Anti-FTA protesters scuffle with police in Seoul
ANTI-FTA PROTESTERS SCUFFLE WITH POLICE IN SEOUL
Monday July 10, 2006
SEOUL, July 10 Asia Pulse - About 100 anti-globalization activists, some from the U.S., clashed briefly with police in Seoul Monday, as they protested against talks aimed at concluding a free trade agreement (FTA) between South Korea and the U.S.
"No FTA with the U.S.," protesters shouted as they rallied in front of a hotel where about 350 trade officials from both governments opened five days of FTA talks which will continue until Friday.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or arrests in the three-hour protest.
South Korea, the world’s 11th largest economy, launched free trade agreement talks with the U.S. in Washington in early June, hoping to sign a formal deal by early next year. Opponents vow to block the agreement.
"The South Korea-U.S. FTA is like a heavyweight U.S. boxer pummeling his South Korean flyweight opponent," the protesters said in a statement issued before the rally.
"South Korea’s economy can never compete with the U.S. economy."
More than 3,000 riot police, armed with helmets and shields, guarded the sprawling hotel. They formed human barriers to prevent protesters marching onto the compound.
An alliance of more than 150 civic activist groups have planned large-scale anti-FTA protests during the week. They called for a halt to the talks and asked the two governments to re-assess the impact of the pact on the livelihoods of workers in both countries.
"(FTA) is not an agreement that typically benefits workers," Jeff Vogt, policy director for the AFL-CIO, told Yonhap News Agency. "The agreement does not ensure that whatever gains traders get are spread equally."
Brian Becker, chairman of the Act Now to Stop War and End Racism Coalition, said, "FTA hurts working people — Korea, first, and the United States. It’s only organized to help corporations, particularly, the American corporations."
The activists promised to take their protests to Seattle where the two countries are scheduled to resume talks in September.
(Yonhap)
