[Editorial] Resolving the Hong Kong Protest Arrests

Hong Kong police have arrested some 600 Koreans for fierce protests against the World Trade Organisation (WTO) ministers meeting. Around 80 were injured in an all-night confrontation. It is distressing and disconcerting that violence occurred in a foreign land, as had been concerned.

The primary responsibility for a violent situation that brought about the first use of tear gas by Hong Kong police since the sixties lies with protesters who broke their pledge to protest peacefully. They tried to break through a police like using flagpoles and bamboo, and they refused to disperse on their own until the very end. It was going to far from the start to go to extremes and try to enter the conference center when an agreement on the key issue, tariffs for agricultural products, had essentially fallen apart anyway. Earlier tactics, such as jumping in the water and the "three steps one bow" march, had won favorable interest from local media and the public, but as a result of the violence Korean protesters are getting a cold reception. It is sad that they have hurt their image and made their claims less persuasive.

Even of greater concern is the protesters' safety and status. Hong Kong authorities say they are going to deal with them in accordance with strict local laws, and that could mean a very large number of Koreans could end up being prosecuted. It is said that some protesters were subjected to body searches and beatings, and that is of concern.

Korean diplomats need to work to resolve the situation. It is not the right approach for the government to be laying all its criticism on protesters for being the source of what happened. It should express regret to Hong Kong authorities and do all it can for a favorable resolution of their status. One would hope that Hong Kong officials, in turn, consider this a diplomatic issue and find a reasonable means to resolve situation without insisting on going entirely by their domestic laws.

The Hankyoreh, 19 December 2005.

[Translations by Seoul Selection]