Police officers assaulted by street protesters

SEOUL, March 8 (Yonhap) -- Police said Sunday they are investigating an alleged assault on more than 10 police officers by a group of street protesters in central Seoul.

The incident allegedly occurred in downtown Seoul's Jongno area on Saturday night
after a violent street rally by about 200 civic activists.
They were protesting the Jan. 20 police raid that resulted in the deaths of five
squatters occupying a five-story building in Seoul's Yongsan district to oppose a
redevelopment project.
Police said the protesters attacked police officers, both in uniforms and
plainclothes, while leaving the rally. Injured policemen were sent to nearby
hospitals, where most were treated for light injuries before returning home, they
said.
One of the officers had his wallet snatched amid the clash, and his credit card
was used by an unidentified person at a nearby store fewer than 10 minutes after
the incident, police said.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency formed a special investigation team to
handle the case, and it is trying to hunt down suspects by analyzing tapes from
closed circuit televisions installed on the streets.
"Such an assault is a challenge against public authority. A tougher measure
against violent protest is needed," a police officer said.
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