Families of those killed in police clash demand accountability

SEOUL, Jan. 21 (Yonhap) -- The families of people who were killed in a police
standoff demanded Wednesday that the government hold officials accountable for
their deaths.

A deadly fire erupted at a building in central Seoul on Tuesday morning during a
clash between police commandos and a group of protesters staging a sit-in against
an urban redevelopment project of the area. Six people were killed, including a
police officer, and more than 20 were injured.
"We demand the government punish everyone responsible for the bloody crackdown
that suppressed the people's struggle for their right to live," the families said
in a joint statement.
The protesters had occupied the building since Monday, demanding higher
compensation for the forced closures of their businesses caused by a urban
redevelopment project. Of the six people who died, five have been identified,
including the police officer.
The forensics team has not been able to identify the other body due to severe burns.
The families also condemned authorities for conducting autopsies without their
approval.
"Investigative authorities committed a brutal act by performing autopsies without
the families' consent," the statement said.
The incident occurred just two days after President Lee Myung-bak appointed Kim
Seok-ki, the current Seoul police chief, to head the National Police Agency and
is expected to provide ammunition to the opposition party at his confirmation
hearing.
odissy@yna.co.kr
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