hankyoreh

a human rights group founded by the mothers of those detained and interrogated by state actors

Prosecutors have announced their hardline plans to book and indict an estimated 220 people hauled in during the Labor Day and “candlelight anniversary” protests held between April 30 and May 2. Moreover, since Monday, police have been in the forefront of public criticism that public powers are violating the people’s freedom assembly and their right to demonstrate and express opinions due to its forceful round up of civic group members who were protesting the excessive arrests.

On Friday the Public Security Department under the head of No Hwan-gyun of the Supreme Public Prosecutor’s Office said that they plan to book all of the approximately 220 people brought in for the illegal and violent acts that took place during the one-year anniversary of the candlelight vigil demonstrations, with the exception of those who show substantial repentance. Prosecutors added that in principle all the booked suspects would be indicted.

They further added they planned to finish their caseload within one to two months from the date of the incident, at the latest. They indicated that they will be taking measures to seek sentences that fit the suspects‘ actions by submitting evidence, including the social and economic damage resulting from the illegal gatherings and demonstrations, to the court.

In accordance with this hardline plan by prosecutors, large-scale punishments are expected to be meted out to this year’s candlelight vigil demonstrators, too. A prosecutorial official said guidelines calling for a stern and tough response have been finalized, and that it appears up to an estimated 10 people will be arrested in connection with Saturday‘s candlelight vigil demonstration. In the case of last May and June’s candlelight demonstrations, some 1,647 people have reportedly been punished as of March, including 44 detainees.

Seoul’s Seodaemun Police Station, meanwhile, forcefully hauled in Monday six of about 20 civic and social group members who held a press conference in front of the National Police Agency (NPA) headquarters in Seodaemun-gu criticizing police for what they called an excessive crackdown on the Labor Day and one-year candlelight anniversary demonstrations. The arrested included a Ms. Myoung-sook of SARANGBANG group for human rights.

After hearing that demonstrators chanted for the resignation of NPA commissioner Kang Hee-rak and an end to violent crackdowns during the press conference, the police charged participants with holding a demonstration without prior notification. Kim Sang-mun of Seodaemun Police Station said the demonstration protested the police’s execution of its duties, and since the guideline for law enforcement has changed into a principle of no tolerance, the police responded out of principle.

About this, Human Rights Network activist Rang-hee said this was almost the first time anyone‘s been hauled in for a press conference, which are being held all of the time. It seems police are stopping even press conferences to block the spread of opinion.

The Human Rights Network Korea, the Korea Progressive Alliance and Korean Confederation of Trade Unions issued a joint statement Monday claiming that even participants in a press conference condemning violent arrests by police have been violently hauled in. They call for police to stop their excessive crackdowns and guarantee the freedom to assemble and demonstrate.

Meanwhile, Lawyers for a Democratic Society interviewed protest participants currently undergoing questioning at 11 police stations in downtown Seoul after they were arrested in candlelight-related demonstrations. Seol Chang-il, a lawyer with Lawyers for a Democratic Society, says it appears a fair number of high school students and even citizens who were watching the demonstrations were round up. He also said there were individuals who needed hospital treatment after they were severely assaulted during their arrest.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]