Seoul: Angry protestors threw eggs and water bottles at South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-Ahn on Friday, demanding the decision to deploy a US anti-missile defence system in their hometown be scrapped.
Hwang was in Seongju to try and appease residents who are furious over the joint Seoul-Washington decision to install the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system, or THAAD, in their town by the end of next year as a deterrent to repeated sabre-rattling by North Korea. The mob of around 3,000 surrounded a bus that Hwang had taken refuge in to escape the projectile eggs, saying they would not let him go until he promised to retract the decision.
The ongoing standoff lasted several hours and it was unclear when-or how-a compromise would be reached.
The protesters also blocked the entrance to the government compound where Hwang was trapped with a tractor as security guards struggled to keep the crowd at bay. (AFP)
