hankyoreh

Thousands of protesters, denouncing free trade talks between South Korea and the United States, marched Tuesday toward a hotel in central Seoul where the negotiations were under way, but were stopped a few hundred kilometers short of the hotel by layers of police.

"Crush the free trade agreement, save the lives of farmers and workers," the protesters chanted as they sat in front of some 3,000 riot police surrounding the hotel. The police estimated there were over 3,000 demonstrators, while the rally organizers claimed 8,000 took part.

Brief clashes were seen as some of the protesters tried to leave the area, but no major ones took place during the rally.

The protesters included farmers, workers and activists from across the nation, as well as nine lawmakers of the minor Democratic Labor Party (DLP) that have been on a hunger strike since Monday to protest the ongoing free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations between Seoul and Washington.

"Concluding this pact would mean completely relinquishing our economic sovereignty to the U.S.," said Moon Seong-hyeon, head of the DLP, in an earlier rally with the protesters that regrouped near the hotel. "The more powerful U.S. will eat the common and vulnerable people of our nation alive."

The police have openly warned that they would sternly deal with the protesters' attempt to reach the hotel, where negotiators were holding the second day of the latest FTA talks.

The South Korean government has deployed 15,000 riot police nationwide to shield the talks against massive protests. About 3,000 of them have been deployed around the Shilla Hotel, the venue of the talks.

Last November, violent anti-FTA demonstrations left 63 people injured, including 35 police officers, and caused heavy property damage, according to police.

South Korea is split over the issue of removing trade barriers with the U.S.

Farmers, laborers and anti-globalization activists have vehemently opposed such talks, saying an FTA with the economic giant would mercilessly expose their livelihoods to U.S. capital with no protection. The government, conservative groups and companies have called for an early conclusion of the pact, insisting it would expand bilateral trade and lead to an increase in much-needed jobs.


Seoul, Jan. 16 (Yonhap News)