickly by other troopers.
Protesters knocked down parts of the school's wall to make ammunition to hurl at police. Police set up iron barricades in the streets to hold students back during the fighting, which lasted more than an hour.
Also today, opposition leader Kim Dae-jung demanded that the United States apologize for its alleged role in a 1980 pro-democracy civil uprising in the southern city of Kwangju that left about 200 people dead. Kim is head of the largest opposition group, the Party for Peace and Democracy.
Kim likened recent incidents in China to the 1980 civil uprising in Kwangju, the capital city of his home province, South Cholla.
One day after Kim and many opposition figures were arrested by martial law authorities on May 17, 1980, student-led demonstrators in Kwangju rose up against the government, drove out police and seized control of the city. Tank-led army troops ended the revolt in nine days.
Kim and many government critics believe the United States acquiesced in the military suppression of the Kwangju revolt. They say a South Korean army division under operational control of the top U.S. army commander in Seoul was used to crush the Kwangju uprising.
The United States had denied the allegations.
Document 562
Copyright 1989 Kyodo News Service Japan Economic Newswire
JUNE 3, 1989, SATURDAY
LENGTH: 208 words
HEADLINE: KIM DAE JUNG VOWS TO OVERTHROW ROH GOVERNMENT
DATELINE: SEOUL, JUNE 3
BODY:
OPPOSITION LEADER KIM DAE JUNG VOWED SATURDAY TO FIGHT TO UNSEAT PRESIDENT ROH TAE WOO UNLESS HIS GOVERNMENT IMPLEMENTS DEMOCRATIZATION.
ADDRESSING A RALLY OF CITIZENS AND STUDENTS IN KWANGJU, KIM DEMANDED THAT THE ROH GOVERNMENT SOLVE PENDING POLITICAL ISSUES WITHIN A HALF YEAR.
KIM, HEAD OF THE LARGEST OPPOSITION PEACE AND DEMOCRACY PARTY, ISSUED THE WARNING AS NO PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE ON MATTERS INVOLVING TESTIMONY BY FORMER PRESIDENT CHUN DOO HWAN IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND THE 1980 UPRISING IN KWANGJU.
SOME STUDENTS AND CITIZENS, ANGERED BY THE LUKEWARM ATTITUDE TOWARD THE GOVERNMENT BY THE OPPOSITION PARTY, THREW EGGS, SAND AND WATER AT KIM AND HIS PARTY.
KIM RECEIVED OVERWHELMING SUPPORT IN KWANGJU IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN 1987, COLLECTING 94 PERCENT OF BALLOTS CAST IN THE SOUTHERN KOREAN CITY.
IT WAS KIM'S FIRST VISIT TO THE CITY SINCE THE ELECTION.
KIM DEMANDED THAT CHUN AND THE ROH GOVERNMENT APOLOGIZE TO THE PEOPLE OVER THE KWANGJU INCIDENT AND PAY FULL COMPENSATION FOR THE VICTIMS.
HE ALSO CALLED FOR SINCERE TESTIMONY BY CHUN AND U.S. OFFICIALS ABOUT THE INCIDENT.
KIM ALSO VISITED A HOSPITAL MORGUE WHERE THE BODY OF A STUDENT WHO STUDENTS CLAIMED WAS TORTURED TO DEATH BY POLICE IN MAY.
Document 563
The Associated Press
May 27, 1989, Saturday, AM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 549 words
HEADLINE: South Korean Students Copy Chinese Hunger Protest
BYLINE: By BARRY RENFREW, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
About 300 radical students went on a hunger strike outside a Roman Catholic cathedral on Friday in a protest they said was inspired by the student-led demonstrations in China.
The students gathered at Seoul's Myongdong Cathedral to call for the overthrow of President Roh Tae-woo's government and an investigation into the death of student leader Lee Chol-gyu.
"Overthrow the murder regime!" and "Down with Roh Tae-woo!" protesters chanted as riot police watched but made no move to intervene.
The peaceful protest strike was called amid growing pressure on students to end their violent protests.
South Korean newspapers have praised the Chinese student protesters in Beijing for their peaceful tactics in calling for freedom and democracy. About 3,000 students went on a hunger strike in Beijing on May 13 to dramatize their demands. That hunger strike was lifted a week later.
South Korean student leaders said Friday they were using the same tactics as Chinese students. Some students claimed they would fast to the death if their demands were not met.
"We are more determined than the students fasting in China," one student said.
About 100 students chanted slogans at the cathedral's main gate. Others rested in the cathedral compound or took part in discussion groups, taking water but no food. Students stayed out of the cathedral itself and administration buildings.
The Korean students are pro-leftist and anti-Western, rejecting Western democracy as unsuitable for Korean conditions and calling for an ill-defined "workers and farmers state."
The Chinese students are demonstrating for a freer society and an end to official corruption, but are not calling for an overthrow of the communist system.
Radical students in South Korea lack popular support because of their extreme views and violent tactics. Some student groups have been trying to switch tactics after six riot police officers were killed May 3 in a clash in the southern city of Pusan.
A seventh trooper injured in the clash died Thursday night, police said.
Radical students and dissidents claim Lee was tortured and killed by police and are demanding the government admit there has been a cover up. Lee's body was found May 10 in a reservoir near the southern city of Kwangju.
Dissident groups called for a major demonstration in Seoul on Saturday to protest Lee's death, but police banned the rally.
Officials deny involvement in Lee's death, although police tried to detain him at a roadblock just before he disappeared. The government says an autopsy proves Lee was not tortured and officials speculate he fell into the reservoir.
Posters with color pictures of Lee's bloated body were put up Friday by students in the cathedral compound.
Crowds of up to 100,000 people marched in Kwangju last week to demand the government admit police killed Lee. The demonstrations also called for Roh's fall for the bloody suppression of a 1980 uprising in Kwangju.
The hunger strikers in Seoul said Friday they also were demanding Roh's ouster for the Kwangju uprising. Roh was a senior general during the uprising.
Protesters also chanted anti-U.S. slogans Friday. They claim the United States was involved in Kwangju and are demanding expulsion of the 43,000 U.S. troops based in South Korea.
Document 564
The Associated Press
May 23, 1989, Tuesday, AM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 363 words
HEADLINE: Government Deploys Troops, Arrests 300
BYLINE: By BARRY RENFREW, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
The government deployed 10,000 riot police and arrested 300 people Tuesday to block a rally by radical students demanding the expulsion of U.S. troops from South Korea.
Riot police stood guard along main streets and ringed the U.S. Embassy and government buildings. Students who tried to attend the rally at city hall were arrested.
There were no reports of clashes.
Police headquarters said about 300 radical students were arrested, although most would be released.
Student groups called for a week of protests in Seoul and other cities to demand withdrawal of the 43,000 U.S. troops based in South Korea under a mutual defense treaty. Radical leaders say the United States props up authoritarian rule in South Korea.
Troops conducted spot checks on many streets, questioning and searching people and taking away suspects. Police patrols roamed subway stations in the city center to stop students from gathering.
Earlier Tuesday, radical students staged peaceful protests at 16 colleges in the capital in a second day of anti-American protests. Students marched or held rallies, but there were no reports of fighting.
Students at Sungkyunkwang University tried to push through riot police. They wore costumes to symbolize U.S. nuclear and chemical weapons.
"Drive out the Yankees!" and "Down with the dictatorship!" protesters chanted.
The Foreign Ministry Tuesday criticized radical students for burning U.S. flags during campus protests a day earlier.
"Defaming a nation's flag is a deplorable act," said ministry spokesman Chang Hoon.
Besides withdrawal of U.S. troops, students were calling for the United States to apologize for its part in the bloody suppression of a 1980 uprising in the southern city of Kwangju.
The uprising in Kwangju was put down by South Korean troops and at least 192 people died. Radical groups claim the United States masterminded the operation.
Dissidents want the overthrow of President Roh Tae-woo's government, but they lack significant public support because of their violent tactics and extreme views.
South Korean and U.S. officials say American forces are needed to ensure Seoul's defense against North Korea.
GRAPHIC: LaserPhoto SEL1
Document 565
The Associated Press
May 23, 1989, Tuesday, PM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 465 words
HEADLINE: Troops Arrest 200 In Crackdown on Protesters
BYLINE: By BARRY RENFREW, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
The government deployed about 10,000 riot police today to block protests by radical students calling for the expulsion of U.S. troops in South Korea. Authorities said 200 people were arrested.
Thousands of riot troops in green combat fatigues blanketed the center of Seoul, standing guard along main streets and ringing the U.S. Embassy and key government buildings. Students who tried to attend the rally at city hall were seized and there were no reports of any incidents.
Police headquarters said about 200 radicals had been arrested.
Troops conducted spot checks on many streets, questioning and searching people and taking away suspects. Police patrols roamed subway stations in the city center to stop students from gathering.
Radical students staged peaceful campus protests earlier today at 16 colleges in Seoul on the second day of a week of anti-American protests. Students marched or held rallies, but there were no reports of fighting.
Students at Sungkyunkwang University tried to push through lines of riot police, but were held back. Students from the school staged a protest march dressed as skeletons and microbes to symbolize U.S. nuclear and chemical weapons.
"Drive out the Yankees" and "Down with the dictatorship," protesters chanted.
The Foreign Ministry issued a strong statement today criticizing radical students for burning U.S. flags at campus protests on Monday. Ministry spokesman Chang Hoon said such acts must stop.
"Defaming a nation's flag is a deplorable act," he said.
Student groups called for a week of protests in Seoul and other cities to demand the withdrawal of the 43,000 U.S. troops based in South Korea under a mutual defense treaty. Radical leaders claim the United States helps prop up authoritarian rule in South Korea.
Other radical demands include an end to U.S. trade pressure to open South Korean markets to American imports. The radicals also want the United States to apologize for the bloody suppression of a 1980 uprising in the southern city of Kwangju.
The uprising in Kwangju was put down by South Korean troops with the deaths of at least 192 people, but radical groups claim the United States masterminded the operation.
Dissidents and radical students are calling for the overthrow of President Roh Tae-woo's government. But the radicals lack significant public support due to their violent tactics and extreme views.
The dissidents contend the United States props up the Roh government to enforce its control over South Korea. Radical students contend U.S. troops are blocking reunification with communist North Korea.
South Korean and U.S. officials say American forces are needed to ensure the south's defense against North Korea. U.S. troops have been based in the south since north invaded in 1950.
Document 566
The Associated Press
May 23, 1989, Tuesday, PM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 470 words
HEADLINE: Troops Arrest 300 In Crackdown on Protesters
BYLINE: By BARRY RENFREW, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
The government deployed about 10,000 riot police today to block protests by radical students calling for the expulsion of U.S. troops from South Korea. Authorities said 300 people were arrested.
Thousands of riot troops in green combat fatigues blanketed the center of Seoul, standing guard along main streets and ringing the U.S. Embassy and key government buildings. Students who tried to attend the rally at city hall were seized and there were no reports of any incidents.
Police headquarters said about 300 radicals were arrested but most would be released later.
Troops conducted spot checks on many streets, questioning and searching people and taking away suspects. Police patrols roamed subway stations in the city center to stop students from gathering.
Radical students staged peaceful campus protests earlier today at 16 colleges in Seoul on the second day of a week of anti-American protests. Students marched or held rallies, but there were no reports of fighting.
Students at Sungkyunkwang University tried to push through lines of riot police, but were held back. Students from the school staged a protest march dressed as skeletons and microbes to symbolize U.S. nuclear and chemical weapons.
"Drive out the Yankees" and "Down with the dictatorship," protesters chanted.
The Foreign Ministry issued a strong statement today criticizing radical students for burning U.S. flags at campus protests on Monday. Ministry spokesman Chang Hoon said such acts must stop.
"Defaming a nation's flag is a deplorable act," he said.
Student groups called for a week of protests in Seoul and other cities to demand the withdrawal of the 43,000 U.S. troops based in South Korea under a mutual defense treaty. Radical leaders claim the United States helps prop up authoritarian rule in South Korea.
Other radical demands include an end to U.S. trade pressure to open South Korean markets to American imports. The radicals also want the United States to apologize for the bloody suppression of a 1980 uprising in the southern city of Kwangju.
The uprising in Kwangju was put down by South Korean troops with the deaths of at least 192 people, but radical groups claim the United States masterminded the operation.
Dissidents and radical students are calling for the overthrow of President Roh Tae-woo's government. But the radicals lack significant public support due to their violent tactics and extreme views.
The dissidents contend the United States props up the Roh government to enforce its control over South Korea. Radical students contend U.S. troops are blocking reunification with communist North Korea.
South Korean and U.S. officials say American forces are needed to ensure the south's defense against North Korea. U.S. troops have been based in the south since north invaded in 1950.
Document 567
Copyright 1989 U.P.I.
May 22, 1989, Monday, BC cycle
SECTION: International
LENGTH: 466 words
HEADLINE: Korean students begin week of anti-U.S. protests
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
Dissident students Monday began a week of anti-American protests, demanding a U.S. apology for its alleged role in crushing a 1980 uprising, the removal of U.S. military bases and an end to interference in Korea's internal affairs.
About 300 students rallied at Konkuk University in eastern Seoul and burned six American flags. In a statement, the students accused the United States of forcing Korea to open markets to U.S. products and of ''hiding a blood-smeared face of a killer behind a mask of a friendly nation.''
There were similar protests at two other universities in Seoul and at schools in two provincial cities, the domestic Yonhap News Agency said.
The National Council of University Student Representatives said in a statement, ''We demand U.S. apologies for pulling the string from behind in the Kwangju incident. We also demand withdrawal of U.S. military bases and an end to American interference in our internal affairs.''
Dissidents have accused the United States of giving tacit approval to the suppression by Korean army troops of the May 1980 uprising in Kwangju, 170 miles south of Seoul. About 200 protesters were killed in the demonstrations.
The council said students will stage massive rallies on campuses across the country Tuesday to stress their demands and to demonstrate against President Roh Tae-woo's government.
A group of 18 students armed with firebombs, sticks and iron pipes stormed the National Police Headquarters and staged a brief sit-in protesting alleged government suppression of dissident movements. All were arrested.
The students said police were fabricating the cause of death of Lee Chol-kyu, 24, a dissident whose body was found in a reservoir in Kwangju on May 10. Authorities have said he drowned.
A magazine article Monday stirred up controversy over a 1987 statement by Roh that proposed major changes in the country's political system.
The Monthly Chosun said in its June issue that according to unnamed sources close to former President Chun Doo Hwan, it was Chun who proposed most of the contents of the June 29, 1987, statement. Until now, Roh has received sole credit for the statement.
In the statement, which followed weeks of violent demonstrations calling for direct presidential elections, Roh proposed constitutional revisions to meet the protestors' demand. He also recommended moves for freedom of the press, the release of political prisoners and the reinstatement of the civil rights of political convicts.
At the time, Roh was the No. 2 leader of the ruling party and its presidential candidate. Chun stepped down Feb. 25 last year and later came under heavy fire for alleged misdeeds during his rule.
Chairman Park Jyun-kyu and other ranking members of the ruling party denied the magazine report.
Document 568
The Xinhua General Overseas News Service
MAY 22, 1989, MONDAY
LENGTH: 126 words
HEADLINE: 30,000 south koreans rally to commemorate kwangju uprising
DATELINE: beijing, may 22; ITEM NO: 0
BODY:
about 30,000 south koreans rallied sunday in kwangju to commemorate the ninth anniversary of the kwangju uprising and demand the resignation of president roh tae woo. reports reaching here from seoul said students, workers and farmers from several cities rallied for the second consecutive day in kwangju as a part of 10-day demonstration to commemorate the kwangju uprising. protesters denounced roh for his role in helping suppress the 1980 uprising in kwangju in which at least 200 civilians were killed. the opposition puts the number killed by government troops much higher. the protesters also charged that the united states was the behind-the-scene supporter of the kwangju uprising and demanded u.s. troops withdraw from the south korea.
Document 569
The Associated Press
May 20, 1989, Saturday, PM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 498 words
HEADLINE: Riot Police Block Demonstration in Seoul, Arrest 1,000
BYLINE: By BARRY RENFREW, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
The government dispatched thousands of troops to block a rally by dissidents demanding the ouster of President Roh Tae-woo, and more than 1,000 people were reported arrested.
About 17,000 riot police flooded downtown Seoul to prevent the protest and troopers in green combat fatigues were posted along main streets and around government buildings.
Riot police units broke up small bands of dissidents and students who staged scattered protests on some main streets. Charging police raced into the crowds and hauled away screaming protesters.
"Death to Roh Tae-woo!" and "Down with the dictatorship!" protesters chanted.
Eight students armed with iron bars attacked the Seoul headquarters of the Joint Investigation Team, which has been spearheading a major crackdown on the dissident movement. Guards stopped the students and seized two of them as the others fled, police said.
The United National Democratic Movement, the nation's main dissident alliance, had called for a major protest in Seoul to push for Roh's downfall and to mark the anniversary of a May 1980 uprising in the southern city of Kwangju.
The movement issued a statement denouncing the government for blocking the rally and said police had violated political rights.
Police banned the rally, and thousands of riot police ringed the street in eastern Seoul where it was to have been held. Troops stopped and questioned people who approached the area, taking many into custody.
Troopers in the downtown area also stopped and questioned people, asking to see identity cards and checking bags for weapons and anti-government leaflets. Suspects were taken away for questioning.
Police said more than 1,000 people were arrested in all.
Hundreds of riot police guarded key government buildings and the U.S. Embassy to prevent possible attacks. Dissidents are demanding the expulsion of the 43,000 U.S. troops based in South Korea under a mutual defense treaty.
About 500 people marched today in Kwangju in another anti-government protest. The march was blocked by about 2,000 riot police in the city's main square and the protesters hurled eggs and rocks at troopers.
The Kwangju protest was the smallest since daily protests began May 11 to mark the anniversary's uprising. Crowds estimated at up to 100,000 people took part in protests in the city earlier this week.
Dissidents have mounted a series of violent anti-government protests and labor strikes in recent months to call for the overthrow of the Roh. But the dissidents lack popular support because of their violent tactics and extreme views.
More than 192 people died when authorities crushed the Kwangju uprising in 1980, according to government reports, but the opposition claims the casualties were much higher.
Roh, a senior general at the time of the uprising, won presidential elections in late 1987. Dissidents claim Roh is a front for military rule despite the introduction of broad democratic reforms during the past two years.
Document 570
Copyright 1989 U.P.I.
May 20, 1989, Saturday, BC cycle
SECTION: International
LENGTH: 297 words
HEADLINE: South Korean protesters arrested
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
Police arrested some 150 people Saturday, thwarting a mass rally by dissidents demanding the resignation of President Roh Tae-woo.
The rally, sponsored by the National Democratic Alliance of Korea, an influential dissident group, was part of a program marking the ninth anniversary of the May 1980 civil uprising in Kwangju in which 200 protestros died.
Some 300 student protesters distributed leaflets demanding the resignation of President Roh whom they accused of being a ''mastermind'' of the bloody suppression of the Kwangju uprising.
The protestors also demanded the truth about the death of Lee Chol-kyu, 24, a dissident student whose body was found May 10 in a reservoir in Kwangju, 170 miles south of Seoul. Dissidents have disputed an official announcement that the youth drowned.
The organizers had sought government approval for the gathering, which they said would be peaceful and attended by about 1,000 people, but police banned the gathering, saying Taehakno, the site of the proposed rally, was a busy downtown street.
Blocked from going to the rally site, the students staged street demonstrations on nearby streets, shouting ''Revive Lee Chol-kyu.''
Half of the protesters lay down on a main street and kept chanting their slogans. About 200 police stepped in and arrested them. There was no violent clash but police beat some youths for resisting arrest.
A police official on the scene said most of the arrested youths will be released after brief questioning.
Police also arrested another group of 16 dissidents, including leading members of the National Democratic Alliance, who were outside the nearby Seoul National University Hospital.
News reports said there were similar protests in eight provincial cities but no major disturbances.
Document 571
The Associated Press
May 19, 1989, Friday, AM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 531 words
HEADLINE: Former President to Testify Before National Assembly
BYLINE: By C.W. LIM, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
The government and opposition parties Friday tentatively agreed that former president Chun Doo-hwan would testify on alleged corruption and human rights abuse under his rule.
Ruling party officials indicated Chun would testify once before the National Assembly. Before that happens, however, they said unspecified conditions must be met by the opposition.
There was no immediate comment from Chun, who lives in exile in a remote temple, and it was not known when he might testify.
The agreement, considered a major breakthrough, could help settle a year-long dispute over the legacies of Chun's authoritarian rule.
Chun, who left office in February, in November apologized to the nation. But the three main opposition parties have called for a full accounting and said that he and top lieutenants should be prosecuted for wrongdoing.
Dissidents and radical students have staged demonstrations to demand Chun and his associates be punished.
Forty-seven people, including 13 members of Chun's family, have been charged with embezzlement and abuse of power but Chun himself has not been touched.President Roh Tae-woo has asked the nation to pardon Chun.
Among other abuses, many South Koreans accuse Chun of having crushed a civil uprising in the city of Kwangju in 1980 that resulted in 192 deaths. Chun was a senior army general when armed protesters opposing a declaration of martial law seized the southern provincial capital.
Chun took power with military backing a few months after the uprising.
Roh, one of Chun's key allies, has introduced broad reforms since he took office in February 1988. But dissidents charge Roh has failed to fully address past wrongdoings, a key factor in their demands for his resignation.
In Kwangju Friday, anti-government protests marking the anniversary of the nine-day uprising continued, with thousands of protesters marching to demand the overthrow of Roh's government.
The protesters also accused the government of covering up alleged police involvement in the death of Lee Chol-kyu, a dissident student whose body was found in a reservoir near Kwangju on May 10.
Dissidents said Friday they would appeal to Amnesty International if the government refuses to perform a new autopsy on Lee's body. Dissidents have demanded an independent investigation into the cause of his death.
In Seoul, relatives of victims of the Kwangju uprising called Friday for an end to political exploitation of the incident and demanded the government provide compensation to families of those killed.
"We have suffered enough, mentally and physically," Park Chan-bong, who heads the Family Association of Victims of Kwangju's Pro-Democracy Movement. "We must not be exploited any more for political purposes," Park said. He claimed his group represents the majority of relatives of victims killed in the 1980 uprising, and they feel their loss of loved ones is being exploited by "political games."
"Our efforts should not be used for any political groups trying to promote their cause," Park said.
Dissidents and radical students lack public support in their calls for Roh's overthrow because of their violent tactics and extremist views.
Document 572
The Associated Press
May 19, 1989, Friday, AM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 817 words
HEADLINE: Radical Blame U.S. for Bloody Suppression of 1980 Uprising
BYLINE: By BARRY RENFREW, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: KWANGJU, South Korea
BODY:
Dissident groups are blaming the United States for the bloody suppression of a 1980 uprising, using the deep political wounds it left to demand the fall of the South Korean government and inflame anti-Americanism.
Dissidents routinely attack the United States for meddling in Korean affairs, charging that Washington has controlled a succession of authoritarian governments in Seoul. One of the most frequent accusations is of alleged U.S. involvement in the Kwangju uprising in which hundreds were killed and wounded.
Radical students in Kwangju claim tanks and troops from U.S. forces based in South Korea took part in putting down the May 1980 uprising by students and townspeople.
"I have seen videotapes of the American tanks and soldiers in Kwangju," said Lim Chong-soo, who was 11 during the nine-day uprising. Posters put up in Kwangju to mark the anniversary alleged that U.S. troops helped South Korean units that shot students and townspeople.
U.S. troops were not involved in Kwangju, but the belief is spreading among some students despite a lack of evidence and denials by U.S. and Korean officials.
"Drive out the Yankees!" chanted crowds of up to 100,000 protesters who marched in Kwangju on Thursday to mark the anniversary. The crowds applauded wildly as dissident leaders blamed the United States for what happened.
The uprising continues to haunt South Korean politics, with many in the opposition contending the nation cannot have political peace until the men responsible are punished and all the facts of the incident exposed.
Some U.S. and South Korean officials and other observers worry the battle over Kwangju may add to anti-Americanism that is strong among some Koreans, especially students and farmers. Anti-Americanism is inspired by growing national pride, trade friction and a sense that Washington treats South Korea as a lackey despite its growing strength and importance.
Dissident leaders, who do not claim U.S. troops were involved, contend the United States helped direct the suppression of the uprising. They contend the United States encouraged former President Chun Doo-hwan, Roh Tae-woo and other senior generals to suppress the uprising and take control of the government.
"The United States ... controlled the Kwangju massacre," the dissident alliance, the United National Democratic Movement, said in an open letter to President Bush when he came to Seoul in February.
The dissidents, who have staged violent anti-government rallies and labor strikes in recent months, are demanding the overthrow of Roh, who is now president, and the expulsion of the 43,000 U.S. troops based in South Korea. Roh won elections in late 1987 and replaced Chun at the end of his seven-year term.
"TheAmerican troops must leave Korea. We cannot have peace until they go," Lim said as other students nodded in agreement.
South Korean troops put down the uprising that began after townspeople and students seized a government armory and said they were opposing the efforts of generals to take control of the government. The government says 192 people were killed and about 800 wounded, dissidents say the death toll was about 2,000.
Many older people in Kwangju who lived through the uprising say U.S. troops were not involved. They worry about how the idea of U.S. complicity is growing among some young people and the growing radicalism of some students.
Park Chan-bong, whose 17-year-old son was killed in the uprising, said, "Most Kwangju people do not agree with these allegations that the United States is responsible for the massacre."
Taxi driver Yang Young-ko, 40, agreed that U.S. troops and officials were not involved, but he said there is a feeling among residents that the United States could have done more to prevent the bloodshed.
"The United States as a big brother should have used its power to stop the military government from killing all those people," he said
The dissidents' claim about U.S. involvement in Kwangju center on charges that U.S. commanders allowed South Korean generals to move troops to Kwangju and the U.S. government supported the generals' seizure of power. Most South Korean troops are under the command of a U.S. general as part of the alliance between the two nations against communist North Korea.
The U.S. government repeatedly has denied any involvement in the uprising. U.S. officials say it was a South Korean affair and Korean generals and officials acted on their own without consulting U.S. counterparts.
"This is a Korean show and Americans have no role in it. The American role was insignificant," said a senior U.S. official, who declined to be identified further.
But the uprising is one of several factors creating anti-Americanism and troubling the close alliance between Washington and Seoul, the official said.
"In terms of a target, the U.S. is like an elephant in a bathtub," he said.
Document 573
The Associated Press
May 19, 1989, Friday, PM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 528 words
HEADLINE: Korean Dissidents to Appeal to Amesty Over Student's Death
BYLINE: By KELLY TUNNEY, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
Dissident leaders said today they will ask Amnesty International to intervene if the government refuses to perform a new autopsy on a radical student they claim was killed by police.
Dissidents charge the government is trying to cover up police involvement in the death of 24-year-old Lee Chol-kyu, whose body was found in a reservoir near the southern city of Kwangju on May 10.
Lee's death has inflamed radicals and heightened tension in Kwangju, a stronghold of anti-government sentiment where thousands of dissidents and radical students have staged anti-government protests for the past eight days. The protests there and around Korea are to mark the annniversary of a 1980 civil uprising in Kwangju that left at least 192 people dead.
Anti-government rallies to mark the uprising were expected to continue through the weekend, and police units were on top alert.
"Oust the Roh Tae-woo regime which tortured Lee to death," yelled 400 students at the National Polytechnic University in Seoul who marched through the streets today. About 400 riot police followed but did not intervene.
The United National Democratic Movement, the nation's leading dissident group, said that if the government does not conduct a second autopsy it will ask doctors from Amnesty International to do so.
The government has said a second autopsy is unnecessary, but dissidents want an independent investigation to check their charges of torture and police involvement.
The government says troopers chased Lee when he was stopped at a roadblock but deny police were responsible for the death. Officials say an autopsy performed earlier this week indicates Lee drowned, and they speculate he slipped and fell into the reservoir while running away from police.
"How could it be drowning as the government claims?" Lee's mother, Hwang Jung-ja, said today during an emotional meeting with the provincial police director in Kwangju, according to Yonhap, the South Korean news agency.
Yonhap said Lee's mother, accompanied by 30 women who are mothers of political prisoners, visited director Paik Hyung-jo at his office to protest the government's ruling that Lee drowned and demand a police investigation.
In Seoul, relatives of victims of the nine-day Kwangju uprising called today for an end to political exploitation and demanded the government provide compensation to families of those killed.
"We have suffered enough, mentally and physically," said Park Chan-bong, spokesman for the Family Association of Victims of Kwangju's Pro-Democracy Movement. "We must not be exploited anymore for political purposes."
Roh was a senior army general when townspeople and students seized a government armory in Kwangju May 18, 1980 and took control of the city. Troops were sent in to suppress the uprising nine days later after talks failed.
Government reports said 192 people were killed and hundreds injured in the uprising. Opposition groups claims the government covered up many more deaths.
Dissidents and radical students have been calling for the overthrow of the Roh government, but they lack public support because of their violent tactics and extremist views.
Document 574
The Associated Press
May 18, 1989, Thursday, AM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 665 words
HEADLINE: Protesters March on Anniversary of 1980 Uprising
BYLINE: By PAUL SHIN, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: KWANGJU, South Korea
BODY:
Tens of thousands of protesters in 11 cities burned effigies of President Roh Tae-woo and called for the expulsion of U.S. troops Thursday, the anniversary of a bloody 1980 uprising.
At least 100,000 students, townspeople and opposition supporters rallied in Kwangju to denounce Roh and the United States for suppressing the uprising in the provincial capital that left 192 dead.
They burned effigies representing Roh and other senior army generals. Protesters beat drums and chanted "Punish Roh Tae-woo!" "Yankee go home!" and "Drive out the Yankee imperialists!"
Earlier Thursday, 20,000 people visited the cemetery outside Kwangju where many of those killed in the nine-day uprising are buried. Mourners prayed and bowed before the graves as funeral music played over loudspeakers and students beat drums.
In Seoul and nine other cities, thousands joined marches, protests and religious services. About 40,000 students turned out for rallies at 87 campuses nationwide, news reports said.
"Roh Tae-woo must step down for suppressing Kwangju and all democratic movements," dissident leader Oh Chung-il told the cheering crowd in Kwangju, 170 miles southwest of Seoul.
Opposition leader Kim Dae-jung said in a message read to cheering crowds that right-wing forces were plotting to impose authoritarian rule in South Korea again.
"We must remain alert to crush them and inherit the spirit of Kwangju," Kim said in the message.
Most protests were peaceful, but radical students in southern Chonju hurled firebombs at a government party office and clashed with riot police who tried to disperse about 2,000 marchers, according to Yonhap, the South Korean news agency. About 20 people were injured, Yonhap said.
In Seoul, thousands of riot police stood by to block protests and chased bands of students who ran through the streets shouting anti-government slogans. But there were no reports of injuries.
Past anniversaries of the Kwangju uprising were marked by violent protests, but dissident leaders called for peaceful demonstrations this time.
It was the first time the government had permitted a demonstration in Kwangju to mark the May 18 uprising.
At the cemetery, protesters burned an effigy representing Roh, former President Chun Doo-hwan and the United States. The 6-foot-high figure of a man was capped with a cardboard top hat decorated with the American flag.
Dissident groups called for Roh's resignation and the expulsion of the 43,000 U.S. troops based in South Korea. They say Washington has helped to keep Roh and past authoritarian governments in power.
They also charge the United States failed to prevent the bloody suppression of the uprising and is morally responsible.
Crowds hiked to the cemetery in the hills outside Kwangju. Elderly mothers, dressed in long traditional white mourning robes, sobbed and cried hysterically before the graves of sons killed in the uprising.
"My son, my son!" sobbed one woman.
Other mourners placed fruit or drinks on the graves and burned scented candles to honor the dead.
Columns of radical students carried red, blue and yellow flags and chanted slogans.
Roh was a senior general when townspeople and students seized a government armory in Kwangju on May 18, 1980, and took control of the city. Troops were sent in to put down the uprising after negotiations failed.
Government reports said 192 people were killed and hundreds injured. But opposition groups claim hundreds more were killed.
Anti-government sentiment in Kwangju, a traditional opposition stronghold, has been inflamed by the death of a radical student earlier this month. Dissidents alleged that police killed Lee Chol-kyu, whose body was found in a reservoir outside Kwangju May 10.
South Korea has been hit by violent anti-government protests and labor strikes in recent months. Dissidents and radical students have called for the overthrow of the Roh government, but they lack public support because of their violent tactics.
GRAPHIC: LaserPhotos KWG4, SEL4
Document 575
The Associated Press
May 18, 1989, Thursday, PM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 524 words
HEADLINE: Thousands Mourn Victims of 1980 Kwangju Uprising
BYLINE: By BARRY RENFREW, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: KWANGJU, South Korea
BODY:
Thousands of mourners today prayed and bowed before the graves of people killed in a bloody 1980 uprising in this southeastern city, and they burned President Roh Tae-woo in effigy.
Anti-government rallies also were planned in other cities today to mark the ninth anniversary of the Kwangju uprising in which at least 192 people died.
The government put all police units on top alert and increased security around government buildings to forestall possible attacks.
Mourners lit a gasoline-drenched figure made of cloth about six feet high, with a top hat decorated with the U.S. Stars and Stripes and Roh's face.
"Punish Roh Tae-woo" and "Get out American imperialists!" people yelled as thick smoke swirled up from the blazing effigy.
In a statement, dissident groups called for Roh's resignation and the expulsion of the 43,000 U.S. troops based in South Korea. They claim Washington has helped to keep Roh and past authoritarian governments in power.
Crowds of students, townspeople, opposition politicians and others hiked to the cemetery in the hills outside Kwangju. Elderly mothers, dressed in long traditional white mourning robes, sobbed and cried hysterically in front of the graves of sons killed in the uprising.
"My son, my son!" sobbed one woman.
Other mourners placed fruit and drink on the graves and burned scented candles to honor the dead. Pictures of the dead, mostly young students, were placed in front of many of the graves.
Dissident leaders made speeches demanding Roh and other former generals be punished for the suppression of the uprising against the military regime then in power.
Columns of radical students carried red, blue and yellow flags. Banners depicted enraged people with rifles fighting soldiers.
Riot police were on top alert in Kwangju because of dissident groups plans to stage a march in the city for a seventh straight day.
Anti-government sentiment in Kwangju, a traditional opposition stronghold, has been inflamed by the death earlier this month of a radical student. Dissidents allege police killed Lee Chol-kyu, whose body was found in a reservoir near Kwangju May 10.
Officials say an autopsy shows Lee drowned and they speculate he slipped and fell into the reservoir after running away from police.
Roh was a senior army general when townspeople and students seized a government armory in Kwangju on May 18, 1980 and took control of the city until troops were sent in to end the uprising.
Government reports said 192 people were killed and hundreds injured. Opposition groups claims the government covered up many more deaths.
Former president Chun Doo-hwan, then a senior general, took control of the country before the rebellion and became president a few months afterward. Roh, one of Chun's key allies, became president in February 1988 after winning presidential elections.
South Korea has been hit by waves of violent anti-government protests and labor strikes in recent months. Dissidents and radical students have been calling for the overthrow of the Roh government, but they lack public support because of their violent tactics and extremist views.
GRAPHIC: Laserphoto available
Document 576
Copyright 1989 Kyodo News Service Japan Economic Newswire
MAY 18, 1989, THURSDAY
LENGTH: 148 words
HEADLINE: ASIAN NEWS-SOUTH KOREA; THIRTY THOUSAND SOUTH KOREANS RALLY TO MARK KWANGJU UPRISING
DATELINE: KWANGJU, SOUTH KOREA, MAY 18
BODY:
ABOUT 30,000 STUDENTS AND CITIZENS HELD AN ANTI-GOVERNMENT RALLY HERE THURSDAY TO MARK THE NINTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BLOODY 1980 UPRISING IN THIS SOUTHERN CITY.
ANTI-GOVERNMENT DEMONSTRATORS FLOCKED TO THE EVENING RALLY AT A PLAZA IN FRONT OF THE LOCAL PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT OFFICE IN CENTRAL KWANGJU. POLICE DID NOT ATTEMPT TO INTERFERE WITH THE RALLY.
THE RALLY CALLED FOR A THOROUGH PROBE INTO THE UPRISING IN WHICH SOME 200 PEOPLE WERE KILLED BY GOVERNMENT TROOPS, AND FOR THE RESIGNATION OF PRESIDENT ROH TAE WOO.
THEY ALSO CALLED FOR A THOROUGH PROBE INTO THE RECENT DEATH NEAR HERE OF A RADICAL STUDENT WHO SOME ALLEGE WAS KILLED BY POLICE.
A MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR THE VICTIMS OF THE 1980 UPRISING WAS HELD AT A CEMETERY HERE IN THE MORNING.
PROTESTERS CALLED FOR SEVERE PUNISHMENT OF GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND SOLDIERS WHO WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BLOODY SUPPRESSION.
Document 577
Copyright 1989 U.P.I.
May 18, 1989, Thursday, BC cycle
SECTION: International
LENGTH: 555 words
HEADLINE: South Koreans mark bloody 1980 uprising peacefully
BYLINE: By SUNG WON SHIM
DATELINE: KWANGJU, South Korea
BODY:
Tens of thousands of South Koreans held peaceful rallies and memorial services Thursday to mark the ninth anniversary of the army's suppression of an uprising that left about 200 people dead and nearly 1,500 injured.
More than 70,000 people, including relatives and friends of those killed in the 1980 Kwangju uprising, marched through the center of town after daylong services and rallies in and around the city, 170 miles south of the capital Seoul.
Police did not try to stop the protests and there were no reports of violence.
Dissident students renounced violence after six police officers were killed in a May 3 clash with anti-government protesters on a university campus in Pusan, 200 miles southeast of Seoul. There has since been only one protest in which firebombs were used.
A student leader in Kwangju said protesters will again start using firebombs and rocks against police Friday and Saturday, when another round of rallies is scheduled.
The Kwangju protesters Thursday demanded the punishment of President Roh Tae-woo, his predecessor Chun Doo Hwan, former defense minister Chung Ho-yong and the United States for their roles in suppressing the 1980 revolt.
''Those who are responsible for the massacre of Kwangju people are occupying positions of power, even the presidency,'' said Pae Jong-yol, co-chairman of the May Struggle Committee, a dissident organization.
''In the name of the people, let's execute the killers -- Roh Tae-woo, Chun Doo Hwan and Chung Ho-yong,'' he said.
Yoon Kang-ok, a dissident injured in the Kwangju revolt, said, ''We will carry on the struggle of the Kwangju fighters and achieve democratization without fail. We will make sure that those guilty for the killings are punished.''
Toward the end of the rally, the protesters burned an American flag and 12 effigies they said said represented Roh, Chun and other leaders.
On May 17, 1980, reformist army officers led by Chun Doo Hwan, then a major general, forced the government of President Choi Kyu-hah to carry out a blanket crackdown on political dissent. Opposition leaders, including Kwangju resident Kim Dae Jung, were arrested.
The next day Kwangju exploded into a violent uprising, and rebels held the city for nine days before being crushed by army troops. About 200 people were killed, according to an official count, and about 1,500 others were injured.
The Kwangju incident paved the way for Chun's rise to power. Chun later was elected president and served for seven years until he was succeedecd by Roh on Feb. 24, 1988.
Dissidents have denounced the United States, saying it tacitly approved the use of the army to quell the insurrection.
Some 129 of the dead are buried at the Mangwol-dong Cemetery, 7 miles from Kwangju, where the main memorial service was held Thursday.
The service was attended by 30,000 relatives and friends wearing white and black mourning dress. Many protesters wore black mourning ribbons on their chests. Other services were held on most university campuses in Kwangju, Seoul and major cities across the country.
In Seoul, dissident students had planned to stage a massive rally at the downtown City Hall Plaza, but about 1,500 riot police prevented the gathering. Students staged several small street protests a few blocks away, but again no violence was reported.
Document 578
The Associated Press
May 17, 1989, Wednesday, PM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 484 words
HEADLINE: 20,000 March Through Kwangju Demanding President's Ouster
BYLINE: By PAUL SHIN, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: KWANGJU, South Korea
BODY:
Twenty thousand people chanting "Down with the dictatorship" marched through Kwangju today to demand the overthrow of President Roh Tae-woo for the brutal suppression of a 1980 uprising.
Students and workers paraded in front of the provincial government headquarters for a seventh day to denounce the government on the eve of the ninth anniversary of the Kwangju uprising, which left nearly 200 people dead.
The protesters shouted slogans claiming police killed a radical student earlier this month. Many office workers joined in the protest.
"Punish Roh Tae-woo," hundreds of protesters chanted as they marched with red, blue and yellow flags and placards with anti-government slogans.
Riot police armed with shields and truncheons surrounded government buildings. Violent clashes between protesters and police in the square on Tuesday night left about 60 people injured. No violence was reported today.
Many Kwangju citizens said they believe the radical student who was killed earlier this month was tortued to death by the police. There is no doubt "that he was murdered," a taxi driver said at today's protest.
In Seoul, 2,000 college radical students staged peaceful protests at three colleges today to mark the Kwangju uprising and call for Roh's downfall. Riot police blocked about 500 students from marching out of Yonsei University, but there was no fighting.
Police are on top alert nationwide because of protests expected Thursday to mark the Kwangju anniversay that began May 18, 1980. At least 192 people were killed in the nine-day uprising, which was suppressed by government troops.
Dissident groups are demanding Roh, who was a senior general at the time, and other top officials be punished for the suppression of the uprising. The government says troops were sent in as a last resort to end a violent uprising.
Chun Doo-hwan, a senior general at the time of the uprising, took power as president a few months later with the aid of Roh and other officers. He imposed a tough authoritarian rule during his seven-year term.
Anti-government sentiment in Kwangju was inflamed by the discovery May 10 of the body of the radical student, Lee Chol-kyu, in a reservoir near the city. "Punish Roh Tae-woo who killed Lee Chol-kyu," protesters chanted today.
Government officials say Lee appears to have fallen into the reservoir and drowned after fleeing from police who stopped him at a checkpoint. Officials deny police killed Lee and say an autopsy proves he drowned in the reservoir.
Police had been hunting for Lee for anti-government activities, including writing articles praising communist North Korea.
South Korea has experienced a wave of violent anti-government protests and labor strikes in recent months.
Dissidents and radical students have been calling for the overthrow of Roh, but they lack support because of their violent tactics and extremist views.
Document 579
Copyright 1989 U.P.I.
May 17, 1989, Wednesday, BC cycle
SECTION: International
LENGTH: 505 words
HEADLINE: Students demand ouster of U.S. troops
BYLINE: By SUNG WON SHIM
DATELINE: KWANGJU, South Korea
BODY:
Tens of thousands of protesters denounced their government as a ''murder regime'' during peaceful demonstrations in the provincial city of Kwangju Wednesday on the eve of the anniversary of a bloody 1980 uprising there.
Student dissidents also demanded the ouster of U.S. forces from Korea, saying Americans ''pulled the strings'' in the ''Kwangju massacre'' nine years ago that left about 200 people dead and about 1,500 wounded.
There were rallies marking the incident on many campuses in Seoul and provinces. The domestic Yonhap News Agency said at least more than 8,000 students rallied at 10 schools in Seoul and 11 others in provincial cities.
In Kwangju, about 2,000 youths staged a street march at 2 p.m. and the crowd swelled to more than 50,000 for a rally in a central square of the city, an opposition stronghold 170 miles south of Seoul.
No police were in sight at the site of the rally, which ended about 9:30 p.m. Authorities had approved the gathering after organizers promised it would be peaceful.
Organizers and protesters wore black mourning clothes, ribbons and headbands at the march and rally, where demonstrators accused President Roh Tae-woo's government of being ''a violence-happy murder regime'' and chanted ''Execute Roh Tae-woo.''
Protesters carried a large flag on which were pledges written with blood, reading, ''Struggle to the last for democracy and Roh's punishment.''
A statement by a student council for the region including Kwangju said Roh came to power ''standing on the blood'' spilled in the 1980 uprising and was attempting to revive autocracy that marked the rule of his predecessor, Chun Doo Hwan.
''Starting with suppression of workers, Roh's regime is pushing oppression that exceeds what Chun Doo Hwan's government did,'' the statement charged.
On May 17, 1980, military officers led by Chun Doo Hwan, then an army major general, forced the government of President Choi Kyu-hah to crack down on political dissidents. Many leading opposition politicians were arrested.
A violent uprising erupted in Kwangju the next day and rebels held the city for nine days before army troops crushed the insurrection.
''Let's sweep out our avowed enemies, the Americans, who pulled the strings from behind the Kwangju massacre, and move up the day of our national reunification (between South and North Korea).''
About 43,000 U.S. troops are based in Korea, part of a U.N. command set up to aid South Korea after a North Korean invasion triggered the 1950-53 war.
Dissidents maintain U.S. officials were at least indirectly involved in the Kwangju incident because Korean forces are under operational control of U.S. military commanders. Dissidents argue South Korean troops mobilized to quash the Kwangju revolt could not have been moved without U.S. approval.
U.S. officials, however, deny the charge saying American control is exercised only to coordinate efforts against outside aggression, and that Seoul has full right to use its own troops for internal security.
Document 580
The Xinhua General Overseas News Service
MAY 17, 1989, WEDNESDAY
LENGTH: 236 words
HEADLINE: 60 injured in protest against south korean government
DATELINE: beijing, may 17; ITEM NO: 0
BODY:
sixty injuries were reported after thousands of demonstrators marched throgh kwangju in south korea to demand the overthrow of president roh tae woo. according to reports reaching here from kwangju, south korea, several thousand students, workers and townspeople paraded in front of the provincial government headquarters for a seventh day to denounce roh for his role in helping suppress the 1980 uprising.in kwangju. protesters also charged that police killed a radical student earlier this month. the injuries were reported during a clash, which started late last night when some of the more than 10,000 protesters hurled stones and other missiles at riot troops surrounding the local government headquarters. approximately 2,000 radical students also staged peaceful protests at three colleges today in seoul to commemorate the kwangju uprising, in which approximately 200 were killed. riot police blocked about 500 students from marching out of yonsei university, but no fighting was reported. roh was a senior general in 1980 at the time of the uprising, and dissident groups are demanding that he and other officials be punished for its suppression. according to reports, a large anti-government rally is being planned for today on the eve of the anniversary. the south korean government placed all its 130,000 policemen on full alert yesterday, and the alert will remain in effect until saturday.
Document 581
The Associated Press
May 16, 1989, Tuesday, PM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 716 words
HEADLINE: Seoul Criticizes Washington As Meddling In Its Internal Affairs
BYLINE: By BARRY RENFREW, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
The government warned Washington today not to comment on its internal affairs and said remarks by a U.S. official on the mysterious death of a radical student could harm relations.
The warning came as the Seoul government put riot police on nationwide alert to prepare for possible protests this week over the student's death and the ninth anniversary of a bloody 1980 anti-government uprising.
About 300 radical students calling for the overthrow of President Roh Tae-woo battled riot police with firebombs and rocks at Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul. Troopers with interlocked shields blocked the school's main gate to stop students from marching into the streets.
A Foreign Ministry official, who declined to be named in keeping with official practice, said a U.S. State Department official's comments on the death of radical student Lee Chol-kyu were unacceptable and incorrect.
"Unnecessary (American) comment on internal matters, particularly on a situation in which it does not know the truth, would not be of help to the U.S.-Korea alliance or friendly relations," the official said.
South Korean dissidents claim Lee was tortured and killed by police and reject a government autopsy report that he drowned. The body was found May 10 in a reservoir outside the southeastern city of Kwangju.
South Korea protested to Washington after the State Department official last week called Lee's death "a deplorable event. We do not know who may have committed this atrocious act."
The official noted that Roh had called for a full investigation of the case "and we hope the murderers will be exposed and severely punished."
South Korea lodged a protest in Washington over the statement, contending it had not been proved that Lee was murdered. The State Department said Monday it did not intend to prejudge how Lee was killed.
The Foreign Ministry said today that it accepted the State Department's Monday comment as "a practical correction" of the reference to "murderers" even though it was not specifically retracted by the department.
South Korea and the United States are close allies and about 43,000 U.S. troops are based in South Korea under a mutual defense treaty.
Thousands of people have held daily protests in Kwangju to denounce police as being responsible for Lee's death. Clashes have broken out between protesters trying to march to provincial government headquarters and truncheon-wielding troopers.
South Korea has been hit by a wave of violent protests and labor strikes in recent months. Dissident groups are caling for the overthrow of Roh, but they lack public support because of their violent tactics and extreme views.
Dissidents and radical students are trying to harness the growing furor over Lee's death to step up a campaign to topple the government. Dissidents call for the expulsion of U.S. forces.
Authorities fear the dispute over Lee's death could inflame protests this week to mark the anniversary of a 1980 uprising in Kwangju in which at least 192 people were killed. Dissidents have called for nationwide demonstrations.
National Police Headquarters in Seoul said riot police had been placed on nationwide alert to prevent violent protests. Security was being increased at government buildings to prevent possible student attacks, officials said.
The opposition-controlled National Assembly convened 16 committees today to investigate Lee's death, the Kwangju uprising and other issues. Opposition parties contend the government is using radical violence as a pretext to crack down on all opposition groups.
President Roh said today that the government was making every effort to find out how Lee died. He said the dissidents' efforts to play up the incident were a threat to political stability and democracy.
At the time of Lee's deasth, police had been hting for him because of his anti-government activities, including writing articles praising communist North Korea. Authorities say police stopped Lee in a taxi near Kwangju, but he escaped on foot.
Police officials say Lee probably fell into the reservoir while fleeing police and drowned.
Dissident groups claim the government investigation into Lee's death was a coverup and are demanding an independent probe by Amnesty International or the World Christian Council.
Document 582
The Associated Press
May 13, 1989, Saturday, AM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 528 words
HEADLINE: Protesters March to Denounce Death of Radical Student
BYLINE: By BARRY RENFREW, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: KWANGJU, South Korea
BODY:
Riot police wielding truncheons and shields beat back thousands of protesters who gathered on Saturday to protest the death of a radical student.
About 4,000 police clashed with protesters who tried to march to the provincial government headquarters.
"Down with murder and torture," protesters chanted. Some troops were beaten to the ground by protesters armed with bamboo sticks. The crowd burned helmets and shields seized from police.
Police did not stop the estimated 10,000 people from holding a rally in a square in front of the government building, even though fighting broke out several times.
Dissident leaders called for the overthrow of President Roh Tae-woo's government as the protesters cheered and clapped, shouting "Down with Roh Tae-woo" and "End the military dictatorship."
Dissident groups organized the march to denounce the death of the radical student, Lee Chul-kyu, whose body was found Wednesday in a reservoir near Kwangju, about 170 miles south of Seoul.
Dissidents claimed at a rally at Chonnam University earlier Saturday that Lee was tortured to death by police interrogators. Police denied any involvement in the death. The government is conducting an investigation.
"This barbarous act was committed by the suppressive security forces to suppress the national democratic movement," a dissident leader told the estimated 15,000 people at the university rally.
Speakers called for nationwide protests to topple Roh and expel the 43,000 U.S. troops based in South Korea under a mutual defense pact. They claim Roh and the United States are scheming to impose military rule on the country.
"Roh is the puppet of the U.S. imperialists," a student leader said. "Let's fight until we drive out Roh and the Yankees."
Thousands of people then marched out of the campus and were blocked by riot police. Scuffles broke out as the protesters tried to force their way through human barricades.
Several elderly protesters beat troopers with walking sticks and pounded their fists against police armored vans blocking the roads. "Kill Roh Tae-woo!" an old man screamed.
Many marchers then broke away into side streets, reached the city center and assembled outside the provincial government headquarters for a second rally.
Police reported many minor injuries but said there were no arrests.
South Korea has been hit by a wave of anti-government protests and strikes in recent months. Dissident groups are calling for the overthrow of Roh, a former general elected in late 1987.
Dissidents pledged to end violent protests after six riot police were killed May 3 in a clash with radical students. But the dissidents have not renounced their campaign to topple Roh.
Authorities fear Lee's death could provoke unrest in Kwangju, since it occurred near Thursday's anniversary of the May 18, 1980, Kwangju uprising in which at least 192 people were killed. Many residents claim Roh is one of those responsible for the bloody suppression of the uprising.
The dissidents have little public support because of their violent tactics and extremism. Roh ordered a major crackdown on dissidents after the death of the six riot police.
Document 583
Copyright 1989 Kyodo News Service Japan Economic Newswire
MAY 13, 1989, SATURDAY
LENGTH: 565 words
HEADLINE: ASIAN NEWS-SOUTH KOREA; U.S. CULTURAL CENTER CLOSED IN KWANGJU
SOURCE: U.S. EMBASSY
BYLINE: KIM CHANG YOUNG
DATELINE: SEOUL, MAY 13
BODY:
A U.S. CULTURAL CENTER IN KWANGJU THAT HAS BEEN A FREQUENT TARGET OF ATTACK BY ANTI-AMERICAN STUDENT PROTESTERS HAS BEEN SHUTTERED TO PROTECT STAFF SECURITY, IT WAS LEARNED SATURDAY.
THE U.S. EMBASSY NOTIFIED THE FOREIGN MINISTRY THAT THE CENTER WOLD HALT SERVICE UNTIL A NEW AND SAFER BUILDING IS FOUND FOR CENTER STAFF OPERATIONS.
OFFICIALS SAID IT WOULD TAKE AT LEAST A YEAR TO RESUME SERVICE AT THE CENTER, THE LATEST AMERICAN OPERATION HERE TO YIELD TO MOUNTING ANTI-U.S. SENTIMENT.
U.S. FACILITIES HAVE BECOME POPULAR TARGETS OF RAIDS, ILLEGAL OCCUPATION AND ARSON IN RECENT YEARS. THE U.S. EMBASSY HERE IS THE MOST HEAVILY-GUARDED FOREIGN MISSION IN SEOUL.
THE CULTURAL CENTER IN KWANGJU, THE FIFTH-LARGEST CITY WITH A POPULATION OF 1.5 MILLION ABOUT 300 KILOMETERS SOUTH OF SEOUL, HAS SUFFERED ATTACKS THAN ANY OTHER U.S. FACILITY IN THE COUNTRY. KWANGJU IS A POWER BASE OF OPPOSITION LEADER KIM DAE JUNG.
A TOTAL OF 84 ATTACKS WITH FIREBOMBS HAVE BEEN REPORTED SINCE 1980. MANY OF THEM OCCURRING ON THE STREET IN FRONT OF THE KWANGJU CULTURAL CENTER, POLICE RECORDS SHOW.
MANY SOUTH KOREAN YOUTHS BELIEVE THAT WASHINGTON, AS COMMANDER OF THE SOUTH KOREAN ARMY SANCTIONED A CIVIL UPRUSING IN KWANGJU IN 1980 BY MILITARY STRONGMAN CHUN DOO HWAN. CHUN LATER SEIZED POWER WITH THE SUPPORT OF PRESENT PRESIDENT ROH TAE WOO AND OTHER GENERALS.
OBSERVERS SAID THE BELIEF, THOUGH DENIED BY KOREAN AND U.S. OFFICIALS, HAS SPARKED OFF ANTI-AMERICAN SENTIMENT, FUELED BY WASHINGTON'S STRONG DEMAND FOR GREATER ACCESS TO THE KOREAN MARKET.
WILLIAM GLEYSTEEN, THE U.S. AMBASSADOR AT THE TIME OF THE KWANGJU TURMOIL, AND JOHN WICKHAM JR., THEN COMMANDER OF THE SOUTH KOREAN-U.S. COMBINED FORCES COMMAND, HAVE BEEN CALLED TO APPEAR BEFORE A SPECIAL NATIONAL ASSEMGBLY (PARLIAMENT) COMMITTEE PROBING THE 1980 SUPPRESSION. THE INCIDENT LEFT AT LEAST 198 CITIZENS AND SOLDIERS DEAD AND ABOUT 2,000 INJURED.
POLICE WARNED OF A FIRE AT THE ONE-STORY WOODEN STRUCTURE, LOCATED WITHIN THE REACH OF HAND-THROWN FIREBOMBS, AND ADVISED THE KWANGJU CENTER TO MOVE TO A SAFER DISTRICT.
THE U.S. HAD NOT NEEDED THE ADVICE UNTIL RECENTLY, ASKING FOR STEPPED-UP SECURITY MEASURES FOR THE CENTER. IN WASHINGTON LAST MONTH DEPARTMENT OF STATE SPOKESMAN CHARLES REDMAN HAD DENIED LOCAL MEDIA REPORTS THAT THE CULTURAL CENTER WOULD BE RELOCATED.
THE CLOSURE COMES NEARLY A WEEK BEFORE THE NINTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MAY 18 KWANGJU UPRISING, WHICH LASTED FOR NINE DAYS.
POLITICAL TENSIONS ARE RISING IN KWANGJU WITH THE DISCOVERY OF A STUDENT LEADER'S BODY AT A LOCAL LAKE. THE CHOSUN UNIVERSITY STUDENT, LEE CHOL KYU, HAD BEEN WANTED BY POLICE ON CHARGES HE ALLOWED AN ARTICLE PRAISING NORTH KOREA'S POLITICAL SYSTEM TO APPEAR IN A SCHOOL MAGAZINE.
AN ESTIMATED 50,000 STUDENTS HAVE TRAVELED TO KWANGJU UNDER THE ORGANIZATION OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES, ACCUSING INTELLIGENCE AGENTS OF KILLING LEE.
THE STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED TO STAGE A MASS RALLY AROUND THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE KWANGJU UPRISING, WHICH POLITICAL OBSERVERS HERE SAY COULD LEAD TO A DEMONSTRATION AGAINST THE UNITED STATES.
KIM HYON JANG, 27, WHO WAS RELEASED ON PAROLE LAST YEAR AFTER SERVING A PRISON TERM FOR A 1982 ARSON ATTACK ON THE U.S. CULTURAL CENTER IN PUSAN, SAID: 'WE WILL KEEP FIGHTING AGAINST THE UNITED STATES UNTIL IT GIVES UP BACKING AN IMMORAL GOVERNMENT HERE.'
Document 584
The Xinhua General Overseas News Service
MAY 5, 1989, FRIDAY
LENGTH: 106 words
HEADLINE: u.s. cultural center in kwangju to be closed
DATELINE: pyongyang, may 5; ITEM NO: 0
BODY:
the u.s. cultural center in kwangju, south korea, will be closed as of may 10 because of continuing anti-american demonstrations by students. an official from the cultural center said that the building had been stormed by demonstrators 30 times since the 1980 kwangju uprising. the cultural center is part of the u.s. mission in south korea. kwangju residents have expressed strong anti-american feelings recently, because they say the united states supported then-south korean president chun doo hwan's suppression of the kwangju uprising. the kwangju uprising took place in may 1980 in which more than 200 people were killed.
Document 585
Copyright 1989 Kyodo News Service Japan Economic Newswire
APRIL 26, 1989, WEDNESDAY
LENGTH: 213 words
HEADLINE: ASIAN NEWS-SOUTH KOREA; KOREAN OPPOSITION PARTIES CALL FOR MEETING WITH ROH
DATELINE: SEOUL, APRIL 26
BODY:
THE LEADERS OF SOUTH KOREA'S THREE OPPOSITION PARTIES WEDNESDAY PROPOSED HAVING DISCUSSIONS WITH PRESIDENT ROH TAE WOO TO RESOLVE THEIR DIFFERENCES OVER THE LABOR SITUATION, PAST CORRUPTION PRACTICES AND AN EXPECTED VOTE OF CONFIDENCE.
IN THEIR FIRST MEETING SINCE EARLY MARCH, THE PARTY LEADERS RENEWED CALLS FOR FORMER PRESIDENT CHUN DO HWAN TO TESTIFY IN NATIONAL ASSEMBLY INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE KWANGJU MASSACRE AND CORRUPTION UNDER HIS RULE.
KIM DAE JUNG, KIM YOUNG SAM AND KIM JONG PIL SOUGHT CLARIFICATION OF ROH'S PLANS FOR HOLDING A MID-TERM VOTE OF CONFIDENCE. THAT VOTE WAS POSTPONED FROM ITS ORIGINAL DATE OF MARCH 20.
THE THREE ALSO WARNED AGAINST PUBLIC INTERVENTION IN THE FRACTIOUS LABOR DISPUTE AT A HYUNDAI HEAVY INDUSTRIES SHIPBUILDING PLANT, BUT THEY CALLED ON STRIKERS TO REFRAIN FROM EXTREMIST MOVES TOWARD A GENERAL STRIKE.
ROH'S RULING DEMOCRATIC JUSTICE PARTY PRAISED OPPOSITION STATEMENTS AGAINST VIOLENCE AND LEFT-WING EXTREMISM, BUT OFFERED NO IMMEDIATE REPLIES TO THE DEMANDS.
IN STATEMENTS TO THE PRESS AFTER THE CONFERENCE, HOWEVER, KIM DAE JUNG, LEADER OF THE LARGEST OPPOSITION PARTY FOR PEACE AND DEMOCRACY, INDICATED RULING LEADERS HAD SUGGESTED THAT A CLOSED HEARING FOR CHUN, TO BE AIRED PUBLICLY LATER, MIGHT BE POSSIBLE.
Document 586
Copyright 1989 U.P.I.
March 25, 1989, Saturday, BC cycle
SECTION: International
LENGTH: 330 words
HEADLINE: Students, police clash in South Korea
BYLINE: By JAMES KIM
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
About 1,000 students demanding the ouster of President Roh Tae-woo battled riot police for two hours Saturday after a campus rally in Seoul. At least two police officers were injured when hit by firebombs thrown by the protesters.
There were no reports of student casualties or arrests.
In the southwestern city of Kwangju, 170 miles from Seoul, police dispersed 1,000 anti-Roh students trying to stage a sitdown protest at the site of a bloody 1980 civil uprising, the domestic Yonhap News Agency said.
Student radicals in Seoul armed with firebombs, rocks, sticks and iron pipes gathered at Yonsei University in a western sector of the city at 2 p.m. for a two-hour rally.
The students accused Roh of being ''a principal culprit for the Kwangju Massacre and irregularities under the past government'' headed by disgraced former President Chun Doo Hwan.
The dissident students also charged the Roh government with ''an undemocratic regime which indiscriminately suppresses the labor struggle for survival.''
They also took issue with Roh's decision to shelve a national referendum seeking a ''mid-term appraisal'' of his achievements since taking office in February last year.
In a resolution adopted at the rally, the students vowed to fight until Roh steps down.
They also demanded the government arrest Chung Ju-yung, founder of business giant Hyundai Group, for alleged ''terrorism against union leaders'' at one Hyundai subsidiary.
Shortly after 4 p.m., an estimated 1,000 students began marching off the campus but were met by hundreds of riot police armed with tear gas bombs and clubs.
The students shouted, ''Bring down the Fascist regime of Roh,'' and ''Whose land is this where Yankees have their way?''
Police fired tear gas, including pepper bombs fired from two mobile launchers, and the students threw hundreds of Molotov cocktails at police. The battle ended after about two hours, leaving at least two plainclothes police officers injured.
Document 587
The Xinhua General Overseas News Service
MARCH 25, 1989, SATURDAY
LENGTH: 228 words
HEADLINE: south korean students stage rally in seoul
DATELINE: pyongyang, march 25; ITEM NO: 0
BODY:
about 1,000 south korean students from 38 universities and colleges todnaged a rally at yonsei university in seoul, demanding the resignation of president roh tae-woo. the students issued a stcuggle manifesto, calling for the unity with the united national democtratic movement and other democratic groups to carry on their struggle until roh's stepdown. they urged the regime to stop the suppression of those who repeatedly demanded an interrogation into the kwangju massacre and irregularities under the previous government headed by disgraced former president chun doo hwan they also took issue with roh's decision to helve a national referendum seeking a "mid-term appraisal" of his achievements since taking office in february last year. the students decided to wage an overall struggle, led by student organisations throughout south korea, next week against the roh tae-woo regime. shortly after 4 p.m.(local time), the students who took to the streets only found them to be intercepted by more than 4,000 riot police armed with tear gas bombs and clubs. police fired tear gas randomly including pepper bombs fired from two mobile launchers to disperse the demonstrators. students, in return, threw hundreds of molotov cocktails at police. the battle came to an end in about two hours. no arrests or injuries were immediately reported in the clash.
Document 588
Copyright 1989 Kyodo News Service Japan Economic Newswire
MARCH 21, 1989, TUESDAY
LENGTH: 186 words
HEADLINE: ASIAN NEWS-SOUTH KOREA; SOUTH KOREAN LAWMAKER QUITS IN PROTEST AT GOVERNMENT LABOR SUPPRESSION
DATELINE: SEOUL, MARCH 21
BODY:
A PROMISING LAWMAKER FROM THE NO. 2 OPPOSITION PARTY RESIGNED FROM HIS NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SEAT LAST FRIDAY IN PROTEST AT THE GOVERNMENT'S SUPPRESSION OF LABOR ACTIVITIES AND THE INSUFFICIENCY OF ASSEMBLY PROCEDURES, SOURCES SAID TUESDAY.
NOH MOO HYUN, 43, FROM THE REUNIFICATION DEMOCRATIC PARTY, COMPLAINED OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY'S INEFFECTIVENESS, CHARGING THAT THE RULING PARTY HAD FAILED TO CLARIFY THE CORRUPT PRACTICES OF FORMER PRESIDENT CHUN DOO HWAN'S REGIME AND HIS RESPONSIBILITY IN SUPPRESSING 1980 KWANGJU UPRISING.
NOH ALSO SAID POLICE AUTHORITIES HAD INTERVENED IN RECENT SUBWAY LABOR DISPUTES, AND THAT HE FELT RESTRICTED IN TRYING TO DEAL WITH POLITICS IN PARLIAMENT.
NOH, FORMERLY A JUDGE AND LAWYER, WAS IN CHARGE OF THE PARTY COMMITTEE ON LABOR ISSUES.
HE ROSE TO POPULARITY AS A VIGOROUS QUESTIONER DURING THE ASSEMBLY'S INVESTIGATION SESSIONS INTO CHUN'S CORRUPT REGIME WHICH WERE TELEVISED NATIONALLY.
NOH, A LEADING FIGURE IN A NATIONAL MOVEMENT TO RESTORE A DEMOCRATIC CONSTITUTION DURING CHUN'S REGIME, SAID HE WILL CONTINUE TO BE POLITICALLY ACTIVE OUTSIDE PARLIAMENT.
Document 589
Copyright 1989 Kyodo News Service Japan Economic Newswire
MARCH 13, 1989, MONDAY
LENGTH: 229 words
HEADLINE: ASIAN NEWS-SOUTH KOREA; SOUTH KOREA TO SET NATIONAL REFERENDUM DATE
DATELINE: SEOUL, MARCH 13
BODY:
THE SOUTH KOREAN GOVERNMENT HAS DECIDED TO HOLD A MID-TERM REFERENDUM ON POLICY PERFORMANCE IN THE NEAR FUTURE, ACCORDING TO INFORMED SOURCES MONDAY.
OBSERVERS BELIEVE PRESIDENT ROH TAE WOO WILL ANNOUNCE APRIL 12 AS THE DATE FOR THE VOTE IN A PUBLIC STATEMENT AT THE END OF THIS WEEK OR THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT.
THE LEADING OPPOSITION PARTY FOR PEACE AND DEMOCRACY (PPD) AND THE NEW DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICAN PARTY (NDRP) HAVE INDICATED THEY WILL ACCEPT A GENERAL REFERENDUM ON GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE, WHILE THE SECOND-RANKING REUNIFICATION DEMOCRATIC PARTY (RDP) HAS OBJECTED.
THE TWO-PARTY ACCEPTANCE PROMPTED RDP LEADER KIM YOUNG SAM TO LAUNCH A CAMPAIGN TO UNSEAT ROH FROM THE PRESIDENCY, INSISTING THAT AN EARLIER OPPOSITION STANCE LINKING THE APPRAISAL TO THE PRESIDENCY BE MAINTAINED.
KIM SAID AT A POLITICAL GATHERING MONDAY HE WOULD SEEK CONTACTS WITH OTHER GROUPS OPPOSING THE ADMINSTRATION.
ROH PROPOSED THE MID-TERM APPRAISAL IN THE MIDST OF HIS 1987 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN, MAKING A PUBLIC PROMISE TO HOLD THE VOTE AFTER THE SEPTEMBER 1988 SEOUL OLYMPIC GAMES.
OPPOSITION PARTIES MAINTAIN THAT THE VOTE SHOULD WAIT TILL AFTER INQUIRIES INTO THE CORRUPTION OF FORMER PRESIDENT CHUN DOO HWAN'S REGIME AND THE KWANGJU INCIDENT ARE COMPLETED.
OPINION POLLS INDICATE A MAJORITY OF THE KOREAN POPULACE BELIEVES MEASURES THUS FAR HAVE BEEN INADEQUATE.
Document 590
Copyright 1989 Kyodo News Service Japan Economic Newswire
FEBRUARY 23, 1989, THURSDAY
LENGTH: 513 words
HEADLINE: ASIAN NEWS-SOUTH KOREA; ROH FACES MOUNTING CRITICISM ON 1ST ANNIVERSARY
BYLINE: KIM CHANG YOUNG
DATELINE: SEOUL, FEB. 23
BODY:
SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT ROH TAE WOO WILL HOLD A PARTY FRIDAY FOR ABOUT 10,000 GUESTS FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE ON THE EVE OF THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF HIS INAUGURATION.
THE CELEBRATIONS ARE LIKELY TO BE SUBDUED, HOWEVER, IN COMPARISON TO THE LAVISH INAUGURAL AFFAIR THROWN BY ROH'S DEMOCRATIC JUSTICE PARTY (DJP) A YEAR AGO FOLLOWING HIS VICTORY IN THE DECEMBER 15, 1987 ELECTIONS, DURING WHICH HE PROMISED TO OPEN A NEW ERA FOR ORDINARY PEOPLE, OBSERVERS SAID.
BUT THE EUPHORIA SOON DISSIPATED, PROBLEMS HAVE PILED UP, AND ROH HAS STEADILY LOST POPULARITY IN THE LAST YEAR, THEY SAID.
ROH'S REFUSAL TO BE CALLED 'YOUR EXCELLENCY' AND THE FACT THAT HE CARRIES HIS OWN BAGGAGE AT TIMES HAVE BEEN WELCOMED BY MANY KOREANS IMPRESSED BY THE CONTRAST WITH THE AUTHORITARIAN WAYS OF CHUN DOO HWAN, ROH'S PREDECESSOR AND ALSO HIS POLITICAL MENTOR AND LONG-TIME FRIEND.
DESPITE ALL THIS, HOWEVER, CRITICISM OF ROH IS FLYING FROM RIGHT AND LEFT ALIKE.
CONSERVATIVES ARE CENSURING THE ROH ADMINISTRATION FOR ITS FRIENDLY OVERTURES TO EAST BLOC STATES AND NORTH KOREA.
MEANWHILE, PROGRESSIVES ACCUSE ROH OF BLOCKING THEIR ATTEMPTS AT INTER-KOREAN CONTACTS.
THE NATIONAL COALITION FOR DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT, A NEWLY FORMED DISSIDENT BODY, IS MOBILIZING LOCAL NETWORKS OF 20-MEMBER GROUPS FOR SIMULTANEOUS PROTESTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO PROTEST WHAT THEY CALL HIS 'FASCIST' POLICIES.
MEANWHILE, STRIKES AND LABOR DISPUTES ARE WIDELY EXPECTED TO ERUPT IN MAY OVER WAGE CLAIMS, WITH BROAD DISPARITIES ALREADY EVIDENT BETWEEN THE KOREA EMPLOYERS FEDERATION AND THE KOREA FEDERATION OF LABOR UNIONS.
THE PRESIDENT HAS YET TO CLEARLY CHART EFFECTIVE SOLUTIONS TO THE VARIOUS DEMANDS, ONLY REITERATING THAT PERSEVERANCE IS A KIND OF COURAGE.
NEWSPAPERS, IN COMMENTARIES ON ROH'S FIRST YEAR IN POWER, HAVE HARSHLY CENSURED HIS LACK OF EFFICIENCY IN GOVERNMENT.
THE DONG-A ILBO EVENING PAPER TERMED HIM A LEADER 'OF SMALL CALIBER WHO HAS FAILED TO TAKE TIMELY STEPS,' AND THE MORNING PAPER HANKOOK ILBO SAID HIS ADMINISTRATION WAS 'INCAPABLE.'
ECONOMIC DAILIES REMARKED THAT THE ROH ADMINISTRATION HAS DEVISED NO FRESH REMEDIES FOR THE CURRENT INFLATIONARY SPIRAL AND SIGNS OF A BUSINESS RECESSION AND CRITICIZED HIS 'HIT-AND-MISS' POLICIES.
ROH'S AGONY LARGELY DERIVES FROM THE LINGERING LEGACY OF CHUN, THE OBSERVERS SAID.
THEY SAY THAT ROH CAN NOT BREAK HIS TIES WITH CHUN PARTLY BECAUSE OF THE INFLUENCE OF THE FORMER PRESIDENT'S HOLDOVERS IN THE CABINET AND THE DJP, WHICH WAS FOUNDED BY CHUN, AND PARTLY BECAUSE OF THEIR FRIENDSHIP.
MEANWHILE, THE DJP ON WEDNESDAY UNILATERALLY DECLARED AN END TO THE ACTIVITIES OF TWO SPECIAL PARLIAMENTARY PANELS, ONE PROBING CHUN'S ALLEGED CORRUPTION AND ABUSE OF POWER AND THE OTHER THE BLOODY SUPPRESSION OF THE 1980 KWANGJU UPRISING.
NONETHELESS, THREE DAYS OF HEARINGS ON THE KWANGJU UPRISING BEGAN IN SEOUL ON WEDNESDAY, WITHOUT THE PRESENCE OF THE DJP MEMBERS.
THE GOVERNMENT PARTY'S BOYCOTT OF THE PANELS IS BOUND TO AROUSE A STORM OF CRITICISM BUT IS REGARDED AS A LAST-DITCH BID TO EMERGE FROM THE TRAP OF THE PAST.
Document 591
The Xinhua General Overseas News Service
FEBRUARY 23, 1989, THURSDAY
LENGTH: 188 words
HEADLINE: kwangju hearings resume in south korea despite boycott
DATELINE: beijing, february 23; ITEM NO: 0
BODY:
the south korean national assembly committee investigating the kwangju civil uprising resumed hearings wednesday amid a boycott by members of the ruling democratic justice party (djp), according to reports reaching here today from seoul. complaining that the opposition was being unfair in its selection of witnesses and in the procedure of the hearings, the djp said resumption of the hearings ran counter to an unbiased and independent investigation into the may 1980 kwangju uprising. in may 1980, clashes between anti-government protesters and soldiers sent to quell the ten-day turmoil in the southwestern city of kwangju left over 200 people dead and hundreds of others injured. the djp said the opposition should be held responsible for any political disputes that may occur as a result of the unilateral resumption of the hearings. the opposition, which controls the national assembly, denounced the djp boycott as a betrayal of the people's hopes of uncovering the truth behind the uprising. 14 witneses, including former president choi kyu-hah, were selected to appear before the committee, the report said.
Document 592
The Associated Press
February 21, 1989, Tuesday, PM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 851 words
HEADLINE: Anti-Americanism: A Minority View Perhaps, But No Longer A Whisper
BYLINE: By KELLY TUNNEY, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
Anti-American protesters are challenging South Korea's policies toward the United States and sparking more U.S. criticism here than at any time in four decades.
From student radicals yelling "Yankee Go Home" to farmers denouncing U.S. agriculture imports, South Koreans are venting their frustration and anger at one of their oldest allies.
When President Bush visits Seoul next Monday, he will find what one newspaper warns is a society "quite different" from the one he saw as vice president in April 1982.
"Don't Come to Korea, Bush!" yell radical students, punctuating the words with raised, clenched fists.
Criticism of the United States is no longer relegated to private conversation. American flags are torched and effigies of Uncle Sam or Bush are burned.
Some 12,000 angry farmers battled thousands of riot police with clubs and firebombs outside the National Assembly this month and denounced the United States for trying to force open South Korea's agricultural market.
Radical students staged a series of attacks on U.S. facilities to demand an end to American influence. They vowed to hold nationwide anti-government, anti-U.S. demonstrations to coincide with the president's visit.
"Arson, violence, destruction and lawlessness cannot be tolerated," said President Roh Tae-woo in demanding an end to protests.
Every U.S. president since the Korean War except Richard Nixon has visited Seoul but none has come during a time of more public animosity against Washington policies.
Businessmen, laborers, and students who have never thrown a firebomb are heard to complain that South Korea is victimized by unfair trade pressures and rude, Yankee arrogance.
When asked their nationality by a Korean, U.S. citizens rarely acknowledge that they are American. The U.S. embassy and the U.S. military have cautioned citizens against wearing clothing which labels them from the U.S.A.
"The United States is no longer a sacred cow," said a western diplomat, requesting anonymity. "America is no longer the patron saint of South Korea."
"The United States has played roles in past dictatorial governments and we oppose the visit of U.S. President Bush," claims a labor alliance demanding investigations into corruption and human rights abuses of the past U.S.-supported authoritarian government.
A few weeks ago, the United States said it was considering closing its cultural center in the provincial capital of Kwangju, 180 miles south of Seoul, because of repeated violent attacks and concern for the safety of its staff.
Kwangju was the scene of a bloody nine-day civil uprising in 1980. Many opposition and dissident figures claim the United States shared responsibility for the Kwangju incident by acquiescing in a military-backed South Korean government plan to quell the uprising. The United States denied the charge.
Although public protests appear outwardly to have scant impact on relations and radicals have little public support, government leaders warn that growing anti-American sentiment could endanger South Korea's interests in Washington.
The government lost no time in apologizing publicly for the Kwangju center attacks and appealed to radical students "not to damage traditional Korea-U.S. friendship."
The assistant foreign minister, Kim Suk-kyu, reflects the thinking of many when he says anti-Americanism "is a minority view and a passing phenomenon, despite loud voices and anti-American activists."
More than half of South Korea's 40 million people have been born since the Korean War ended 35 years ago, and long time observers link the intensity of anti-American feeling to the age of the participant. The younger the person, the more likely he or she is to feel the United States has taken its relationship with South Korea for granted.
The Korean peninsula has been divided into the capitalist south and the communist north since the end of World War II in 1945. The United States helped South Korea fight the 1950-53 Korean War against the north and keeps 42,000 troops stationed in the south under a mutual defense pact.
Radical students and dissidents feel the presence of U.S. troops stand in the way of unification talks with the north and have demanded the withdrawal of all U.S. forces. They also demand the halt to this year's joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises called "Team Spirit."
A more realistic relationship is needed between the two governments, say both protesters and some politicians, a relationship which recognizes South Korea's economic potential and place in global politics.
The United States is Seoul's leading trade partner. Korea sold America goods worth $$8 billion more than it bought from the United States last year. Considerable pressure has been placed on the Koreans to liberalize their import regulations to help balance the deficit.
Anti-American comment became acceptable socially after last fall's Olympic Games when South Koreans of all ages had their frustration and resentment against the United States stoked by what they regarded as unruly behavior of U.S. athletes and biased coverage by NBC.
Document 593
The Associated Press
February 20, 1989, Monday, AM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 851 words
HEADLINE: Anti-Americanism: A Minority View Perhaps, But No Longer a Whisper
BYLINE: By KELLY TUNNEY, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
Anti-American protesters are challenging South Korea's policies toward the United States and sparking more U.S. criticism here than at any time in four decades.
From student radicals yelling "Yankee Go Home" to farmers denouncing U.S. agriculture imports, South Koreans are venting their frustration and anger at one of their oldest allies.
When President Bush visits Seoul next Monday, he will find what one newspaper warns is a society "quite different" from the one he saw as vice president in April 1982.
"Don't Come to Korea, Bush!" yell radical students, punctuating the words with raised, clenched fists.
Criticism of the United States is no longer relegated to private conversation. American flags are torched and effigies of Uncle Sam or Bush are burned.
Some 12,000 angry farmers battled thousands of riot police with clubs and firebombs outside the National Assembly this month and denounced the United States for trying to force open South Korea's agricultural market.
Radical students staged a series of attacks on U.S. facilities to demand an end to American influence. They vowed to hold nationwide anti-government, anti-U.S. demonstrations to coincide with the president's visit.
"Arson, violence, destruction and lawlessness cannot be tolerated," said President Roh Tae-woo in demanding an end to protests.
Every U.S. president since the Korean War except Richard Nixon has visited Seoul but none has come during a time of more public animosity against Washington policies.
Businessmen, laborers, and students who have never thrown a firebomb are heard to complain that South Korea is victimized by unfair trade pressures and rude, Yankee arrogance.
When asked their nationality by a Korean, U.S. citizens rarely acknowledge that they are American. The U.S. embassy and the U.S. military have cautioned citizens against wearing clothing which labels them from the U.S.A.
"The United States is no longer a sacred cow," said a western diplomat, requesting anonymity. "America is no longer the patron saint of South Korea."
"The United States has played roles in past dictatorial governments and we oppose the visit of U.S. President Bush," claims a labor alliance demanding investigations into corruption and human rights abuses of the past U.S.-supported authoritarian government.
A few weeks ago, the United States said it was considering closing its cultural center in the provincial capital of Kwangju, 180 miles south of Seoul, because of repeated violent attacks and concern for the safety of its staff.
Kwangju was the scene of a bloody nine-day civil uprising in 1980. Many opposition and dissident figures claim the United States shared responsibility for the Kwangju incident by acquiescing in a military-backed South Korean government plan to quell the uprising. The United States denied the charge.
Although public protests appear outwardly to have scant impact on relations and radicals have little public support, government leaders warn that growing anti-American sentiment could endanger South Korea's interests in Washington.
The government lost no time in apologizing publicly for the Kwangju center attacks and appealed to radical students "not to damage traditional Korea-U.S. friendship."
The assistant foreign minister, Kim Suk-kyu, reflects the thinking of many when he says anti-Americanism "is a minority view and a passing phenomenon, despite loud voices and anti-American activists."
More than half of South Korea's 40 million people have been born since the Korean War ended 35 years ago, and long time observers link the intensity of anti-American feeling to the age of the participant. The younger the person, the more likely he or she is to feel the United States has taken its relationship with South Korea for granted.
The Korean peninsula has been divided into the capitalist south and the communist north since the end of World War II in 1945. The United States helped South Korea fight the 1950-53 Korean War against the north and keeps 42,000 troops stationed in the south under a mutual defense pact.
Radical students and dissidents feel the presence of U.S. troops stand in the way of unification talks with the north and have demanded the withdrawal of all U.S. forces. They also demand the halt to this year's joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises called "Team Spirit."
A more realistic relationship is needed between the two governments, say both protesters and some politicians, a relationship which recognizes South Korea's economic potential and place in global politics.
The United States is Seoul's leading trade partner. Korea sold America goods worth $$8 billion more than it bought from the United States last year. Considerable pressure has been placed on the Koreans to liberalize their import regulations to help balance the deficit.
Anti-American comment became acceptable socially after last fall's Olympic Games when South Koreans of all ages had their frustration and resentment against the United States stoked by what they regarded as unruly behavior of U.S. athletes and biased coverage by NBC.
Document 594
The Associated Press
February 17, 1989, Friday, AM cycle
ADVANCED-DATE: February 21, 1989, Tuesday, AM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 851 words
HEADLINE: Anti-Americanism: A Minority View Perhaps, But No Longer a Whisper
BYLINE: By KELLY TUNNEY, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
Anti-American protesters are challenging South Korea's policies toward the United States and sparking more U.S. criticism here than at any time in four decades.
From student radicals yelling "Yankee Go Home" to farmers denouncing U.S. agriculture imports, South Koreans are venting their frustration and anger at one of their oldest allies.
When President Bush visits Seoul next Monday, he will find what one newspaper warns is a society "quite different" from the one he saw as vice president in April 1982.
"Don't Come to Korea, Bush!" yell radical students, punctuating the words with raised, clenched fists.
Criticism of the United States is no longer relegated to private conversation. American flags are torched and effigies of Uncle Sam or Bush are burned.
Some 12,000 angry farmers battled thousands of riot police with clubs and firebombs outside the National Assembly this month and denounced the United States for trying to force open South Korea's agricultural market.
Radical students staged a series of attacks on U.S. facilities to demand an end to American influence. They vowed to hold nationwide anti-government, anti-U.S. demonstrations to coincide with the president's visit.
"Arson, violence, destruction and lawlessness cannot be tolerated," said President Roh Tae-woo in demanding an end to protests.
Every U.S. president since the Korean War except Richard Nixon has visited Seoul but none has come during a time of more public animosity against Washington policies.
Businessmen, laborers, and students who have never thrown a firebomb are heard to complain that South Korea is victimized by unfair trade pressures and rude, Yankee arrogance.
When asked their nationality by a Korean, U.S. citizens rarely acknowledge that they are American. The U.S. embassy and the U.S. military have cautioned citizens against wearing clothing which labels them from the U.S.A.
"The United States is no longer a sacred cow," said a western diplomat, requesting anonymity. "America is no longer the patron saint of South Korea."
"The United States has played roles in past dictatorial governments and we oppose the visit of U.S. President Bush," claims a labor alliance demanding investigations into corruption and human rights abuses of the past U.S.-supported authoritarian government.
A few weeks ago, the United States said it was considering closing its cultural center in the provincial capital of Kwangju, 180 miles south of Seoul, because of repeated violent attacks and concern for the safety of its staff.
Kwangju was the scene of a bloody nine-day civil uprising in 1980. Many opposition and dissident figures claim the United States shared responsibility for the Kwangju incident by acquiescing in a military-backed South Korean government plan to quell the uprising. The United States denied the charge.
Although public protests appear outwardly to have scant impact on relations and radicals have little public support, government leaders warn that growing anti-American sentiment could endanger South Korea's interests in Washington.
The government lost no time in apologizing publicly for the Kwangju center attacks and appealed to radical students "not to damage traditional Korea-U.S. friendship."
The assistant foreign minister, Kim Suk-kyu, reflects the thinking of many when he says anti-Americanism "is a minority view and a passing phenomenon, despite loud voices and anti-American activists."
More than half of South Korea's 40 million people have been born since the Korean War ended 35 years ago, and long time observers link the intensity of anti-American feeling to the age of the participant. The younger the person, the more likely he or she is to feel the United States has taken its relationship with South Korea for granted.
The Korean peninsula has been divided into the capitalist south and the communist north since the end of World War II in 1945. The United States helped South Korea fight the 1950-53 Korean War against the north and keeps 42,000 troops stationed in the south under a mutual defense pact.
Radical students and dissidents feel the presence of U.S. troops stand in the way of unification talks with the north and have demanded the withdrawal of all U.S. forces. They also demand the halt to this year's joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises called "Team Spirit."
A more realistic relationship is needed between the two governments, say both protesters and some politicians, a relationship which recognizes South Korea's economic potential and place in global politics.
The United States is Seoul's leading trade partner. Korea sold America goods worth $$8 billion more than it bought from the United States last year. Considerable pressure has been placed on the Koreans to liberalize their import regulations to help balance the deficit.
Anti-American comment became acceptable socially after last fall's Olympic Games when South Koreans of all ages had their frustration and resentment against the United States stoked by what they regarded as unruly behavior of U.S. athletes and biased coverage by NBC.
Document 595
Copyright 1989 Kyodo News Service Japan Economic Newswire
FEBRUARY 16, 1989, THURSDAY
LENGTH: 134 words
HEADLINE: ASIAN NEWS-SOUTH KOREA; SOUTH KOREAN STUDENTS ATTACK U.S. CENTER
DATELINE: SEOUL, FEB. 16
BODY:
SOUTH KOREAN STUDENTS ATTACKED A U.S. CULTURAL CENTER IN THE SOUTHERN CITY OF KWANGJU, ON THURSDAY, SHATTERING WINDOWS AND CALLING FOR THE FACILITY TO BE CLOSED.
THAN 100 STUDENTS HURLED FIREBOMBS AT THE BUILDING, WHICH ALSO SET FIRE TO A NEARBY REAL ESTATE OFFICE.
KWANGJU IS THE SITE OF THE 1980 'KWANGJU MASSACRE' IN WHICH AT LEAST 200 DIED IN DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST THE ADMINISTRATION OF FORMER PRESIDENT CHUN DOO HWAN.
THE STUDENTS SCATTERED LEAFLETS DEMANDING THE REMOVAL OF THE CENTER AND LABELING PRESIDENT ROH TAE WOO A CHIEF CONSPIRATOR IN THE INJUSTICES OF THE CHUN ERA. POLICE TOOK ONE DEMONSTRATOR INTO CUSTODY.
U.S. EMBASSY OFFICIALS HAVE SAID THEY WERE CONSIDERING CLOSING THE CENTER, A FREQUENT OBJECT OF STUDENT VIOLENCE IN THE PAST, THE YONHAP NEWS AGENCY REPORTED.
Document 596
The Xinhua General Overseas News Service
FEBRUARY 16, 1989, THURSDAY
LENGTH: 257 words
HEADLINE: u.s. cultural center in kwangju attacked again
DATELINE: beijing, february 16; ITEM NO: 0
BODY:
about 250 south korean students today attacked the american cultural center in kwangju, injuring at least six policemen who were defending the building. reports reaching here today quoted the u.s. embassy in seoul as saying the students threw at least 20 firebombs into the courtyard, while two landed on the roof. the fire caused by these molotov-cocktails damaged furniture and fixtures inside the center. the police arrested one attacker on the spot, who was found out later to be a freshman at chun-nam university in kwangju. this incident was the third such attack on the kwangju cultural center this year. on wednesday, a group of dissident students had sent a letter to the u.s. embassy in seoul opposing an upcoming visit by president bush, an annual u.s.-south korean military exercise, and the appointment of donald gregg as the new u.s. ambassador to south korea. the students said they oppose gregg because he was the cia chief in seoul in 1972-75, and played a part in the political schemes during the regime of gen. park chung hee. the u.s. center has become a frequent target of attacks by radical students ever since 1980 when former leader chun doo hwan suppressed an anti-martial law civil uprising in which nearly 200 people were killed. the demonstrators held the united states responsible for the killings. however, the united states denied any involvement in the incident. the u.s. embassy also said their government was now studying "the viability of the center," after the repeated attacks by the students.
Document 597
The Xinhua General Overseas News Service
FEBRUARY 16, 1989, THURSDAY
LENGTH: 180 words
HEADLINE: south korean students attack u.s. cultural center
DATELINE: pyongyang, february 16; ITEM NO: 0
BODY:
more than 200 students today tried to storm a u.s. cultural center in kwangju, 288 kilometers south of seoul, in protest of president george bush's brief visit to the south korean capital set for february 27 and called for an end to ongoing joint south korean and u.s. military exercises. after staging an anti-u.s. demonstration outside the center, the students smashed windows with stones, sources said. according to their spokesman, the students attacked the center to punish the united states, which they allege masterminded the kwangju massacre of may 17, 1980. in spite of action by the police, some students forced their way into the entrance of the building and briefly occupied the center. meanwhile, many residents of kwangju also demonstrated outside the center. the cultural center, which houses a public library and distributes information about the united states, has been the target of frequent attacks by students. this is the kwangju students' third attack on the center since the beginning of this year. the two others occurred on january 18 and 31.
Document 598
Copyright 1989 Kyodo News Service Japan Economic Newswire
FEBRUARY 15, 1989, WEDNESDAY
LENGTH: 141 words
HEADLINE: ASIAN NEWS-SOUTH KOREA; PROTEST STAGED AGAINST ROH'S VISIT TO KWANGJU
DATELINE: SEOUL, FEB. 15
BODY:
SEVERAL HUNDREDS STUDENTS AND CITIZENS IN THE SOUTHWEST KOREAN CITY OF KWANGJU STAGED STREET DEMONSTRATIONS AGAINST PRESIDENT ROH TAE WOO'S VISIT TO KWANGJU ON WEDNESDAY.
PROTESTERS SAID ROH'S VISIT BEFORE WHAT THEY TERMED AS THE COMPLETION OF A TRUE INVESTIGATION INTO THE 1980 KWANGJU GENERAL UPRISING WOULD ONLY REPRESENT AN ATTEMPT TO DECEIVE KWANGJU CITIZENS. THE BLOODY KWANGJU UPRISING COST THE LIVES OF ABOUT 190 PERSONS AND INJURED SOME 380 OTHERS.
SOME OF THE DEMONSTRATORS ON WEDNESDAY HURLED MOLOTOV COCKTAILS AT RIOT POLICE AND BURNT TWO POLICE BOXES.
ACCORDING TO MUNHWA BROADCASTING CORP. (MBC), SIX PERSONS WERE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY WHEN THEY TRIED TO BLOCK ROH AND HIS DELEGATION NEAR A KWANGJU HOSPITAL.
SOME 200 CHOSUN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ALSO BRIEFLY BLOCKED A RAILWAY LINE IN FRONT OF THE UNIVERSITY, MBC SAID.
Document 599
The Associated Press
February 1, 1989, Wednesday, AM cycle
SECTION: International News
LENGTH: 530 words
HEADLINE: Security Increased At U.S. Facilities In Korea
BYLINE: By PAUL SHIN, Associated Press Writer
DATELINE: SEOUL, South Korea
BODY:
Police increased security around U.S. facilities Wednesday after student radicals vowed a new wave of demonstrations the week President Bush arrives on an official visit.
The government warned it won't tolerate further acts of violence against U.S. and other foreign facilities.
National Police Headquarters ordered its units to deploy more police around 13 U.S. facilities in Seoul and other major cities and to increase street checks on pedestrians.
In the most recent attack on Tuesday, 50 radical students, shouting "Yankee go home!" hurled dozens of firebombs at the U.S. cultural center in the opposition stronghold of Kwangju. Nobody was hurt.
The center in southern Korea has been attacked 26 times since 1981, including six times in 1988 alone.
"Security was increased within a radius of 100 yards from all concerned U.S. facilities and more martial arts-trained plainclothes men were desployed," one police official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
In a special statement Wednesday, the government regretted repeated attacks by radical students on a U.S. cultural center and warned that further violence would not be tolerated. "The use of physical violence against a foreign facility can in no way be justified," said the statement issued by Culture and Information Minister Choe Byung-yul, the government's chief spokesman.
The National Council of Student Representatives, a nationwide radical group, defied the government warning and said it would start a major protest campaign Feb. 25, the first anniversary of President Roh Tae-woo's government and one day before a visit by Bush.
Bush has said he will visit Seoul Feb. 26 after stopping in Beijing and attending the funeral of Japanese Emperor Hirohito in Tokyo.
The government statement came amid growing public concern about escalating anti-Americanism in South Korea, where 40,000 American troops are stationed.
Anti-Americanism has been fanned by disclosures of corruption and human rights abuses under the U.S.-backed government of former President Chun Doo-hwan. Many opposition and dissidents claim the United States was involved in the military suppression of a 1980 civil uprising in Kwangju, in which 200 people were killed. They also claim that the Kwangju incident was instigated by Chun, then an army general, as part of his efforts to seize power.
Opposition parties and major newspapers joined the government in denouncing the recent attacks on the Kwangju center. Two leading Korean-language newspapers ran editorials under the headline "No Firebombs."
"The government is convinced that such acts of violence clearly run counter to the wish of the Korean people as a whole," said the government statement. "The students should exercise self restraint to prevent such incideents in order not to damage traditional Korea-U.S. friendship."
The Party for Peace and Democracy, the largest political opposition, issued a statement regretting the attack and asking the redical students, who lack broad public support, to avoid violence.
"We fully understand that the students want to address the past wrongdoing, but the matter should be peaceful and rational," it said.