No to corrupt crony cartel Chimpcapitalism.
SEOUL, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Thousands of South Korean farmers, many wielding steel pipes and bamboo sticks, clashed with police on Tuesday as they marched on parliament to demand the withdrawal of a bill to open up the country's rice market.
During fierce fighting the protesters at one stage drove back ranks of riot police in full combat gear as they marched about 1 km (0.6 mile) towards the national assembly.
But they were stopped just short of the assembly and remained in a tense standoff with police, who fought back using water cannon.
Scores of protesters and police were left bleeding and injured, and some were led away to hospital.
Parliament could table a government bill this week to ratify an agreement to extend South Korea's special treatment on agriculture under the World Trade Organisation, which would entail a steady opening of market access for imported rice.
"No to WTO, no to APEC, no to Bush," the protesters chanted, as they vowed to disrupt the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum taking place this week in the southern port city of Pusan.
Police put the number of protesters and farm activists at about 10,000.
About 2,000 farm activists, many of whom took part in the central-Seoul rally, also plan to travel to Hong Kong next month to protest during a meeting of trade ministers from around the world.
Police and officials have been on high alert as South Korea hosts the leaders of the 21 APEC economies.
During fierce fighting the protesters at one stage drove back ranks of riot police in full combat gear as they marched about 1 km (0.6 mile) towards the national assembly.
But they were stopped just short of the assembly and remained in a tense standoff with police, who fought back using water cannon.
Scores of protesters and police were left bleeding and injured, and some were led away to hospital.
Parliament could table a government bill this week to ratify an agreement to extend South Korea's special treatment on agriculture under the World Trade Organisation, which would entail a steady opening of market access for imported rice.
"No to WTO, no to APEC, no to Bush," the protesters chanted, as they vowed to disrupt the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum taking place this week in the southern port city of Pusan.
Police put the number of protesters and farm activists at about 10,000.
About 2,000 farm activists, many of whom took part in the central-Seoul rally, also plan to travel to Hong Kong next month to protest during a meeting of trade ministers from around the world.
Police and officials have been on high alert as South Korea hosts the leaders of the 21 APEC economies.
posted by professor rat at 1:30 PM
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