SKoreans Clash Over US Trade Deal

[Joanne98]

Source: AP

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Tens of thousands of South Korean farmers and workers clashed with riot police Sunday at a massive rally against a free trade agreement with the United States.

Some protesters fought with riot police wearing helmets and shields, attacking them with the sticks, throwing stones and trying to turn over police buses set up to block the protest site in central Seoul. Police fired water cannons at the protesters and sprayed fire extinguishers.

The protesters occupied a 16-lane road and chanted slogans against the free trade deal. Police said they arrested some 100 protesters and that more than 10 riot police were hurt. Organizers said some 50 demonstrators were hurt — mostly suffering head injuries.

Organizers said about 50,000 people participated in the protest, while police estimated there were 20,000 demonstrators.



Read more: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5in2uzn9BtKHzr2lPuE4IoJButWMQD8SREC3G0

[cliss]

1. I got news ~

South Korea doesn't like us. This isn't the first incident which shows there's not any love lost between the 2 countries.

Just a few months ago, I believe the leaders of both N. Korea and S. Korea got together. It was a big "reunion", lots of flowers that kind of thing.
I wonder what they thought in Washington.
S. Korea's leader Roh bluntly told Bush that they would like for the US to remove its troops (I think we have 50,000 US troops there).

[lynnertic]

2. Not so fast with "South Korea doesn't like us"

IIRC just one of the provisions of the trade agreement is that S Korea will not be allowed to test Genetically Modified food that we sell to them.

It's not a good agreement. They're protesting, you're scoffing w/o any knowledge of what the agreement is and pulling this us/them bigotry.

Furthermore, while South Koreans in general are enamored of the US and the economic opportunities that business with the US offers them, there's good reason for South Korea to resent US troops in their country when our soldiers are seen as unnecessary, uncontrollable and foreign.