Seoul students scale wall of US Embassy in protest American troops in SKorea

At least 19 South Korean university students were arrested Friday after climbing the walls of the official residential compound of the U.S. ambassador to Korea, Harry Harris. Students were reportedly protesting the presence – and cost – of American military forces in the country.

Students can be seen on video using extension ladders to scale the walls of the secure embassy and consulate while others unfurl banners with messages that included “Leave this land, Harris.”

Students shouted, “Stop interfering with our domestic affairs,” and chanted “Get out,” and “We don’t need U.S. troops,” before being removed by police, Reuters reported.

A State Department spokesperson who spoke on the condition of anonymity to talk candidly confirmed the Friday breach. Seoul Metropolitan Police entered the U.S. government facility at the embassy’s request and arrested the students.

“We note with strong concern that this is the second instance of illegal entry into the Ambassador’s residential compound in 14 months. We urge the ROK to strengthen its efforts to protect all diplomatic missions to the Republic of Korea,” the spokesperson said.

South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would tighten security for the U.S. Embassy and the ambassador’s residence, according to Reuters.

“Any harm or attack on such a diplomatic mission cannot be justified under any circumstances, and the government will take all appropriate measures to protect the missions and prevent any acts that disturb their well-being,” the ministry said in a statement.

The Korea Herald, an English-language newspaper based in Seoul, said Friday’s demonstration was a surprise protest by what it characterized as a “progressive civic group” of students.

The U.S. and South Korea have a burden-sharing agreement stemming from a 1953 mutual defense treaty after the halt of the Korean War. As part of the agreement, roughly 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea. The cost of maintaining an American military presence to aid in South Korea’s defense against North Korea has been a point of tension between the U.S. and South Korea in recent months, particularly after President Trump inaccurately claimed during a February Cabinet meeting that “South Korea is costing us $5 billion a year. And they pay – they were paying about $500 million for $5 billion worth of protection.”

According to a previous analysis by The Washington Post, South Korea’s payment to the U.S. last year tallied around $830 million, which covered approximately 40 percent of the cost of the U.S. deployment; the total cost for the United States is closer to $1.25 billion, not the $5 billion figure Trump stated.

U.S. military bases have a complex history in South Korea due not only to politics but their association at times with prostitution rings, black markets and other vices.