[Editorial] Peaceful Protest in Pyongtaek

A protest in opposition to expanding the U.S. military facility in Pyeongtaek ended without any physical clashes. Instead of bill clubs police held yellow ribbons demarking a police line, and protesters were able to engage in lively protest complete with hand gongs. The event concluded with cultural events and a peace march that included kite flying and a traditional prayer ritual for a prosperous farm year.

The demonstration was the largest one the country has seen since two farmers died at a protest in Seoul at the end of 2005, and the same site in Pyongtaek was host to a violent clash between police and demonstrators last year in which hundreds were injured. There was a lot of concern about this latest event, so it was a sight for sore eyes to have a festive atmosphere much like the 15th day of the first month on the traditional calendar.

The day's peaceful protest provides a good example of the maturity the police, protester, and civic groups displayed in keeping their promises and trusting each other. For starters, the police positioned traffic police at the entrance to the protest area instead of using riot police, who waited inside the American facility so as not to incite the protesters. The police assured people of their right to free movement and to march. That is significant because it is the first response to public protest by the newly installed National Police commissioner. The police chose to not block the protest altogether, and protesters responded in kind by keeping their side of the agreement. They made sure that protest equipment of a offensive nature was not brought to the site, and they refrained from excessive behavior such as trying to make their way onto the U.S. base.

A mature culture of protest will of course not settle in overnight. Much about the day's event was the result of having both the police and protesters being fully aware of the presence of outside observers and the current state of public opinion. But it did demonstrate that police and protesters first need to trust each other, and that they can avoid serious clashes merely by holding back on the emotions. There needs to be a change in the customs and programs behind dealing with protests if this particular peaceful one is not going to end up having been a one-time thing for everyone having been conscious of public scrutiny. One hopes to see productive dialogue by the joint government-civilian commission formed recently, including the possibility of dissolving the conscripted riot police corps and the use of civilian observers.

The Hankyoreh, 14 February 2006.

[Translations by Seoul Selection]