South Korean Police Disperse Protesters at Navy Base Construction Site

Posted September 2nd, 2011 at 12:50 am (UTC-5)
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South Korea has resumed construction of a controversial naval base that has been the site of violent protests in recent weeks.

Riot police early Friday ordered the eviction of nearly 100 protesters who were occupying the site, which is located in a small village on the southern island of Jeju. Police arrested 35 people following clashes with the crowd. There were no reports of injuries.

Critics say the $970 billion project could damage the environment and spark a regional arms race with China. Some protesters have claimed that, once constructed, the base will serve as an ouptost for U.S. troops.

Both the American and South Korean governments have denied the base is being constructed for such a purpose.

Construction on the base began in January, but was suspended in June after a group of residents and activists began occupying the site in protest. The project is expected to be complete by 2014.