Candlelight Protests Should Not Fuel Anti-Americanism

Prime Minister Goh Kun plans to issue a special statement on Tuesday, the first anniversary of a tragic accident where two schoolgirls were run over and killed by a U.S. military vehicle. In the statement, the prime minister is to ask for the public`s cooperation to prevent nationwide candlelight protests scheduled for June 13 from escalating into anti-American protests.

An official with the Office of the Prime Minister said on Tuesday, "Because holding protests is people`s basic right, the right should be respected. However, the prime minister will stress that if the protests turned into violent anti-American demonstrations, they would damage national interests."

At a time when cooperation with the international community as well as the U.S. is necessary in order to settle North Korea`s nuclear weapons issue, which is very important for the nation`s future, the special statement seems to be intended to convey the Korean government`s position to related countries, such as the U.S., Japan, and China, he said.

The prime minister`s release of the statement is reported to have come after Yoon Young-kwan, Foreign Affairs-Trade minister, said that a statement by the government is a must at a National Security Council meeting last week.

Meeting with the prime minister, 13 social leaders including the Rev. Kang Won-yong said, "It is a pity that the June 13 protests could be used to fuel anti-Americanism. It is necessary to inform foreign governments that most of the participants are not related to anti-Americanism."

Seung-Ryun Kim srkim@donga.com