|
A study has found that 362 large-scale protests or demonstrations involving more than 1,000 people were held in 2005, adding up to W12.3 trillion (US$1=W941) in social economic costs. The research was conducted by the Korea Development Institute (KDI) at the request of the Policy Coordination Office in the Prime Minister's Office. The KDI said Wednesday that the cost of illegal protests was equivalent to 1.53% of GDP that year, which was W806.62 trillion.
According to the report, simple protests cost on average W240 million per case while marches, sit-ins and road or walkway occupations led to W36 billion in costs each. A demonstration that occupied eight lanes around Gwanghwamun and Seoul City Hall cost a whopping W77.6 billion. The KDI calculated the costs by adding together lost wages from workers participating in protests, law enforcement costs from police control, traffic congestion costs, operating losses in neighborhood business, and public stress. Interest groups accounted for the greatest number of protests at 42.6 percent, followed by labor unions at 30.2 percent and civic groups at 17.2 percent.
(englishnews@chosun.com )
|
