[Editorial] Gov’t Should Stand Firm Against Violent Protests

Nearly two months have passed since the downtown streets near the presidential office of Cheong Wa Dae have been turned into “a lawless zone” by protesters. The candlelight vigils have changed as the number of peaceful demonstrators who took to the streets to secure the public’s health has conspicuously decreased and some radical and veteran protesters have become extremely violent. Their outrageous behavior of engaging in clashes with riot police or vandalizing bus shelters are no longer news items.

On Wednesday night, some radical protesters hurled bricks and plastic bottles filled with sand and pebbles at police and wielded iron pipes. They shot metal marbles with slingshots, leaving about 10 police officers injured. Some hunted for estranged riot police, took their helmets and shields, and lynched them. Some riot police from the National Police Agency in Seoul were caught by those violent protesters while suppressing them. They said they were beat and kicked by infuriated protesters who said, “You are in the middle of a trial in the People’s Court. Shut up!”

These protesters even attacked news media and reporters who criticize their violence. The masked vandals gathered in front of the buildings of the Dong-A Ilbo and Chosun Ilbo, shattered glass with rocks, and struck riot police and security guards who blocked their advancement. They didn’t hesitate to rip the corporate logo from the wall of the buildings.

Some threw garbage and even urinated in front of the main gate, as if hurling night soil at the building was not enough. They pulled down the national flag and corporate flag from flagpoles in front of the Dong-A Ilbo building, and replaced them with trash bags, all the while applauding and cheering enthusiastically.

Our photo journalist Byeon Yeong-wook, who was covering the site, was caught by some protestors and beaten severely. Byeon lost consciousness after being lynched by the mob and was taken to a hospital. On Wednesday night, a Chosun Ilbo reporter was attacked by fierce demonstrators. Their brutal atrocities are nothing short of the purge carried out by Mao’s Red Army in China.

The People’s Action for Countermeasures Against Mad Cow Disease openly vowed to oust the Lee Myung-bak administration. “Go Home, peaceful protesters” can easily be heard at the rallies. Debate rooms at the Internet portal site Daum feature posts arguing, “The battle isn’t finished yet. Instead of resorting to non-violent protests, we have to completely break down law enforcement at the decisive moment.”

In the face of these violent mob protesters, the government shouldn’t sit idly by. It should actively prosecute the masterminds of these violent protests and the People’s Action for Countermeasures Against Mad Cow Disease. Moreover, even though some protestors have said they are opposed to violence, they eventually became the tool of the violent protesters. They should carefully reflect on the current situation and break free from the violent demonstrators.