Police to block illegal protest marches

Police officers announced on 7 July 2008 that they will begin blocking all illegal protest marches on the streets of Seoul in response to the nearly two months of ongoing candle-light vigils, which have turned violent on occasion since the decision in late April to resume beef imports from the U.S. On 6 July police officers blocked off city hall, as nearly 500 protesters rallied against the resumption of U.S. beef imports. Meanwhile on 5 July more than 50,000 protesters gathered in the capital to demand the resignation of President Lee Myung Bak and the halting of beef imports. As a result of the ongoing protests, Lee announced on 7 July the removal of three Cabinet ministers; Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will retain his position. In addition, protests by religious groups, which were planned for 8 July, have been canceled and a hunger strike called for by the Catholic Priest's Association for Justice was called off as well. Meanwhile, the labour union associated with Hyundai Motor Company announced on 7 July that it will stage another strike in a week's time to protest against the U.S. beef imports as well as other pro-business government policies. The strike will include more than 44,000 workers at more than three plants throughout South Korea and will halt production for more than four hours on 10 July during both the day and night shifts. In coordination with the labor strike, the Korea Metal Workers Union, the umbrella labor group that includes the automakers union, will launch a one-day protest at some point this week. Unions at other automakers also indicated that they will strike on 10 July.