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15,000 Koreans march against U.S.

December 8, 2002

SEOUL, South Korea -- About 15,000 people carrying candles protested across the street from the U.S. Embassy on Saturday in the largest show of anti-American sentiment in years.

The protesters, upset with what they say is preferential treatment given to American soldiers here, booed and chanted, "President Bush apologize!" and, "Let's drive out the murderous American GIs!"

About 9,000 police armed with helmets, batons and plastic shields spread out in districts around the embassy. Police buses surrounded the embassy compound.

Ties between Washington and Seoul, forged during the Korean War, are being tested by widespread anger after the acquittals of two American soldiers whose armored vehicle struck and killed two 13-year-old South Korean girls in June.

The two soldiers left the country after they were acquitted last month.

"The trial may be over, but the judgment continues," said Yoon Kyong Hee, a student leader.

After a two-hour rally, the protesters broke through a police barricade and spilled into the 12-lane boulevard in front of the embassy. Police rushed to occupy five lanes to keep back the protesters, who hurled eggs at the building. No serious injuries were reported.

Past anti-American protests usually attracted small numbers of activists. Most of Saturday's protesters were ordinary citizens who ignored South Korean President Kim Dae Jung's warning that anti-Americanism and demands for the withdrawal of U.S. troops hurt South Korea's national interest.

Because of the protest, a delegation of U.S. lawmakers led by Rep. Henry Hyde, R-Ill., canceled a trip to Seoul on Saturday. Hyde "did not want the delegation to become the focal point of demonstrations here," the embassy said in a statement.

Hyde's delegation had planned to fly to Seoul on Saturday from Japan.

News reports said there were also smaller protests in 40 towns across the country, with between 50,000 and 100,000 Koreans turning out in all. Police could not confirm the figures.