“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.”
World Animal Day An activist wearing a cow mask chants slogans for the welfare and rights of animals in Gwanghwamun, downtown Seoul, on Oct. 4, 2021, which is World Animal Day. (Yonhap)
LIVE IN SEOUL'S GWANGHWAMUN: This is absolute madness. Conservative groups have defied the ban on protests re: containing the spread of coronavirus in South Korea, which has surged. Most people here are elderly. They are singing "Imprison Moon Jae-in". Large police presence. pic.twitter.com/C8nanNTbA6
This isn’t the first time that the safety of the U.S. ambassador has been put at risk with protesters scaling the walls to get inside:
Members of a progressive association of Korean university students stage a protest inside the residence of U.S. Ambassador Harry Harris in Seoul on Oct. 18, 2019, in this photo captured from the group’s Facebook account. (Yonhap)
The government requested Friday that law enforcement authorities beef up security around the US Embassy and the residence of the top American diplomat in Seoul after nearly 20 university students trespassed in his residence.
Earlier in the day, 17 students and members of a progressive civic group broke into the residence of US Ambassador Harry Harris in central Seoul by climbing over its wall using a ladder.
They staged a surprise protest criticizing Washington’s demand for a hefty rise in Seoul’s share of the cost for the upkeep of the 28,500-strong US Forces Korea. Police took the 17 and two others attempting to join them into custody for investigation.