Thousands of workers and teachers belonging to three civic groups staged simultaneous rallies across South Korea on Wednesday to protest the government's labor and education policy as well as the ongoing negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) between Seoul and Washington.
The National Police Agency said about 80,000 protesters participated in the rallies, including 13,000 people in Seoul.
Over 70,000 members of the Korean Alliance Against the Korea-U.S. FTA took to the streets of 13 cities nationwide, according to the police.
Violence erupted in the southwestern city of Gwangju when about 100 farmers, part of an estimated 12,000 protesters, tried to force their way through riot police guarding the entrance to the city hall, witnesses said.
The authorities deployed about 2,500 riot police in the city.
There have been no reports of injuries yet.
Heavy traffic was expected in downtown Seoul late Wednesday as about 1,000 protesters against the FTA were taking part in a march around Eulrijo and Jongno streets until late in the evening.
Authorities deployed 9,000 police near the rally site and said no violation of the law would be permitted.
In addition, 3,000 unionized South Korean teachers staged a one-day strike Wednesday in Seoul to protest a government plan to introduce a new evaluation system for teachers, the police said.
During the rally in front of city hall, one man, who called himself a member of "Parents who Love School," attempted to burn himself to death as a demonstration of his opposition to teachers at the rally. The man was not injured because police stopped him from carrying out the act.
Moves by local teachers to take collective paid vacations on work days so they can participate in strikes have sparked accusations that the teachers are neglecting their duties.
Thousands of members of a leading umbrella labor group also held a rally in front of city hall in Seoul to protest government-led labor reform bills, union officials said.
About 60,000 people from the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions took part in an indefinite strike Wednesday around the country.
Seoul, Nov. 22 (Yonhap News)
Simultaneous mass rallies held nationwide with some violence reported |
