Thousands of Korean Rioters Battle Police

Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters attacked riot police with firebombs and rocks today, cheered on by people who leaned out of apartment windows to watch the vicious street battles.

Support for the uprising appeared to be growing.

Office workers joined protests downtown, and co-workers applauded from surrounding offices. Residents in many areas went into the streets to cheer protesters and jeer police.

Much of the fighting raged around the Myongdong Cathedral grounds, which hundreds of anti-government students occupied Wednesday.

Several police detachments were overrun. Officers were seen being beaten and kicked. Police weapons and bits of uniforms were burned in piles by crowds chanting “Down with the military dictatorship!”

Violence swept all the sprawling city’s main thoroughfares. Riot police took up positions every few blocks, and thousands of reinforcements were rushed in.

Protesters shouted “Destroy the dictator!” and “People power!”--reminiscent of the popular revolt that ousted Philippines President Ferdinand E. Marcos--as they battled police hand-to-hand and broke up sidewalks to make missiles. Bystanders applauded the attackers and booed the police.

Armored cars fired thousands of tear gas canisters, and many officers hurled rocks and chunks of concrete back at the surging mobs.

Police detachments were constantly surrounded. When officers repelled an attack, another would come from a different direction.