Copyright 1997 Agence France Presse Agence France Presse
December 22, 1997 11:03 GMT
SECTION: International news
LENGTH: 597 words
HEADLINE: Release of ex-presidents sparks Seoul student troubles
BODY:
By Lim Yun-Suk
SEOUL, Dec 22 - South Korea on Monday freed two former military rulers, Chun Doo-Hwan and Roh Tae-Woo, two years after jailing them for treason, mutiny and massive corruption.
But the move triggered the first protest against president-elect Kim Dae-Jung, 73, a veteran resistance hero who endorsed the amnesty.
"Think again Kim Dae-Jung -- who sold the blood of the massacre victims for the amnesty!" some 400 students chanted at Seoul's Yonsei Univerity before being doused with tear gas by riot police.
"Release political prisoners now!," they shouted. It was the first tear-gas in Seoul since an auto union demonstration on November 10.
Kim Dae-Jung, who won a narrow election victory Thursday, was one of the many victims of Chun's harsh rule, spending years in prison, some of them on death row, and in exile.
Dressed in dark overcoats against the chill winter air, the two former heads of state emerged from two jails. Mobbed by reporters, they thanked the nation and the people for their "love and support."
They also indirectly blamed the administration of President Kim Young-Sam for South Korea's deepening financial crisis.
"It pains me to think this country, which we built with our own sweat and blood, has come to this," said the bespectacled, balding Chun.
Without directly attacking Kim Young Sam, who jailed and pardoned the two, the 65-year-old Chun called said: "I hope the whole nation, business and government get together."
Looking relaxed and smiling, Chun, who during his harsh rule from 1980 to 1988 sent hundreds of South Koreans to prison, joked with reporters.
The two ex-leaders made no apology for their crimes -- which included directing the bloody suppression of a pro-democracy uprising in the southern city of Kwangju in 1980. But both apologized for the "concern" they had caused.
As Chun left prison, a handful of dissidents hurled eggs at the motorcade of four black limousines, but missed his car, witnesses said.
The group surged through reporters and police shouting: "We oppose the amnesty," and waving placards reading: "The two culprits must not be freed as long as many political prisoners are still in jail."
But outside their Seoul residences, more than 500 well-wishers and neighbours braved the cold to line the streets, applaud the ex-presidents, shake their hands and deluge them with flowers.
"Welcome home. We have waited long," read one banner strung across the entrance to the smart Yonhee-dong district, as Chun hugged his grandsons, and Roh and his wife bowed to the assembled crowd in thanks.
The amnesty of the two former presidents drew a mixed response. There were student demonstrations in Taegu, in the south, but none reported in Kwangju, the president-elect's political base, where more than 200 people were killed in 1980 when Chun and his military associates put down the civil uprising.
"Chun showed no repentance," a group of dissidents in Kwangju said in a statement. But another citizens group there endorsed the amnesty.
Along with the two ex-leaders, 17 co-defendants were freed, and six others had their suspended jail sentences lifted and their civil rights restored.
Chun and Roh, old military classmates and both 65, were jailed in 1995 and convicted in 1996 on charges of masterminding the 1979 military coup that brought Chun to power in 1980, and for the Kwangju massacre.
Chun was sentenced to death, and Roh jailed for 22 and a half years, but on appeal the sentences were reduced to life for Chun and 17 years for Roh.