One-Year Anniversary of Deaths of Two Schoolgirls

The government and the police authorities are on full alert as civic groups and college students push for massive outdoor rallies to mark the first anniversary of the deaths of two schoolgirls killed by an armored U.S. vehicle last year.

The Civic Campaign Seeking Justice for Two Schoolgirls said that they would hold peaceful a demonstration on June 13. With Hanchongryon, union of the General Students Association, vowing to launch an anti-American campaign, however, the day`s events might be unfolded in an unexpected way.

More than 1 million demonstrators are expected to take to the street in 71 cities nationwide, and the government fear that if demonstrations turn violent, they could serve as a catalyst for fueling anti-American sentiment.

▽Civic Groups Prepare for Demonstrations

The civic campaign is seeking to promote its cause, holding candlelight vigils and discussions to mark the first anniversary. It is also recruiting members of the preparation committee, who will participate in promotional and volunteer activities.

According to the organization, the number of students and civic activists volunteered for the work topped 140,000 as of June 11. It is estimated that some 150 million won has been collected for planned memorial site and commemoration ceremony.

The civic campaign expects more than 100,000 people will join the demonstration held in front of the City Hall in the evening of Jun 13.

▽Anti-American Sentiment Rising Again

The civic campaign held an anti-American demonstration at the Open Park near the U.S. Embassy in Jongro, Seoul on June 10.

“We will redouble our efforts to clear stumbling blocks to establishing peace in the Korean Peninsula, as we mark the one-year anniversary of the deaths of two schoolgirls,” said Chae Hee-byung, director at the civic organization.

Although the organization is not expected to raise `anti-American` voice explicitly, they will likely call for an equal partnership between South Korea and the U.S. and the revision of the Status of Forces of Agreements, or SOFA.

Hanchonryun is also urging college students in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province to participate in the massive rallies set for June 13. Some 25,000 member of the student group are already working at the preparation committee, and the group is set to push for its anti-American campaign in time for the first anniversary.

It also plans to hold massive outdoor rallies such as the reunification festival set for June 14 at Hongik University and the third anniversary of the June 15 Korean Festival.

“The first anniversary event will serve as a catalyst for anti-war and anti-American movement,” said Huh Hwan-hee, a key member of the student group and student council chairman at Hanguk University of Foreign Studies Yongin. “Commemorating the deaths of two schoolgirls, Hyo-soon and Mi-sun, is important, but what matters the most is how to set a future course.”

Jin-Young Hwang Sun-Woo Kim buddy@donga.com sublime@donga.com