SKorean PM warns masked protesters against violence

By Alex Jensen

SEOUL

South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn has cautioned anyone considering wearing masks during a planned rally this weekend that they would be “sternly punished” if they broke the law.

Police had tried to block the protest set for Saturday from happening at all after violence marred last month’s gathering in Seoul of more than 100,000 people organized by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU).

While labor reform featured high on the agenda at the Nov. 14 rally, the occasion also drew discontented farmers, students and other civic activists raising their concerns about rice prices, state-authored history textbooks and a range of government policies.

Dozens of protesters were arrested, but others evaded the authorities by wearing masks to protect their identities -- leading President Park Geun-hye to compare them to terrorists.

Matters have been further complicated by KCTU leader Han Sang-gyun taking refuge at a Buddhist temple in Seoul, where the police have been unable to reach him.

Discontent has also escalated since last month’s protest as a 69-year-old farmer was left with serious brain damage after being struck by a police water cannon at near point-blank range.

Despite criticisms of heavy-handedness by the authorities, Hwang was defiant at a Cabinet meeting.

“Those committing illegal acts and [taking part in] violence while hiding behind anonymity with face masks should be sternly punished,” Hwang was quoted as saying by local news agency Yonhap Tuesday.

As things stand, however, protesters are legally free to wear masks if they choose -- although ruling party lawmakers have been pushing to ban them from doing so.

A statement from the KCTU Sunday likened the government to a “dictatorship.”