S. Korean Students, Police Clash in 9 Cities

Waves of students beating drums and shouting “Revolution!” pelted riot police with bricks and firebombs in Seoul and eight other cities Tuesday, the seventh day of violent anti-government protest.

Growing numbers of people showed support for the protesters, booing the outnumbered police and sometimes joining in the attacks.

Officers with helmets and shields fired thousands of tear-gas grenades in Seoul and in the other cities. They used multiple tear-gas launchers set up in streets to drive back charging crowds of students and their supporters.

Chants of “People’s revolution!” and “Destroy the military dictatorship!” accompanied gasoline bombs that exploded in bursts of flame among police sent into the streets by President Chun Doo Hwan’s government.

Students stormed at least four police stations and set police vehicles afire.

The news agency Yonhap reported clashes and demonstrations in Seoul, Pusan, Kwangju, Chinju, Chonan, Chonju, Wonju, Taejon and Taegu.

About 6,000 protesters cheered by onlookers battled riot squads in the southern port of Pusan, burned a police bus and set up barricades.

Crowds again gathered in front of Seoul’s Myongdong Roman Catholic cathedral demanding the ouster of Chun’s government. Those assembling at the cathedral have included prosperous families and elderly people, some of whom kneel and pray as others shout, “We want democracy!”

Riot police used tear-gas grenades to disperse the crowds when some people tried to march to the city hall, but downtown Seoul was free of major street battles for the first time in a week.

Anti-government protests began last Wednesday, promoted by a new coalition of opposition political, religious and human rights leaders. The nationwide campaign was timed to coincide with a convention of the ruling Democratic Justice Party that endorsed Chun’s choice of fellow former general Roh Tae Woo to succeed him as president.

Leaders of the coalition demand democratic elections and have vowed to rally the “power of the masses” against the military-backed regime. Opposition groups demand that Chun step down and that his successor be chosen by direct election.