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SOUTH KOREA DOMESTIC EVENTS: CHINESE TORCH RALLY RIOT
Olympic Torch Relay Marred by Scuffles (Apr 2008) Dozens of human rights supporters staged a rally on 26 Apr in Seoul on the eve of the South Korean leg of the Olympic torch relay, vowing to use the occasion to raise the issue of China's alleged repatriation of North Korean defectors. The torch, lit in Mar 2008 in Greece, had faced a slew of protests around the world as activists demanded China stop its crackdown on the pro-independence movement in Tibet.
What was noticable was that there was an absence of Koreans lining the streets. The bottomline was that this event was Chinese orchestrated. It had very little to do with Korea -- except that the torch relay runners were Korean. Li Binghua, vice executive president of the Beijing Organizing Committee of Olympic Games (BOG), handed over the torch kindled with the sacred Olympic flame from ancient Olympia of Greece to Rah Jin-Koo,deputy mayor of Seoul. Kim Jong-Kil, chairman of South Korea's Olympic Committee, received the torch from Rah, kicking off the torch relay as the first runner at 2:18 pm local time (0518 GMT). Starting by the South Korean Olympic chief, 70 plus runners, selected from distinguished representatives from various circles of life including Lee Sei-Kee, chief of the China-South Korea Friendship Association, Heo Nam-Soo, mayor of Pusan city, actresses Chang Nara, Kim Mi-Jung, movie director Kim Jong-Seok, and Olympic gold medalists Moon Dae-Sung, Ahn Hyun-Soo, Nam Eun-Young and Kim Soo-Nyung, ran along the 22-kilometer (15-mile) route that covers Seoul's most famous landmarks and historical sites and concludes at the City Hall Plaza. (Source: CRI English News.) Because of the political upheaval over the Tibet uprising, some of the selected torch bearers turned down the honor because of their stance on Tibet. Intended torchbearers Choi Seung-kook and Park Won-sun boycotted the event to protest against the Chinese government's crackdown in Tibet. (Source: International Herald Tribune.)
Thus it remained a Chinese event sponsored by Samsung, Coca-Cola and Levonoco, in support of the Summer Olympics 2008 that just happened to have some Korean bit players as torch bearers. However, the event was complicated with two forces faced off against each other -- (1) the activists who vowed to disrupt the event at all costs and (2) the Chinese students and residents who saw it as their "sacred duty" to protect the torch after the repeated attacks in other countries. The activists centered their attention on gaining media attention for their cause -- while the Chinese were emboldened by nationalistic fervor and ruled by mob psychology. The purpose of all the Chinese students at Olympic Park was to silence the activists dissent.
North Korean defectors vowed on 26 Apr to disrupt the South Korean leg of the Olympic torch relay in protest of China's repatriation of refugees to the North where they could face execution. Han Chang Kwon, head of a coalition of groups representing North Korean defectors in South Korea, told The Associated Press that the protest at the Seoul relay on 27 Apr could become violent. He did not elaborate -- but it was apparent that there were plans afoot to stir up trouble. Han said the defectors in South Korea were "boiling with anger" because some who escaped to China from the North had been repatriated, adding that he hoped the protest would give North Korean leader Kim Jong Il "a stroke." "While trying to improve its image with the Olympics, it (China) keeps sending defectors to the North knowing they will be executed or sent to political prisons," Han said. (Source: Associated Press.)
The Chinese Embassy had provided flags, t-shirts and stickers for the event -- and had encouraged a large turnout of supporters for the relay. A crowd of Chinese students and residents turned out in the Seoul Plaza area to support China in the Torch Relay. Some were dressed in their national costumes -- definitely not model of the violent trouble-makers portrayed by the ROK media. To the majority of the Chinese who turned out, it was a festive event to celebrate something special in their homeland. Many had children -- some with Chinese flags wrapped around them. However, there was groups of Chinese organized with Chinese flags and flags supporting the Olympics that ominously formed up in formations.
The Olympic flame arrived in Seoul at Inchon International Airport on 27 Apr with all the fanfare of a celebrity arriving. The sides of the passageway was lined with Chinese supporters with Chinese flags giving the arrival a festive feel. (Source: SBS Report:YouTube.)
It started off as a festive day. No one was really anticipating that this would turn into a violent event -- though the police were on a high alert for any of the protestors that might try to interrupt the relay. (SITE NOTE: This is why we feel that the ROK is completely off-base in condemning 6,500 "Chinese students" because there were many "Chinese residents" (hwagyo) in that crowd -- many more than they are willing to admit to. They were not there to confront the activists, but rather to have a good time at a Chinese-orchestrated event. It is a fact that some got out of hand, but we maintain that the majority of those in attendance we there simply to voice their support for China.)
What we have here is a perfect media circus. The Torch Relay adds pomp and drama to a festive occasion. Anything to upset the festive mood lends to a sensational event. Enter the "villans" -- the super-sized Chinese nation who are the bullies. Enter the "protagonists" -- the puny Tibetans and North Korean refugees who the Chinese are picking on. Immediately, we have a mix that evokes sympathetic feelings for the oppressed minorities. Let the Korean government allow the protestors to make outrageous claims that they will stop the torch "at all costs." Let the Chinese government call on all its students to "celebrate the Torch Relay" -- but that is only a thinly veiled request to make it a "Sacred Duty" for all Chinese to protect the torch "at all costs." With the Korean government fully aware that there is a powerful mix going on here, allow the two factions to be placed opposite sides of the street -- and just wait for the fireworks to go off. All the ingredients for a media circus were in place in Olympic Park. Media wanted a sensational event -- and they created in the clash of the radicals. The assorted violent incidents lasted a very short time and were minor if compared to recent Korean confrontations. However, the media made a mountain out of a molehill -- but that's their business. Sensationalism sells newspapers and magazines. But along the line, the media circus also stirred up an international incident -- where a Prime Minister called for the punishment of Chinese students setting off a chain-reaction from the Chinese calling for boycotts and reciprocal actions. The media loved it!!!
(L) Chinese in national costume for torch rally ) (R) Chinese with "I love China" sign (27 Apr 2008) (China Myspace)
(L) Child at rally (R) Child at Rally (27 Apr 2008) (bj2008olympics.com)
(L) Chinese at Relay (R) Chinese girls at Relay (27 Apr 2008) (Huanqiu.com)
Coca-Cola Float that preceded the relay runners (SITE NOTE: Coca-Cola was one of the three official sponsors of the Torch Relay-- along with Lenovo and Samsung.) (27 Apr 2008) (Huanqiu.com)
Onlookers shouted "China, China, China" and sang Chinese national songs. About an hour before the relay started, a photographer took pictures of a pro-Tibet demonstrator being chased into the Seoul Plaza Hotel by several hundred Chinese. (SITE NOTE: They turned out to be two American foreign exchange students supporting the Free Tibet movement.)
The Olympic torch relay got underway on 27 Apr in Seoul, marked by an overwhelming presence of young Chinese supporters and a handful of attempts by anti-Beijing protesters to stop the event. More than 10,000 students from around South Korea gathered at the Peace Square of Olympic Park, witnessing the launching ceremony with hundreds of red flags waving in site. The torch, which arrived from Japan early in the day, was first carried by Kim Jung-kil, South Korea's top sporting official, from Seoul's landmark Olympic Park amid tight security provided by thousands of police officers and helicopters that hovered over it. He was the first of 80 runners in the 24-kilometer journey from the Square and started at about 2 p.m. local time. (SITE NOTE: Soon afterwards Kim Jung-kil resigned as he was one of the appointees of the Roh administration -- and Lee Myeong-bak has pushed for most of them to be replaced.)
Because of the trouble experienced in other world capitals, the Chinese provided a contingent of "guards" -- though some referred to them as "thugs" -- to protect the torch. They were identified by being dressed in blue. During the high-profile points of the relay, they disappeared. The Korean police provided an escort of yellow in the vanguard of the relay and to the side of the torch bearer. Next were the lines of light blue Korean police. To the rear were motorcycle policemen. Along the edge of the road were police providing crowd control and Korean police on bikes and motorcycles.
Thousands of Chinese, mostly young students, first cheered the torchbearers, singing, chanting and waving posters that said ``We love China'' and ``Go, China.'' But the cheering took on a completely different tone when they met anti-China activists and demonstrators who denounced China's oppression of Tibet and its repatriation of North Korean defectors.
(top) Torch passes by (Yonhap News) (bottom) Torch Passes (Huanqiu.com)
The Olympic Park in Songpa-gu, southwestern Seoul was where the Olympics were held 20 years earlier. It was swarming with over 6,500 Chinese students and residents in Korea on Sunday afternoon holding or wrapping their bodies in Chinese flags. Many carried banners declaring, "We love China", "We will let real China known to the world", and "Tibet belongs to China forever." Before the Korean leg of the Olympic torch relay that had brought them together, some 180 activists were protesting against China's repatriation of North Korean refugees and forceful repression in Tibet, shouting "No Human Rights, No Olympic Games!" They were separated by the street where the relay would pass. The first torch-bearer left the Olympic Park surrounded by dozens of police officers on foot or on bicycles and hundreds more in buses and trailed by a water cannon, ambulances and helicopters circling overhead.
After the torch left Olympic Park, the Police took down the crowd control cordon that kept the street clear and the Chinese surged across the street. Hundreds of pro-Chinese demonstrators charged toward a flatbed truck holding about 30 people protesting China's actions in Tibet and its repatriation of North Korean refugees -- along with other supporters not on the stage. Many of the Chinese who had gathered at the park surged toward about 150 protesters, mostly old South Koreans and North Korean defectors, who were shouting, "No human rights, no Olympics," from across a boulevard. The activists were soon confronted by more than 1,000 China supporters who were led by a man with a megaphone shouting, "Jiayou Zhongguo! (Way to go, China!)", their voices completely drowned out. Some pro-Chinese demonstrators threw paper cups and rocks at the activists. They were held back by South Korean riot police, but bottles began flying through the air and some onlookers fell down during the melee. There were no reports of serious injuries resulting from the incident as of Sunday evening. (Source: Chosun Ilbo and Stars and Stripes.)
Armed with plastic shields, about 2,500 police scuffled with the Chinese. The police tried to separate the two groups when the Chinese started hurling objects. Though both sides hurled objects at each other, the Chinese by far had the largest barrage.
VIDEO: Torch Relay and Chinese Demonstration w/ North Korean Refugee activist denouncing objects hurled; Require Active X
The police deployed only 9,300 policemen because they thought it would be controlled. In viewing the video, the police were not in their normal riot gear indicating they were not expecting violence. They also admitted that they were concentrating on protecting the torch -- and not focusing on the demonstrators. One policeman received six stitches for a head wound. When the demonstration got rowdy, the police hastily got their shields, but still were not in riot gear. The police state they will prosecute those Chinese arrested -- who at this time is only one.
Korean police acknowledged they had not anticipated such big, wild crowds for the event, according to Eo Choeng-soo, commissioner general of the National Police Agency. "We were told by the Chinese ambassador that the Chinese crowd would be about 1,000 to 1,200," Eo said in a press conference yesterday. "But there were far more Chinese students at the scene, and the police focused more on monitoring those who might try to interrupt the torch relay than watching the students." (Source: Joongang Ilbo.)
At least one Chinese student was hauled away by the police for throwing a rock. In Seoul, several Chinese students, speaking in Korean, said in interviews that they were angered by attempts to politicize the Olympics and that they gathered to "show our defense" of the Games. (Source: WN.com.)
(Upper L) Chinese rally toward torch (Upper R) N.Korean activist disrupt relay (Lower L) Stickers and flags (Lower R) Anti-CNN mask because of derogatory remarks by CNN (27 Apr 2008) (bj2008olympics.com.)
45-year old North Korean defector, Son Jong Hoon, claimed that he had tried to save his brother from being returned to North Korea, but the Chinese returned him and he was executed. He tried to set himself on fire on 27 Apr as a protest against China's alleged crackdown on North Korean defectors, a witness said, as the Olympic torch relay proceeded in Seoul. The protester poured what seemed to be a flammable liquid over his body near the torch bearer, but was immediately stopped by police. He and his accomplice were arrested.
Son Jong-hoon attempts to immolate himself. He held a razor-knife to hold the police at bay, but his lighter failed to ignite the flammable liquid. His accomplice is hauled away by the scruff of the neck. (27 Apr 2008)
Even though 68 relay runners ran 22 km from the Olympic Park to City Hall, not many citizens were able to witness the relay because of police guards and some 6,500 Chinese supporters. A police officer said more than 9,300 police were mobilized to ensure the smooth running of the event, but there was no need as so many Chinese people came out to protect the relay. "Who could possibly stop the Olympic flame when there are so many people out to protect it?" the officer said.
Only a few anti-China demonstrators were present as the torch made its way through Seoul. But thousands of Chinese demonstrators — mostly university students studying in South Korea — waved Chinese flags, tied them around their necks, wore flag T-shirts and stickers, and held signs in English that said "The Olympics must go on" and "Tibet as a part of China since 1362."
Chinese students from Daegu University watch relay. One has "Tibet Belongs to China" written on his t-shirt.
According to China View, "Under tight security, the Olympic torch relay went through Seoul, the host of the 1988 Summer Olympics, and witnessed warmed welcome by hundreds of thousands local people and Chinese students with red flags." However, from the pics of spectators, there were very few Koreans present. According to LA Times, "Thousands of Chinese followed the torch on its 4.5 hour journey, some chanting, "Go China, go Olympics!"" Though the ROK government will not admit it, but there were relatively few Korean citizens in attendance -- atleast when compared to the Korean activists and Chinese demonstrators at event. All one has to do is study the photos of the event to realize that besides the Chinese with their banners along the torch relay route, there were only smatterings of protestors and curiousity-seeking foreigners along the streets. Many of the Korean citizens avoided the event because they had heard about the activists warnings to disrupt the event at all costs and did not want to get involved. Some people on blogs responded that the Seoul streets were totally empty except for the protestors, police and security, newsmen -- and of course the foreigners who didn't know any better. Many Korean parents kept.their kids at home and off the streets. One blogger commented it was like a " practice air raid siren thing" that empties the streets. (SITE NOTE: It was our impression that there were more newsmen present than there were Koreans. In fact, there even seemed to be more foreigners present than there were Koreans. We may be exaggerating a little, but not by much. The controversy caused by famous Koreans turning down the offer to be torch bearers stirred up feelings that this event was one that Koreans should NOT to attend. To most Koreans, this was a Chinese sponsored event financed by Samsung, Lenovo and Coca-Cola. It had nothing to do with Korea -- except that it was an event leading up to the Olympics where the Koreans hoped to bring home the gold.)
When the torch was passing Sincheon Station in Songpa-gu at about 3 p.m., however, a North Korean defector was arrested after jumping into the relay route to snatch away the torch. He said he was protesting against China's forceful repatriation of North Korean refugees. "Many people died because they were sent back, and I tried to show my protest by putting out the torch," he said. Police arrested three Koreans and one Chinese student for interfering with the torch relay.
Chinese Bell in Seoul Plaza
At City Hall where the relay ended, pockets of mostly student protesters scuffled with Korean riot police. By the end of the relay, Chinese students became violent, and it was reported in Korean media that they were "lynching" everyone who was disagreeing with them. (Source: EMPAS News.) One police man was also rushed to hospital after being attacked by Chinese students. (Source: Chosun Ilbo.)
Chinese students studying here seemed well organized in their efforts to guard the Olympic torch. Messages calling for concerted action began to appear in an online club of Chinese students in Korea two weeks prior to the Torch Relay. A 22-year-old Chinese student who said he studies at Korea University of Technology and Education said 30,000 Beijing Olympic T-shirts and 30,000 Chinese flags were sent to the demonstrators from China the day before the relay.
Kim Seong-yong (71) from Seoul, who witnessed the event, said he had “never seen so many Chinese flags waving in central Seoul, not even during the Korean War.” As the students scuffled with South Korean anti-Beijing demonstrators along the streets in parts of Seoul, they were seen throwing rocks, chunks of wood, water bottles and drinks cans at the crowd. During the process, a journalist and a police officer were hit on the head with a weapon carried and thrown by pro-Chinese supporters. Four people, including a Chinese student hurling a stone at protesters, were arrested for disrupting the relay, police said.
Chinese students with their flags (27 Apr 2008)
After it passed through Seoul, the torch went north. The torch was to be flown late Sunday to communist North Korea, which has arranged a major protest-free welcome. The Olympic torch's first-ever relay in North Korea was marked by enthusiasm Monday, media reports said, despite anti-Chinese protesters having marred the event elsewhere in the world. The torch travelled a 20-km route through the North Korean capital where about 400,000 citizens lined in the city's main streets, waving paper flowers and small flags, according to Chinese news reports. After North Korea, the torch was headed for Vietnam and then Hong Kong and Macao.
Park Tae-hoon: Bicycle Incident Park Tae-hoon was at first said to be a Free Tibet activist on 1 May, but then said to be a NK human rights protester on 4 May. Interestingly, he was reported to NOT be affiliated with any human rights organization according to the Epoch Times on 5 May. In the Photo 0 below, Park appears to be wearing the same type of sign vest worn on the chest as other North Korean refugee demonstrators on 27 Apr 2008 leading credence that he was a NK human rights protestor. The sign vest read (on front and back) "Hanguk opnunnada -- Olympic keche chakyok opta" (No (North Korea) Human Rights, No Olympics). A second-hand witness account (from the Korean side) stated that Park entered the area and started shouting NK human rights slogans -- and was immediately set upon by the Chinese.
(SITE NOTE: We do not have much information on the identity of Park Tae-hoon. One possibility is that he is a long-time leftist activist with involvement dating back over 20 years. SEE Tae-hoon Park and Bayefsky.com for possible connection to a 1998 action to Human Rights Commission on behalf of Park Tae-hoon convicted on 22 December 1989 by the Seoul Criminal District Court found guilty of violation of National Security Law. Park's conviction was allegedly based on his membership and participation in the activities of the Young Koreans United (YKU), during his study at the University of Illinois in Chicago, USA, in the period 1983 to 1989. The YKU is an American organization, composed of young Koreans, and has as its aim to discuss issues of peace and unification between North and South Korea. Tae-Hoon Park, a Korean citizen, born on 3 November 63 claimed to be a victim of a violation by the Republic of Korea of article 18, paragraph 1, 19, paragraphs 1 and 2, and 26 of the Covenant. Also Amnesty International 1999: Action to reform NSL.)
Supposedly, Park Tae-hoon was "beaten and kicked by Chinese students for nearly a half hour simply because he was holding a flyer for a human rights organization" according to the Epoch Times. This is NOT a satisfactory explanation as Park was wearing a NK Refugee vest.
All we can deduce is that Park Tae-hoon got into some sort of confrontation with the Chinese very near to the Peace Gate, built for the 1998 Seoul Summer Olympics. Though the Epoch Times claimed it was because Park was holding a flyer from "a human rights organization," how it escalated to a chase, being knocked down and flying kicks to the back remains unexplained. We find it hard to believe that he was attacked for simply holding a flyer, though on second-hand account stated he intentionally started the commotion by shouting slogans in the midst of the Chinese. In truth, we have no idea what started it. The first photo (Photo 0) shows him fleeing with a sign half-ripped from his body. Though the placard cannot be read, it is of the same type as worn by North Korean refugee demonstrators on 27 Apr 2008 in their demonstration. (NOTE: A second-hand report stated he "wore banners saying 'Free Tibet'," but this may have been understandable as the placard was all in Hangul and the fact that the Chinese consider both the Free Tibet and North Korean refugee group as the same -- one big anti-Chinese group.)
It is unknown whether Park Tae-hoon unintentionally or intentionally mixed in with the group of Chinese, but from a second-hand report, Park Tae-hoon started shouting slogans which in turn instigated the disturbance. The action would seem to indicate that the action was intentional. The Chinese appeared to have tried to remove the placard affixed to his chest. The exact events of what happened before Park raised the bicycle over his head in a threatening manner (photo 1) is unclear. It was at this point that a second-hand report states that a Chinese stepped in to block the attacks and told Park Tae-hoon to leave the area as quickly as possible (Photo 1a).
It is alleged that he hit a Chinese in the head (photo 10), but we have doubts that it happened because the time sequence does not jibe as the Chinese photo is taken in another area -- and not where the initial incident happened. The Chinese use this as the excuse for the reason they chased down Park Tae-hoon.
There are serious questions raised if Park Tae-hoon instigated the violence. If proven true that Park Tae-hoon intentionally entered the area and instigated a confrontation, he changes from an "innocent bystander" into an "instigator." The serious question raised then is -- Did the newspaper men in the area (and subsequent media coverage) INTENTIONALLY coverup his actions in the Korean press? If they did -- whether as a result of poor journalism reporting or by deliberate withholding of key facts -- the press could be condemned for deliberately manipulating the facts of the event to mislead the public and create an international incident. The photos of this incident were published internationally in articles condemning this incident so the scope of the journalistic failure is much larger than if it was simply a local event.
Others who have come across the photo have also raised the same doubts that he might not be totally blameless in the fray. Tim Johnson of McClatchy blog: China Rises wrote of 1 May 2008 : "But several readers quickly pointed out that the photo appeared to be misleading. Click here to see a photo of the “kicked” guy holding up a bicycle over his head. (We don’t have rights to reprint the photo here.) It appears to be a threatening gesture. Was he threatening to toss the bicycle at Chinese counter-protesters? I don’t know. Some Chinese websites suggest he brought on the violence himself. Again, I don’t know. But the added perspective certainly tempers the inclination to “believe” what one’s eyes might indicate initially was an unprovoked attack."
(SITE NOTE: However, the question we ask is why would anyone, surrounded by partisan Chinese, even try to raise his bike in a threatening manner? Lots of guts, but no brains -- or simply no brains. If one is surrounded by potential assailants and you're all alone, the NORMAL reaction is to flee — NOT raise your bicycle over your head in a threatening manner to fight off the hoards with your trusty bicycle. Such an act will only inflame your potential assailants — and you end up in the hospital. It is NOT a smart move. To us, there is something missing from this story.
At one extreme end, Park Tae-hoon innocently blundered into the group of Chinese wearing his North Korean refugee placard on his chest. He was immediately surrounded by the Chinese and set upon. In self-defense, he raised the bicycle above his head to keep the crowd at bay.
At the other extreme end, Park Tae-hoon consciously entered the area to confront the Chinese. If so, he is not a normal demonstrator -- but a fanatic willing to face imminent injury for the sake of his cause. Such a person has an axe to grind and is very capable of viewing everyone as adversaries to his cause. He would be considered mentally unstable by some -- and capable of attacking others. The bicycle attack would have been deliberate striking out once set upon by the Chinese "enemy."
Though the pictures of the flying kick was widely publicized in Korea and internationally (i.e., BBC), what was NOT shown in the Korean media and internationally was Park Tae-hoon raising his portable bike over his head in a threatening manner -- though he may have done this to protect himself. This was captured on two photos and was released by the Chinese side. What happened to prompt this action remains a mystery. He was supposedly set upon because he had a flyer from a "human rights organization," How that caused him to raise his bike in a threatening manner is still unexplained. Park in his interviews has only explained from the portion where he had fallen.
One explanation was offered by Lynn Raebsamen-Lee at The Korea Challenge blog (posted 27 Apr 2008). It states the (1) Park Tae-hoon was a Free Tibet advocate -- not an innocent bystander. We believe he was a North Korean refugee activist. (2) He provoked the incident with the bicycle. We need corroboration to verify the statements, but it would explain the actions of the Chinese in attacking Park.
She stated, "Let me come back to the picture above of an alleged passenger in Seoul being attacked by a Chinese protester. It happens that one of my friends who attended the torch relay in Seoul saw that same passenger just minutes before the photo was taken. The passenger wore banners saying “Free Tibet” and deliberately mixed among Chinese students to provoke them. The passenger grabbed a bicycle and swung it around him to attack the Chinese students. My friend took a picture of that scene, which was published in a Chinese newspaper. As a response, some Chinese students tried to attack the bicycle swinger, but my friend jumped in between, shouting at the Chinese students to stop and urged the man to leave as fast as he could. Minutes later, the picture of the man being attacked by a martial arts Chinese protester was taken - and of course only that was published by the western media." (Source: The Korea Challenge blog.) We wrote in her blog, The Korea Challenge, a request for further clarification if possible of the events. What she states contradicts the NoCutNews.com statement that he was an innocent bystander with a flyer that caused the Chinese to react. She also states that he deliberately swung the bicycle -- not in self-defense -- to provoke the Chinese.
If this story by the friend of Ms. Lee should prove true, it would change the entire story from being a perceived "victim" to that of an "instigator" who deliberately taunted the Chinese students. If it is so, there is a very great possibility that the ROK media would have known about this all along as there were reporters there on the scene. If so, they are guilty of attempting to create an international incident by intentionally withholding (or suppressing) the facts.
As to the ROK media not showing these photos in their reports, it makes the assault on Park Tae-hoon appear to be without any provocation on his part. In addition, the ROK media has not provided any explanation as to what brought about the assault. Though the Chinese side produced the photo of his "threatening pose," there still is no proof that he committed any violence. The Chinese allege, he hit a Chinese student on the head with his bike. However, the sequence of photos we have found does not substantiate their claims. All we are saying is that Park Tae-hoon's assault is FACT. The Chinese allegation is unsubstantiated.)
The Chinese allege that Park Tae-hoon hit a Chinese on the head with his bike. We have doubts over this. The prime reason is that no assault charges have been filed by the Chinese person against Park Tae-hoon -- even though this has undergone international press coverage. From the sequence of photos, the injury photo is taken in a DIFFERENT location from where Park raised the bicycle threateningly over his head. It is however taken in the same location where Park was fleeing for his life. Though the photo of the injured Chinese is in the same general area of the incident, it is not PROOF that an assault occurred from Park. If it was done in the scuffle -- where he lost his glasses -- to make good his escape, then it was self-defense -- not an assault. Regardless, there is no proof presented to prove there was an assault committed by Park Tae-hoon.
Though we don't know what caused the Chinese to start chasing Park, it is a fact that they did. In Photos 1, and 1a he raises his bicycle threateningly over his head. He is near the Peace Gate. He was knocked to the ground (Photo 2). The Chinese surrounded him and assaulted him, stuffing Chinese flags into his jacket. He fled (Photo 2a) and was in a different location (Photo 2b) when he was stopped again by the Chinese (Photo 3 and 3a). It is assumed there was a scuffle after Photo 3a in which Park lost his glasses. Then he tried to flee and one Chinese tried to hit him (photo 4). The Chinese man tried to restrain him by pulling on his coat and another wearing a black hat delivered a flying kick to his back. (photos 5-7) Park fell to the ground and a Chinese in red hat/red shoes straddles him (photo 8). The police then hustle him off to one of the buses for aid. (photo 9).
Later Park Tae-hoon was filmed by a TV news crew where he reenacted the incident. However, the question as to what really started the incident was never fully answered.
Photo 0: Attempting to flee scene after being attacked by Chinese after he allegedly instigated a confrontation. Though the writing on the chest placard cannot be read, it is of the same type as worn by the North Korean refugee activists on 27 Apr 2008 -- NOT the Free Tibet activists. The placard read "Hanguk opnunnada -- Olympic keche chakyok opta" (No (North Korea) Human Rights, No Olympics). (SEE North Korean Refugee demonstration photos in this section.) This also dispels the idea that he was an innocent bystander. The placard was displayed on the chest with straps over the shoulder and tied at the waist. It is shown partially ripped away. There is something else stuffed into his jacket, but it is unknown. His appearance would indicate that battery had been committed upon his person at this point. Though a second-hand report claims he intentionally entered the area to instigate trouble, there is no corroboration. It is still unknown whether he innocently blundered into the area by mistake or intentionally entered the area to provoke a confrontation. (27 Apr 2008) (NOTE: Through the small opening one can see the apartment buildings so he is facing in the same direction as Photo 1 and 1a.) (Huanqiu.com)
Photo 1: Park Tae-hoon raising portable bicycle in threatening manner. (NOTE: He is very close to the base of the small "Peace Gate" structure with fabric wings. To the right is a brown building.) (27 Apr 2008) (SITE NOTE: There is another photo of Park amidst a group of Chinese on a video at Youtube where he is standing with his left hand in his pocket with a group of Chinese supporters in the background.) (China Myspace)
Photo 1a: Another view of bicycle raised in threatening manner. The man in Photo 1 left is in the bottom center of Photo 1a. (NOTE: He is very close to the base of the small "Peace Gate" structure with fabric wings. To the right is a brown building.) (27 Apr 2008) (Huanqiu.com)
Photo 2: There appears to have been a scuffle and Park Tae-hoon lies on ground with portable bicycle. Notice the sidewalk bricks match the sidewalk in Photo 1. The man in red hat and a red wristwatch reappears in Photo 5, 6 where he is wearing red shoes. The tattoos on his arm make people think this is a "Chinese resident." He will chase Park throughout this sequence. Supposedly someone interceded and told Park to flee the area. (27 Apr 2008) (China Myspace)
Photo 2b: Park Tae-hoon riding away as if fleeing the scene. The crowd seems to be following Park as if trying to surround him. All eyes are turned in his direction. He is fleeing away from the area where the bicycle swinging incident occurred. On the sides there are no buildings and the winged structure is to his rear. The sidewalk is the same irregular pattern where he raised the bicycle over his head. Notice man with red hat, red watch and red shoes (with a tattoo on left arm) "flipping the bird" to Park Tae-hoon is the same man from in Photo 2. He will reappear in many of the subsequent photos. The sidewalk is the same brownish color and pattern of where he raised the bicycle over his head. (The Epoch Times)
Photo 3: Park Tae-hoon stopped by a Chinese as another blocks his escape. The man to the far right and the man stopping Park reappear in Photo 3a. A reporter in the green vest is attempting to get out of the way. The sidewalk is the same brownish color of where he raised the bicycle over his head, but notice that it is a different pattern from the first location. (The Epoch Times) )
Photo 3a: "South Korean citizen Po Taihun (transliteration) was beaten and kicked by Chinese students for about half an hour just because he was holding a flyer given by a human rights organization. The Chinese students try to block reporters from taking pictures." The individual in the rear right appears to be the same man who delivered the flying kick to the back of Park Tae-hoon. He is wearing the same black hat, white t-shirt worn over a long-sleeved gray shirt. Notice that he is carrying a flag in his right hand at the time -- indicating that this was at the beginning of this sequence. In the background, a red hat is seen just over the arm of the person on the right. We believe this is the same person that also appears in Photos 2, 5, 8 and 9. At this point, Park Tae-hoon appears to be in control of his bike. Students appear to be blocking Park from fleeing, though the caption stated that they were blocking the reporters from seeing. We assume that Park next broke free and attempted to flee. The sidewalk is the same brownish color of where he raised the bicycle over his head, but notice that it is a different pattern from the first location. (The Epoch Times)
Photo 3b Park Tae-hoon is WITHOUT glasses. He appears to be dragging his bike away to get away from group. Notice that his hand position on the bike frame is the same as that in Photo 3a. The individual with the black hat from Photo 3a is chasing him still holding his flag. The sidewalk is the same brownish color of where he raised the bicycle over his head, but notice that it is a different pattern from the first location. (27 Apr 2008) (Sanshou.net)
Photo 4: Park Tae-hoon running away and chased by man in white T-shirt who appears to be trying to hit him. Notice that Park is NOT wearing glasses and it is assumed that they were lost as he escaped from the Chinese trying to block him. It appears that Park was heading towards the Police line to his right to seek safety. The sidewalk indicates that this is a different area from the photo prior to Photo 3a. (27 Apr 2008) (Sanshou.net)
Photo 5: Attacker kicking Park Tae-hoon (in brown coat) while Park being restrained by man in white t-shirt. Hooded blue figure rushing up from behind. Because of his black fatigue pants and the black shoulder bag many of the "plainclothes" officers were wearing, it is assumed he is part of the riot police. However, another source said that he was a Chinese student leader. (27 Apr 2008) (NOTE: Attacker leg bent at start of kick. In the background is the man with the red hat and red wristwatch. This photo was supposedly widely circulated by Korean media and BBC.) (Channel News Asia)
Photo 6: One Chinese trying to restrain attackee by pulling on coat, while the other delivers flying kick. Figure with hooded blue shirt and a shoulder bag rushing up from behind. Because of his black fatigue pants of the type worn by the riot police, it is assumed he is part of the riot police. However, another source said that he was a Chinese student leader. (SITE NOTE: Leg about fully extended so this is same as Photo 5 but from a different angle.) (27 Apr 2008) (Sanshou.net)
Photo 6a: Chinese students attack a South Korean man who was protesting against China's human rights after the start of the Olympic torch relay at Seoul Olympic park on April 27, 2008 in Seoul, South Korea. (Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images) (SITE NOTE: This is about the same time as Photo 6, but from a different angle. Also shows figure with hooded blue shirt.)
Photo 7: Attacker delivers flying kick. Figure with hooded blue shirt and a shoulder bag rushing up from behind. Because of his black fatigue pants of the type worn by the riot police, it is assumed he is part of the riot police. However, another source said that he was a Chinese student leader. (27 Apr 2008) (Sanshou.net) (SITE NOTE: Attackee back turned to camera. Man in red shoes in background next to someone with a ladder -- most likely a newsman -- will appear in photo 7. Leg of attacker fully extended thus at end of kick.)
Photo 8: Man in red shoes straddling over fallen attackee with person who kicked him hidden in rear. Figure with hooded blue shirt and a shoulder bag rushing up from behind. Because of his black fatigue pants of the type worn by the riot police, it is assumed he is part of the riot police. However, another source said that he was a Chinese student leader. Police in police line have turned finally recognizing something amiss to there rear. Other police appear to be approaching the assailants. (27 Apr 2008) (China Digital Times) (SITE NOTE: Because the man with the red hat appears in so many of these photos, it is assumed that he was part of the group chasing Park Tae-hoon. The tatoos on left arm appear like a dark shirt in photo. Photo distorted with faces stretched and the man's figure extremely thin as though the shot was taken with a fish-eye lens. The officer whose shoulder is seen may be farther away from the action than it appears.)
Photo 9: Park Tae-hoon, removed from area by police (27 Apr 2008) (China Myspace) (SITE NOTE: Man looks dazed and in shock. Person in upper right corner may be individual with blue hooded shirt.)
Photo 9a: Attacked person, Park Tae-hoon, helped by police (27 Apr 2008) (China Myspace) (SITE NOTE: Man looks dazed and in shock.)
Photo 10: Chinese allegedly hurt by the bicycle attack from Park Tae-hoon (27 Apr 2008) (China Myspace) (SITE NOTE: Video at Youtube claims that this person was hurt by Park Tae-hoon using the bicycle as a weapon. It further contends that the man in the white T-shirt in photo 5 is a friend of his who was chasing Park Tae-hoon down. The video claims the green sign in the upper left of photo 10 is the same as in photo 4 , 6, 6a (top center) conclusively prove the pictures were all taken at the same location. We agree, but it does NOT prove that the injury was done by Park Tae-hoon. Looking at the sequence of photos, the photos where Park Tae-hoon raised his bicycle over his head was in a DIFFERENT location as the later photos where he was fleeing for his life. This photo of the injury was taken at the location of the second part of the incident -- not in the first location where he was swinging the bicycle. There is no proof that Park Tae-hoon did the injury. It only proves that the injured man was in the same area as the Park Tae-hoon incident.)
(SITE NOTE: We wish to thank Sonagi (a pseudonym), a regular contributor to Marmot's Hole, for providing starting links that provided illumination to the subject. She pointed out that photos were out of sequence and provided links to sites with photos of the incident. These were Chinese myspace.com and Sanshou.net. We have tried to assemble photos from different sources to try to get a picture of what actually happened, but we are still uncertain of the sequence of events.
Free Tibet Attack at Seoul Plaza Hotel About an hour before the relay had passed an incident was reported to have occurred between a Free Tibet activist and from reports between 100-400 Chinese students at the Seoul Plaza Hotel near the Seoul City Hall where the relay was scheduled to end. (SITE NOTE: The numbers are not known for certain though we believe it was closer to 100. The clips show some 100 Chinese crowding in on several Koreans protesting against China's repression in Tibet in the lobby of the Seoul Plaza Hotel in the heart of the capital, beating them with flagpoles and fists, and kicking them. (Source: Chosun Ilbo.) A photographer took pictures of a pro-Tibet demonstrator being chased into the Seoul Plaza Hotel by several hundred Chinese. (Source: Chosun Ilbo and Stars and Stripes.)
Initial reports were very sketchy. Some of the initial facts were wrong. For example, it was reported that "three members of civil rights groups who had protested against China's handling of the Tibet issue in front of the Deoksu Palace on Sunday afternoon." In fact, it was two American foreign exchange students who made flags to show their support of the Free Tibet movement -- but were not part of the organized group. In addition, another erroneous report was shown in a YouTube video of "Newsdesk" in hangul, Chinese surrounded "several Tibetans and South Korean supporters" who unfurled pro-Tibet banners, and kicked and punched them according to witnesses said. Even the Japanese news picked up on this mistaken story of Tibetans being attacked in the hotel and broadcast it on their news. (Source: Chosun Ilbo.)
The YouTube video of incident shows the two foreign exchange students trying to escape into the hotel after being chased by between 100-400 China supporters. The video incident in the hotel lasted about 1:30 minutes, but the foreign exchange students stated it lasted fifteen minutes.
Supposedly the Chinese believed the activists had torn up a Chinese flag, though the activists denied any such thing happened. It should be noted that the Korean activists are famed for flag-burnings -- especially American, Japanese and Chinese -- so the students would be tend to believe such rumors easily. As it turns out, the two were American foreign exchange students and claimed to be simply holding Tibet flags when attacked. Whether one believes the Chinese excuse or not is irrelevant. A heinous mob attack did in fact take place on two unarmed individuals.
When the Free Tibet supporters were chased into the hotel lobby, they were trapped and pinned against the wall where they were repeatedly hit by demonstrators. In the hands of the man with the gray hat can be seen a small Tibet flag sign that he was holding. (SITE NOTE: One guest at the hotel stated that they were holding a Tibet flag AND a Taiwan flag.) The pro-Tibet activists can be seen to be trying to block the blows with their arms. The activists were surrounded and pinned against a wall. In the video, one Chinese student is seen swinging what appears to be rolled-up newspaper at a Tibet activist. In the video one could see that one of the activists was struck with the pole of a flag. The Chinese students kept shouting, "Beat him to death!" and "Apologize!"
Also can be seen what appears to be a Chinese student attempting to protect the foreign exchange students. It also appears that some of the Chinese demonstrators were trying to intervene to protect the Free Tibet activists. Those who have listened closely to the video claim that there are Chinese voices telling the protestors to stop. However, they are drowned out by the mob. One commentor stated, "Right when the clip starts you can hear one rational voice: 'don't hit people' Then as the pack starts hitting people and the 'love China' voices roar you hear a: 'sorry'" (Source: Comments: China Media blog.)
According to the videos of the incident, the Chinese carried small Chinese flags and larger Chinese flags on poles. The prevailing opinion amongst the Chinese is that Tibet has been part of China for 700 years or longer and the rebellion was timed to coincide with the Olympics to embarrass China. Most of those who entered the hotel lobby were not draped in the Chinese flags as their Chinese counterparts at the Olympic Peace Park were in their attack on the North Korean refugee demonstration. (Source: YouTube video of incident.)
The police entered the fray and attempt to calm the crowd with hand gestures to be quiet, but the Chinese shouts drown them out. Riot police were sandwiched in the middle, and some of them were also beaten. One policeman was injured in this fray requiring six stitches to close the wound to his scalp.
As the police pushed the Chinese out the door, the two Free Tibet supporters (American foreign exchange students) -- one in a long-sleeved white shirt and another in a gray hat -- were shown in the center being protected from the Chinese.
The ROK media news reports were incorrect about the nationality of the two activists in the video shown. In fact, the two activists were American foreign exchange students in Seoul -- Michael, in the long-sleeved white shirt and Ben, who was in the gray hat. They produced a YouTube video in response to the UP report on the incident. Michael displayed his blood spotted white shirt and Ben wore the same gray hat. They claimed that they were not seriously injured. They explained that they had seen that the Chinese in Seoul forcing the Tibetan activists off the street denying them their rights of self-expression and decided to become actively involved. (SITE NOTE: They are referring to the 24 Apr confrontation in front of Deoksu Palace between Free Tibet activists and flag-drapped Chinese students.) They said they made two Tibetan flags and posted themselves on the street -- not speaking or actively protesting as a peaceful demonstration. However, they were mobbed by Chinese and forced to flee into the Seoul Plaza hotel lobby. They were subsequently "surrounded and heavily beaten for about fifteen minutes," said Ben. They thanked the police and the few Chinese people who helped them escape. Ben credited them with saving their lives. They stated that they were not anti-Chinese and asked those posting comments on the bbs to not make the incident into a race-baiting issue. (Source: YouTube video.)
The Korean TV news in reporting this event also showed footage of a reporter bleeding from the head after being hit by a piece of wood thrown by the Chinese. He is identified by the green vest the reporters and cameramen wore. However, this clip was from the North Korean refugee demonstration where objects were thrown. No objects were reported thrown in the hotel incident.
On 30 Apr, the police reportedly sent a team of investigators to the southeastern province of South Gyeongsang to arrest a Chinese student suspected of hurting a policeman during a clash in a hotel lobby (Seoul Plaza Hotel) at the end of the relay. (Source: TheAge.com.) Nothing more has been heard of this manhunt for the suspect. (SITE NOTE: We wonder what would happen if the police investigators found the "Chinese resident" was actually the descendant of one of the ethnic Chinese who Syngman Rhee (Yi Syng-man) allowed to reside in South Korea instead of being repatriated back to China -- but not allowing them to have ROK citizenship for all these years. What if he were holding a Chinese passport one that he had to exchange for a PRC one when he had to turn in their ROC one because the ROK changed sides and he didn't want to leave his HOME in Korea where he grew up and attended Korean schools. There would be ... silence. Shhhh...)
Discover Vancouver forum had a comment: "We had beijing olympic torch relay, in seoul korea, on sunday. I was around city hall, streets been packed with so many chinese. They were chanting 'go go china' at every corner with waving their red flags. Chinese crowd did violence to school girls advocating 'Free Tibet' near city hall. This happened a few minutes after I left there. Peaceful pro-tibet (and anti-china) protesters, include several koreans, taiwanese, an amerian and a canadian, were injured by chinese crowd this day. a few police and a journalist too. Further, a convenience store was robbed by them. I feel scared of and angry with chinese people living in seoul, for the first time of my life."
Scenes of a small Free Tibet mock Torch Relay. This was NOT along the route of the Torch Relay. (27 Apr 2008) (Flikr: Buddha Baby)
Scenes of a small Free Tibet mock Torch Relay. This was NOT along the route of the Torch Relay. (27 Apr 2008) (Flikr: Buddha Baby)
Supposed Chinese Attack on Americans Protesting Tibet One video clip supposedly showed four American high school students wearing "Free Tibet" T-shirts surrounded by 300 Chinese people. They were later rescued by the police. (Source: Chosun Ilbo.) We have not been able to locate this clip. This may be a mistaken report and actually be the incident at the Seoul Plaza Hotel involving two American foreign exchange students. Photos in Chinese media and videos purporting to show the area of the attack was of when the relay passed by an area and the crowd attempted to surge into the streets -- causing the riot police to react to control the crowd. (SITE NOTE: We have not been able to locate other information at this time on this incident. We have seen photos taken on 27 Apr 2008 of caucasians (nationality unk) with Free Tibet slogans and some wearing Free Tibet t-shirts, but none were being molested or confronted. There was a major demonstration on 24 Apr at the gates of Deoksu Palace, but we have not heard of any organized protest at the Torch Relay though supporters of the Free Tibet cause were there along the streets and a short mock relay was held near the center of the city.)
There were other photos of isolated confrontations with the Free Tibet groups:
Confrontation between Chinese and a man initially said to be Australian, but later identified as a Canadian. In a Free Tibet t-shirt, he was protesting the Tibet uprising. Besides the Chinese finger-pointing -- very close to his face -- there was no violence reported. (27 Apr 2008) (Yonhap News)
Continuation of the shouting and finger-pointing. (27 Apr 2008) (Yonhap News)
Chinese Attack on Free Tibet Activists at Deoksu Palace There was a violent confrontation between the Free Tibet activists and Chinese students near the entrance of Deoksu Palace. It is unknown if any injuries occurred requiring medical attention, but the photos of the confrontation showed the students pummeling the activists.
Violent confrontation between Chinese and Free Tibet activists. The photo is thought to be near the gates of Deoksu Palace where a violent confrontation between a small group of Free Tibet activists and Chinese occurred. (27 Apr 2008) (Newsis)
A disturbing photo of Chinese students attacking a Free Tibet activist. A man on the right is kicking the woman on the left. The photo is thought to be near the gates of Deoksu Palace. (27 Apr 2008) (Newsis)
Moon Gook-han: Attacked by Chinese There were plans by the North Korean refugee demonstrators to stage stunts to draw attention to their plight. At the start of the relay, a protester rushed toward the Olympic flame and tried to unfurl a banner calling for China to respect the rights of North Korean refugees. Dozens of police surrounding the torch quickly whisked him away. As the torch approached the city center, another North Korean defector also tried to impede the run and was arrested. We believe this incident was part of the overall plan to have individuals creating incidents through out the area and route of the relay to get media attention.
A person identified as Moon Gook-han was assaulted by Chinese students as he chanted slogans. He is an official of the NGO group, International Coalition to Save the North Korean Slaves. He became widely known to the media for organizing North Korean defections at foreign consulates in China. Mr. Moon spent many years and dedicated much of his life to helping refugees. He currently resides in Incheon, where he continues to publish small booklets about North Korea and coordinates continued work to share his story and the stories of those who escaped. (SITE NOTE: Moon Gook-han was initially identified by Dan Bielefeld on his photo, but later the name was removed. Photos of this individual during this incident have been been widely circulated on both Chinese and ROK media.)
When Dan Bielefeld took a photo of him, he commented that he was either very crazy or very brave to be standing alone amidst the group of Chinese. His photo caption stated, "A North Korean Human Rights protester, alone and surrounded by very energetic Chinese students, bravely or insanely chanting slogans on behalf of NK refugees. (he is on the right, just to right of sign)" However, notice in the shot taken by Dan Bielefeld, the presence of so many photographers surrounding Moon Gook-han, but in the photo below that was in the media, there is not a photographer to be seen. They were cropped out. The only conclusion is that Moon Gook-han was staging this singleton protest for the benefit of the media cameras.
Moon Gook-han appeared to be publicizing the North Korea Freedom Week 2008 held in Washington, D.C. running from 26 Apr - 3 May 2008. The North Korea Freedom Week is an annual event started in 2004 and organized by the North Korean Freedom Coalition. Yahoo News stated, "North Korea Freedom Week 2008 will begin this Saturday (26 Apr 2008) with a week devoted to promoting freedom and human rights for the people of North Korea and to focus the world's attention on their suffering. The first event will be an International Protest at the Chinese Embassy on Saturday, April 26, 2008 from 12:00 pm-1:30pm (2300 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC) against China's brutal repatriation of North Korean refugees. Demonstrations against Chinas policy will occur in 6 U.S. cities and around the world including South Korea and Japan as the Olympic torch passes through those nations." (SITE NOTE: Open Doors USA considers the Free Tibet movement and North Korean Refugee situation as a unified movement against the Chinese. Free Tibet is a campaign started in 1987, it generates active support to end China’s occupation of Tibet and for the Tibetan’s fundamental human rights to be respected. Open Doors USA feels that both Free Tibet and Open Doors shares a common adversary in the Chinese government.)
In Photo 3, the portions of the sign state "2004" (when the North Korea Freedom Week started) and "Washington, D.C. (where the event is held annually). This was a sign that was being held up in Photo 1. Notice that Moon Gook-han is NOT wearing the sign vest that all of the North Korean refugee supporters were wearing which seems to indicate that he is from an "affiliate group" that join with the other group in support of the North Korean refugee situation.
Photo 1: Moon Gook-han (right next to sign) surrounded by Chinese students chants slogans defiantly. (27 Apr 2008) (Dan Bielefeld)
Photo 2: Moon Gook-han with his sign still intact on his body. Top of sign reads "Death and Desparation." The vertical wording advertises the North Korea Freedom Week in Washington, D.C. The center of the sign depicted skulls and denunciation of North Korea. Notice the student with a bullhorn to outshout him. (27 Apr 2008) (Epoch Times)
Photo 3: Anti-North Korean protestor, Moon Gook-han, surrounded by Chinese. His sign is being torn away. The sign is NOT standard North Korean refugee sign worn by others. Instead this appears to be a promotional sign to advertise the North Korean Freedom Week that was to be held in Washington the next week. (27 Apr 2008) (NoCutNews.com)
There is another photo of him circulating with a group of North Korean Refugee activists, but we do not know if it was before or after this incident. Another photo of him at this incident showed him with his banner still on, but confronted by a student with a megaphone. No injuries were reported to Moon Gook-han in this confrontation.
North Korean Refugee Demonstration Attack (Apr 2008) North Korean defectors vowed on 26 Apr to disrupt the South Korean leg of the Olympic torch relay in protest of China's repatriation of refugees to the North where they could face execution. Han Chang Kwon, head of a coalition of groups representing North Korean defectors in South Korea, told The Associated Press that the protest at the Seoul relay on 27 Apr could become violent. He did not elaborate -- but it was apparent that there were plans afoot to stir up trouble. Han said the defectors in South Korea were "boiling with anger" because some who escaped to China from the North had been repatriated, adding that he hoped the protest would give North Korean leader Kim Jong Il "a stroke." "While trying to improve its image with the Olympics, it (China) keeps sending defectors to the North knowing they will be executed or sent to political prisons," Han said. (Source: Associated Press.) In the evening of 26 Apr, the group put on a skit with the major leaders in front of the Olympic Peace Gate and denounced the Chinese on KBS news. (Source: KBS.)
A small group of protestors of China's forced repatriation of North Korean refugees was held in the Olympic Park in Songpa-gu. From newspaper estimates the group was rather small -- totalling around 150-180 persons. The following photos are from the website of Dan Bielefeld which documented the North Korean Refugee Demonstration from start to end. Initially, the group arrived as set up the stage and posters. Initially, Rev. Tim Peters of the Helping Hands Foundation stated:
Upon putting up the Let My People Go banner, within about 1 minute I was surrounded by about 200 furious Chinese students, all waving PRC flags. By God’s grace, there were about 50 Seoul police between Choi Young hoon and myself and the Chinese students. Some activists were hurt, so please pray for their recovery.
The stage was actually the back end of a long white flatbed truck with an extension onto the sidewalk. The "rear" of the stage (facing the street) held a large banner as a backdrop. It abutted the road and would be the scene of the confrontation between the group and the Chinese students.
First Tim Peters of Helping Hands gave a speech to the small group assembled to support the North Korean refugee demonstration. The group was actually a coalition of activist groups supporting the cause, including a bicycle group that formed a crowd-control line with their bikes in front of the stage. A statement was read by Abraham Lee, Director of Public Relations, Crossing Borders -- and behind him was 5 people lined up with a man in a Chinese guard uniform holding a toy rifle in the center flanked by two black-hooded individuals representing the North Korean refugees. Colored hula hoops were tied together to form an Olympic symbol and in front of it was a banner that read, "Free North Korean Refugees in China." The statement was then followed by a speech by Dr. Norbert Vollertsen, famed North Korean human rights activist. Once done, the demonstration waved their banners and shouted their slogans as per the script for the demonstration. Once done, the group attempted to move their demonstration to another location, but were blocked by the police and confined to their area -- ACROSS THE STREET from the Chinese demonstrators.
(L) Activists with Signs in front of Tom N Toms Co. (R) Activists with Signs (27 Apr 2008) (Huanqiu.com)
(L) Bicycle group that supports cause; The sign vests read (on front and back) "Hanguk opnunnada -- Olympic keche chakyok opta" (No (North Korea) Human Rights, No Olympics). (R) Activists with Signs (27 Apr 2008) (Huanqiu.com)
Bird's eye view of the stage area during the speeches. The Chinese photographer was situated on the rooftop of the multi-story building directly behind the activists. (SITE NOTE: Notice how the stage is built out into the street. The street side of the stage will receive the attention of the Chinese as the activists remain on stage and shout their slogans at the infuriated Chinese crowd.) (27 Apr 2008) (Huanqiu.com)
(L) Tim Peters of Helping Hands (R) Dr. Norbert Vollertsen (27 Apr 2008) (Dan Bielefeld)
Abraham Lee of Crossing Borders giving speech (27 Apr 2008) (Dan Bielefeld) (SITE NOTE: It is important to note that the man dressed as a Chinese guard was holding a TOY GUN because the Chinese later accused him of using a bolt cutter in the skit.)
North Korean refugee skit (27 Apr 2008) (SITE NOTE: Note that the soldier is holding a TOY GUN. He is accused of using the bolt cutters as part of the skit.)
(L) Tim Peters holding up banner (R) View of the stage (27 Apr 2008) (Dan Bielefeld)
(L) Demonstration with flags (R) Police blocking the demonstration from moving out of their area (27 Apr 2008) (Dan Bielefeld)
At this point the group returned to center their demonstration around the stage area. Shouting "No Human Rights, No Olympic Games!" they started to attract the attention of the large group of Chinese across the street. In return, the Chinese crowd of approximately 1000 returned their shouts. Sensing trouble, the riot police rushed in to position themselves in front of the North Korean refugee demonstration.
After the relay had passed -- with the torch so heavily guarded that no one could see it -- the crowd control police lines collapsed and the Chinese from across the road rushed over to the activists area. The time was approximately 2:30p.m.after the Olympic torch left Olympic Park.
An American "red-haired" reporter and her cameraman caught the group rushing across the street. (The video appeared on YouTube.) At that time there seemed to be no chanting. One could hear some mixed chants such as in English someone saying, "Brothers and Sisters..." As the Chinese swiftly surrounded the stage area, the chants became louder and unified. The activists were soon confronted by more than 1,000 China supporters who were led by a man with a loudhailer shouting, "Jiayou Zhongguo! (Way to go, China!)." The activists' voices were completely drowned out.
At first, the North Korean refugee supporters gathered on the stage and one man shouted, "Get away, China" (meaning "Get Out, China"). Later the group shouted in unison, "No, you can't" in English -- meaning "No Olympics." On the stage was lined up the Korean "ghost" acting like a Chinese zombie with arms outstretched; next was the banner and the other supporters -- one with an umbrella. The riot police without helmets and only shields rushed in to form ranks in front of the stage area and started to push the Chinese back.
(L) Torch Passes (R) Torch Passes and Police still have crowd control up (27 Apr 2008) (Huanqiu.com)
After relay passes, the Chinese rush across the road while the ROK police are being positioned (27 Apr 2008) (Dan Bielefeld)
(L) Riot Police form up to block Chinese who are moving across street to North Korean Refugee activists (R) Riot Police block Chinese and start to push them back -- but the Chinese surge around the left of the police blockade. The stage is at the bottom of photo between blue truck and bus -- between trees. (27 Apr 2008) (Huanqiu.com)
(L) Chinese surge around the left side of the riot police blockade and move back to stage area (SITE NOTE: Notice that there are seven cameramen and only two students in the front ranks making this more a media circus than a protest.) (R) Chinese confront activists and more police with riot helmets appear. The green vest is a reporter, the light green jackets are police. (27 Apr 2008) (Dan Bielefeld)
The jostling of the crowd became more violent. The cameraman was right next to the police line and the reporter was heard to say, "Jesus, Christ" as she starts to panic from being trapped between the Chinese and the police lines. The cameraman pans around and the Chinese are jumping up and down shouting "Jiayou Zhongguo!" He panned to the stage area and the North Korean refugee activists with their banner "Free North Korean Refugees in China" -- of which only "North Korean Refugees" can be seen -- and some carrying placards. There is also a gaggle of green-vested media cameramen on the left of the stage area. The video captured items being thrown at the people on the stage -- not one or two, but numerous objects. Most of them were paper cups and water bottles but some were later found to be stones. The cameramen to the left of the stage could be seen ducking objects thrown. The reporter states, "They're throwing things. Jesus Christ, Let me out. Please...Please!!!" as she starts to panic and tries to get through the police line. The cameraman captures a policeman ducking down and running for cover.
Student throwing an object (27 April 2008) (Chosun.com) (SITE NOTE: Caught in photographs, this student, when confronted by police, impudently slapped the policeman's hand off his jacket. Then he glared at the policeman with a sneer on his face.)
(SITE NOTE: In the video and photos, the numbers of green-vested cameramen in the front lines of the protests at first appeared to outnumber the Chinese in the front ranks. In one of the photos, we counted SEVEN cameramen in the front line along with only TWO students facing the riot police. Then when the objects started flying, the newsmen went through the police lines. Was it to seek safety behind the line? The video captures them climbing on the stage and on to vehicles to get a better shot of the Chinese throwing objects. It makes for a better news story. In the video, there must have been atleast TEN newsmen standing on the hood of the white truck of the makeshift stage -- and counted FIVE on the stage proper and watched ONE newsman climbing up on the stage. This was a MEDIA EVENT.
In one sense, we are agreeing with the Chinese internet posters that state this furor over this riot is nothing, if you compare it to other riots in the past if one compares violence levels. We have to agree that this Chinese riot was NOT really as dangerous a riot condition as we have witnessed with the Hwancheongryeon "storm troopers" (Federation of University Student Councils) that in 2006 were slicing riot policemen throats with steel pipes that were sharpened into hooks at the end in Seoul or in 2007 using 8-foot splintered bamboo poles to carve up the ROK soldiers in Daechu-ri. On a scale from 1 to 10 of the types of riots we've seen in recent years in Korea, this would rate about a 2. There was a lot of fury, but not much blood. The objects thrown were mainly water bottles and the small flags -- items that the Chinese had readily available. There were not many stones because it took place on a paved street which had been swept prior to the torch relay. The little wood poles from the small flags became projectiles because that was all they had. Even bolt cutters appears suspicious as one must ask -- what student carries a bolt cutter to a rally?
However, in another sense, the Chinese argument that the violence levels were less than other Korean riots is nonsense. They fail to see the reality of the situation. The only reason there is so much furor over this protest versus other protests is NOT the violence level, but the fact that CHINESE DID IT ON KOREAN SOIL. The bloody riots referenced were Koreans chopping up Koreans.)
ROK Police separate Anti-North Korean protest and Chinese (NoCutNews.com) (27 Apr 2008) (bj2008olympics.com) (SITE NOTE: Notice how the activists are on the elevated stage shouting their slogans DOWN at the crowd -- while being protected by riot police. No wonder the Chinese students were enfuriated. Also notice the newsmen in green vests in front of the stage and crawling up on the stage to turn this into a media circus. Also note in the front rank of the police, there is a "red-haired" woman. We believe this is the woman we referred to in the text as the "red-haired reporter." This is prior to her crossing to through the police lines to get to safety in the rear. Her cameraman is somewhere to her right.)
ROK police separate activists from Chinese (27 Apr 2008) (NoCutNews.com) (SITE NOTE: This is the first time the students rushed the stage area. Notice the riot police have no helmets at this time. Also notice that the activists are on the stage jeering down at the Chinese with the police between them and the Chinese. Notice the news photographers in the front ranks of both the activists (on stage) and the Chinese (against the police line) making this a media circus.)
The riot police tried to push the crowd of Chinese back, but the crowd surged around the left side of the police line and once again confronted the activists. At this point many of the activist leaders were upon the elevated stage area -- above the heads of the police -- shouting their slogans of "No Human Rights, No Olympics!" In the video with the "red-haired reporter" the cameraman panned the stage again after he got through the police lines. The activists are still there pumping their arms up and down in time with their chants. He then pans the backs of the police line -- four to five deep -- and Chinese with their banners facing them. It appears that a caucasian (Tim Peters?) has joined the activists on the stage with an umbrella over his head as objects are still being hurled. It was at this time that some Free Tibet activists climbed on the stage area with their signs to the left of the stage. The riot police in front of the stage area are wearing their helmets though no body armor.
In some other videos, it can be seen that the Chinese were trying to swing their banners at those on the stage in frustration, though it did not appear that any contacted them. The Chinese were simply too far away. However, the activists claimed that they were struck with bamboo poles.
(SITE NOTE: Because they were elevated in an exposed position -- with only the police between them and the Chinese -- they actually drew the fury upon themselves almost as though they were challenging the Chinese to a fight -- it was a "King of the Hill" scenario. In hindsight, the stage should have been cleared by the police at this point. It was only after the main Chinese assault was over that the police plain-clothesmen cleared the stage forcibly to prevent a reflaring of the Chinese protest.)
Riot Police in riot helmets and shields (without body armor) holding Chinese back (27 Apr 2008) (China Myspace)
(L) Riot police position themselves between activists and Chinese (R) Chinese hurl objects (unknown rectangular object in air) (27 Apr 2008) (Dan Bielefeld)
(L) Chinese hurl objects (green water bottle seen flying through air) (R) Riot police push back the Chinese a second time (27 Apr 2008) (Dan Bielefeld)
(L) Chinese confront the activists while riot police forms ranks (R) Police push the Chinese back away from activists (27 Apr 2008) (Dan Bielefeld)
(L) Riot Police separate the Chinese from the activists who occupy their stage. The stage (ZD) is at the bottom of photo between blue truck and bus -- between trees. (R) Riot Police push back the Chinese. "ZD" is a misidentification of the group for Free Tibet activists. (27 Apr 2008) (Huanqiu.com)
Riot Police push the Chinese across the street and the protest dissipates. Notice how the Chinese are leaving the area. (27 Apr 2008) (Huanqiu.com)
Objects continued to be hurled at the activists. Some pro-Chinese demonstrators threw water bottles, rocks and unidentified objects at the activists. Dan Bielefeld's photos capture the objects flying towards the activists and what appears to be people in the crowd preparing to throw things. He claimed to be hit with an unknown objects, but sustained no injuries from it. However, the activists seem very close to the Chinese.
The police started to push the protesters back and the protestors continued to hurl objects as witnessed in a video by a "red-haired" reporter. As her cameraman moved next to the stage area, he caught on tape that atleast two "Free Tibet" protestors that had hopped on the right of the make-shift stage just as the riot police started to push the Chinese back. (They were not there in the beginning on video of the stage as the Chinese swept up to the stage area.) The North Korean refugee element were still up there as well with their banner that read "Free North Korean Refugees in China." To the left were others of the North Korean refugee group with signs. All those on stage, with the exception of the cameramen, were shouting their slogans back at the Chinese.
At this point, the Riot Police push the Chinese back so that they were near the middle of the road. According to the video by the "red-haired" reporter, the items continued to be thrown as the police pushed the Chinese back. The camera continued rolling until the students were pushed out of range when the object throwing ceased.
The reporter in this picture whose head is bleeding was hit by a stone thrown by Chinese students. (27 Apr 2008) ((Jin Guohuan/The Epoch Times)
Once the Chinese had been pushed back about 50 yards the second time, the hurling of objects ceased. The highly volatile emotions seemed to dissipate from the Chinese and the Chinese left peacefully carrying their flags with them.
Now that things calmed down, the activists were forcibly removed from the stage by people Dan Bielefeld described as "plain-clothes policemen." Dan Bielefeld exclaimed that he did not understand why. However, given that the activist elevated stage position was what incited violence as all the Chinese nationalist emotion was focused on the stage. From this viewpoint, it is understandable why the police forcibly removed everyone from the stage. The did not want the violence to re-explode. The Chinese crowd started to leave the scene peacefully.
At this point an impromptu news conference was held as there were clusters of newsmen looking for a story. The leaders of the North Korean refugee group showed the items that were thrown at them -- including a set of bolt cutters that the individual who portrayed a soldier displayed to the newsmen. Separate interviews were done with the various leaders. (SITE NOTE: In hindsight, we have to ask -- what wierd kind of Chinese student carries a set of bolt cutters to a demonstration? This is one of those unanswered questions. The Chinese on the internet made it more muddled when they blamed the activists for having used the bolt cutter in their skit -- a complete untruth.)
Dr. Norbert Vollertsen in a "discussion" with Chinese demonstrator after the protest (27 Apr 2008) (Yonhap News) (SITE NOTE: Norbert Vollertsen, a German doctor and advocate for North Korean refugees, said on 27 Apr, “This torch run reminds me of Hitler, who first invented it in 1936 to divert world attention from human rights problems in Germany under the disguise of 'world harmony.'” In these discussions, he was circled by ROK police for protection, but anyone was allowed to come in to talk to him. UPI photos showed the policemen encircling Dr. Vollertsen.)
The Chinese went home peacefully and Dan Bielefeld struck up conversations with some of the Chinese who were very friendly and communicative. The photos indicate that was no residual rancor that the ROK media seemed to want to paint of the Chinese against the ROK as though it was some deep personal attack. The news media seems to have made the incident -- though dramatic and violent -- into something it was not.
Later that evening, the leaders of the demonstration held another press conference in which they displayed the objects that they claimed were hurled at them during the demonstration -- including the bolt cutters.
(L) Chinese students leaving by subway (R) Chinese students filing out peacefully from the Park area (27 Apr 2008) (Dan Bielefeld)
(L) Chinese students in subway (R) Chinese student met on subway (27 Apr 2008) (Dan Bielefeld)
On 28 Apr, the North Korean refugee activists held a press conference in front of the Chinese Embassy were they protested the actions of the students and accused the Embassy of providing assistance to the students. Again the leaders of the group showed the items that were thrown at them.
(L) Choi Yong-Ho from The Youth Liberal Alliance shows the area of the left side of his chest that was wounded by small bolt cutters to the media. (28 Apr 2008) (New Tang Dynasty Television)
(R) Church pastor Jin Kui-Ho shows stones, bolt cutters and other things that were thrown at them by Chinese students. (28 Apr 2008) (New Tang Dynasty Television)
Korean Reaction
Koreans Outraged Violence on Video Clips (Apr 2008) As the news of the violent protest spread nationwide, citizens fumed with anger. "The Chinese should be very ashamed of what happened yesterday and what has been happening so far," said Kang Shin-ho, 27, a Seoul citizen. Since there were thousands of South Korean police already on site to protect the torch throughout the relay, there was no reason for any violence, and it is also against the Olympic spirit. (Source: Korea Herald.)
Korean police were also under fire for not cracking down on Chinese students in Korea who resorted to illegal behavior. Police booked one Chinese student on the charge of throwing a broken piece of marble and three North Korean defectors who allegedly hindered the torch relay. Other Chinese who threw goods, broke into a hotel lobby and attacked foreigners, however, were not punished. Among other questions raised were whether all the Chinese were legal residents or not; how ``foreigners'' could attack citizens of their host country; and why they held a demonstration here, not in Beijing, a Seoul citizen said. (Source: SBS Report: YouTube and YouTube.)
One netizen said, "Their [Chinese] behavior is not justifiable since they hit innocent people and police in the capital of a neighboring nation. Police should arrest all of the violent demonstrators." A police source said, "Thousands of Chinese students participated in the demonstration. They seemed to have organized the protest after rounding up Chinese students online." Police also announced that they will arrest all demonstrators who committed illegal actions after identifying them. (Source: Donga Ilbo.)
"We wonder whether the Chinese are qualified to hold the Olympics under the theme of world peace, while they demonstrate extreme violence towards those who oppose them," said Rev. Kim Kyu-hong, a member of the civic group called The Citizens' Action Against the Torch Relay. The Retired Colonels' Association of Korea, a conservative group of military veterans, also urged the government to "sternly punish" those involved. "If Koreans had staged such violent protests in China, the Chinese police would have opened fire at them," it said in a written statement.
Kyung Hyang Daily News carried an article titlted "Overly Heated Nationalism Makes Outraged Citizens Think of Nazism." The article reported that South Korean citizens felt that the soccer-riot style violence has twisted the true spirit of nationalism. Most visitors to popular Korean Web sites were seething with anger after viewing photos and video clips of Chinese students kicking and beating Tibetan protesters, South Korean civic group members and local police. Some said police were so busy protecting the torch that they were unprepared for the violence. Most visitors to popular Korean Web sites were seething with anger after viewing photos and video clips of Chinese students kicking and beating Tibetan protesters, South Korean civic group members and local police. Some said police were so busy protecting the torch that they were unprepared for the violence. (Source: Joongang Ilbo.)
Koreans were initially surprised and awed when thousands of Chinese flags spread across central Seoul, wondering what in the world brought those young Chinese people out in force. At first it seemed a show of patriotic enthusiasm - but that impression soured when, the next morning, video clips of Chinese students beating up anti-Chinese protesters and Korean police officers surfaced online. The clips show some 100 Chinese crowding in on several Koreans protesting against China's repression in Tibet in the lobby of the Seoul Plaza Hotel in the heart of the capital, beating them with flagpoles and fists, and kicking them. Riot police were sandwiched in the middle, and some of them were also beaten.
The Chinese students kept shouting, "Beat him to death!" and "Apologize!" Those who were beaten up by the Chinese mob were later revealed to have been three members of civil rights groups who had protested against China's handling of the Tibet issue in front of the Deoksu Palace on Sunday afternoon. They escaped into the hotel after being chased by over 400 China supporters. One riot police officer had to have six stitches in the head after being beaten by the mob.
There was also footage of a reporter bleeding from the head after being hit by a piece of wood thrown by the Chinese, and a leading member of a civil rights group hurt by a metal cutter hurled by the Chinese demonstrator. One clip shows four American high school students wearing "Free Tibet" T-shirts surrounded by 300 Chinese people. They were later rescued by the police.
Chinese students studying in Korea posted messages like "Let's smash them with eggs" and arranging to meet at the Olympic Park on Sunday. The response has been a surge in anti-Chinese sentiment here, the anger of Korean posters directed at violence by Chinese people in the capital of their host country. "If a Korean beat Chinese police officer, he would have been killed," one irate Internet user wrote. (Source: Chosun Ilbo.)
ROK Government Express "Strong Regret" (Apr 2008) The ROK government expressed "strong regret" on 28 Apr over Chinese students' violent behavior during Sunday's (27 Apr) Olympic torch relay in Seoul. Deputy Foreign Minister Lee Yong-joon delivered a message of regret to Chinese Ambassador to Seoul Ning Fukui, Foreign Ministry spokesman Moon Tae-young said. (SITE NOTE: A non-authority on a blog stated, "In diplo-speak, "we regret" is a medium-strong protest of the other nation's government's behavior — "we feel that you should not have acted this way / should not have done that". "Strong regret" is still less than "protest" or "deplore.")
Initially, the ROK media played up how the Chinese Ambassador was "called to" the Foreign Ministry. The Chosun Ilbo stated, "Seoul Raps China Envoy Over Torch Relay Violence -- South Korea expressed "strong regret" on Monday to Chinese Ambassador to Seoul Ning Fukui over violent acts committed by Chinese residents here during Sunday's Olympic torch relay. Deputy Foreign Minister Lee Yong-joon called Ambassador Ning in to the ministry, Foreign Ministry spokesman Moon Tae-young said.
In fact, it was the Chinese Ambassador who made the courtesy visit to the Foreign Ministry to extend China's appreciation for the torch event. "The deputy minister wished China every success with the Beijing Olympics but expressed strong regret over the violent acts committed by some young Chinese residents in Seoul on Sunday." A Foreign Ministry official said the envoy apologized and expressed his sympathy with Korean police officers and reporters who were injured in the violence. The violence against police officers "should not have happened," he said."
``Ambassador Ning visited the ministry to express thanks for Seoul's support for the torch relay on behalf of the Chinese prime minister and foreign minister,'' Moon said. ``Minister Lee expressed hope for Beijing's successful hosting of the Olympic Games, while expressing strong regret over violent Chinese demonstrators during the relay.'' Ambassador Ning wished for the recovery of those wounded. ``What I want to stress is that Chinese people, especially Chinese students here, have good feeling toward South Koreans,'' the ambassador told Korean journalists after the meeting with Lee. ``I will continue efforts not to damage the public sentiment of both nations. I think it requires joint efforts by the two governments.'' (Source: Korea Times.) Ning delivered verbal messages of thanks to the government from Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi for cooperating in the Olympic torch relay. In a meeting with reporters, Ning said, "I believe Sunday's torch relay was a great success. The Chinese government is thankful to the Korean people for their understanding of and their support for the event. (Source: Chosun Ilbo.)
The ROK Foreign Ministry showed the Chinese ambassador the police reports on violence caused by "some young Chinese people" and expressed "strong regret." Later, the media reported that the ambassador was shown a plan to arrest the offenders.
In addition, the article stated, "However, some critics raised their voice against what they believe "low-posture diplomacy," saying that the Foreign Ministry had failed to officially summon the Chinese ambassador to lodge a complaint, but merely expressed regret when he visited the ministry to appreciate its cooperation in the torch relay in Seoul." Notice that the media reports changed as the Ambassador was no longer "called to" the Foreign Ministry, but instead had visited on his own to express his appreciation. The government expressed strong regret on 28 Apr over Chinese students' violent behavior during Sunday's Olympic torch relay in Seoul. Deputy Foreign Minister Lee was expected to deliver a protest message again to Chinese officials during his trip to Beijing. Lee left for the Chinese capital Tuesday to discuss details on President Lee Myung-bak's plan to visit China and hold a summit with his counterpart Hu Jintao late next month.
Diplomacy prevails as no one wants to diplomatically press the "Chinese student" issue. South Korean and Chinese diplomats tried to prevent any further impact. "What I want to stress is that Chinese people, especially Chinese students here, have good feelings for South Koreans," the Chinese ambassador told reporters. When asked if the Chinese embassy will cooperate with the police investigation, however, Ning avoided a direct answer. "I don't know in detail," he said. The bottomline is that the Chinese Ambassador and the Foreign Ministry does not feel this event should be escalated into a diplomatic furor. The Foreign Ministry stated that the Ministry of Justice should handle the matter. "We are waiting for the result of the police probe and legal steps." "I expect police to take appropriate action, unswayed by anti-Chinese sentiment," he said. Although the behavior of some Chinese people are to blame, the diplomats feel it should not evolve into a diplomatic row.
The Chinese government has merely expressed "sympathy" with South Korean victims of the Chinese demonstrators' violence, stopping short of an apology for violence against Koreans, foreigners, police officers and reporters during the Olympic torch relay in Seoul.
In her news conference on 29 Apr, Ms. Jiang, the Chinese government spokeswoman, defended the Chinese students, saying they were simply upholding the Olympic spirit. "As to the disruptions and sabotage by the separatist forces, some students upholding justice came out to safeguard the dignity of the torch — I believe that's natural," she said." (Source: NY Times.)
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu said, "It was an action for justice by well-meaning Chinese students who tried to prevent Tibetan secessionists from obstructing the Olympic torch relay for the Beijing Olympics. Their motive was well meant, but their action became violent. The Chinese government expresses sympathy with the victims of the violence." When reporters asked if the Chinese government had no intention to apologize to the Korean people, Jiang merely said, "Chinese people on the scene were well-meaning …. But their action for justice became violent when they tried to deter Tibetan secessionists from obstructing the Olympic torch relay." Jiang said the torch relay "proceeded amid warm welcome and cooperation from the South Korean government and people. The Chinese government is thankful for their interest, support and their friendly sentiment to the Beijing Olympics." (Source: Chosun Ilbo.) (SITE NOTE: Ms. Jiang's statement on Chinese TV was zeroed in on and rebroadcast on the ROK evening news on 29 Apr -- with the expected response from Korean viewers.)
Accusation that Chinese Embassy Paid Expenses for Demonstration (Apr 2008) Civic groups accused the Chinese embassy of organizing the Chinese protesters according to YTN. The embassy is accused of sending text messages, letters and making phone calls to Chinese students, asking them to participate. Chinese students who participated, however, deny this, claiming they got involved through overseas student groups. Said one Chinese student, "I didn't receive anything. All of our universities have overseas student groups. People like the head of the group contacted us." In another report, YTN specifically quotes the civic group People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy as accusing the Chinese embassy of mobilizing Chinese students to block anti-Chinese protests along the torch route. Not quite finished, the YTN also relays a report in Japan's Asahi Shimbun accusing Chinese embassies worldwide of organizing local Chinese students to stop anti-Chinese protesters. In particular, it quoted a Chinese student who participated in demonstrations in Japan who claimed the Chinese embassy in Tokyo paid the expenses — including bus fare — of some 5,000 Chinese students. (Source: Marmot's Hole.) (SITE NOTE: It appears the Chinese Embassy in the ROK supplied 30,000 Olympic T-shirts and 30,000 flags to the demonstrators. However, they probably were thought of as goodwill items and good PR material. Students replied to questions that they spent their own money to come to Seoul from various parts of Korea and they were contacted by the heads of their student groups -- not the Embassy. However, Reuters stated, "There are several thousand Chinese students in South Korea and they were bussed in from all parts of the country, supplied with Chinese flags, T-shirts, banners and stickers." In our opinion, the Chinese Embassy was hoping for atleast one success after all the failures in cities around the world. It failed and another black eye was notched. But the main point is that we believe the Chinese Embassy was trying to score PR points -- as no fool would organize a protest in the face of world-wide condemnation. We wonder why the ROK Prime Minister cannot see the obvious and presses the matter.)
According to Silla University, Chinese students asked the school to provide buses for their trip to Seoul and the Chinese consulate in Busan requested its cooperation. Some 1,400 Chinese students in Busan travelled to Seoul, police in Busan said. "The Chinese students requested that the school offer transportation, and a Chinese consulate official later called us up to ask for our cooperation to ensure their safety because they (the students) are not familiar with traveling in Korea," Kang Chang-woo, an international relations official at Silla, said over the telephone.
Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister He Yafei expressed regret and condolences for the injured in his meeting in Beijing with South Korean Deputy Foreign Minister Lee Yong-joon on 30 Apr, according to the ministry. The Foreign Ministry also plans to toughen entry visa rules for Chinese students hoping to study here.
Calls for clear action to be taken by China mounted, with Korea University's student union sending a letter to the Chinese embassy in Seoul urging an official apology from Beijing. "We are here to demand that the embassy take appropriate actions to hold accountable those who masterminded the violent demonstrations and to prevent this kind of accident from occurring again," the student union said in a statement. (Source: Yonhap News.) (SITE NOTE: This is a double-edged statement if the Chinese government issues such a statement. It would in effect say, "Hold accountable those who masterminded the violent demonstrations -- whether they were ROK or Chinese." This would mean that the Chinese embassy take action to accuse the Korean activists -- and this is NOT what they want to do.)
The Asahi Shimbun reported on 28 Apr that the Chinese government used its embassies to organize pro-relay rallies in foreign countries. Cheering Chinese supporters lining the relay's route around the world were organized by Chinese authorities, said the newspaper. The newspaper went on to say that Chinese students in Japan, who participated in the cheering rally on April 26, paid only 2,000 yen for transportation, and that the Chinese embassy covered the rest of the cost. 5,000 Chinese students turned up for the rally.
The Japanese newspaper also claimed that copies of a manual were distributed to participants, instructing them how to halt any attempts to disrupt the relay. The manual reportedly instructed that 20 people should form a human shield at each relay point to prevent the intrusion of protesters and that students should report to authorities any large-sized group of people, other than the students themselves. The manual also said if "suspicious items" are found, they should immediately wrap them in newspaper or clothing and throw them away.
In addition, it told the students to use the body to check any attempts to interrupt the relay, but cautioned them not to resort to violence. It also suggested that students speak loudly against protesters as long as they did not insult them. The newspaper interpreted the manual as carefully worded not to disgrace the dignity and image of China.
As protesters in London and Paris had hindered the torch relay, China seemed to have decided to protect it by mobilizing Chinese nationals and students overseas through Chinese embassies, reported the Japanese daily, citing inside sources. At a regular briefing on April 24, when asked if the government was mobilizing overseas Chinese nationals with its embassies bearing the costs, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu reportedly avoided the issue by asking, "What's the point in asking such questions?" (Source: Donga Ilbo.)
Seoul to Tighten Visa Rules for Chinese Student (Apr 2008) South Korea said on 30 Apr that it will toughen entry visa rules for Chinese students in the wake of their violent protests during a recent Olympic torch relay in Seoul. ``We are going to talk with the related authorities over steps to toughen the issuance of entry visas for Chinese students and other Chinese people,'' said Moon Tae-young, a spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The tough stance comes as public anger shows little signs of subsiding over violence committed by Chinese demonstrators on South Korean activists protesting Beijing's crackdown on Tibetan separatists, and its treatment of North Korean refugees. Choi Yong-ho, a civic group representative, filed a complaint with police against Chinese Ambassador, Ning Fukui, claming the ambassador to Seoul should also be held accountable for the violence by the students during the Olympic torch relay. ``The Chinese Embassy is directly and indirectly involved in the violence by its own people here. So we are demanding they should take responsibility for it,'' Choi told The Korea Times. Choi is one of the protestors who sustained minor injuries during the clash with Chinese students. The Chinese Embassy has been accused by some media of encouraging the students to gather for the ``protection'' of the Olympic torch. At the same time, an ad-hoc committee set up by Christian groups for human rights and other civic groups for North Korean defectors has started fact-finding work about the Chinese violence.
In reaction to the suit, the embassy said the complaint was unacceptable, although it expressed condolences to the injured Koreans. ``The students in the streets were not `rioters' but supporter for the torch relay,'' an official statement of the embassy said regarding the violence. ``But regarding the clash between a few Chinese students and anti-Chinese demonstrators, we call for a fair investigation.''
The clashes on 27 Apr erupted as a small group of protesters demonstrated against China's forced repatriation of North Korean refugees and its crackdown on Tibetans. About 10.000 Chinese supporters, mostly college students, reacted to the protest violently _ they threw water bottles, stones, pieces of wood and drink cans. In a series of incidents, Korean activists, a local newspaper photographer, other civic group members and riot police officers were injured and beaten up, witnesses said.
The united civic groups also called for the relevant authorities' stern action against those involved in the assaults. After coming under public criticism, the government on 29 Apr announced that it will deport any Chinese nationals found guilty of attacking local protesters during the Olympic torch relay. Police are trying to trace four Chinese students after analyzing video clips and photographs of the violence during the relay.
(Source: Korea Times: Phayul.com.)
S. Korea Vows to Punish Chinese Demonstrators (Apr 2008) The Joongang Ilbo stated, ""South Korean police who threatened to arrest any Korean protesters breaking a police line were completely vulnerable to the Chinese," said one posting under the alias of "fireaqua." Nearly 20 Chinese students in the photos have been identified by their local acquaintances and their names are circulating on the Web. According to Chinese students here, the Chinese Embassy in Seoul contacted Chinese students in each college to urge them to take part in the torch relay ceremony."
The ROK government announced on 29 Apr it will take a stern measure against Chinese demonstrators who wielded bamboo sticks (flag poles) and hurled stones at anti-Chinese activists and riot police during Sunday's Beijing Olympic torch relay here. Such a tough stance is expected to strain Seoul-Beijing ties despite diplomatic efforts by the two sides to limit the fallout from the incident. According to the Korea Times on 29 Apr, "Police detained some of Chinese supporters on the scene and an investigation is under way. But they are unlikely to face severe punishment such as deportation despite the angry public reaction as most of them are students with the appropriate visas." ``First of all, we will wait for a police report and a court ruling before discussing whether to deport those involved in violence as their human rights must be protected,'' a Justice Ministry official said on 28 Apr.
Public furor here has grown, with major broadcasters replaying the footage of the clashes and interviews with witnesses. Media reports stated that more than 10,000 Chinese people took to the streets during the 24-km relay in Seoul. Many were students studying in South Korea, while some flew from China to counter rallies by those protesting against Beijing's recent crackdown on Tibetans, police said. Local activists claim that some Chinese demonstrators assaulted them although they were holding peaceful rallies. According to police reports, several South Korean activists and riot police were injured. However, the Chinese demonstrators state that they were attacked by the Koreans. (SITE NOTE: Notice how the numbers have grown from 6,500 on 28 Apr to 10,000 on 29 Apr to "more than" 10,000 on 29 Apr. By 30 Apr, the numbers were declining to a more reasonable number -- hundreds and some articles stating "some of them students.")
Prime Minister Han Seung-soo said his government will handle the case in accordance with "law and principles." "As the national pride has been considerably hurt by the incident, legal and diplomatic measures that can restore the national pride will have to follow," Han, a former foreign minister, was quoted as telling a Cabinet meeting by Vice Culture Minister Shin Jae-min, who serves as a government spokesman.
Portals were bombarded with messages from Internet users critical of the violent protesters. One message read "I even doubt whether China deserves the Olympics." The JoongAng Ilbo, a major South Korean daily, said Tuesday in its editorial that, "It is very shocking that they started violent clashes against the people they live with in this country." Police admitted that they focused too much on protecting the torch, thus failing to quickly bring the clashes under control.
After coming under public criticism, police said they reopened their investigation into the case and that they were analyzing related video clips to identify violent protesters. (SITE NOTE: In addition, surveillance cameras in the area are also being reviewed. Supposedly 20 individuals had been identified so far -- but there was no mention of any of them being caught on tap showing violence. Police have supposedly identified four more Chinese caught on tape assaulting police or Koreans and were now looking for them in the Busan/Gyeongnam area. As of 29 Apr, only one -- a 21-year old from Busan -- was under arrest.) Justice Minister Kim Kyung-han also vowed to punish those involved in illicit and violent rallies regardless of nationality. "It is deeply regrettable that foreigners staged illegal, violent protests at a time when people here are refraining from violent rallies since the new government took office," Justice Minister Kim Kyung-han told the Cabinet. (Source: Yonhap News.)
"It is regretful that foreigners are engaging in violent demonstrations at a time when demonstrations, even by Koreans, have waned under the guidelines of the new administration. We believe the torch relay in Seoul may have ended peacefully if not for the violent demonstrations," said Justice Minister Kim Kyung-han.
Justice Minister Kim Kyung-han said, "We are carefully analyzing video footage of the illicit demonstrations, evidence obtained by police, CCTV tapes from major hotels, and photos or video images taken by ordinary citizens." He vowed to "punish those involved in illicit and violent rallies regardless of nationality." (Source: Chosun Ilbo.)
Typically, foreigners convicted of aggression charges are not subject to deportation unless they receive a jail term or other harsh legal punishment. But that does not mean the Chinese students involved in the violence will not face deportation, according to Kim Sung-hun, a public prosecutor at the Justice Ministry. "The Korea Immigration Office can deport foreigners who receive lighter punishments, like fines or probation, if the office deems the person poses a significant threat to society," Kim said. (SITE NOTE: Though there are around 4,000 Chinese students in Korea, there are 54,000 Korean students in China (2006). If the ROK carries through with its promise, I wonder what kind of "reciprocity" will be offered in the name of "pride." There are 400,000 Koreans working in China that would also be affected. This whole idea of deporting people is not a really well-thought out idea. As an aside, the Hanguk Ilbo on 1 May ran a piece noting that 31,829 of Korea's 49,270 foreign students — two out of three — are Chinese, but we seriously question their numbers since the entire US has only about 40,000 Chinese students and it is the #1 educational destination.).
)
On 30 Apr, the police were trying to trace four Chinese after analyzing video clips and photographs of violence during Torch Relay. Police reportedly sent a team of investigators to the southeastern province of South Gyeongsang to arrest a Chinese student suspected of hurting a policeman during a clash in a hotel lobby (Seoul Plaza Hotel) at the end of the relay. Another team was sent to Busan after a suspect in an attack during the start of the relay was found to be living in the south easter city. (Source: TheAge.com.) (SITE NOTE: We have not heard any information on what happened after this. Nothing has appeared in the news. We wonder if (1) the suspect has fled the country -- unlikely or (2) the suspect turned out to be a "Chinese resident" -- meaning one who has lived in Korea for generations making it almost impossible to deport without serious embarrassment. The police also put out a list of 20 "trouble-makers" on the internet that gave their addresses, telephone numbers, etc. which would be a serious breach of human rights as the people supposedly have come under harassment from Koreans. Besides one student arrested from Busan, there have been no other arrests reported as of 7 May.)
Police Arrest Chinese Student in Torch Case (May 2008) Seoul police on 1 May sought an arrest warrant for one Chinese student who took part in the violence during the April 27 Olympic torch rally. Chen is alleged to have shoved a Korean man, surnamed Park, to the ground and repeatedly beat him with his fists, feet and a flag pole. He is also charged with throwing stones at anti-China protestors during the event at Olympic Park in southern Seoul. Chen reportedly stated to authorities that he attacked Park in a fit of anger after he heard he ripped a Chinese flag during the torch relay. Police are also using photographs taken at the scene to trace up to five accomplices who were with Chen in battering Park.
Student leaving Detention Hearing (2 May)
He studies the Korean language in Silla University in Busan. "He admitted to all the charges," Im Tong-il, a lawyer for the Chinese student, said. "He said it was wrong to violate the Korean law and said he was sorry for causing the trouble." "Very, very sorry," the Chinese student said in faltering Korean, as he left the court with his lawyer after questioning.
(SITE NOTE: In the Korean courts, contrition is a major factor in a judge's decision. Thus admitting guilt and showing remorse -- even if you're not guilty -- might be a good strategy as this is a simple assault case. Another point is that the media stated that he replied in "faltering Korean" that he was sorry. Pretty sorry for someone studying the Korean language -- or he may be one of those who comes to Korea to study, but instead gets a job. All this will come out in the wash.) (Source: Yonhap News.)
The police sought an arrest warrant, but the Seoul court decided on 2 May to drop the arrest warrant. (SITE NOTE: How this will play to those Koreans supporting the deportation of the students is anyone's guess. That he will be found guilty is a given. It is only on how severe the punishment will be -- and what action the Foreign Ministry will take.) (Source: Yonhap News.)
Chinese Reaction
Backlash: Chinese Internet Deny Wrongdoing (Apr 2008) The internet backlash... On another side topic, Sonagi (pseudonym) on Marmot's Hole stated, "Korean news photos of the torch relay are circulating on Chinese news forums and blogs. The reaction is mostly patriotic chest-thumping over the sea of red in Seoul and indignation at the pro-Tibet and NK human rights protestors for disrupting the relay. Some commenters are furious at the Korean media’s “distorted reporting.” A post called “Korean Media Is Even More Shameful Than the US Media” appears on several blogs. The writer accuses the Korean media of misrepresenting the orderly and peaceful Chinese participants as uncivilized and expresses doubt that it was a Chinese who threw a rock at the Korean reporter’s head. On another forum, a photo of Dr. Norbert Vollertsen and other NK human rights protestors is captioned with the claim that the demonstrators hurled rocks at Chinese students and reporters. I saw no rocks in anyone’s hands. Under photos of other acts of violence, like kicking the man on the bicycle, it is claimed that the non-Chinese instigated the violence." The Chinese on the internet are refuting these claims -- though the ROK media is silent. The video evidence is abundant that the Chinese did in fact hurl numerous objects at the activists on the stage.
"Why did the Korean media air just the violent behaviors committed by the Chinese students, instead of covering Chinese people being beaten?" This was a complaint made by a Chinese student who saw the media report on Sunday's violent clashes between anti-China activists and Chinese residents during the torch relay in Seoul. One popular Chinese online chat room, Tianya, features a photo in which a Chinese student fell to the ground with his head bleeding." (Source: Donga Ilbo.) Thus far there have been no documented reports of any Chinese being hurt in the disturbance. We do not doubt that some were as there is photos on the internet, but none have come forward to file official reports.
In addition, Chinese myspace.com provided photos which it claimed "proved" the Koreans had manufactured evidence and were actually the ones who carried the stones and the bolt cutter in their demonstrations before showing their "proof" to the media. (SITE NOTE: Sonagi (pseudonym), a contributor to Marmot's Hole, stated that she reviewed a dozen Chinese websites and all claimed that the Koreans had manufactured "evidence." Though the ROK bloggers soundly call the "proof" manufactured or contrived, we have our doubts and there might be SOME that is correct, but it has NOT been verified or corroborated. However, the fact remains that there is photographic proof -- solid evidence -- that the Chinese did attack the protestors. That is fact and cannot be overcome by simply trying to "outshout" the other side.)
One Chinese poster, Korea Rocks, stated on 29 Apr, "The videos posted had been doctored, thus conveniently cutting those portions (the preceeding & ending parts) which showed the Chinese had been provoked into such violent acts in self defence. Shame to the Koreans who so happily & readily jump into beds in total concert with the West. We shall remember that S.Koreans are never going to be China' friends & therefore be treated accordingly. Pity these Koreans who are neither here (better than the Japs) nor there (better than S'pore, Hong Kong, Taiwan or even Mainland China?)."
He brought up a good point: "Would love to have S Korean daring to deporting Chinese nationals~imagine what will happen to the thousands of Korean residents living in the Mainland. Also curious to know what will happen to Corporate Korea (Hyundai, Samsung, LG etc) once they are denied & deprived the manufacturing base & markets in our 1.3 billion population." Currently there are about 400,000 Koreans working in China -- along with 54,000 Korean students. There are between 4,000-6,000 Chinese students in Korea. (SITE NOTE: Many of these students apply for a student visa, but actually come to Korea to find a job. Many of their credentials are forged to gain them accreditation. Because of this row, the Korean government has promised to tighten up the regulations relating to student visas as well.)
The following is a female Chinese internet poster claiming to be a Korean foreign exchange student and the horrific treatment that the Chinese are suddenly receiving at the hands of Koreans. The posts were translated from Chinese and posted by Jack Kennedy at Global Voice . The poster's reference to the Prime Minister stating that the Chinese demonstrators would be punished "today" indicates this was written on 29 April. The pro-Korean factions called her a "troll" but there seemed to be a kernel of truth in some of her comments about Korean behavior -- especially when compared to how Americans were treated in 2002 in Korea. R. Elgin posted in response to this post: "Man, that is so much pure nonsense coming from an alleged Chinese woman in Korea. Here, we haven't heard a single word of any Chinese getting harassed here yet; it's not mentioned on any site or TV, no word from people out in the street, yet this freak claims all this is going on." Our opinion is the opposite that there is some truth to this post -- though a lot of her comments are understandably paranoid as the Korean hate-fest increased. (NOTE: By early May, the situation she described was cooling down as the attention was being shifted to the boneless beef importation.) She stated:
We are exchange students here in Korea who took part in welcoming The Sacred Torch on the 27th, and just like all the Chinese exchange students, we did it for our great Motherland, spontaneously forming groups to go support the Beijing Olympics and welcome the sacred Olympic torch. But, our good intention and patriotic spirit was suppressed by Korean media, distorted, and with the mainstream media news reports we've seen these past few days have broken each and every heart belonging to us exchange students here to Korea. We've been staying strong, thinking that our motherland and our government will without doubt see us get done justice. When we see the footage in the television news reports, of us students waving flags, shouting ‘Go China!, Go Beijing!, Go Olympics!', the announcers' interpretation is that Chinese exchanges students are holding hostile demonstrations. They say that the Chinese embassy gathered and mobilized us students to demonstrate and make trouble, even saying that the embassy handed out clubs and other weapons to us already a month ago."
(SITE NOTE: The poster makes it sound as if it is a holy duty to protect the SACRED Torch. This is exactly what was seen -- super nationalism foaming at the mouth. Unfortunately, we have photos to the contrary and there is overwhelming video evidence that these objects -- and much more -- were hurled by the Chinese students.)
"True, there were clashes between students and Bad Elements that day, but I'd just like to ask: under those conditions, what flesh and blood Chinese person could turn a blind eye? The sacred torch has been harangued all the way, so many things have occurred: our students have been beaten, the flag and torch have been snatched at, and here today in Korea, the final capitalist country, those Bad Elements stand in front of us exchange students holding their weapons and taunting us, but in the end those weapons got reported as belonging to us students; they interviewed those Bad Elements, who accused us of attacking them, of being able to speak fluent Korean, but then implying that we were just tourists here, and the Koreans are believing this."
(SITE NOTE: The "Bad Elements" are the North Korean refugee activists. From a Chinese perspective, they were "defending" the honor of China -- though from the Korean perspective, they were "attacking" Korean activists -- but Korean nonetheless -- on Korean soil.)
Now being posted on the Korean internet are the photos, school, department, age and even mobile phone number of the Chinese Student Union executives, and these student union representatives have received enormous threats to their personal safety. And not just them; starting yesterday, Monday, random Chinese students on campus, outside or at their workplaces have all received threats to different extent. Near where we live there's this big lady who's always been really nice to me, stopping to ask how I've been whenever she sees me. I waved hi to her today, and then she suddenly turned her head in the opposite direction. Then later my roommate came home with red eyes and when I asked what was wrong, I found out that as she was taking the subway back, just translating some assignment work, the Korean male student sitting beside her saw her checking the Chinese, and immediately asked, ”neo jungguk inyo?” (are you Chinese?), and my friend asked, 'so what if I am?' He immediately replied, “ Jungguk kaesaeki” (the Chinese are inbred dogs). My friend snapped right back, ”neo kaesaeki channa” (you, maybe), and didn't expect then that several Koreans standing nearby would suddenly rush over and surround her, saying all at once thing like, “they always say the Chinese people have terrible character, now today I sure enough see that it's true,” until my friend had no choice but to run off as soon as the subway stopped, even though it wasn't her stop.
(SITE NOTE: Though the personal snub is to be expected, the subway incident is not atypical. This type of event is plausible as they occurred to Americans during the anti-American hate-fest of 2002. Many incidents like this on subways against Americans were documented back in 2002. Being called a "kaesaeki" (dog offspring) is not as bad as some Americans experienced. Some bloggers relate that they have been called "kaesaeki" as well, but others state that this use of the word in this type of instance is doubtful.)
"Things like this have been happening a lot these past two days. I've been asking my friends, and most of them have more or less come across it, and now we don't dare go out alone, and don't dare come back too late. When we're alone we don't dare speak Chinese. We do at night when we're out eating, and the Koreans sitting around us actually all almost stop their eating and just stare at us with a strange look; even the Korean students living on the same floor as us won't come out of the bathroom so that we can use it. After two years in Korea, I've never come across anything like this. I've always known that what we see is their polite face, but I never thought that the true faces could come out suddenly overnight.
(SITE NOTE: She starts getting paranoid in these comments. However, her situation was not so desparate. She still was going OUT to eat -- instead of hunkering down and eating IN.)
I just want to tell our compatriots back in-country the truth, but at the same time sigh, because most of my friends back home actually have no idea of what's happened in Korea, and don't know that Korean media is far more horrid than CNN is, with its arrow pointed directly the embassy here, and the Chinese government. Today on the well-known Korean website Naver, the top headline was something their Prime Minister said: “The Chinese's violent demonstrations have been a side blow to Koreans' self-respect”, and at the same time Korean media are saying that the Korean public's anger toward the Chinese violence incident hasn't decreased in the slightest, and demanding that the troublemakers be arrested and dealt with judicially.
(SITE NOTE: This is news??? ROK news reporting is VERY biased -- and often inaccurate as it does mostly "emotional, opinionated" reporting -- rather than "unbiased, factual" reporting. ROK papers don't make money saying bad things about Koreans -- but they can sure make money by saying bad things about other countries. Biased reporting? You bet.)
My god, what kind of country is this? What will our future be like here? We don't dare tell our families back home in China, for fear they'll worry, so we can only comfort each other and warn each other not to go outside alone, to the extent of discussing putting our close friends on speed dial, in case anything happens we can immediately run over to save them, because we don't even trust the police.
(SITE NOTE: The poster's worry for their future in Korea is genuine, but in Korea the anger is only focused until another fashionable object of hate can be focused on. Today it is the Chinese -- tomorrow the Japanese -- next the Americans again. There is a constant hate-fest going on in Korea. However, what is being posted here is the frustration of someone who is getting the "hate treatment" -- and it is not pleasant. It also shows that she was getting paranoid -- perhaps justifiably so with the type of treatment the Chinese were receiving then. We find this woman's complaints plausible. However, the main thing is that she mentions NO violence associated with the "hate treatment." For this there is something to be thankful for. By the first week in May, the furor was dying down a bit -- and a lot of the hate rhetoric directed at the Chinese was being redirected against the Americans and its campaign to open the boneless beef market in Korea.)
Please rally behind us, show your support; with the motherland and the government behind us, we won't fear a thing. And please, tell your friends and family of yours in Korea, they must be careful!
In Seoul, even though the torch relay finished on the 27th, here all of Korea is still crusading against China.
(SITE NOTE: By the first week of May, the attention was fading and the furor dying down. However, the diplomatic feud might just be heating up as one demonstratior was freed pending his trial -- while the police were still searching for 5 of his co-conspirators. This may develop into a diplomatic row -- though both sides Foreign Ministries do NOT want this to happen.)
It's mainly being aimed at Chinese students' so-called “violent demonstrations” on the 27th. We all know this is being exaggerated. Of course we exchange students didn't make the smartest moves that day; maybe because patriotic fervor was surging, some students raised their fists toward the Free Tibetters. It was this that gave Korean media the chance they've long been waiting for, to turn anti-China. Also, the Free Tibetters who were there brought screwdrivers, wrenches, bricks and other weapons with them, then turned to the camera and said it was Chinese students who were attacking them. Recently, Korean news has been repeatedly showing these “violent shots” and so-called proof of weapons, and then saying our violence has seriously impacted the Korean people's patriotic pride. Now, the Korean government has gone so far as to demand China apologize for this.
(SITE NOTE: That it was a violent demonstration is a FACT. Perhaps it was a media circus -- but the hurling of objects captured on video is irrefutable. Presently the Chinese are preaching to the Chinese on the Chinese innocence. They are reinforcing their own beliefs -- but the world opinion is not being affected.)
With crusading voices coming from the media and government, the Korean people's hatred toward the Chinese people has of course reached its peak. They've already put the name, campus, phone number and other information belonging to the Chinese students at the forefront of “the troublemaking” that day online. People are saying that a lot of the Chinese students won't even turn on their phones now, because people keep making threatening phone calls, or just start swearing at them. We're afraid to go out at night now, because we can't be sure that any Koreans we pass by won't start beating us or whatever.
(SITE NOTE: The ROK Police admitted that it did publicize the names of 20 students wanted for "questioning" in connection with the demonstration. It was supposedly in hopes of finding the "trouble-makers" -- simply because their informaton from reviewing videos was proving fruitless. The ROK did in fact overstep its bounds by releasing private information on the internet -- for all to see. The ROK police violated the privacy of these individuals because we believe they simply do not see the Chinese as having any rights in Korea. We disagree with this view and so does the UN Human Rights Commission. We believe a complaint to the ROKHRC is in order.)
Just a while back Korean students kept saying “it's the Chinese who are beating people”, but then went out themselves and beat up one Chinese student in Cheongju. Since the ruckus on the 27th, Chinese exchange students in Korea are in a really dangerous spot. Koreans aren't like Westerners, who understand what human rights and equality, etc. are. Koreans are actually just boors who will strike out at any time. For example, Chinese in the US can go demonstrate at CNN's front door, and as long as it stays within limits it's legal, and Americans can't do anything about it. But in Korea, this would be impossible. They would barbarically turn to violence. On the 27th, one student from our campus only so much as raised a flag in front of one Free Tibetter and was then held down by police, saying s/he was an instigator. This is why we here in Korea can't freely fight for our rights or respect like those in America or other countries.
Now, Korean police have already taken away several exchange students, who it looks like are going to be penalized. Every student society president at every campus and several exchange student organizers have all received threats to their safety. Koreans are saying they're going to show the Chinese people that they are not to be messed around with. Then there are people putting out rewards for whoever catches the few of us who organized this. We're just here as exchange students. Most of the time when we're faced with discrimination and insults from the Koreans, we keep quiet, and now because of that one day we went to show our support for the Sacred Torch Relay, and express our patriotic sentiments, this is how it turns out. If things go on as they are, Chinese students in Korea will only be in more and more danger, with less and less to hold onto.
(SITE NOTE: The poster sounds very paranoid -- but this was two days after the Torch Relay when emotions were running high on both sides.)
I'm female btw, so I might be a bit better off. I just want to warn all exchange students here in Korea, especially the men. At night or in places where there aren't many Chinese, you have to look out for your own safety. Don't go around getting into conflicts with Koreans, or else the ones who will get hurt will be us. Every day now the front door to the Chinese embassy here is surrounded by Korean protesters, putting the embassy people themselves in danger. But, China will definitely not apologize. We were justified in showing our love for our country, and we didn't do anything wrong, so what should we be apologizing for???? If the embassy proves unable to protect the safety of us exchange students, then who will dare showing their love for country while overseas???
(PS: Today I saw the pictures of our compatriots studying abroad after having been beaten by the Koreans, and then I understood the truth. Korean media, you're more fracking CNN than CNN itself!!! If those SOB beasts hadn't gone grabbing at our flags, ripping our flags, then our compatriots studying overseas wouldn't have clashed with them!! Frack!! Is there no justice on this earth??!)
According to the Korea Herald on 30 Apr, "According to police records, activists who claim to have done nothing to provoke an attack, were allegedly assaulted by Chinese demonstrators. The Chinese supporters claim they were attacked by the Koreans." The Korean activists claim that they were non-violent and threatened to "sue" the Chinese Embassy. However, if even one Chinese student was hurt, their entire case of non-violence goes out the window. A photo of Chinese alleges to have been hurt in the demonstration by a Korean. However, as far as we know, this individual has NOT appeared to file any charges or to claim injury.
In the photo below, the Chinese claim that the North Korean refugee activists fabricated "evidence" that they claim was thrown at them. A half-moon shaped stone claimed as "evidence" is shown in the hands of a Korean activist during the demonstration and later shown in a pile of "evidence." The bolt cutters are shown being used in a skit by one of the Koreans and then ends up in the pile of "evidence." To prove that it was deliberate, the Chinese identify the same man as in the skit holding the bolt cutters and then appearing at the news conference next to the man saying the bolt cutters were thrown at them. (SITE NOTE: We saw a photo of the skit where the Korean identified is dressed as a Chinese soldier holding a TOY GUN with blindfolded prisoners flanking him. The photo with the bolt cutters being held by the man in the soldier outfit was taken during the press conference after the hurling incidents. The bottom line is that the Chinese have not produced SOLID EVIDENCE through government channels to substantiate their allegations -- and have been shown to have manipulated the evidence for their side. With a weak case, they are fighting an emotional war on the internet.)
Chinese collage of photos claiming to show how the Koreans manipulated the "evidence" (China Myspace)
The Chinese claim the photo shows the Korean activist during demonstration with rock in his hand that later the Koreans claimed as "evidence" of thrown objects (China Myspace)
Korean activist showing the rock he claims was "proof" of the Chinese violence. The Chinese turn it around and state the photo is "proof" that the activist had the rock BEFORE the incident. (China Myspace)
The following is an article from Sunny Lee in Asia Times on 14 May 2008.
China, Korea: More nationalist than thou South Korea's reputation as the world's unparalleled bastion of nationalism and master of all forms of street protests - ranging from physical confrontations with riot police to peaceful candlelight vigils - was hurt last week by a formidable new challenger: Chinese student protesters in the Seoul leg of the Olympic torch relay.
The violence by the Chinese mob was bad enough that the Seoul government had to take it up with Beijing officially on a diplomatic level. Meanwhile, for South Koreans it was their first "up close and personal encounter" with Chinese nationalism displayed right in the heart of their home turf. They watched it with mixed, even complicated, feelings - anger, awe, empathy and fear.
"When I saw two groups of people, one holding Tibetan flags and the other holding Chinese flags, standing in a confrontation, I felt ironic to see it happening in my country," blogger Joo Hyun-jong observed. "I was almost in awe to see so many Chinese people in one place. And I was filled with a strange feeling of intimidation. It was weird. It seemed that the Olympic Games were really receiving a lot of attention from Chinese people. But then, looking back on 20 years ago when my country held the games, I could understand them," added Joo.
South Korea, which was the host of the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul, experienced a similar upsurge of nationalism in the run-up to its games. The military regime at that time, fearing domestic protests during the Olympics, yielded to the public's demand for democratic reforms. China appears to be skipping this part as there is little demand for democratic reforms from within.
But, just like South Korea, China is feeding patriotic nationalism to the public to unite the country in preparation of the biggest international event the country has held in its history. Just like today's Chinese, South Koreans at the time also saw that their national pride as dependent on whether they could successfully pull off an Olympic Games.
There is great similarity between the outbreaks of nationalism in South Korea and China. Both countries experienced humiliating setbacks at the turn of the modern era by more powerful nations. The collective psychological scar still runs deep in their national consciousness. And if triggered, their latent sense of victimization and inferiority complex erupts like manic waves of wrath.
Kim Weol-hoi, professor of Chinese Studies at Seoul National University, has observed: "While the communist government is trumpeting nationalism as the Games approach, the Chinese people themselves are also identifying more with their government, displaying a tendency of seeking emotional affinity by resorting to patriotism."
This analysis could also be applied to South Koreans 20 years ago. Like China, South Korea's hosting of the Olympics was compared to the Nazis' efforts to promote their regime's legitimacy in the 1936 Berlin Games. In South Korea's case, it was said to be justification for a regime that had gained power through a military coup.
But, in terms of intense and unbridled nationalism, Chinese always prefer to defer the gold medal to South Koreans. "According to my understanding, South Korean people exhibit the utmost nationalism," a Chinese bloggers notes, echoing general Chinese perception on the matter. He backs his view by alleging that there are no foreign cars in Seoul's main streets because South Koreans are so "patriotic" that they don't buy foreign cars. (SITE NOTE: This was not done by the people. This was an action by the chaebols -- with the assistance of the ROK government -- in a system of protectionism. It was building up its automotive industries in the 1990s and had to protect its domestic sales markets. By 2000, the domestic market was saturated with Korean cars and the sales looked overseas markets. It could allow breaks in its automotive protectionism -- but still it was a game of allowing more cars, but increasing the "luxury taxes" to keep the cars out of the hands of the people. The the "gray sales" started with importation of foreign used cars and the market soared showing that Koreans wanted these foreign cars because of their artificially created status value (denied by protectionism increased their status value in exclusiveness).)
Strangely, and amusingly, the "no foreign cars in South Korea" theory is persistent and pervasive in China as a symbol of South Korea's fervent patriotism. In fact, this writer was been asked about this many times from numerous Chinese nationals, including Yang Rui, host of the state CCTV program Dialogue and a Chinese journalist working for the New York Times. (SITE NOTE: China is practicing the same form of protectionism as the ROK. Only now it is inviting foreign car manufacturers into the country to gain their technology...and then setting up their own car companies with almost identical cars sold at a cheaper price than the foreign manufacturers. ROK automotive manufacturers are finding this out the hard way in China.)
China's "evidence" of South Koreans being the more nationalistic also includes the 2002 incident in which 13 South Koreans cut off their little fingers and attempted to deliver them to the Japanese Embassy in Seoul as a sign of protest against the former Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi's visit to the Yasukuni Shrine where some Japanese World War II war criminals have been enshrined. (SITE NOTE: I thought it was three -- one mother and son plus another nut case over Tokdo -- not the Yasukuni Shrine during the Roh administration.)
Similar incidents were repeated in 2005 against Japan's alleged distortion of textbooks to whitewash its colonial past. Chinese also remember now many South Koreans willingly donated their personal gold and other jewelry to the government to save their bankrupt nation during the 1997 Asian economic crisis. Chinese often point to these examples with at hint of envy. (SITE NOTE: The contributions were only symbolic in amounts donated, but its primary purpose was to divert attention from the real culprits who caused the mess -- the Chaebols who used cross-assurances on financing and propping up failing affiliated companies. When the companies failed it was like a house of cards. When the IMF hit, the government was forced to institute tough anti-chaebol measures as a stipulation of the IMF. After the ROK bailed itself out, it has been slowly reversing all the anti-Chaebol measures -- and LMB will ensure they are gotten rid of again.)
But the torch relay incident in Seoul gave South Koreans a chance to witness Chinese nationalism at close range; and now South Koreans want to defer the "most nationalist" title to China. "During the 1988 Seoul Olympics, the nationalism was quite intense in South Korea. But as I look at China now, they are taking it one step further," Jin Sohl posted on his blog.
"I am afraid of China. I am fearful about their collective expression of power from online to offline," a blogger Mount Jiri Lover wrote. Another pointed out: "It is very hard to find a trace of remorse on the Chinese people in the aftermath of the violent protests displayed by Chinese students in Seoul," and compared it to the "soul-searching" and national shame South Korea underwent when its 1,000 militant activists made international headlines when they confronted the Hong Kong police in an anti-World Trade Organization protests in 2005. The blogger continued, "China is at a stage where it cannot accept legitimate criticisms because of the overcooked Olympic aspirations."
While South Koreans are empathizing with Chinese for the similar historical experiences, they also see their differences as well. After all, it's been 20 years since South Korea played host to their Olympics. But when they saw the Chinese protesters in their capital, they also saw a shadow of themselves that they'd like to leave behind.
Referring to the Chinese protesters, Jin Joong-kwon of JoongAng University said in a radio talkshow: "We [Koreans] should ask ourselves whether we also have a certain blind patriotism and nationalism. If we don't guard ourselves against it, we may also end up doing similar things. When the international community looks at the violent Chinese protests, who would say China is a great nation? The protesters are drawing shame on to their own country. Reflecting on this incident, I hope we Koreans should also look inside."
Jin added: "China doesn't have to come out on to the international stage that way."
In China, the word minzu zhuyi, or nationalism, doesn't necessarily carry all the negative undertones, as it does in some countries. "Nationalism is something that will disserve China," a 26-year-old information technology engineer in Beijing retorted to this writer, quickly adding, "South Korea has developed itself this far because of nationalism. Nationalism helps people to be united for a common cause. China lacks this."
True, the 1988 Seoul Olympics gave a great national pride to South Koreans and unified the country. But as South Korea has subsequently evolved into a more pluralistic society, however, nationalism has also revealed its downside as well.
In Democracy Report in South Korea, the lead author Moon Jung-in states that with the increasing nationalism bolstered by the Olympic Games, "a strong inclination for uniformity" has surfaced, while "minorities [in South Korea] since have not received a fair and equal treatment". According to Moon, the minorities include such groups as foreign nationals living in South Korea. As South Koreans have come together under the umbrella of shared identify and national pride, they have also come to marginalize those who they perceive as not part of "us". (SITE NOTE: Though the ROK is trying to change its self-image as a broader, more tolerant society, the fact remains that it is a homogeneous society -- and by definition a "racist" society. To change a self-image based on thousands of years of history cannot be done by simply forming activist groups to fight for the rights of the "oppressed" -- meaning those treated in an inferior manner by the dominant race. The fact is that minorities living in Korea are treated as foreigners -- regardless of how many years they live here -- will always be that -- foreigners or those from elsewhere. They are not truly welcomed into this society -- though the reality is that the ROK may need them to survive as it is a non-viable society with a low birthrate.)
"Yes, but nationalism is what brings your country together. It helps people to uphold a shared identity. You need it. If you lack it, then your country may get split and cannot move forward," the Chinese engineer said.
South Korea also differs from China in that there were a considerable number of people in the country who didn't support the idea of holding the Olympics. One of the key reasons for this was a self-perceived inadequacy. Hong Soon-ho of Ewha Womans University pointed out in a paper, titled "Seoul Olympics and International Politics" that one opposition was the doubt on whether the people of South Korea were mature enough to hold such an international event. (SITE NOTE: On Marmot's Hole a blogger, CyDevil, posted an astute remark part of it is excerpted here, "It is important however to recognize the fundamental differences as well. Despite having similar social environments in their conception, the two nationalisms developed into very different forms as their host societies underwent different social transitions after the WWII. Korean nationalism is a form of ethnic nationalism that emphasizes difference, uniqueness and independence of one ethnicity and nation, the Koreans. Korean identity is an exclusive one that denies acceptance of other ethnicities and nations. On the other hand, Chinese nationalism emphasizes upon similarities, commonness and unity of different ethnicities and nations under one identity, the Chinese. It is inclusive and yet exclusive, and the distinction is based on the current political state, the People’s Republic of China. In this regard, Chinese nationalism is very similar to Japanese imperial racism and Nazism, both of which were forms of nationalism that emphasized upon similarities, commoness and unity of a certain identity closely associated with a political state that encompassed multiple ethnicities and nations, and yet excluded itself from the outsiders. In case of Japanese racial imperiailsm, these outsiders were the European invaders. Take a guess who these outsiders are for the Chinese. It wouldn’t be too hard for those who dealt with Chinese nationalists.)
They feared that the Olympic Games might actually turn out to be the worst possible public relations fiasco in which Seoul would invite the whole world to see its sorry state. These people argued that South Korea needed more time for its people to experience democracy and cultivate good citizenship before holding such an international event successfully. One of the advocates of this view was Nam Duck-woo, then the prime minister of the country.
Finally, according to South Korea's Automobile Importers and Distributors Association, the total number of newly imported car registration in April increased 48% from last year. The Honda brand of Japan, South Korea's historical nemesis, was tops and accounted for one in every five imported cars sold last month in South Korea. (SITE NOTE: But look at the numbers of imported versus the numbers exported and the disparity is obvious. Personally, we believe the US and other countries should practice "reciprocity" with the ROK. The same rules that the ROK applies to other countries, other countries should apply to it. With that it is simple, the ROK would be on its knees as it is an export-driven nation. You can't have protectionism and globalization in the same breath.)
So, is South Koreans' patriotism running out of gas? (Source: Asia Times.)
REPRECUSSIONS: China cancels some Korean Olympic events (May 2008) A number of cultural events Korea planned in China to celebrate the 2008 Beijing Olympics have been delayed or canceled by Chinese authorities. The moves follow the Korean government's decision to take strong measures against Chinese students who assaulted others during the Olympics torch relay in Seoul last Sunday.
The Chinese government has called for a lighter approach. The Korean Culture Event that had been scheduled in Beijing from May 1 to 3 was canceled after city police refused to give it an O.K., according to officials at the Korean Embassy in China. Aimed at promoting Korea's traditional culture together with contemporary music, dance, and online games, the event was organized by the embassy and other state institutes.
China's Ministry of Culture had approved the event on April 25. But Beijing city police turned thumbs down, saying the project is "under review," according to embassy officials. "We concluded we can't hold the event without police approval," said one embassy official. "We will try to hold it at the end of July."
Another much-anticipated event involving Korean B-Boys, or break dance troupes, was canceled recently. Last For One, one of Korea's premier break dance groups, had planned performances in Shandong, Qingdao, Beijing and Shanghai beginning May 3. But when Qingdao officials asked local theaters to guarantee the safety of the performers, the theaters declined, prompting the event's cancelation.
"Pro-Tibetan protests and violence during the torch relay in Seoul have caused Chinese authorities to consider safety more carefully than before. That has stopped the performances," said one event promoter. "We face a real problem since the show was canceled after hundreds of Korean expatriates and Chinese already bought tickets." (Source: Joongang Ilbo.) (SITE NOTE: The internet war of the Chinese over the Apr 27 incident has continued with more and more claiming that the Koreans started the fracas. However, our opinion is that besides some very serious isolated incidents -- the majority of the Chinese were not involved.)
On 5 May the Hankyoreh News reported that Chinese netizens were urging their compatriots to boycott South Korean products in an apparent retaliation for the Seoul government’s recent decision to deport Chinese student involved in violent protests during the Olympic torch relay. The intent of their message seemed to be to show their strong consumer power.
Previously, this was proven during a similar boycott campaign against Carrefour. In an Internet site comment, a Chinese student said that his compatriot students in South Korea are “in trouble,” asking other Chinese to join hands in boycotting Korean products in a way to “deal a blow” to the Korean government. Around 30 replies were added to the comment, with some 200 netizens expressing support for the move. Another Chinese netizen mentioned company names to be targeted by the boycott campaign. There were many other comments that ridiculed South Korea, with some saying there is no need to study in such a “small” country, while others were suggesting calling the nation “South Chaosen.”
Such an anti-Korean sentiment is not serious compared with the boycott campaign they waged against Carrefour. In addition, the speed at which it is spreading through Internet is relatively slow. However, it is still enough to cause worry among Korean companies doing business in China. These companies are now paying close attention to what action the Chinese would take in the future. (Source: Hankyoreh News.) (SITE NOTE: Carrefour is a supermarket/department store chain that actually gave up on Korea and moved on to China. However, the Chinese felt the French had slighted the Chinese Olympics and chose Carrefour as it is a French owned company -- not because of anything Carrefour did itself to offend the Chinese. The lunacy has progressed to the stage that "Carrefour" in Chinese has been removed from Chinese search engines in May. France and many French businesses have come under verbal, written and physical attack in China recently after a disabled Chinese athlete was attacked during the Olympic Torch Relay in Paris. What is stupid is that almost all the items sold in Carrefour is "made in China" so the boycott simply hurts Chinese manufacturers. However, the dispute is emotional not logical.)
EPILOGUE: By 10 May, the mess had faded into the background as the hysteria over mad cow disease hit the candle-light vigil circuit. Ridiculous claims and massive turnouts at candlelight vigils across the country by teenagers made the headlines. Even housewives started getting hysterical as the mad cow issue suddenly became a nationalistic fight. The progressives have started their old tactics of stirring up anti-US hatred -- and what was shameful was how they manipulated the public into a feeding frenzy using falsehoods and outright lies. But in doing so it distracted the Korean public. As a result this tiff, simply faded into the background. We wonder what will happen when the single Chinese defendant of the stone-throwing incident is tried and sentenced as being found guilty is a foregone conclusion. Until then everything is dead.
After the horrific earthquake in mid-May, the sympathy for China maxed out the meter. For anyone to consider pursuing the Chinese students would be a media mistake. This matter has died a silent death -- though the real underlying problem of how to handle "Chinese residents" remains.
The following was my opinion posted to Marmot's Hole -- but NOT received well as I was the only one questioning amongst hundreds of posts whether it was really 6,500 STUDENTS FROM CHINA. I believed that (1) a segment was violent, but the majority were peaceful; (2) there was a significant number "Chinese residents" (hwagyo) in the crowd; and (3) these "Chinese residents" (hwagyo) have lived in Korea for generations.
First, judging from photos, I would guess that perhaps 1,000 Chinese were swept up by the nationalistic fervor and became an unruly mob. The remainder behaved themselves and distanced themselves from any violence. However, the ROK government continues to condemn the entire 6,500 students.
Second, we believe, the ROK media made two false assumptions. The first was that all 6,500 Chinese students in Korea were grouped into the crowd at Olympic Park. Instead, all the Chinese students were spread out along the entire length of the 22km run from Olympic Park to Seoul City Hall -- though the largest portion probably was at Olympic Park. The second false assumption I believe was when the ROK media assumed that ALL the Chinese students in Korea attended. For example, Busan has an estimated 3,500 students, but only 1,100 made the trip to Seoul. The same was probably true of the rest of Korea and therefore perhaps only half of the Chinese students in Korea took part. Thus the remainder of the 6,500 Chinese at Olympic Park were "Chinese residents."
Third, the "Chinese residents" (hwagyo) in Korea we are talking about are NOT those foreigners on work visas or student visas. We are talking about the "Chinese-Koreans" who were born, educated and lives in Korea. About 26,700 ethnic Chinese live in South Korea. It's still difficult to become a South Korean citizen, as they have to prove their financial ability, be endorsed by high-level South Korean officials and complete complicated paperwork. In 2006, Wang Wen-jung of the Chinese Residents' Association called for a "more open-minded, warm-hearted" attitude by the Korean people toward their Chinese neighbors. "If you ask us why we don't leave here or become naturalized South Korean citizens and stop complaining, we have nothing to say. But I would say this is the country where we were born, have lived and will live until we die," he said. In other words, they love Korea -- but want to be Chinese. However, the Korean nationality law is still based on jus sanguinis (principle of bloodline) and legitimizes ethnic discrimination against foreigners. The laws of Korea stipulate that in order to become naturalized one has to pass the language tests and adopt a KOREAN name to create a new family register. In effect, this means they must turn their back on their Chinese ancestry. This is something unthinkable to many Chinese. (NOTE: Yi Kwang-su, a key figure during colonial rule, claimed that "hyeoltong" (bloodline), "seonggyeok" (personality), and "munhwa" (culture) are three fundamental elements of a nation and that "Koreans are without a doubt a unitary nation (danil han minjok) in blood and culture." Such a view was widely accepted among Koreans: To impugn the natural and unique character of the Korean ethnic nation during colonial rule would have been tantamount to betraying Koreanness in the face of the imperial challenge of an alien ethnic nation. Japanese rule did not erase Koreans' national consciousness but rather reinforced their claim to a truly distinct and homogeneous ethnic identity. (Source: Ethnic Nationalism.)
Some are the great-grandchildren of Chinese from the Japanese colonial era. Others are are the children and grandchildren of the Chinese soldiers and refugees from Communist China who remained in Korea after the Korean War. Syngman Rhee (Yi Syng-man) allowed them to remain in South Korea if they renounced communism -- and switched their citizenship to the Republic of China (ROC) which was one of the first nations to recognize South Korea as a sovereign nation in 1949. These Chinese became ROC passport holders -- not by choice, but simply because they had no choice. However, as one blogger stated, "Korean nationalism is a form of ethnic nationalism that emphasizes difference, uniqueness and independence of one ethnicity and nation, the Koreans. Korean identity is an exclusive one that denies acceptance of other ethnicities and nations." This is exactly what happened in the past as the ROK shunned the Chinese who remained in Korea -- just as the Japanese shunned the Koreans who remained after WWII. For example, Park Chung-hee restricted foreign ownership of land and other property and implemented a currency reform that excluded Chinese savings. He barred Chinese restaurants from selling food made with rice, a major staple in South Korea, and often froze the prices of their dishes made of flour for a long time. The Park government also virtually denied Chinese nationals the right to live in South Korea permanently, requiring them to renew their residential permits every three years. After years of discrimination in Korea, the Chinese population has learned to keep a low-profile. (Hankyoreh News, Aug 2006 and Yonsei Annals.)
When the ROK recognized the PRC in Oct 1992 and severed diplomatic ties with the ROC, ROC passport holders again were forced to choose between the PRC or ROC citizenship. Luckily a "close your eyes" arrangement was allowed whereby the ROC operates a "trade mission" in Korea -- in much the same way as the US operates the "trade mission" in Taiwan -- that serves as a defacto embassy. Most ethnic Chinese in Korea today retain their Taiwanese citizenship, but the number of those who have shifted loyalty to China is increasing.
These "Chinese residents" (hwagyo) over the years formed the bulk of the Chinatowns in Korea -- but slowly the size of this Chinese population has dwindled as they emigrated to other countries which would give them citizenship. About 10,000 Chinese emigrated to the United States, Taiwan and other Southeast Asian countries between 1972 and 1992. Discrimination against ethnic Chinese in South Korea, albeit eased in recent years, is still rife in their everyday lives. For example, they cannot sign onto South Korean Internet sites and are even denied e-mail accounts, as their alien registration card numbers don't work at most of these Web sites. These people have lived in Korea for over three generations. The bottomline is that Chinese in Korea suffered the same status as Koreans in Japan. They both have lived in those countries for generations, but have been denied citizenship. About 700,000 Koreans live in Japan, a legacy of Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula. They complain that they are being discriminated against by the Japanese government and its people. Over the years, many Chinese in Korea "bought into" Korean family registers (obtained Korean names) -- mainly to ensure property transfers to heirs under Korean inheritance law. But even these preserve their Chinese heritage in private. (SITE NOTE: From my historical snooping, I have come across many Chinese who have lived in Korea for generations and still retain their Chinese names. At the same time, I have also run across Korean shop owners -- who speak Chinese as a family group when people aren't watching. I have observed the Chinese "problem" in Korea for over 18 years -- it has not gone away.)
Once the ROK admits that the Chinese in the unruly crowd might be "Chinese residents" (hwagyo) -- NOT the transient variety on a work permit or student visa -- Korea starts to have a problem. How can one deport someone whose family has lived in Korea for generations? Then there is the problem that some of them may have been naturalized-Chinese who are now Korean citizens, but still hold great pride in their ethnicity. How do you deport Korean nationals? Or even worse, albeit a little fanciful, what if they found the "Chinese" identified in the video was really Korean-surnamed people whose fathers or grandfathers had bought the Korean name (entry into a Korean family register) years before, but had remained Chinese in their heart. What could anyone do in that situation?
Thus the government in talking about this problem continues to state that there were 6,500 CHINESE STUDENTS that caused the trouble. They cannot acknowledge "Chinese residents" (hwagyo). I only hope that the ROK just lets this whole affair die a quiet death without vindictiveness. The Foreign Ministry has the right idea of NOT making this a diplomatic issue.
I said:
"I seem to get the feeling that the ROK -- and some posters on blogs -- want to paint the rioters as "thugs" specially imported from China as troublemakers. Many feel they were Chinese students studying in Korea. This way they can be pigeon-holed as "outside agitators." I don't think so. I think those were young Chinese residents. I think there are two factors at work here: (1) Ethnic pride of Chinese-Koreans in their motherland; and (2) Chinese-Koreans' reaction to years of being spurned by the ROK for generations.
"First, there exists a trait of the Chinese people that even after generations of being in America, Singapore, Hong Kong, Paris or South Africa, they are still in their hearts Chinese and have great pride in being Chinese. These young Chinese residents seen in the videos, in my opinion, feel the same as how the Korean-Americans -- off-spring of the first wave in the 1890s -- felt when the Olympics was held in Korea in 1988. These Korean-Americans all carried ROK flags and wore ROK flag lapel pins and in a sense become more Korean than the Koreans. That the young Chinese residents would turn out in droves to protest the activists in defense of their motherland seems to me understandable. It doesn't mean that they would want to live in China -- it is just that they feel a great sense of pride and unity in being Chinese. The same outpouring was seen in Australia, Japan, and other nations where the Chinese immigrants have not been fully assimilated. It is NOT an issue of being anti-Tibet or anti-North Korean refugee, but simply that these young Chinese residents see others attacking their homeland and they feel a need to rise up to protect it. Surprisingly, if there were Koreans doing the same thing, they would be called nationalists -- but because young Chinese residents are doing it, they are called thugs.
"Second factor at work here deals with how the ethnic Chinese have been treated in Korea for generations. Doesn't the ROK have any clue as to how the Chinese people who have lived in Korea for generations feel?. They were born in Korea, have attended Korean schools, speak Korean and for all intents and purposes are Korean -- except that they are denied Korean citizenship. Though in one sense, they are Korean in values and thinking, they also do not feel rooted to Korea because Korea has refused to allow them to make Korea their homeland. Though they feel a love for Korea, they also feel pride in the accomplishments of their motherland. The Chinese of Korea have been spurned for generations -- and now with China's great advances they have given them a sense of ethnic pride. Are the Koreans so thick-headed that they did not see the Chinese flee Korea for other countries in droves starting in the early 1980s when chances to emigrate to the US and Australia opened for them? After Korea switched its allegiance to China versus Taiwan, the emigration increased. The Chinatowns of the large cities have died -- though the governments are trying to resurrect them (with Korean residents) to give the image that they are still international cities. I believe, the Chinese residents in Korea are angry about their treatment by the ROK, but will remain silent because the alternative is their being left as people without a country. This protest was a one-time shot at raising their voices -- and then they will fade into the background again.
The problem of how to handle the "Chinese resident" problem is a major one for the Korean government. There are TWO types of Chinese nationals involved -- the ethnic Korean with Chinese nationality and the ethnic Chinese who have resided in Korea for generations with Chinese nationality.
About 1,000 ethnic Koreans with Chinese nationality who overstayed their visas after arriving in Korea before August in 1992, face deportation, the Ministry of Justice said on 27 May. Seoul established diplomatic ties with Beijing on Aug. 24, 1992. Their illegal residence has long been known about but the government has seldom forced them to leave the country for fear that forced departure would significantly damage property they have accumulated over the last decade or so. Those to be deported will be prohibited from revisiting Korea for at least three years, it said. The government estimates around 1,300 ethnic Koreans with Chinese nationality live here without the government's permission. (SITE NOTE: Notice that the date is those BEFORE Aug 1992 when China was recognized by the ROK. What makes these folks so special? Diplomatically speaking, they are people without a country. The PRC are NOT responsible for them since they entered Korea before the PRC was recognized by the ROK. The illegals after 1992 are handled by the PRC and the costs for deportation are borne by the PRC -- if the ROK wants to press the issue.)
The government has issued a set of exemptions from the forced departure: those nursing parents or children, those whose birth date is before Oct. 1, 1949, and those who are too old to endure the flight to China. They will get a five-year residence visa (H-2). The authorities say around 300 Chinese people here will be eligible for the exemption. ``This measure follows years-long campaigns designed to let overstaying ethnic Koreans leave the country voluntarily. Despite our efforts, most of them have refused to leave,'' Kim Young-geun, a justice ministry official, told The Korea Times. ``Court rulings also approved of the deportation.'' (SITE NOTE: Notice that the exempton for remaining in Korea are those whose birthdate is before Oct 1949 -- the date it established relations with the Republic of China (Taiwan). Also those "too old to endure the flight to China" meaning those over 80 and in failing health who could only have been those Chinese who came during the Korean War. Then we have the kicker that if you're caring for your Chinese parent you get to stay too. It is obvious that these regulations were NOT made for the newly arrived ethnic Koreans who came after 1990 -- these exemptions were made for those Chinese who came to Korea during the Korean War. Any ethnic Koreans from China who entered into South Korea back then have long been assimilated as citizens.)
In 2005, a total of 996 ethnic Koreans with Chinese nationality asked the government to change their nationality to Korean. Of them, 801 applicants won Korean nationality, while the remaining 165 failed. The 165 filed a lawsuit against the government to grant them Korean nationality. But the Supreme Court rejected their appeal in 2007. They also filed a constitutional petition but the Constitutional Court also backed the government's decision early this year. ``The government has exclusively issued a working visa to those who leave the country voluntarily and then stay overseas for one year. Those facing deportation can get the same favor, if they temporarily leave the nation willingly,'' Kim said. Civic groups supporting illegal residents slammed the measure, alleging it will worsen diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The deportation plan was made public on the same day President Lee Myung-bak visited China. The Lee administration has been actively seeking to deport foreign nationals illegally residing here. (Source: Korea Times.)
The ethnic Chinese residents with Chinese nationality who have resided in Korea for generations is another problem. These are NOT illegal aliens, but the same problems that the ethnic Koreans with Chinese nationality have applies to them. These residents control a significant amount of property accumulated over generations. Any forced departure would significantly damage property they have accumulated over the last decade or so. Again I requote a "Chinese resident" in 2006. Wang Wen-jung of the Chinese Residents' Association called for a "more open-minded, warm-hearted" attitude by the Korean people toward their Chinese neighbors. "If you ask us why we don't leave here or become naturalized South Korean citizens and stop complaining, we have nothing to say. But I would say this is the country where we were born, have lived and will live until we die," he said. These are PRC or Taiwanese (ROC) citizens because they cannot become Korean naturalized citizens without giving up their Chinese birthright -- not because of any overriding love for the PRC or ROC.
However, when the Prime Minister declared that he would deport any Chinese protestor, he opened a bucket of worms. I maintain there were many "Chinese residents" in that crowd who got swept away by the moment and committed an act of violence. But what do you do with a "Chinese resident" who was born in Korea, educated in Korean schools and operating influential businesses within the communities, but got caught up in the mob violence. Do you deport him? This is why this matter needs to be dropped by the ROK government immediately.
UPDATE: After the Anti-US Beef Row flared in Korea in May 2008 (See Boneless Beef Row.) and the Chinese massive earthquake in May 2008 that killed tens of thousands, this event was totally forgotten both by the Chinese and Koreans. It became a non-issue that it should have been in the first place.
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