Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06SEOUL1518
2006-05-04 09:07:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Seoul
Cable title:
ROKG REMOVES PROTESTORS FROM USFK EXPANSION SITE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHUL #1518 1240907 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 040907Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7734 INFO RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC//OSD/ISA/EAP// PRIORITY RHMFISS/COMUSKOREA J2 SEOUL KOR PRIORITY RHMFISS/COMUSKOREA J3 SEOUL KOR PRIORITY RHMFISS/COMUSKOREA J5 SEOUL KOR PRIORITY RHMFISS/COMUSKOREA SCJS SEOUL KOR PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 001518
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR KS
SUBJECT: ROKG REMOVES PROTESTORS FROM USFK EXPANSION SITE
Classified By: POL M/C Joseph Y. Yun. Reasons 1.4 (b,d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L SEOUL 001518
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR KS
SUBJECT: ROKG REMOVES PROTESTORS FROM USFK EXPANSION SITE
Classified By: POL M/C Joseph Y. Yun. Reasons 1.4 (b,d).
1. (U) Starting early in the morning on May 4, the ROKG
deployed a force of 11,500 policemen, 3,000 soldiers, and 700
military engineers to remove approximately 1,100 protestors
occupying USFK's expansion site in Pyongtaek, 50 miles south
of Seoul. (A smaller contingent of demonstrators had been
occupying an abandoned school in the area for several months,
but additional activists joined today in anticipation of the
ROKG's move.) After seven hours of confrontation, all of the
demonstrators were successfully removed from the future
expansion area. Although about half of the protestors
voluntarily left when the police arrived, violent clashes
ensued as approximately 300 activists refused to vacate the
area. By mid-afternoon, they were dragged out and arrested
by police. According to MND, 93 protestors and 117 policemen
were injured during the clash. ROK troops began setting up
barbed wire fences to secure the expansion site and plans to
complete the barricades by the end of the day. According to
our military contacts, the troops dispatched to the area were
under strict orders to stay away from the protesters and to
let the ROK police deal with the protestors. We understand
that the role of the military was limited to placing the
barbed wire fences.
2. (U) Two days earlier on May 2, the Defense Ministry had
issued an ultimatum to protesting residents and civic groups
to return to the negotiating table to continue discussing
compensation and construction timetable for those whose
property is located in the area designated for USFK's
expansion. When the groups did not respond, Defense Minister
Yoon Kwang-woong held a press conference on May 3 to announce
the ROKG's plans to evict the remaining occupants and civic
activists. Noting that further delays in starting
construction in the area for Camp Humphreys expansion would
increase the cost of the relocation and discredit the ROK
government, Yoon emphasized that the USFK relocation project
was a lawful state project ratified by the National Assembly
after agreement between the ROK and the United States.
3. (C) ROKG interlocutors believe the operation went as well
as it could under the circumstances. Although over 200 were
injured, the ROKG is releved that physical confrontation did
not result in any death or life-threatening injuries. A
candle light vigil protesting the government's action is
expected for tonight, but MND officials at the moment do not
anticipate any long-term fallout. The ROKG's action today
removes a serious obstacle to the implementation of USFK base
relocation/consolidation.
MINTON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/04/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL MARR KS
SUBJECT: ROKG REMOVES PROTESTORS FROM USFK EXPANSION SITE
Classified By: POL M/C Joseph Y. Yun. Reasons 1.4 (b,d).
1. (U) Starting early in the morning on May 4, the ROKG
deployed a force of 11,500 policemen, 3,000 soldiers, and 700
military engineers to remove approximately 1,100 protestors
occupying USFK's expansion site in Pyongtaek, 50 miles south
of Seoul. (A smaller contingent of demonstrators had been
occupying an abandoned school in the area for several months,
but additional activists joined today in anticipation of the
ROKG's move.) After seven hours of confrontation, all of the
demonstrators were successfully removed from the future
expansion area. Although about half of the protestors
voluntarily left when the police arrived, violent clashes
ensued as approximately 300 activists refused to vacate the
area. By mid-afternoon, they were dragged out and arrested
by police. According to MND, 93 protestors and 117 policemen
were injured during the clash. ROK troops began setting up
barbed wire fences to secure the expansion site and plans to
complete the barricades by the end of the day. According to
our military contacts, the troops dispatched to the area were
under strict orders to stay away from the protesters and to
let the ROK police deal with the protestors. We understand
that the role of the military was limited to placing the
barbed wire fences.
2. (U) Two days earlier on May 2, the Defense Ministry had
issued an ultimatum to protesting residents and civic groups
to return to the negotiating table to continue discussing
compensation and construction timetable for those whose
property is located in the area designated for USFK's
expansion. When the groups did not respond, Defense Minister
Yoon Kwang-woong held a press conference on May 3 to announce
the ROKG's plans to evict the remaining occupants and civic
activists. Noting that further delays in starting
construction in the area for Camp Humphreys expansion would
increase the cost of the relocation and discredit the ROK
government, Yoon emphasized that the USFK relocation project
was a lawful state project ratified by the National Assembly
after agreement between the ROK and the United States.
3. (C) ROKG interlocutors believe the operation went as well
as it could under the circumstances. Although over 200 were
injured, the ROKG is releved that physical confrontation did
not result in any death or life-threatening injuries. A
candle light vigil protesting the government's action is
expected for tonight, but MND officials at the moment do not
anticipate any long-term fallout. The ROKG's action today
removes a serious obstacle to the implementation of USFK base
relocation/consolidation.
MINTON