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Korean university students rally outside the Japanese Embassy in Seoul’s Jongno District on Aug. 24 to protest the release of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the ocean. (courtesy of Kim Urisarang)

A group of South Korean university students were arrested by the police after they entered the building housing the Japanese Embassy in Seoul to protest Japan’s release of radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said that 16 members of a group opposed to releasing the contaminated water from Fukushima were arrested at 1:05 pm Thursday on trespassing charges.

The university students are charged with trespassing in Tower A of the Twin Tree Tower building, in Seoul’s Jongno District. The embassy is located on the ninth floor of that building. Some of the students apparently made their way to the eighth floor, which is the site of a public relations center and consulate that are open to the public.

According to the group of university students, the arrested students had intended to hang up large posters on the eighth floor of the building and then hold placards about climate issues as part of a demonstration on the second floor.

The group said the police had made no effort to stop the students from entering the building, but then suddenly began to detain them after they were already inside. The detained students were taken to four police stations for processing in the Jongam, Gangdong, Geumcheon and Seocho neighborhoods of the city.

Around 40 university students with the group held a press conference in front of the embassy at 1 pm Thursday calling for Japan to halt the discharge of contaminated water. The protesters chanted slogans and held placards bearing messages such as “We condemn President Yoon for selling out public lives for election fears,” “The Korean public opposes the release of contaminated water,” and “What kind of Korean president can’t say a single word against the contaminated water?”

The police ordered the protesters to disperse on the grounds that the press conference was an unauthorized assembly. The protesters dispersed after the order was given for the third time.

By Shim Wu-sam, staff reporter; Kim Urisarang, intern

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