The World - News from March 6, 1988

Protesters in Seoul hurled rocks and firebombs at police during a rally to protest South Korea’s imprisonment of anti-government dissidents. Police fired tear gas to disperse the crowd. “Release all prisoners of conscience!” shouted the protesters, who denounced President Roh Tae Woo, sworn in nine days ago. There were no reports of arrests or injuries. The protesters were among 1,000 people who took part in a 3-hour rally at Yonsei University calling for the release of the prisoners. Under an amnesty program announced last week, the Roh government set free more than 120 anti-government dissidents who were imprisoned for anti-government activity, although government officials said there were about 300 other people serving terms or awaiting trial on political charges.