[KS] PROTEST HITS SOUTH KOREAN REPRESSION

[Carl Webb]

PROTEST HITS SOUTH KOREAN REPRESSION

The U.S. media constantly refer to the government of south
Korea as "democratic." Korean people see it otherwise.

The Congress for Korean Reunification and the Overseas
Action Council held an emergency rally in front of the South
Korean Embassy in Washington on Oct. 22 to protest that
country's National Security Law.

The rally coincided with a hunger strike in southern Korea
by human rights groups and Catholic priests--who have shaved
their heads like Buddhist monks as a show of protest.

Rev. Kiyul Chung, chairperson for the Congress for Korean
Reunification, stated, "The National Security Law is hated
by all. This law has been used for over half a century to
viciously oppress people's democratic and political rights.
It has meant the jailing of hundreds of people who have
simply spoken out against the policies of southern Korea."

Father Peter Ruggeri from the Maryknoll Fathers for Peace
and Justice, Asia desk, also spoke out against the National
Security Law, along with Dr. Wheat Hutchinson, Pastor of the
University United Methodist Church.

Lilo Gonzalez, a teacher from El Salvador and a Latino
community activist, led the group in song, along with young
Korean drummers who kept up the spirit of the picket line.

Sharon Ceci from the International Action Center and the
Baltimore All-People's Congress condemned the role of the U.S.
government, which has made south Korea its puppet. Washington
stations nearly 40,000 troops there, she said, "to protect and
continue the status quo of oppression and repression."

The climax and closing of the rally came when Il Sung Choi,
representative of the School for National Reunification, had
his hair shaved to show his solidarity with those struggling
in southern Korea.

                         - END -



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