SEOUL, Feb 18: South Korean police commandos swung on ropes down the side of a skyscraper on Monday to storm a US business office occupied by radical students opposed to a visit by US President George W. Bush.

Students took over the American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham) office in the tower block as other demonstrators scuffled with police outside the US embassy ahead of Bush’s arrival Tuesday.

The commandos absailed from the roof of the 53-floor Trade Tower building down to the 45th floor where 28 students had taken over the office.

Other special forces broke down the front door with axes and hammers as the occupation came to a violent end. No serious injuries were reported.

Fifteen men and 13 women were seen being dragged away, some by their hair. Four others were detained before they could get to the building, police said.

Fourteen demonstrators were hauled away by security forces outside the US embassy in central Seoul, said police as South Korean authorities signalled their intention to get tough with protesters during Bush’s first visit to the country.

But radical groups have vowed to stage more protests during Bush’s three-day visit starting Tuesday, particularly during his summit with President Kim Dae-Jung on Wednesday.—AFP