CINA

Police to toughen protest rules  (Korea Herald, 3.31)
 

The police agency is seeking to ban demonstrators from carrying steel pipes, bamboo spears and other items that can be used to attack policemen.

They are also looking to prohibit demonstrators from wearing facial masks and to restrict the level of noise made at protests.

The National Police Agency said yesterday it will submit a revised bill on illegal street protests to the National Assembly after the April 9 elections.

The move comes amid President Lee Myung-bak's vow to crack down on illegal collective action, include militant labor activities.

Lee had personally asked Commissioner General Eo Cheong-soo to look into the issue, according to local reports.

To stem violence from walkouts and strikes, the police are looking to legally punish and arrest demonstrators who carry or use weapons during collective action.

The police have also proposed tougher jail sentences and fines for anyone participating in illegal labor activities despite police warnings. The current penalty is a maximum sentence of two years, or a maximum fine of 2 million won ($2,019).

The new bill will call for an agreement to be signed between demonstration organizers and local police when notice of a rally is filed, police said.

Prosecutors recently indicted 60 workers from Koscom, an electronic stock information provider, for participating in an illegal demonstration, and asked the court to impose a 1 million won fine on each party.

Government-hired security personnel raided their nearly 200-day sit-in near the company's building in Yeouido earlier last month. The unionized workers were demanding regular working status for some unionized members.
 

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