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By Kim Se-jeong
The government has again pledged a stern response to illegal acts during protests, especially violence conducted by protesters wearing masks.
The warning has come while farmers, labor and civic groups plan to hold another massive rally in Seoul on Dec. 5, following the previous one on Nov. 14 when protesters and police exchanged hostilities amid crackdowns, with police water cannons leaving one farmer in a coma.
On Friday, Justice Minister Kim Hyun-woong said the police force will crack down on unlawful protesters, saying there will be no compromise with those crossing the line.
"I warn you. No matter how much sacrifice is required, the authorities will uproot illegal and violent actions by protesters," Kim said in a statement. "Those who disregard the law and ignore authorities' instructions will have to pay the price."
The minister also condemned Han Sang-gyun, the head of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) who is seeking sanctuary at Jogye Temple in downtown Seoul. An arrest warrant has been issued for Han, but he has been hiding from the law on temple grounds. The KCTU was one of the Nov. 14 rally organizers.
"His actions are clearly illegal, but he is trying to escape legal consequences by seeking refuge in a religious facility," the minister said. "If he feels confident of his actions, he should walk out from behind the shield and comply with the authorities."
In response, Han said through his aides that he would make sure the upcoming demonstration will be a peaceful one. He said he would appear before police voluntarily if the government stops pushing ahead with its labor reform plans.
"I'll disclose whether I'll face investigation if police promise they will not use violence toward protesters in the upcoming rally," he was quoted as saying.
The minister also criticized masked ralliers.
"If protesters come with the intention to wage a peaceful and legal protest, bring no masks," Kim said. "We will regard demonstrators with masks as criminals. They will receive harsh punishment."
Earlier this week, President Park Geun-hye likened the masked protesters to members of Islamic State and promised to crack down on them. On Thursday, an appellate court in Seoul also sentenced a demonstrator wearing a mask during a rally in April to two years for using violence.
On Friday, police also raided the office of the KCTU's Gyeonggi provincial unit to search for evidence of violence during a May Day protest. Police suspected two KCTU members orchestrated the destruction of police buses and other violent acts.
The raid followed an earlier one into the KCTU's Seoul headquarters on Nov. 21.
