“Both national sovereignty and pride are important,” said Park Seh-jik, the president of the Korean Veterans Association in a speech. “But if we fail to prevent war and the nation is annihilated and turns Communist, where will we find that sovereignty and pride?” Park demanded an immediate halt to the wartime control plan.

Protestors pack the square in front of Seoul City Hall on Saturday, urging the government to halt plans to take over wartime operational control of Korean troops and revise controversial private school laws.

In a statement, demonstrators said the May 31 local elections “were a strong judgment against the Roh Moo-hyun administration. Despite that, this administration sidelines the lives of ordinary people by ignoring the popular will, the people’s wellbeing and the national interest” while being concerned only with the welfare of cronies. The statement urged the people to unite in preserving the Republic of Korea’s identity and overcome the “security crisis.” Protestors also read out a message to President Roh Moo-hyun and U.S. President George W. Bush urging them to shelve plans for the handover of troop control.

About 20 members of the opposition Grand National Party, including former GNP leader Park Geun-hye and former Seoul mayor Lee Myung-bak, took part in the rally. Park expressed hope that the wishes of ordinary citizens and veterans who guarded the country with their lives will come true. She stressed now was not the time to discuss the operational control handover.

The protestors tried to march up the street from City Hall to Namdaemun after wrapping up the rally at around 5 p.m. but dispersed under police pressure.

(englishnews@chosun.com )