Thousands of South Koreans join Seoul anti-North rally

“Let’s drive out (North Korean leader) Kim Jong Il!” they shouted. “Strengthen the alliance with the United States!”

Most of the crowd at City Hall Plaza were military veterans, old people and members of Christian groups. They carried large banners condemning the North’s nuclear ambitions and supporting the U.S. military presence in South Korea.

To cries of “Let’s beat Kim Jong Il to death,” some demonstrators burned a large picture of the North’s leader, while others set red-and-blue North Korean flags on fire.

A brief scuffle erupted when police tried to stop some veterans from burning a large North Korean flag.

No injuries were reported.

About 37,000 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea in a legacy of the 1950-53 Korean War.

Most South Koreans support the U.S. military presence, but many also complain about accidents or crimes involving U.S. soldiers.

Earlier this month, young South Koreans held a large anti-U.S. demonstration to mark the anniversary of the deaths of two South Korean teenage girls struck by a U.S. military vehicle last year.

In recent months, South Korean Christian groups and veterans’ organizations have held a number of pro-American, anti-North Korean demonstrations amid rising international tension over the North’s suspected development of nuclear weapons.

The crisis escalated last October when U.S. officials said North Korea admitted running a secret nuclear program in violation of an agreement with Washington.

During Saturday’s demonstrations, participants said the United States and its allies should increase pressure on North Korea to give up its nuclear programs.

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