Series of anti-APEC rallies expected during summit
By Joo Sang-min
BUSAN, Nov. 17 (Yonhap) -- A series of anti-APEC rallies are scheduled to take place in Busan on Friday, when U.S. President George W. Bush and other regional leaders open their two-day summit, according to South Korean civic group officials.
Clashes between protesters and the police may happen, as the police warned of stern actions if demonstrators veer from pre-sanctioned rally areas and try to march to summit venues.
A coalition of 35 civic groups based in Busan plans to gather up to 100,000 protesters on Friday to oppose Bush's presence at the summit and free trade policies, said Park Jin-hyun, a spokesman for the Anti-APEC Busan Civic Action.
In various points of the city from noon, the protesters, mainly workers, farmers and students, will gather and chant anti-Bush and anti-globalization slogans, Park said.
A large-scale rally opposing the APEC forum will take place near Suyeoung, a few kilometers west of the BEXCO convention center, venue of the first day of the summit, at 4 p.m. Protesters plan to convene at Pusan National University at night to adopt a resolution calling for the arrest of President Bush.
The Busan Metropolitan Police Agency said it has tightened security and that any illegal acts or rallies that cause disturbances will be strictly dealt with in accordance with laws and principles.
The agency designated areas near the summit venues as special zones where rallies are banned.
Park accused the police of seeking to block even peaceful demonstrations, in violation of the constitutional right of the freedom of speech.
"The APEC only exacerbates the crisis of underprivileged people such as non-regular workers and farmers, and the government will become a target of international criticism if it blocks free and peaceful rallies," Park said.
Park claimed that he heard the police, equipped with batons and shields, are preparing to use water canons to disrupt the demonstrations.
The police did not rule out resorting to physical means, if needed.
"We are not saying we will use physical measures from the beginning. Our action will differ according to the actions the protesters take," a police officer said, asking to remain anonymous.
To deal with any attempt by protesters to break through barricades or hold illegal demonstrations, about 25,000 riot police will be deployed, another police officer from the security department said.
Earlier Thursday, hundreds of demonstrators converged in front of Gyeongju Station in Gyeongju, the city where Bush met with South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun, said Park Suk-un, a senior official from Anti-APEC Busan Civic Action. The city, one of Korea's ancient capitals, is 70 kilometers north of Busan,
In Pusan National University, the civic group held a forum attended by liberal professors, students and some members of international labor groups, including the Honduras-based peasant advocacy group La Via Campesina and anti-war Answer Coalition based in the U.S.
In 7 p.m., the group was set to hold a vigil in Seomyeon, in downtown Busan, mostly composed of cultural events.
smjoo@yna.co.kr
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