S Korea eyes court martial for US base trespassers

SEOUL, May 8 (Reuters) South Korea will try to make civilian protesters stand court martial if they trespass on a planned site for a new US military base and attack soldiers deployed there to clear the area, officials said today.

A South Korean court today issued arrest warrants for 10 of some 1,000 protesters opposed to the US military presence in South Korea who clashed with police last week when military engineers cordoned off parts of two rural townships for use by the US military.

Scores of protesters, police and soldiers have been injured in clashes at the site in the city of Pyongtaek, about 70 kilometres south of Seoul. South Korea and the United States agreed two years ago to relocate the main US base now in Seoul and several others in the country to the area.

''If anyone attacks guard troops and injures soldiers, military criminal law should be applied,'' Major General Park Kyung-seo, who heads the South Korea's task force on base moves, was quoted by a defence official as telling reporters.

Park said earlier on a KBS radio programme anyone who trespasses into the site will be made to stand court martial.

''Applying military criminal law means the person will be put to court martial,'' Park said.

Legal experts said it may be difficult to try civilians under military law, but defence officials told reporters once civilians enter bases, they can be subject to some military laws.

The confrontation that erupted on Thursday had been brewing for months as about 100 farmers refused to take government compensation and vacate the area.

It was one of the biggest brawls in years between police and anti-US military demonstrators in South Korea, which has a history of violent protests.

Residents, mostly elderly farmers and young activists who have recently moved to the area, are demanding a stop to the construction.

The number of protesters has swelled since the clash began, with unionists and more students joining the fray.

Defence Minister Yoon Kwang-ung today reiterated the government's position that further delay was unacceptable.

Yoon also told reporters the government would not be standing by as soldiers deployed in the area if they are attacked by demonstrators. The soldiers have been under orders not to fight back out of fear that would further provoke the protesters.

A defence ministry official said some of the troops have been issued batons for self-defence purposes and more will be issued.

REUTERS DKS PM1444