Protesters Urged to Exercise Non-Violence

In the run-up to what could become the largest candlelight vigil in Korean history, more people are urging non-violence as the protest coincides with another event marking the 21st anniversary of the 1987 pro-democracy movement.

Police yesterday said they estimate some 140,000 could turn out at Seoul Plaza today in a “Million Candle March” organized by People`s Association for Measures Against Mad Cow Disease.

At the same time, gatherings hosted by the New Right Union and the National Action Campaign for Freedom and Democracy in Korea are also scheduled in the same place, with up to 30,000 expected to show up.

Worry is rising over violent clashes between conservative and progressive forces, so the principle of non-violence during protests is being stressed.

The National Action Campaign for Freedom and Democracy in Korea, which urged peaceful protests in a statement made Sunday, said, “The government and police are attempting to deter citizens from participating in candlelight vigils by condemning them as violent events. Citizens should not be tricked into committing violence first by the maneuvers of police.”

The Internet-based community People’s Movement for the Impeachment of Lee Myung-bak, which has 180,000 members, also supported peaceful protests, saying, “A violent response to verbal and physical provocations cannot be justified under any circumstances.”

Many citizens also voiced the need for introspection on the candlelight protests, which turned violent after protesters wielded iron pipes.

A civic alliance against radical, illegal and violent rallies launched a Web site (nodemo.wo.to) last week to prevent violent candlelight protests. Around 11,500 have signed up.

The alliance said, “We’ve gathered to oppose any form of illegal, radical and violent protests, be it in the form of a candlelight vigil or a cultural event. We are against any illegal organization that instigates excessively irrational and violent protests.”

An Internet user’s petition for candlelight protesters to return to the principle of non-violence has hit the main page of Daum Agora, a Web portal site. Two thousand cyber citizens have signed the petition since it began Sunday.

Candlelight protesters have also sought to prevent violent protests. Web communities posted several ideas such as the slogan of “Non-Violence! Non-Violence! Go Three Steps Back” to prevent clashes with police. They also recommended not wearing masks and publishing manuals for non-violent protests, measures that have gained support from protesters.

The massive candlelight vigil scheduled today will be followed by a series of civic events to mark the 1987 pro-democracy movement.

For starters, bells will be rung at Hyanglin Church in Seoul’s Myeongdong district, where the People’s Democratic Movement Coalition was founded in 1987, during the vigil.

A group of some 300 Yonsei University students who have prepared a memorial ceremony for Lee Han-yeol, a Yonsei student who died in the 1987 movement, will also hold a news conference and memorial service under the slogan, “Realizing Democracy and Opposing Complete Resumption of U.S. Beef Imports” at the university in the afternoon.

In addition, the students plan to march from the school to Seoul Plaza with a portrait of Lee to reenact his funeral procession.

fineday@donga.com