S. Korea war protesters met with force

[TB4000]

S.Koreans Clash with Police on Iraq Troop Dispatch

Sun Aug 15, 7:11 AM ET



SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korean police used water cannon in central Seoul Sunday to disperse at least 7,000 protesters urging the government to reverse a controversial decision to send more troops to Iraq (news - web sites).

Rock-throwing protesters clashed with riot police as they tried to march on the U.S. embassy near the central government compound and the presidential Blue House, witnesses said.

Police blasted two water cannon and fire extinguishers, they said. Police riot buses ringed the embassy and sealed off main streets in the city center.

"We oppose sending troops to Iraq," protesters shouted. "Withdraw U.S. troops from South Korea (news - web sites). President Roh Moo-hyun, Step down."

About a dozen people were injured and several protesters were taken by police into custody, a Reuters photographer said.

Police estimated there were about 7,000 protesters and 7,200 police officers at the scene. Other witnesses said the numbers may have been higher.
The protest was the latest in a series of rallies organized by an alliance representing hundreds of civic groups which have been trying to persuade the government to scrap its troop deployment plan.

The rallies intensified after the beheading by militants in Iraq of a young South Korean interpreter in June.
Earlier this year, parliament approved the deployment of some 3,000 troops to join 670 medics and engineers in Iraq since May of last year. The enlarged contingent's mission is to help rebuild Iraq after the war that brought down Saddam Hussein (news - web sites).

South Korea's defense ministry has imposed a blackout on reporting on the additional deployment, citing security concerns.

[AliBabaIncorporated]

Good. Violent, hot-headed hooligans need some cooling off.

[onnihs]

This really pisses me off. I'm korean, and i'm ashamed of those protestors.

I don't understand the anti-Americanism in the motherland. Afterall, their liberties, democratic process, and military is a mirror reflection of the U.S. Stupid people should be grateful that the US intervened during the cold war - its effects have undeniably led to South Korea's economic boom, and therefore its mark in the global community.

[Kuchana]

This really pisses me off. I'm korean, and i'm ashamed of those protestors.

I don't understand the anti-Americanism in the motherland. Afterall, their liberties, democratic process, and military is a mirror reflection of the U.S. Stupid people should be grateful that the US intervened during the cold war - its effects have undeniably led to South Korea's economic boom, and therefore its mark in the global community.

But then with freedom comes the liberty to say or do whatever at will or near it. Examples like these of course:)

[Mr.Lum]

This really pisses me off. I'm korean, and i'm ashamed of those protestors.

I don't understand the anti-Americanism in the motherland. Afterall, their liberties, democratic process, and military is a mirror reflection of the U.S. Stupid people should be grateful that the US intervened during the cold war - its effects have undeniably led to South Korea's economic boom, and therefore its mark in the global community.

So they have to agree with the US every time all the time? In that case, the US should be a bit more respectful to France and should be licking the Moroccan kings feet huh?

[Kuchana]

So they have to agree with the US every time all the time? In that case, the US should be a bit more respectful to France and should be licking the Moroccan kings feet huh?

Are you kidding me? Tell the French to tone up on their attitude then. On second thought, everyone should be more respectful to each other. And the U.S. isn't necessarily right all the time but with all due respect, it's important to remember the past and not take people for granted, that going for the U.S. as well.

[Mr.Lum]

Are you kidding me? Tell the French to tone up on their attitude then. On second thought, everyone should be more respectful to each other. And the U.S. isn't necessarily right all the time but with all due respect, it's important to remember the past and not take people for granted, that going for the U.S. as well.

The United States would not exist with out their help. It's good to respect people, but that does not mean that you have to agree with every thing they do. I am greatful to my mother for doing what she has for me, but I do not always agree with what she says or does. The South Koreans can be greatful with out becoming docile and blind followers. They don't have to accept or go along with everything the US did just because the US helped them. That's foolishness. They should make decisions for themselves, not to honor the US.

[hooligan]

This really pisses me off. I'm korean, and i'm ashamed of those protestors.

I don't understand the anti-Americanism in the motherland. Afterall, their liberties, democratic process, and military is a mirror reflection of the U.S. Stupid people should be grateful that the US intervened during the cold war - its effects have undeniably led to South Korea's economic boom, and therefore its mark in the global community.

Not to mention its authoritarian democracy. heh.

They probably see the war like many other nations view this war. A unilateral decision by a dominant world power to promote it's neo-colonialist policies. Maybe they're right, and we're wrong?

[Mr.Lum]

Not to mention its authoritarian democracy. heh.

They probably see the war like many other nations view this war. A unilateral decision by a dominant world power to promote it's neo-colonialist policies. Maybe they're right, and we're wrong?
!!! That is NEVER the case, America is always right! Always! :rolleyes: :wink:

[golden_buns]

The current Korean goverment is the a joke in terms of economy and international policy.
That little incompetente retard of President Noh should have been impeached months ago

[onnihs]

So they have to agree with the US every time all the time? In that case, the US should be a bit more respectful to France and should be licking the Moroccan kings feet huh?

of course not. but jesus we don't go out tearing apart giant French flags.

the problem i'm addressing is not mere freedom of speach, but downright ANTI-AMERICANISM. i think a lot of concern would arise once Americans begin to march down the street, thousands deep, protesting the existence of Muslims in the United States. Sure it's freedom of speach, but it should still raise concern.

[SunWuKong]

This really pisses me off. I'm korean, and i'm ashamed of those protestors.

I don't understand the anti-Americanism in the motherland. Afterall, their liberties, democratic process, and military is a mirror reflection of the U.S. Stupid people should be grateful that the US intervened during the cold war - its effects have undeniably led to South Korea's economic boom, and therefore its mark in the global community.

that's a complicated topic - should South Koreans be thankful to the US?

i think the first thing we need to look at is whether or not US troop deployment in South Korea is altogether altruistic, how much of this deployment is for the good of the US versus the good of South Korea. in my opinion, the answer to that lies somewhere in the middle, and so should South Koreans be grateful to the US all the time? no, not all the time, i don't think.

and protesting, in fact, is a big part of American culture. in fact the American forefathers encouraged us to do so with the first amendment. if the US has the best interest of South Korea in mind, it should be happy that people are protesting and allowed to protest.

[Mr.Lum]

of course not. but jesus we don't go out tearing apart giant French flags.

the problem i'm addressing is not mere freedom of speach, but downright ANTI-AMERICANISM. i think a lot of concern would arise once Americans begin to march down the street, thousands deep, protesting the existence of Muslims in the United States. Sure it's freedom of speach, but it should still raise concern.

People have gone out and bought French wine and dumped it out in the streets, yes, burned French flags and so on. There are not Muslim troops occupying the US for 50 years, raping American girls and running them over in tanks. It may not be so bad to us, but most people don't likes foreign troops on their soil. It's not a good feeling to have a paternalistic force on your soil and feel like you need them. And maybe some of them are feeling like they don't need us. Maybe the US has overstayed it's welcome. :confused: But their sentiments are not unique. There is worse else where. Get used to it.

and protesting, in fact, is a big part of American culture. in fact the American forefathers encouraged us to do so with the first amendment. if the US has the best interest of South Korea in mind, it should be happy that people are protesting and allowed to protest.

I agree.

[SunWuKong]

the problem i'm addressing is not mere freedom of speach, but downright ANTI-AMERICANISM. i think a lot of concern would arise once Americans begin to march down the street, thousands deep, protesting the existence of Muslims in the United States. Sure it's freedom of speach, but it should still raise concern.


apples and oranges. South Koreans protest against how the political objectives of the US affects South Korea, as well as the stationing of US troops in South Korea. do South Koreans protest American civilians living in the US? (not a rhetorical question - do they do that?) Muslims, however, do not represent a political entity. there are no Muslim troops stationed in the US for whatever purpose. they are a group of people of the same religion, most of whom actually are opposed to what Islamic terrorists do.

[mr. x]

well being a tawainese descender course I see U.S.-Taiwan relations as favorable but im sure if there was a base there they'd have issues too

[AngryABCGirl]

Don't blame them, I'd be pissed too.