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| "Korea has become a democratic society, but often troubled by collective egoism.'' |
By Na Jeong-ju, Kim Rahn
Staff Reporters
Thousands of citizens gathered at Seoul Plaza downtown Seoul Wednesday to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of the June 10 pro-democracy movement, mourn the death of former President Roh Moo-hyun, and to denounce the Lee Myung-bak administration for ``backtracking'' on democracy.
They clashed with police, who said the rally was illegal and attempted to block it.
Police and Seoul Metropolitan Government had not accepted the civic groups request for a permit to hold a gathering on the plaza, which was the main venue of the pro-democracy movement in 1987 and anti-government rallies in recent years, and of the street memorial for the late President.
Demonstrators, however, pushed ahead with the protest. Dozens of members of the main opposition Democratic Party camped on the plaza from Tuesday, defying a police ban, alongside lawmakers from the New Progressive Party and the Democratic Labor Party (DLP).
Several scuffles between protesters and police took place from morning as police tried to block the entry of trucks carrying stage equipment. Some lawmakers and citizens were injured and a DLP member was rushed to a nearby hospital.
Civic groups joined the lawmakers in the afternoon after holding a ceremony commemorating the pro-democracy movement at the nearby cathedral of the Anglican Church of Korea at noon.
More than 10,000 riot policemen were mobilized to block roads around the plaza, clogging traffic in central Seoul.
Police warned that they will videotape illegal demonstrations and hold organizers responsible.
The governing Grand National Party (GNP) urged the opposition Democratic Party to stop ``street politics'' and return to the National Assembly. GNP Chairman Park Hee-tae said, ``Returning to the assembly and passing pending bills is the right way for the opposition party to carry on the spirit of the June 10 movement.''
President Lee Myung-bak called for dialogue and compromise between different interest groups Wednesday to move the country's democracy forward.
He also reaffirmed pledges to establish the rule of law, saying violence and illegal acts by some forces are jeopardizing democracy and people's rights.
``Korea has become a democratic society, but often troubled by collective egoism,'' Lee said in a message to mark the 22nd anniversary of the June 10 pro-democracy movement. The message was read by Lee Dal-gon, minister of public administration and security, during a ceremony boycotted by pro-democracy groups.
Lee urged people to make efforts to build a ``mature'' democracy, saying political parties and civic groups should seek compromise through debate and mutual understanding.
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