Roh Orders Crackdown on Illegal Protests

South Korean President Roh Tae Woo on Wednesday ordered a crackdown on all illegal demonstrations and said violent protests are a threat to democratic and economic stability.

The opposition said the government is afraid of losing power. Opposition leader Kim Dae Jung said government hard-liners are trying to create a sense of crisis to frighten people into supporting Roh and justifying restraints on government opponents.

Roh spoke in an unusually tough, nationally televised address. He issued a “special directive” to security forces to end all violent and illegal protests by opposition and labor groups, and he said officials who fail to enforce law and order will be dismissed.

Government leaders are concerned that protests could increase opposition to Roh because the public already is angry over corruption and human rights abuses under former President Chun Doo Hwan. Roh is trying to block demands that Chun be punished.

Radical students and dissidents have staged violent protests to demand the overthrow of the Roh government. Radicals also have attacked government and U.S. military facilities.