Protesters Must Pay Gwangju: Court

The court has issued a provisional attachment requested by Gwangju City against protesters who demonstrated against the Korea-U.S. FTA (KORUS FTA) regarding the claim that its property that had been damaged during the protests.

Judge Seo Jeong-am, in charge of civil affairs in Gwangju District Court, said that the court accepted Gwangju City’s request that was filed against six protesters, including a trade union member of KIA Motors, to secure bonds when the city won the lawsuit against the protesters, who took to the streets on November 22, 2006.

The judge also said, “The court decided to issue a provisional attachment on 200 million won worth of real estate as Gwangju City’s request was considered reasonable.”

A member of the Gwangju-South Jeolla Branch of the Korea Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) said, “The court’s decision is a move to suppress the opponents of the KORUS FTA by collaborating with the law enforcement and local governments. We cannot accept the court’s decision. It will only intensify protests against the FTA.”

Gwangju City filed a lawsuit to the District Court for 200 million won in damages against 13 trade unions that led violent demonstrations – including the Gwangju-South Jeolla Branch of the KCTU – and 42 protesters for damaging the city building on December 1, 2006.

The organizations for farmers and workers in Gwangju and South Jeolla Province are planning to stage a protest against the KORUS FTA and the city’s lawsuit in front of the Gwangju City Hall on January 6.