RAM awaits South Korean government's response

RAM media release 10.3.07

RAM awaits South Korean government's response on banning anti-war protests

At noon today, a RAM delegation delivered a protest letter to the Auckland consul of the Republic of Korea (South Korea), Mr Kim Yun-Sung. (See letter below.)

Mr Kim said he was not authorised to make any statement on behalf of the South Korean government regarding their ban on anti-war demonstrations in his country.

"Mr Kim promised to send RAM's letter to the government of the Republic of Korea, and request that they comply with our call for for an official response to RAM's deep concerns about the denial of the freedom of expression and the right to demonstrate in South Korea," said RAM organiser Grant Morgan.

"RAM will be waiting for the South Korean government's response, which we will transit to the New Zealand media when we receive it," said Grant Morgan.

RAM protest letter to Korean authorities

Kim Yun-Sung
Auckland Consul

Dear Mr Kim

The constitution of the Republic of Korea (South Korea) guarantees the freedom of expression and the right to demonstrate.

However, the South Korean government has recently banned the protest scheduled for March 17th, the 4th anniversary of the US invasion of Iraq, organised by the Korean anti-war coalition which incorporates 351 civic and social movements.

The Korean anti-war coalition is calling on people and organisations around the world to send letters of protest to South Korean embassies and consulates and to hold demonstrations in front of these diplomatic offices.

Here in Auckland, RAM is calling on the South Korean government to reverse its ban on protests by the anti-war coalition, which violates the freedom of expression and the right to demonstrate enshrined in the Korean constitution.

RAM notes that the South Korean government is a close ally of US president George Bush, sending Korean troops to bolster the American occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan. RAM believes these occupations are unjust and unsustainable, growing out of Washington's drive for oil wealth and imperial power.

If the South Korean government continues with its undemocratic attacks on the anti-war coalition, then RAM and many others around the world will continue to demonstrate against these violations of basic human rights.

RAM asks the Auckland Consul to pass on our letter to Seoul, and requests a formal reply to our concerns from the South Korean government. We ask that the government's reply be emailed to gcm@actrix.co.nz before March 17th.

Ends

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