10 Americans Hurt in Korean Attack on Base
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SEOUL — Villagers demanding that a U.S. Air Force bombing range be closed scaled fences and stormed the range, injuring 10 airmen, military officials said today.
About 100 farmers and villagers attacked the Kooni range about 70 miles southwest of Seoul on Monday night, said Sgt. Will Baker, an Air Force spokesman.
The protesters assaulted military guards with clubs and rocks, slightly injuring the airmen, he said. A Korean civilian worker was also beaten.
Retreat to Dormitory
Baker said Air Force personnel retreated to a dormitory after one attacker pulled out a knife. The villagers then hurled rocks through windows, he said.
The protesters also damaged 22 military vehicles and looted and ransacked administrative buildings.
About 450 South Korean riot police arrived about two hours after the attack began and drove the protesters out. Twenty villagers were arrested, police said.
The attack came after villagers were stopped for safety reasons from working in fields on the edge of the range during a bombing practice, officials said. Farmers are allowed to use government land around the range.
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