S. Korean Rioters Throw Rocks at Police

SEOUL, South Korea--Thousands of protesters hurling rocks and firebombs fought riot police in Seoul and other cities yesterday to protest the government party's confirmation of President Chun Doo-hwan's handpicked presidential candidate.

Observers said the clashes were the worst political violence in many years. Hundreds of people were injured and hundreds arrested.

In Seoul, tens of thousands of protesters surged up and down main streets, throwing firebombs and stones and attacking police with sticks and clubs. Riot police repeatedly fired tear gas, and lines of officers behind shields attempted to drive the protesters back.

"Kill me! Why don't you kill me?" an elderly man screamed at a line of riot police dressed in green combat uniforms and steel helmets.

Terrified pedestrians choking from the gas ran for cover to escape the fighting, which littered the streets with rocks and debris.

At one point, about 2500 protesters, yelling "Overthrow the military dictatorship" and "Drive out U.S. imperialism supporting dictatorship" burned U.S. flags and scribbled anti-American slogans on city buses.

Vicious fighting ensued as police tried to drive rock-throwing students and citizens into side streets. People were seen being beaten by police, and several police officers were beaten by the protesters.

On the campus of Hankuk University in Seoul, six students were injured in clashes between police and about 4000 students. Hospital sources said one student underwent brain surgery.

Yonhap, the Korean news agency, reported clashes in at least 11 provincial cities and said a number of police stations and government offices had been firebombed by protesters. The agency gave no details on casualties.

The opposition Reunification Democratic Party claimed that 500,000 people took part in the protests, but the figure appeared highly inflated.

In Masan, 187 miles south of Seoul, a soccer match between South Korea and Egypt was suspended today when the field was blanketed by tear gas fired by police at protesters, Yonhap said.