SEOUL, Nov. 27 (Yonhap) -- The chief of a Seoul district police station was assaulted over the weekend by protesters against South Korea's free trade agreement (FTA) with the U.S., police officials said Sunday.

   Park Geon-chan, head of Jongno Police Station in central Seoul, was punched and kicked after getting surrounded by some 100 protesters near the Gwanghwamun area around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, officials said.

   Officials at the Jongno station said some protesters tore away Park's insignia on his left shoulder, while others stripped Park of his hat and broke his glasses.

   Plainclothes officers escorted Park away from the protesters and he was treated for wounds at a nearby hospital.

   The ruling Grand National Party (GNP) rammed the trade pact through the National Assembly last Tuesday. Since then, opponents of the FTA, believing Seoul got the short end of the stick and the deal will hurt local farmers and small retailers, have staged demonstrations on streets throughout the heart of the capital city.

   Speaking to reporters after the assault, Park said he was on his way to a meeting with representatives of opposition political parties when he was met by the protesters.

   "I feel devastated that I was attacked when I was trying to put an end to these illegal activities that can't be overlooked," Park said, referring to the anti-FTA protests. "I will make sure to penalize illegal actions in accordance with judicial procedures."

   Asked why he was in his full uniform amid the protesters, Park said he was simply trying to do his job as the head of the police station in charge of the area.

   "I was engaging in proper police activity and there was no reason for me not to don the uniform," he said. "I didn't expect such violence."

   After Saturday's protests had ended, the National Police Agency declared that attackers will be punished.

   "Based on evidence, we will identify attackers and arrest them," the police agency said in a statement. "Those who hosted the protest will also be severely punished. The police officer who was attacked will file a civil suit for damages."

   A police official said the anti-FTA demonstrations have gotten out of control.

   "These protests have degenerated into illegal activities as protesters occupied streets and assaulted a senior police officer," the official said. "We will lay down severe penalties and arrest any offenders on the spot."

  


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