South Korea Flames of Protest

Spring brings South Korean students into the streets as surely as it brings blossoms to the trees. But this year's rallies have turned into a virtual siege against the centrist coalition government of President Roh Tae Woo.

Last week, after five protesters immolated themselves, the authorities began investigating whether an "underground organization" was behind the burnings. Sogang University president Park Hong, who was tortured and jailed under previous administrations, fears that professional agitators intent on ousting the government may be persuading young people to kill themselves. "They're using dead bodies for political reasons," he says, "and that's stupid and wrong." Yet many college students insist that suicide is an acceptable method of dissent. "Most of us have thought of doing it," says a Korea University student who describes himself as a moderate. "It's the only way to get this administration to resign."