SEOUL (Reuters) - The South Korean government on Friday asked law enforcement authorities to beef up security around the US embassy and the residence of the top US diplomat in Seoul after about 20 college students encroached on his residence.
Earlier in the day, 17 students and members of a progressive civilian group stormed the residence of US Ambassador Harry Harris in central Seoul by climbing over his wall using a ladder, according to South Korea's Yonhap News Agency.
They staged a surprise protest over Washington's demand for a substantial increase in Seoul's share of the cost of maintaining 28,500 US troops.
The police took the 17 students and two others trying to join the students into custody for questioning.
"Any damage or attack on foreign diplomatic missions will not be justified under any circumstances," Seoul's Foreign Ministry said in a text message to reporters.
The ministry said it would take "all appropriate measures" to protect the areas surrounding foreign diplomatic missions and prevent any acts that disturb their well-being.
Police said they regarded the raid as a serious incident, saying it would be dealt with strictly and that security measures would be focused around the place of residence to prevent a repeat of the incident.
The protest came as Seoul and Washington plan to hold another round of negotiations next week on how much South Korea will pay next year and beyond for the deployment of US troops on the peninsula.