Bust of Park Stolen

The United Liberal Democrats on Monday expressed outrage over the theft of a bust of former President Park Chung Hee from Mullae Park in Yongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.

"Against the backdrop of reconciliation between the two Koreas, it would be tragic if this were to trigger a war between progressives and conservatives," said ULD Rep. Kim Seong-ho during a parliamentary hearing.

Mr. Kim said that conservative supporters of the former president are angry over the incident, and vowed that his party will deal with the matter. Kim Jong-pil, president of the party, was a close aide to Mr. Park.

The former president's daughter, Rep. Park Geun-hye of the Grand National Party, was visibly shaken by the incident. "It's regrettable that this happened," Ms. Park said. "If the government overlooks this, it just shows that this government lacks authority."

On Sunday, some 20 members from five civic groups toppled the bust of Mr. Park and removed it. Prior to stealing the bust, the groups read a statement denouncing the former president for his 18 years of authoritarian rule.

A Seoul court Monday issued arrest warrants for three leaders of the civic groups. The police also applied for several search warrants, including one for Hong-Ik University, where the stolen bust is reportedly being hidden.

by Kim Jung-ha