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South Korea bans rallies against US beef imports

June 29, 2008, 1:07PM South Korea bans rallies against US beef imports

By HYUNG-JIN KIM Associated Urge Writer © 2008 The Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korean police officers refused Sunday to allow more candlelight protests against the resumption of American beef imports, perfectly hours after thousands of demonstrators clashed with riot patrol in the streets of the capital.

The government said it would not allow violent, illegal rallies. Authorities toughened police buses to encircle a plaza in front of Seoul Diocese Hall — the main site for weeks of evening rallies — to balk protesters from gathering.

Nevertheless, about 1,700 people marched into neighbourhood downtown streets chanting slogans taxing the government of President Lee Myung-bak cancel its conclusiveness to lift a ban on U.S. beef.

Thousands of riot police hurriedly chased them away. There were no immediate reports of serious injuries or clashes.

Jang Dae-hyun, a spokesman for the squawk group, said police should cease severe methods against demonstrators to prevent further violence. "We've been supporting placid rallies, but the police crackdown is too harsh," Jang said.

The ill poor-line stance came hours after about 15,000 people — some wielding dagger pipes and hurling stones at police — demonstrated in the matchless, leaving more than 200 protesters and riot police injured.

The convene turned violent after some protesters used ropes to try to lallygag away police buses used as barricades to bar them from marching into the presidential Blue House.

Riot boys in blue immediately fired water cannons and sprayed fire extinguishers to revolt them. Angry protesters attacked police, while oversee used clubs and shields against the crowd.

Rallies after sunset without enforce permission are officially illegal. Activists have nonetheless staged diurnal candlelight rallies to voice fears about the practical health risks...

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