CINA

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Following (worth reading!!) article was published y'day on IMC S. Korea:

The Murderer Is Not guilty; Guilty Is the Victim?

The weird logic of the S. Korean prosecution

The result of the prosecution’s investigation is full of lies, exaggerations and distortions. They described that the evictee-strugglers acted like terrorists. They said the strugglers shot slingshots (not guns, just slingshots. The police might have been deadly scared of the slingshots, ha!) and they went as far as 160 meters (maybe they had rocket engines), and they set fires by spreading the paint thinner on water. (Does it mean that the strugglers set fire on thelselves???) Also, the prosecution assumed that Jun Chul Yun, or the Federation Against House Demolition maneuvered everything from behind the scene even though they are actually a spontaneous solidarity network of evictees. Based on all of these false allegations, they concluded that the police’s crackdown was reasonable.

As for the cause of the fire, the prosecution repeated that the fire was broken out by a molotov cocktail a protester had thrown. Moreover, they said that a movie they have in which someone is pouring some liquid is a proof that the protesters deliberately spread paint thinner. However, nobody knows who poured the liquid and whether it is paint thinner, or water the police had sprayed toward the strugglers.

Meanwhile, the prosecution announced that the police was not guilty and their operation was not illegal. The construction thugs’ obvious involvement in the murder was also covered up, too, despite the evident record of the conversation with the police by radio transmissions and a movie that shows a guy is spraying water cannons at the operation.

The prosecution distorted obvious facts and denied the truth. Finally they prosecuted 20 evictees for ‘obstructing police in carrying out their duties and causing death’ and no one from the police and was indicted. (A moment ago, the news reported that the Seoul Police Commissioner offered to resign.)

The evictees were ‘killed’ three times. The first time was when they were deprived of their houses, stores and restaurants in the name of “New Town” redevelopment project. The second was when they were killed by the police. Now they were killed again by the Korean prosecution’s lies and bias investigation.

On February 14 in Cheong-gye Square (*), Seoul, there will be another large candlelight vigil to mourn for the evictees’ death and protest against the police murder and forced eviction.

The police will definitely block around the square and crackdown us as they always do. However, they won’t be able to put out all of the candles we are holding with our hands and in our hearts.

http://indymedia.cast.or.kr/drupal/?q=ko/node/30

* ATTENTION: The rally will be in front of Yongsan Stn.!!

Police State Transformer

With President Lee Myung-bak at the helm, the prosecution and the police working from the inside,

and the National Intelligence Service listening in, this Transformer wields a water cannon and a

canister of tear gas. “It’s turning into more of a monster every day,” someone says.

(Hankyoreh cartoon, 2.11)
 

Related articles:
☞ Protesters to blame for fatal Yongsan fire: prosecutors (JoongAng Ilbo)

☞ Prosecution blames protesters for Yongsan tragedy.. (Hankyoreh)

Latest news:

☞ 용산참사 항의 철야 시국농성 돌입 (KCTU)

☞ "도의적 책임지고 사퇴할 사람은 MB" (VoP)

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Yesterday for the 3rd time since the  Yongsan Massacre  thousands (according to the police: 2,500, according to the organizers and the independent media: 5,000) of political, labour, human right and student activists, together with masses of "ordinary" citizens, protested in..

..downtown Seoul against the S.K. government.

Last Thursday the gov't already announced a "stern response to demonstrations on Yongsan tragedy", according to Hankyoreh (2.06).
And so the presence of the "security" forces was "slightly"(^^) oversized: From the afternoon until the late night at least 10,000 riot cops infested almost the entire area between Cheongye Plaza, Gwanghwamun/Jong-no and Myeong-dong, in order to inhibit/attack the protesters, to restrict their movements. "Six leading men were arrested and taken by the police for questioning", Korea Herald reported today.

But the "wittiest"(^^) tactic of the riot cops was to spatter citizens (e.g. parents with their children) and journalists with blue-collored water! But the sense escapes me! To mark "extra violent demonstrators" (e.g. parents with their children!!)? Or simply to soil the clothing of protesters (possibly "as a deterrent")??

Source of the pics: OMN

Related reports:
☞ 용산 살인진압 추모 2천여 명 명동 정리집회 (NewsCham)

☞ "검찰 수사발표일은 이명박 정권 명운 다하는 날" (VoP)  

☞ "이명박은 물러가라, 사이코패스는 물러가라" (OMN)  

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동지여러분의 연대를 부탁드립니다!
열사정신계승하여 민중권리 쟁취하자
살인정권 폭력정권 이명박정권 박살내자
자본주의 박살내자!

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Since the Yongsan Massacre almost everyone, especially - surprise, surprise - the bourgeois media, in S.K.(*) is blaming the people/activists who were/are resisting the "redevelopment projects". And frequently the resistance became/becomes militant (occupying and fortifying buildings, hurling stones, bricks and molotov coctails etc.)..

But nobody is asking about the cause why they're becoming militant!

And that's the reason why: For example in Yongsan 4-gu since (at least) last year's fall several so-called "security guards" (i.e. organized gangs of criminals, today's Yonhap called them as "temporary police workers", hired by the construction companies, commissioned with the "redevelopment..") terrorized the entire neighborhood:

Physically..

..by a swath of destruction (i.e. real TERROR!!) 

Psychologically..

..by bloody (voiced and written) Terror! Source of pics: Digital Grotto

Related:
☞ 용산 용역직원의 횡포 (ChamsesangTV)

☞ 폭행·영업방해 다반사... 공권력도 비켜갔던 '철거용역' (OMN)

☞ New video footage.. (Hankyoreh)

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Update: IMC S.K. has two new interesting and very detailed articles, related to the Yongsan Massacre!

☞ The Deadly Face of Development: Struggle Against Evictions in Korea

☞ Seoul: movement against police repression and forced eviction

이명박 정권 용산 철거민 살인 진압 범국민대책위원회
2월2일(월) 대변인실 기자 브리핑 자료
홈페이지 http://mbout.jinbo.net / 전화 02-795-1444 / 대표메일 mbout@jinbo.net

1. 31일 2차 범국민대회 약평
- 성명 참조

2. 수방사 헌병의 31일 민간인 사찰에 대한 입장

이명박 정부는 군을 동원한 민간사찰을 즉각 중단하라!
- 민간사찰 책임지고 국방부 장관 이상희는 공개 사과하라 -

지난 31일 용산 참사 희생자들을 위한 추모제가 진행되었다. 행진이 시작된 후 이를 감시하던 수도방위사령부 헌병대 병사 6명이 시민들에 의해 발각되는 사건이 발생하였다. 현장에서 신분이 발각된 수방사 헌병대 소속 병사들은 휴가 나온 군인들이 집회에 참가했는지 여부를 확인하기 위해 투입되었다고 진술 한 것으로 확인되었다. 그러나 어떠한 이유를 대더라도 납득하기 어려운 사건이며 민간집회를 감시하기 위해 동원한 것은 명백한 사찰이다.
과거 군사정권시절에나 있었던 민간에 대한 군의 사찰이 이명박 정권에서 현실화 되고 있다. 군사독재 시절 군이 민간인을 사찰, 고문하고 심지어 녹화사업이라는 미명하에 군인들을 살해한 것에 대한 상처가 채 아물지도 않은 우리 사회는 군의 민간영역에 대한 개입에 강한 거부감을 가지고 있다는 것을 이명박 정부는 똑똑히 기억해야 할 것이다.
31일 수방사 헌병을 동원하여 민간을 사찰한 최고 책임자인 국방부 장관 이상희와 수도방위사령관 등 사건 관련자들을 모두 엄벌에 처해야 할 것이다.

3. 검찰 발표에 대한 입장

김석기 청장 내정자가 직접개입하지 않았다는 발표에 대해 사전에 두 차례 대책회의를 주제하였고 진압계획을 승인하였으며, 당일 작전시작과 마무리 보고까지 받았으면 서울청장이 어떻게 더 개입해야 한다는 것인가? 서울청장이 현장 지휘라도 해야 직접개입이라고 볼 수 있가? 검찰의 이 같은 수사결과 발표는 김청장 내정자에 대한 면죄부 주기식 수사조작 행위이다. 수사조작 행위를 중단하라!
27명의 검사와 100여명의 넘는 수사인력이 동원되어 10일이 넘게 조사한 결과가 진압현장에 용역은 없었고, 서울청장이 직접개입하지 않았고, 연행당시 경찰폭력도 없었고, 시너인지 확인도 안되고, 누가 뿌렸는지도 잘 모르겠고 그렇지만, 화염병인 발화원인이라고 주장하는 검찰 결과를 누가 믿겠는가. 이것은 검찰의 명백한 직무유기일 뿐 아니라, 검찰 수사본부가 필요없다는 사실을 반증하는 것이다. 검찰 수사본부 해체하라!

4. 이번 주 범대위 기조

- 검찰 편파왜곡수사 규탄 및 김석기 경찰청장내정자 퇴진을 위해 집중한다.
: 검찰의 편파왜곡 수사결과 발표를 좌시하지 않는다.
: 종교계, 시민사회, 지역별 검찰 및 경찰 규탄 투쟁을 진행한다.
: 종교계 추모확산 및 검찰 규탄 꿈틀

- 촛불추모제를 청계광장으로 옮겨 범국민적 추모의 공간을 연다.
: 촛불추모제 - 매일 오후 7시, 청계광장 (분향소 설치)
* 용산참사 현장 및 순천향대병원 분향소도 함께 운영한다.

- 3차 범국민대회
: 2월 7일, 4시, 청계광장
: 범국민적 희생자 추모를 중심으로 진행한다. 단, 검찰 수사결과 발표에 따라 대회 기조가 수정(추가)될 수 있다.

5. 이번 주 일정

○ 2월2일(월)
- 검찰편파수사 규탄 기독교대책위 기자회견 (11시30분, 검찰청 앞)
- 천주교정의구현사제단 추모미사(7시, 청계광장)

○ 2월3일(화)
- 검찰편파 왜곡수사 규탄 기자회견 및 유가족 검찰 항의방문 (11시, 검찰청 앞)
- 김석기 퇴진 촉구 기독교 대책위 기자회견(11시30분, 경찰청 앞)
- 촛불추모제 (7시, 청계광장)

○ 2월4일(수)
- 청와대 규탄 기자회견 및 항의방문 (11시, 청와대 앞)
- 촛불추모제 (7시, 청계광장)

○ 2월5일(목)
- 기독교 추모기도회 (오후 5시, 종로5가 기독교회관 앞)
- 불교계 추모법회
- 전국 동시다발 검찰, 경찰 규탄 집회
- 촛불추모제 (7시, 청계광장)

○ 2월6일(금)
- 촛불추모제 (7시, 청계광장)

2월7일(토)
용산참사 3차 추모대회 

[성명] 원천봉쇄와 검찰의 편파․왜곡 수사를 넘어 3차 범국민추모대회로 나아갈 것이다

1. 1월 31일 경찰의 원천봉쇄에도 불구하고 1만여 명의 시민이 청계광장에 운집한 가운데 2차 범국민추모대회가 성사되었다. 경찰은 추모대회를 불법 집회로 매도하며 이날 아침 일찍부터 1만여 명의 경찰 병력을 동원하여 청계광장을 물샐 틈 없이 가로막았지만, 고인을 추모하고 정권을 규탄하는 시민들의 행렬을 끝내 막지는 못했다. 시민들이 이명박 정부와 경찰과 검찰에 대한 분노가 얼마나 높은 지 알 수 있었다. 서울역에서 빈민대회를 마치고 온 빈민단체 회원들과 민주노총 소속 조합원들, 진보정당과 각종 정치•사회 단체 회원들, 수많은 네티즌, 진보적 학생회뿐만 아니라 비운동권으로 불리우는 연세대 총학생회 등 청년들의 참여도 돋보였다. 경찰의 집회 참여 협박에도 불구하고 다양한 시민들이 참여했다.

2. 범국민대회 참가자들은 살인진압 책임자인 경찰이 추모대회마저 원천봉쇄했다는 점에 대해 ‘적반하장’이라며 크게 분노를 표했다. 또한 이들은 사태의 진상을 규명하지 않고 참사 책임을 농성자와 ‘전철연’에 일방적으로 전가하고 있는 검찰을 강력히 규탄하며 편파․왜곡 수사를 즉각 중단할 것을 촉구했다. 특히 대회 참가자들은 전날 이명박 대통령이 TV에 출연하여 김석기 경찰청장 내정자에 대한 지명을 철회할 의사가 없음을 분명히 밝힌 것에 대해 반발하며 정권 퇴진 투쟁도 불사할 것임을 천명했다.

3. 경찰의 원천봉쇄에도 불구하고 이번 추모대회에 수많은 군중이 운집한 것은 정권에 대한 범국민적 저항이 시작되었음을 의미한다. 2월 1일 야4당이 합동으로 집회를 개최하여 ‘폭력 살인 진압 규탄 및 이명박 악법 저지를 위한 국민대회’를 대대적으로 개최했다. 2월 2일과 5일에는 천주교와 불교계 등 종교인들이 각각 시국 미사와 법회를 개최하여 희생자를 추모할 계획이다. 또한 민주노총 역시 이번 참사가 전체 노동자 민중에 대한 탄압임을 밝히며 연대 투쟁에 돌입할 계획이다.

4. 범국민대책위원회는 이명박 정권에 대한 범국민적 규탄의 흐름을 모아 2월 7일로 예정된 3차 범국민추모대회를 대대적으로 성사시키기 위해 총력을 기울일 것이다. 범국민대책위원회는 2월 2일부터 매일 저녁 7시 청계광장에서 촛불추모제를 개최할 것이다. △이번 참사의 직접적인 책임자로서 김석기 경찰청장 내정자와 원세훈 행정안전부 장관에 대한 구속․수사와 처벌 △진실을 은폐․왜곡하고 전철연 죽이기로 일관하고 있는 검찰 수사본부의 해체 △건설자본과 땅투기꾼들만 배불리는 무분별한 뉴타운 (재)개발 정책의 중단과 재검토 △행정 및 공권력의 총책임자로서 이명박 대통령의 사과를 주장하며 이번 한 주 투쟁의 파고를 더욱 높여 나갈 것이다.

5. 경찰의 탄압과 검찰의 편파․왜곡 수사는 궁지에 몰린 이명박 정권의 마지막 몸부림에 불과하다. 지금이라도 당장 이명박 정권은 사태의 책임을 지고 고인과 유족, 그리고 국민 앞에 사죄하라. 그렇지 않는다면 이명박 정권은 범국민적 분노와 저항 앞에 무릎 꿇을 수밖에 없음을 다시 한 번 준엄히 경고한다.

2009. 2. 2
이명박 정권 용산 철거민 살인진압 범국민대책위원회

Related articles:
☞ Civic groups and opposition parties unite to protest gov't (Hankyoreh, 2.02)

☞ Opposition rallies over Yongsan fire (JoongAng Ilbo, 2.02)  

☞ Religious Leaders to Stage Rallies Over Yongsan Tragedy (K. Times, 2.02)

본문

동지여러분의 연대를 부탁드립니다!
열사정신계승하여 민중권리 쟁취하자
살인정권 폭력정권 이명박정권 박살내자
자본주의 박살내자!

본문

At least since the Yongsan Massacre, committed nine days ago by SWAT/anti-terror units, the National Federation Against House Demolition (aka "National Alliance of Squatters and Evictees", 전철연/JCY)..

..became a major target for the state persecution/police and inflammatory articles in the S.K. bourgeois media (*).

Since many years (mainly) poor residents/tenants are suffering from so-called redevelopment projects in the urban areas in S. Korea (Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, Daegu, Busan etc). While they developed their residential quarters since the late 1960's, hundred thousands of them were/are displaced/evicted, very often by force, to make way for the new the "redevelopment projects", starting with the preparations for the 1988 Olympic Games in S. Korea.

But because the S.K. public, incl. the "progressive" movement (except some student solidarity groups and radical left activists) , paid almost no attention for the situation of the displaced/evicted people, some activists founded about 15 years ago the Federation Against House Demolition (JCY) with the aim to organize a mass struggle against the "capitalist redevelopment".

At least since the struggle in Ilsan/Pung-dong JCY got a lot of attention in the S.K. progressive movement, partly in the S.K. bourgeois media and even internationally..

And (in my opinion) very important: JCY is also supporting the struggle and resistance of other oppressed and exploited in S.K., such as un-documented migrant workers (**).

The Hankyoreh published last week following article about JCY:

Residents in redevelopment zones get

help from demolition federation

With few civic groups focusing on urban development, area residents left to face intimidation from redevelopment unions on their own

With comments emerging that violent incidents are taking place between redevelopment unions and demolition protesters following the intervention of the Federation Against House Demolition (Jun Chul Yun/Jeoncheolyeon), public attention has turned to the work the two groups have done to combat redevelopment in districts throughout Seoul.

Tenants in Seoul’s Yongsan 4th Zone, where the demolition protest tragedy took place, explained that they have no one else to depend on but Jun Chul Yun, as the demolition date approaches and the district office and police are not blocking contracted personnel hired to secure the area.

“Since residents don’t know even basic information about demolition or compensation, it’s been a lot of help to have Jun Chul Yun come in and provide information about demolition and methods of response,” said Kim Jeong-gi, 37, an area tenant. But there are differences of opinion even among residents about the federation’s method of struggle, Kim added.

Another tenant, who declined to be named, said, “Even if demolition thugs are roaming around the neighborhood, the district office, City Hall and police don’t even help.” The tenant added, “At times like that, a group like Jun Chul Yun becomes a place to depend on for residents.”

Jun Chul Yun Secretary-General Seong Nak-gyeong said, “With demolition looming ahead, the neighborhood’s residents at first responded in a dispirited way with the reality they alone were faced with, but now, through Jun Chul Yun, they are learning about the need for a combined response.”

Nam Gi-mun, vice chair of the Democratic Labor Party’s Yongsan committee, said, “The reality is that there are almost no political parties or civic groups responding actively to the issue of urban development, and even that is with the Democratic Labor Party starting its on-site activity in 2006.” Nam also commented, “From the standpoint of the residents awaiting demolition, they find a group to help them when they’re grasping at straws.”

After the Yongsan District Office obtained a permit to carry out the project in June 2007, Jun Chul Yun came into the region in December of that year and held a briefing for residents, selecting leaders from among them.

Jun Chul Yun was established in June 1994, and represents demolition protest groups in Seoul, Busan, Ulsan, Gyeonggi Province and other regions around the nation.

http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/335005.html

* Check out following:

☞ Protest leader arrested in Yongsan case

☞ Stopping squatter violence

☞ Gov’t Seeks Bill to Stop Violence in Redevelopment Project Disputes

** Just one example from last year:

☞ [8.17] MTU demo..

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Last week The Hankyoreh published an article about the collaboration between the police and so-called "security guards". And I added that's not a new realization!

Since many years it's a common practice for the construction mafia (i.e. the construction companies who are involved in the "redevelopment" projects) to use such kind of "security guards" (in reality they are just organized gangs of criminals) to intimidate and terrorize residents/tenants who are resisting their evictions. And "normally" the "service" of the "security guards" has (at least) the approval by the appropriate (city/district) authorities and the police.

Usually, when the "security guards" are on the move to attack resisting residents/tenants, they're backed by (in some cases in the past) thousands of riot cops. Some "very famous" examples: the Ilsan/Pung-dong Struggle (spring/summer 2004) and the attack on Seoul's Samgak/Suha-dong (winter 2004/05).

Anyway, today's Hankyoreh published following up-to-date report:

Construction companies hiring security guards

to intimidate residents in Yongsan

Area residents and businesspeople claim guards use violence, including verbal threats and blackmail

The recent deadly police crackdown on demonstrators in Yongsan, which left five civilians and one police officer dead, is putting the spotlight on security guards hired to use violence to evict residents to make way for redevelopment projects. Like many sites slated for redevelopment, the Yongsan area has been cited as a place where security guards have used diverse types of violence on residents and store owners to facilitate the redevelopment process.

Horam Construction, a small demolition company, is currently spearheading efforts to evict residents and businesses near Yongsan Station, where the deadly demonstration took place. Another company, Hyunam Construction, was hired to evict people living and doing business near the ChungAng University Medical Center building, also in the Yongsan area. Residents in both areas claim that the two companies used diverse types of violence, including verbal threats and blackmail, to force them out.

Ms. Kim, the owner of a convenience store in Yongsan, said, “Last summer, a few security guards stormed into our store and threatened our part-time female staff, saying, ‘Are you also a member of Jun Chul Yun, b**ch?,’” referring to the Federation Against House Demolition, which is suspected of having played a leading role in the protest. Kim said that she reported the incident to the police immediately, but that it took 30 minutes for officers to arrive at the scene. “I showed police a CCTV tape that recorded the threats of the security guards and told them that they prevented me from doing business, but no actual measures were taken.”

An anonymous official at Hyunam Construction admitted that some hired security guards use violence on residents, but added that Jun Chul Yun is also to be blamed for such clashes. “It’s true that some security guards use violence.” The individual went on to explain that residents seldom accept offers of compensation in exchange for moving out of areas slated for redevelopment, and said that this is because Jun Chul Yun forbids such action by individual members.

Officially, Hyunam claims that it has not used any violence on residents. Tenants and store owners, however, say that security guards have harassed them in many different ways. They say they have had stinking garbage dumped on their property or water poured on the roofs of their homes.

Yu Eui-seon, an activist with another tenants’ rights group, said, “The main mission of these security guards was to demolish vacant houses, but the mission seems to have changed and includes evicting tenants. The reason why they use such unbridled violence might be because they feel they have the support of large construction firms, which are often seeking to complete lucrative redevelopment projects as quickly as possible.”

http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/335462.html

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IMC S.K. and KCTU released today following "Urgent Appeal for Immediate Action":

Stop forced evictions and further death in South Korea

In South Korea, 5 people died while protesting against an imminent forced eviction

1. Summary of the Incidence

At 6 a.m. on 20^th January, people who were asking for solutions to avoid eviction in February in Youngsan-Gu, Seoul lost their lives as a consequence of violent oppression from the police. A 1500 strong police force was dispatched to disperse about 50 protesters. The police actions taken toward these protesters were similar to those taken in times war. Less than a day after those facing eviction started protesting and without further conversations or an effort to discuss the issues, the government dispatched a special police force and staged an anti-terror operation. After the police entered the building where the protesters were, a fire broke out and the circumstances became dangerous. However, without taking any safety measures, the police proceeded with the operation which resulted in the death of 5 protesters and 1 police officer.

Dispatching a special police force for an anti-terror operation in less than 24 hours is a rare case even in South Korea. Since the Conservatives took power however, the police have often cracked down on protesters in a violent way. This incidence also happened under this context.

A place to pray for the dead was set up at the spot of the incident. Despite of it being the Korean New Year holiday, visits from people continue. A fact finding committee composed of civilian organizations is carrying out investigations whilst the government is trying to close the case as soon as possible.

2. Background and Characteristics

It is well known that there are many problems coupled to rapid re-development projects in South Korea. Existing solutions (such as compensations, providing temporary place to stay etc) are neither realistic nor properly implemented. It is especially worrisome that forced eviction, which is prohibited under international human rights law, is being pursued under the auspices of the government.

South Korea, who is a signatory to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, was requested twice by the Committee on the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to provide protection to victims of forced evictions. However, as shown in this case, the South Korea government violated its obligation to respect the right to an adequate housing and to not being forcibly evicted. It also violated its obligation to protect the safety and the life of victims of forced evictions. 

For over a year, lodgers in the re-development project area demanded the Yongsan-Gu Office for appropriate protection. The Yongsan-Gu Office provided no opportunity for talk or negotiation. Local lodgers went to the Youngsan-Gu Office to file an appeal but got rejected. During this appeal process, private security officers hired by the construction company threatened the lodgers and sexually harassed them. However, the police did not take any action against the private security officer’s practices. Despite the fact that eviction in the cold season requires the taking of special measures prior to the eviction, the Youngsan-Gu Office approved the construction company’s request to initiate the re-development from February. Lodgers faced with forced eviction entered the empty building to stage protests against this process and lost their life due to violent police operation.

Lodgers living in re-development areas are excluded from both the process and results of re-development projects as they do not own a property in the area. Re-development to improve the housing condition causes inequality in housing as many lodgers have to move into a place worse than their previous housing. A serous problem is that in the previously re-developed area, only 10~15 % of local residents will get to stay in that same area.

Lodgers suffer a serious violation of their housing rights during the re-development process. The aim of re-development projects should be in improvement of housing conditions and relieving poverty for the people living there. The government is obliged to provide necessary information and guarantee participation for people living there regardless of their ownership of the housing. However, these demands are ignored by the government and the construction companies who get benefits from the re-development in South Korea.

On the other hand, the investigation carried out at the government level is criticized for being biased. The police carried out autopsies of the bodies of the victims without the consent of their families. The police report on the incident was revealed to be false in light of a variety of evidence reported by the major media. The police attitude, which is neither democratic nor transparent, creates deeper mistrust. A fair and impartial system for the investigation is urgently required. Rather than trying to close the case as soon as possible, an effort to prevent this kind of tragedy from happening again and a guarantee of democratic participation are required.

3. Demands

* Guarantee participation of civil organizations in the investigation process to secure a fair and thorough investigation.

* Punish those responsible for the incidence.

* Review current re-development projects which do not guarantee the right to housing of the lodgers.

* Guarantee the right to housing as a human right.

4. Action for everyone

We would like to show international support at the second pan-national memorial for the dead. Please email us your supporting messages and let us know whether you would sign our statement by noon of the 30^th January. Please also send us a copy of your complaints for those responsible. Sending complaints for those responsible continues until mid February.

Email to Sarangbang Group for Human Rights : humanrights@sarangbang.or.kr 

1) Send us your supporting messages.  

2) Please sign the statement below.

3) Please, send any protesting messages to the following addresses:

Myungbak Lee, the president of South Korea

http://www.bluehouse.go.kr/kr/index.php

1 Sejongno Jongno gu

Seoul Korea (110-820)

Tel +822-730-5800

Fax: +822-770-4943/+822-770-2440

Sehoon Won, the minister of the Ministry of Public Administration and Security

http://www.mopas.go.kr

Tel +822-2100-3000

Fax: +822-2100-4001

Seokgi Kim, the head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency 

http://www.smpa.go.kr 

Tel +822-720-3993

Fax: +822-754-7000

Sehoon Oh,  the Mayor of Seoul City

http://www.seoul.go.kr  

Tel: +822-731-6060

Fax +822-737-8688

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The Yongsan Massacre, once again, proved the ongoing collaboration between the cops and criminal gangs ("security guards") - mainly hired by the construction mafia (i.e. companies, such as POSCO, Samsung, Hyundai etc..)!

Just read following article (Of course that's not a new realization!! Later - in the coming days - I'll write more detailed about it..), published in Hankyoreh (1.24):

Radio transmission reveals police armed

security guards for Yongsan crackdown

Security guards bearing sledgehammers stormed demonstration site with police before deadly fire broke out

A recording of a police radio transmission made just before Tuesday’s deadly crackdown on a protest in the Yongsan district revealed that police armed and hired security guards to participate in a joint operation to evict tenants and protesters. The record, which contradicts the police’s assertion that it did not mobilize the contracted personnel, is expected to influence an ongoing investigation being conducted by the prosecution.

Lawmakers Kim Yoo-jeong and Kang Ki-jeong of the main opposition Democratic Party released the recording of the police radio transmission on Friday. “Before the crackdown on protesters began at dawn on Jan. 20, police had radio communication with security guards about its plans to conduct a joint operation,” a statement read by the lawmakers said. The recording was submitted by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency at the lawmakers’ request.

According to the transcript of the radio transmission, at 06:29:42 on Tuesday a police officer said that, “With sledgehammers and other devices, the security guards will follow our unit and are preparing to remove the blockades on the third and fourth floors.” In response, another police officer said at 06:29:59, “Roger that. Along with four police officers, security guards with devices are in the process of removing obstacles between the third and fourth floors.”

The transcript shows that special police commandos and security guards armed with sledgehammers and other devices entered the building together on Tuesday. The security guards were then instructed to remove obstacles welded on the door to the rooftop, where protesters were holed up in a makeshift tower.

According to a police report on the situation in the Yongsan 4th Zone on that day, police stepped up the crackdown operation at 6:30 a.m., immediately after the radio communication was made, by sending police commandos into the building. The transcript supports remarks by witnesses and protesters who have said that the security guards reached the third floor of the building, where they threatened demonstrators with sledgehammers and then started a fire in order to send smoke up to the roof.

Police have maintained that the security guards exited the building before the police operation began.

Kim called on police to provide an explanation about the recording and accused police of “trying to hide and manipulate the explanation for the reasons behind the Yongsan tragedy.” Kim said she will not overlook the prosecution’s failure to investigate basic evidence such as the recording of the police radio transmission.

The “Committee against the Brutal Suppression of the Yongsan Demolition Protest” said in a statement made at a press conference Friday, “As it has been found that police carried out the murderous crackdown with the firm that was contracted, there should be a thorough investigation into the potentially inappropriate relationship between the police and the firm to assign responsibility for this tragedy.”

In response, police say they “are in the process of figuring out whether such things happened at the time of the crackdown operation.”

http://english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/335162.html

Hankyoreh cartoon (1.23):

Lee “The Bulldozer” Myung-bak sits behind “murderous” police tactics and hired

thugs and blames all of his problems on a single Molotov cocktail.