A series of rallies opposing and welcoming US President George W. Bush's Seoul visit took place in the heart of Seoul and at the entrance of Seoul Airport, Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Tuesday, the day of his arrival.

Four activist organizations, including the People's Action for Reform of the Unjust ROK-US SOFA Agreement and Solidarity for Reunification, held a press conference in front of Seoul Airport, where Airforce One landed, demanding the withdrawal of America's hard-line North Korean policy and calling for a halt to the threat of war on the Korean Peninsula.

Some 100 members of "Civilian Killing Truth Finding Committee" protested at Tapgol Park, Jongno-gu, insisting on the truth behind alleged massacres by US soldiers during the Korean War, while religious groups, including the National Council of Churches in Korea and National Buddhist Monks Association participated in an anti-US demonstration there.

Meanwhile, five groups in the economic sector, including the Federation of Korean Industries, ran a welcoming message on daily newspapers, supporting solidifying Korea-US relations. The National Salvation Committee, a joint organization of 6 groups including the Vietnam War Veterans' Organization, supported President Bush's "axis of evil" remark and protested President Kim Dae-jung's toleration of anti-US, pro-North groups' agitation.

Some 700 members of Free Citizens Alliance in Korea demonstrated support for the Bush administration's North Korean policy in front of Yongsan Garrison, and executive members of the Korean Veterans Association and 500 members of the Korean War Veterans Association held a rally in front of Yongsan War Memorial, welcoming the US President's visit to the country.

(Lee Tae-hun, libra@chosun.com )