ROKG REMOVES PROTESTORS FROM USFK EXPANSION SITE

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