South Korea Frees Arrested Students
Prosecutors Thursday dropped charges and freed one-third of the 1,275 students arrested for participating in four days of violent anti-government and anti-American riots.
A spokesman said that 413 students, half of them women, were released to their parents from six prisons in Seoul and nearby towns after they “took part in the demonstrations only passively and repented for their action.”
They were among students from 27 schools who demonstrated against the government of President Chun Doo Hwan and the United States on Oct. 28-31, after they holed up in five campus buildings at Kunkook University in Seoul.
The youths demanded the overthrow of Chun’s government, the dismantling of nuclear bases and the withdrawal of 40,000 U.S. troops from South Korea. Authorities accused the students of leftist leaings.
Hundreds of riot policemen staged a military-style operation to round up the demonstrators, who resisted by throwing thousands of firebombs and rocks and smashing furniture.
The spokesman said others among the 862 still held are expected to be freed.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
