Korean Students Hurl Firebombs at U.S. Building
Hundreds of dissident South Korean students threw firebombs today at the U.S. Information Agency building in the southwestern city of Kwangju, and three policemen were injured in an ensuing clash with pipe-wielding youths, news reports said.
Twelve of the dissidents were arrested in the violence, the reports said.
The assault occurred at 6 p.m. in the midst of an anti-government street demonstration by about 300 youths in Kwangju, an opposition stronghold 170 miles south of the capital of Seoul, newspapers and radio stations reported.
Windows Smashed
The daily newspaper Chosun Ilbo said in this morning’s edition that the students hurled 20 firebombs, smashed 11 windows along the front of the USIA building and set aflame a vehicle that was parked nearby.
Hankook Ilbo newspaper said 60 police officers guarding the USIA center fired tear gas after the students tossed rocks and bombs at the building. It said the three officers were hurt after youths armed with iron pipes attacked the police.
The USIA building in Seoul has been the target of previous attacks by anti-American activists.
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