Yongsan fire claims lives of six;

Police blame squatters who attacked them with Molotov cocktails, acid
I cut and paste the main bits; to read the whole story, go to: JoongangDaily

The top of a building where protesters were squatting is engulfed in flames as police approach, in Seoul early yesterday. Five protesters and one policeman were killed in the blaze. [REUTERS]

Five protesters and a member of a police SWAT team died and 24 others were hospitalized following a violent standoff at a construction site in central Seoul early yesterday.

According to police, protesters took over a five-story structure near the Kukje building and Yongsan train station at 5:30 a.m. Monday, in opposition to ongoing redevelopment of the area. Some squatters demanded higher compensation for their houses and stores, which are to be demolished for a massive development project by the nation’s construction giants - Samsung C&T Corporation, Daelim and Posco.

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“No matter what had happened, I express my deep condolences as the prime minister,” Han said. “The government will investigate the incident thoroughly and speedily. From the illegal occupation to forcible eviction, the truth will be laid bare.”
“Anyone who broke the law will be sternly punished,” Han said. “Unlawful, violent action will not be tolerated under any circumstance, no matter who has committed it.”

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The police operation resulted in arrest of 25 squatters, and the prosecution is investigating if the National Alliance of Squatters systemically planned the violent demonstration. Of those arrested, only seven actually live or own stores in the area and are eligible for compensation. The rest were members of the group.
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The squatters’ association held a press conference in the afternoon, claiming that 200 SWAT team members were mobilized to arrest 30 demonstrators. Water cannons and iron pipes were used to subdue the squatters, they said, calling the incident “murder by law enforcement authorities.” The association said members will hold a candlelight vigil at 7 p.m. in front of the Yongsan train station and demanded an apology from President Lee Myung-bak.
Baek, the Yongsan police chief, said the police had no choice but to try to end the demonstration. “They were a direct threat to public safety, shooting golf balls and marbles with slingshots and throwing Molotov cocktails at adjacent buildings, causing fires,” Baek said. “We could not allow the illegal actions any further, so we mobilized the force to evict them.” Police said the demonstrators launched 150 Molotov cocktails, 40 bottles filled with hydrochloric acid, 10,000 bricks and 700 golf balls and marbles at police and passersby.
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