WORLD> Asia-Pacific
S.Korean police cleared over deadly clash
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-02-09 23:08

SEOUL, South Korea – South Korean prosecutors cleared police of any wrongdoing Monday over a commando raid last month that left six people dead in a clash with displaced tenants in central Seoul.

But investigators indicted 20 protesters and seven others over the Jan. 20 melee that drew criticism that police were careless or used excessive force in breaking up the demonstration by displaced tenants demanding better compensation from developers.

It was one of South Korea's worst police-protester clashes in recent years, with about 100 police commandos fighting some 40 protesters armed with firebombs at a vacant building beside a bustling street. The battle sparked a fire that killed five protesters and one police officer.

On Monday, chief prosecution investigator Jung Byung-doo dismissed allegations of police wrongdoing, saying the raid was inevitable because the protest was so violent it posed threats to the safety of ordinary people around the building.

Jung said prosecutors have indicted 20 protesters with obstructing authorities. Seven other demonstrators are still under investigation. Also indicted were seven employees of firms that provided eviction services on suspicion they used violence against protesters ahead of the police crackdown, Jung said.

The clash, which came two days after President Lee Myung-bak named Seoul's police chief Kim Seok-ki to head the national police, forced Lee to delay confirmation proceedings for the nominee amid calls for Kim's dismissal.

The delay has prompted speculation that Lee might withdraw the nomination.

But earlier Monday, Lee gave a regular radio address that suggested he might not drop the appointment.

"I do not think it is the right time to decide whether the person in charge should be dismissed or not," Lee said.

The main opposition Democratic Party, which has organized street protests to denounce the operation, accused prosecutors of overlooking police wrongdoing and said it would try to launch an independent counsel probe.