SEOUL - THOUSANDS of South Korean police were gearing up Wednesday to block an anti-government rally planned to mark the 22nd anniversary of a pro-democracy uprising.
Scores of buses packed with riot police were parked bumper-to-bumper along the streets near City Hall Plaza in central Seoul and police said about 15,000 officers would be deployed to block the rally, which starts at 1900 (1800 Singapore time).
Police have banned the rally at the plaza. But about 400 protesters camped out overnight at the site, where mass protests in 1987 paved the way for democracy after decades of military-backed rule.
Tensions are high between liberals and conservatives after former president Roh Moo-Hyun leapt to his death on May 23 after being investigated in a corruption scandal.
The suicide of the liberal leader, who held office from 2003 to 2008, sparked a mass outpouring of grief and fuelled a political row.
Opposition parties want an apology from conservative President Lee Myung-Bak, accusing him of ordering a politically-motivated probe into his predecessor. Prosecutors have denied such motives.
In a statement marking the anniversary of the protests, Mr Lee said democracy should not be abused by 'those who are after selfish interests.' 'Images of people breaking the law and using violence to get what they want are also distorting the true democracy we have worked so hard to achieve,' he said.
Mr Lee faced a crisis last summer after tens of thousands of people staged sometimes violent rallies in central Seoul - initially to protest at plans to resume US beef imports and later to denounce his government more generally.
Opposition groups say Lee is backtracking on commitments to democracy by imposing restrictions on rallies.
The rally also coincides with memorial services for Kang Hui-Nam, a Christian activist who committed suicide and left a note denouncing the government. -- AFP
