S. Korea Marathon Turns Into a Riot

Hundreds of students hurling rocks and sticks fought Saturday with riot police who fired tear gas and made baton charges as a marathon race turned into an anti-government protest.

Police and students battled in the streets around Yonsei University in western Seoul for almost four hours before the protesters were forced back onto the university grounds.

“Down with the military dictatorship!” and “Get out, Americans!” the students shouted as they fought the police.

Police officials announced earlier that they had detained 62 students in a surprise raid near Seoul National University outside the capital as other students were gathering for a demonstration. About 900 police confiscated firebombs, sticks and anti-government leaflets, the officials said.

Also Saturday, at least 177 professors from six universities issued statements demanding political reforms.