Photos Fwd: Obama, Start Peace Talk With the NK, Lee Myung Bak, Release the Arrested! No Korean Troops Again in Afghanistan!

* For Nov. 18 protest, go to here.

* Image source: Lee Jong-geun, Hankyoreh, Nov. 20, 2009
'S. Koreans demands peace from Obama:
Members of civic and labor organizations,
including Solidarity for Peace And Reunification of Korea (SPARK)
and the Korea Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), hold a demonstration in front of Cheong Wa Dae[ the Presidential house] against South Korean troop redeployment to Afghanistan and for President Lee and President Obama to sign a peace treaty with North Korea, Nov. 19.'

* Despite heavy police presence that completely blockaded about 30 activists, the one hour press interview was also greatly paid attention by the large media presence including all the major South Korean broadcasting companies.

* Image source: Kwon Woo-Sung, Ryu Sung-Ho, Ohmynews, Nov. 19, 2009

* The Korean-letter picketss say, ‘ US-NK Summit: Obama, begin the dialogue for the peace system in the Korean peninsula’, ‘Obama, abandon the hostile policy against the North Korea.’

* Image source: Yonhap News, Nov. 19, 2009

'Civic activists urge U.S. to start talks with Pyongyang

Nov. 19, SEOUL, South Korea -- Members of South Korean progressive civic organizations urge the United States to resume dialogue with North Korea at a rally held near the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae in Seoul on Nov. 19, where South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and his visiting U.S President Barack Obama were holding summit talks. Obama came to Seoul the previous day for a two-day stay. (Yonhap)'

* Image source: Koh Sung-Jin, Tongil News, Nov. 19, 2009

* Photo by No base stories of Korea

* Image source: Pressian, Nov. 19, 2009

After the press interview by the organizations mentioned above, about 20 young people and representatives of the ‘Civilian Alliance Against the Redeployment of Troops to Afghanistan’ tried to have the emergency press interview against the redeployment of the South Korean troops to Afghanistan and against the illegal arrest of the 20 on Nov. 18 (two in the morning, 18 in the evening in Seoul) by the police.

* Image source: Kwon Woo-Sung, Ryu Sung-Ho, Ohmynews, Nov. 19, 2009

The police more attempted to disrupt it, tried to forcefully stop the interview. But the activists including all the participants in the former interview strongly protested against the police and kept their place.

* Photo by No base stories of Korea

* Photo by No base stories of Korea
'Denounce the violent arrest by police [on Nov. 18]

* Image source: Kwon Woo-Sung, Ryu Sung-Ho, Ohmynews, Nov. 19, 2009

In the middle, the police forcefully took away the mike from the spokesperson of a New Progressive party who was the facilitator of the 2nd interview. All the people including a SPARK activist (shown in the photo) strongly protested against the police. The police eventually returned the mike which turned out to be broken: What on earth the South Korean police who publicly committed the property damage!


* Image source: Pressian, Nov. 19, 2009

* Photo by No base stories of Korea

The 2nd interview was greatly empowered by the sponsors and families of the political prisoners whose staunch resistance against the rude South Korean police has become the legend in the South Korean peace and reunification movement. Another struggle on Nov. 21! Koreans will not forget the cry of the two young students, who shouted, “ No Korean troops to Afghanistan!” “Sorry, Children in Afghanistan!”, while they were dragged and arrested by the police during the candle event in the evening of Nov. 18.

* For Nov. 18 protest, go to here.


* Other Obama's Korean visit- Related articles:

Stars and Stripes
At Osan, Obama talks about deployments
By Franklin Fisher, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Saturday, November 21, 2009

Stars and Stripes
Obama says North Korea must alter behavior
By Ashley Rowland, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Saturday, November 21, 2009

Washington Post
N. Korea among topics of discussion as Obama wraps up Asia tour
By Blaine Harden, Washington Post Foreign Service
Friday, November 20, 2009

Yonhap News
2009/11/20 11:44 KST
(LEAD) Cheong Wa Dae rules out renegotiation of FTA with U.S.
By Byun Duk-kun

Yonhap News
2009/11/20 14:28 KST
(LEAD) S. Korea to ease investment rules, entry procedures for tourists

Yonhap news
2009/11/20 10:16 KST
(LEAD) U.N. urges N. Korea to respect all human rights
By Lee Chi-dong

Yonhap News
2009/11/20 19:53 KST
(LEAD) N. Korea offers talks with S. Korea on lucrative tours
By Kim Hyun

Hankyoreh
President Lee hints at renegotiations on FTA auto trade clauses:
Lee’s remark on the KORUS FTA during the press conference following the summit with Obama leaves some confused
Hankyoreh, Nov.20, 2009 11:33 KST

Hankyoreh
Obama announces Bosworth’s N. Korea schedule during summit in Seoul:
U.S. shows intention of both engaging in direct dialogue with N. Korea and maintaining cooperation with S. Korea on the nuclear issue
Posted on : Nov.20,2009 11:27 KST

Hankyoreh
U.S. calls for FTA renegotiations is an attempt to artificially adjust its market share:
Experts say S.Korea has already made a stunning number of auto concessions and recommends taking the initiative to renegotiate toxic terms
Posted on : Nov.20,2009 11:27 KST

Korea Times
11-19-2009 17:52
Lee to Address US Carmakers’ FTA Concerns:
Obama Will Send Envoy to North Korea on Dec. 8
By Na Jeong-ju, Staff Reporter

Yonhap News
2009/11/19 16:18 KST
(4th LD) Lee, Obama vow efforts to denuclearize N. Korea, ratify FTA
By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, Nov. 19

Korea Times
11-19-2009
Obama Sets Date for US-NK Talks
By Kim Sue-young, Staff Reporter

Korea Times
11-19-2009
Was Obama Fatigued?
By Oh Young-jin, Staff Reporter

Korea Times
US Vows Joint Effort for G-20 Summit
By Kim Sue-young, Staff Reporter

Korea Times
11-19-2009
DP Says Little Progress Made in US FTA
By Lee Tae-hoon, Staff Reporter

Yonhap News
2009/11/19 17:15 KST
Obama heads home after Seoul visit
By Tony Chang
OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea, Nov. 19 (Yonhap)

Yonhap News
2009/11/19 16:26 KST
(News Focus) Obama assures Seoul not being bypassed in U.S. talks with Pyongyang
By Lee Chi-dong

Yonhap News
2009/11/19 16:59 KST
(LEAD) Obama says U.S. commitment to S. Korea will never waver
By Tony Chang
OSAN AIR BASE [Songtan AFB], South Korea, Nov. 19 (Yonhap)

Yonhap News
2009/11/19 16:22 KST
(News Focus) KORUS FTA likely to get boost following summit
By Park Sang-soo
SEOUL, Nov. 19 (Yonhap)

Yonhap News
2009/11/19 17:25 KST
(LEAD) N. Korea criticizes U.S. military in S. Korea during Obama trip
By Kim Hyun