Students With Firebombs, Tear Gas Invade U.S. Envoy’s Home in Seoul

Radical students armed with firebombs and tear gas briefly occupied part of U.S. Ambassador Donald P. Gregg’s residence early today before riot police dragged them out, officials said.

Police said six men belonging to an “anti-U.S. death squad” scaled the walls of Gregg’s residential compound and hurled tear gas at guards who tried to stop them from rushing the home.

The students locked themselves inside one building and held off riot police for about 30 minutes before troops firing tear gas smashed down a door and seized them, police said.

Gregg and his wife, Meg, said at a news conference that they were in bed about 6:30 a.m. when they heard a blast and a guard warned them by telephone that intruders had entered the compound, which is about one mile from the U.S. Embassy.

The Greggs said they heard the intruders on the other side of their locked bedroom door, but were able to escape by another entrance. The students caused extensive damage in the living room, smashing artwork and pottery, Gregg said.

Police said the intruders were armed with firebombs, tear gas and steel bars. Yonhap, the South Korean news agency, said they also carried paint thinner and a crude homemade explosive.

The students, who came from three colleges in the Seoul area, demanded a meeting with Gregg to press for an end to U.S. trade pressure on South Korea, police said.