Korean foreign ministry official urges countris not to use violence during demonstrations
By Chhay Sophal
Cambodia News/New Youth
Seoul (September 3, 2013): South Korean ambassador said on Tuesday that in case any mass demonstration in a country, both police and
protestors should control themselves for not using any violence.
When asked if he is familiar with the Cambodian situation right now, Mr. Oh Joon — ambassador-at-large of South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs – said he is not but that in general when a demonstration occurs, police must try to control the situation while the protestors are also controlling themselves by not committing violence.
Speaking to a group of foreign journalists from Asia and Middle East at the Seoul-based Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security, Mr. Oh who will be the Korean ambassador to the UN by September 20, 2013 said that as many countries around the world have their own problems, own dynasties and own conflict of interests, they have to find peaceful solution.
Cambodia’s national election held on July 28 led the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) of Prime Minister Hun Sen won 68 seats out of 123 parliamentary seats while the Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) of Sam Rainsy is getting 55 seats.
However, the CNRP has rejected and declared its victory had been stolen by saying that it would have won a majority up to 63 seats if no irregularities and flaws.
The CNRP on Monday promised again to hold non-violence protests over Prime Minister Hun Sen, urging its supporters to avoid unleashing chaos while Hun Sen’s government is warning foreign nations to stay away from the rally planned for this weekend.
As the outsider’s message, it is possible to void violence and “we do not recommend to have any violence” during protests and any protest should take Korea as an example that it used to have big protest but both police and protesters did not commit crime, added Mr. Oh who is also a former Korean ambassador to Singapore.
As the upcoming ambassador to the UN, Mr Oh also urged that every country should avoid conflict but promote peace so that people can enjoy human rights and live in better life for tomorrow if compared with yesterday.
