Article 1
Article 1
AP
South Korean Activists Warn of WTO Protest
Sunday December 11, 11:20 pm ET
By Sylvia Hui, Associated Press Writer
South Korean Activists Warn They're Ready to Step Up Protests Against WTO
HONG KONG (AP) -- South Korean activists with a reputation for violent protests warned Monday that they will be "escalating the level of struggle" toward the end of the weeklong World Trade Organization summit in Hong Kong.
The Korean protesters -- known for entering into fierce battles with riot police and for dramatic gestures including committing suicide to highlight their causes -- said they would demonstrate legally and peacefully, according to a statement by the Korean Struggle Mission, which represents several activist groups.
But the statement warned that the activists, representing farmers and workers, were ready for "strong struggles" against police repression. Futher details were not provided about what the groups planned to do.
Hong Kong police have particularly mentioned the group of 1,500 Koreans protesters -- one of the largest clusters of anti-WTO activists to arrive in Hong Kong for the Dec. 13-18 summit -- in their discussions on how to deal with activists attending the WTO protests.
The Koreans oppose the WTO's aim to lower trade barriers for agricultural imports, saying such moves will flood the Korean market with cheap rice and bankrupt Korean farmers.
Joo Jei-jun, general coordinator of the Korean Struggle Mission, on Monday told reporters, "We will be escalating the level of struggle on Dec. 17.
"Any hindrance to our freedom of expression -- either by the Hong Kong government or the police -- will be dealt with in an affirmative manner," he added, without elaborating.
Yang Kyeong-kyoo, of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, said the groups were still discussing protest tactics.
"But generally, we will mobilize as many people as we can because Dec. 17 is the last day to make decisions," he said.
Website: http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/051211/wto_korean_protesters.html?.v=1
Group members: Natalie, Li Bing, McRon, Kimberly, Shu Hui
AP
South Korean Activists Warn of WTO Protest
Sunday December 11, 11:20 pm ET
By Sylvia Hui, Associated Press Writer
South Korean Activists Warn They're Ready to Step Up Protests Against WTO
HONG KONG (AP) -- South Korean activists with a reputation for violent protests warned Monday that they will be "escalating the level of struggle" toward the end of the weeklong World Trade Organization summit in Hong Kong.
The Korean protesters -- known for entering into fierce battles with riot police and for dramatic gestures including committing suicide to highlight their causes -- said they would demonstrate legally and peacefully, according to a statement by the Korean Struggle Mission, which represents several activist groups.
But the statement warned that the activists, representing farmers and workers, were ready for "strong struggles" against police repression. Futher details were not provided about what the groups planned to do.
Hong Kong police have particularly mentioned the group of 1,500 Koreans protesters -- one of the largest clusters of anti-WTO activists to arrive in Hong Kong for the Dec. 13-18 summit -- in their discussions on how to deal with activists attending the WTO protests.
The Koreans oppose the WTO's aim to lower trade barriers for agricultural imports, saying such moves will flood the Korean market with cheap rice and bankrupt Korean farmers.
Joo Jei-jun, general coordinator of the Korean Struggle Mission, on Monday told reporters, "We will be escalating the level of struggle on Dec. 17.
"Any hindrance to our freedom of expression -- either by the Hong Kong government or the police -- will be dealt with in an affirmative manner," he added, without elaborating.
Yang Kyeong-kyoo, of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, said the groups were still discussing protest tactics.
"But generally, we will mobilize as many people as we can because Dec. 17 is the last day to make decisions," he said.
Website: http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/051211/wto_korean_protesters.html?.v=1
Group members: Natalie, Li Bing, McRon, Kimberly, Shu Hui
posted by t12cjc | 8:12 pm
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