Published: Fri, 7 Jul 2006 15:37:56 +0900

I just received an e-mail from the US Embassy in Seoul warning all US citizens about anti-US Free Trade Agreement protests in Seoul next week:

The U.S. Embassy in Seoul is transmitting the following information through the Embassy's warden system as a public service to all U.S. citizens in the Republic of Korea. Please disseminate this message to U.S. citizens in your organizations.

Korean police authorities advised the U.S. Embassy in Seoul that a series of large-scale anti-Free Trade Agreement (FTA) protests will occur in downtown Seoul, Monday through Friday, July 10-14, 2006. Monday ? Friday, July 10-14, several hundred people are expected in front of Donghwa Duty Free building two blocks south of the U.S. Embassy. Additionally the police expect a large gathering around Shilla Hotel, where the talks will take place.

On Wednesday, July 12, in front of City Hall at 4:00 p.m., up to 20,000
participants are expected to protest against the FTA. Traffic may be congested in these areas during the times indicated above. The Embassy advises American citizens and their family members to plan their travel accordingly.

Additional gatherings may occur during the week as the FTA talks
continue. Political, labor, and student demonstrations and marches have on occasion become confrontational and/or violent. American citizens should exercise caution and avoid gatherings of large groups in order to minimize risk to their personal safety. Streets may also close without warning on orders of the local police. American citizens are advised to expect heavy traffic delays. Please report any suspicious incidents or surveillance immediately to the Embassy (tel: 02-397-4000 (24 hours).

So in other words keep away from these areas at the designated times because these protesters are notorious for causing violence.

Tags: FTA, protesters, Korea

Read More...