This is probably the most repulsive thing I have read on the web concerning the beef protests rocking downtown Seoul. Today I read an article via the Dong-A Ilbo that stated some South Korean mothers have been impetuous enough to use their babies as human shields against the riot officers.

At around 1:40 p.m. June 26, police stationed two water canon vehicles in front of Saemoonan Church, downtown Seoul. It was to dismiss the protestors overcrowding the road.

As the police prepared for a second spurt after spouting water for 10 minutes, a housewife suddenly approached the water canon vehicles pushing forth a baby buggy with her child in it.

The police requested the mother to move aside to the footpath, but she stayed right there saying, “I’ll only move aside after the water canon vehicles move away.”

The protesters began to give her a hand. When the combat policemen came toward her, they immediately surrounded the baby buggy blocking access. Police persuaded the mother without using force so as not to provoke the protesters, but she did not yield. Police withdrew the water canon vehicles from the site after a 30-minute-long fuss.

About 40 protesters with baby buggies who took part in the rally on June 25 and were near the Sejong intersection were also faced with a dangerous situation as the rally turned violent.

It’s disgusting to say the least. I can’t imagine what would prompt a mother to use her own child, as a tool, in the protests. A parent’s responsibility for the safety of his or her children should be higher than a flawed political agenda/statement.

The K-netizen response has been varied. Statements range from condemnation of the acts to downright encouragement. I really think it puts the crazy mentality of these leftist protesters into perspective when you read notes encouraging women to put innocent children in the line of danger to serve their selfish purposes.

Sadly, there are a great number of these women and they are organized as well. They’re known as the Baby Buggy Squad (yumochabudae) and they have a large online following. Does anyone else think this is absolutely reprehensible?