UPDATE 1-S.Korean students climb into U.S. envoy's residence in protest against troop presence


Reuters | Seoul | Updated: 18-10-2019 17:46 IST | Created: 18-10-2019 17:16 IST
UPDATE 1-S.Korean students climb into U.S. envoy's residence in protest against troop presence
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South Korean police detained 19 students on Friday after several climbed over the wall into the grounds of the U.S. ambassador's residence in Seoul in protest against the U.S. troop presence in the country. The group, which identifies itself as a coalition of progressive university students, posted photos on its Facebook account in which several members used ladders to climb over a wall surrounding the home of Ambassador Harry Harris.

In a separate video, apparently broadcast from inside the compound, they accused the United States of demanding a 500% increase in the cost of keeping some 28,500 troops in South Korea, holding a banner saying "Leave this soil, Harris". "Stop interfering with our domestic affairs," they shouted, followed by other chants "Get out", and "We don't need U.S. troops", before being marched out of the residence by police.

The U.S. Embassy in Seoul referred questions to the State Department in Washington. South Korea’s foreign ministry said it had requested increased security for the U.S. embassy and the ambassador’s residence.

"Any harm or attack on such a diplomatic mission cannot be justified under any circumstances, and the government will take all appropriate measures to protect the missions and prevent any acts that disturb their wellbeing," the ministry said in a statement. A police official told Reuters that 19 students were taken to a police station for questioning.

In June, the student group held a forum to present their "research findings" on the achievements of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, lauding him as a caring and influential leader. The students also attempted to break into the U.S. Embassy in Seoul last January before being stopped by police.

The two countries are currently in talks over how to share the expense of keeping the U.S. troops who guard against the threat from nuclear-armed North Korea, a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War. A fresh round of talks will be held in Hawaii on Oct. 23-24 to negotiate a deal that will replace one due to expire at the end of this year, the foreign ministry said.

"Our government will have close discussions under our basic stance that we will have a fair, reasonable share of the costs,” the ministry said in a statement. "We expect the talks will take place in a way that reinforces the alliance and joint defense posture."

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(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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