Church backs plight of Seoul homeless

HOT ON THE HEELS of the Commonwealth Games controversy come new doubts about the 1988 Summer Olympics in South Korea. The Catholic Church has become embroiled in a dispute, that is not so much about a failure to come to the games, but rather a refusal to go away from them.
The Church has given its backing to a group of residents who are living near the proposed Olympic site in the Korean capital, Seoul.
The residents have refused to leave their homes which are earmarked for destruction as part of the Asian nation's grandiose plans to beautify their city in preparation for the eyes of the world in two years time. Archbishop of Seoul, has visited a parish in the path of the bullbozers. Most of those threatened rent their home, and their landlords have already received compensation from the government, but have offered no alternative accommodation to the estimated one million people affected.
Various church groups working in the area have joined in protests at the "urban renewal plan".