S Korean leg of torch relay marked by scuffles, protests

Sunday 27th April, 05:53 PM JST

SEOUL —

The Olympic torch relay traveled through the South Korean capital on Sunday, triggering minor scuffles between Chinese supporters and those opposed to China’s policy of forcibly returning North Korean refugees.

Soon after the first runner set off from Seoul’s Olympic Park, over a thousand Chinese comprised mostly of students stormed a nearby protest gathering by North Korean defectors and their supporters and pelted them with metal bars and plastic bottles. Some members of the press covering the event were injured in the melee. Two men who tried to set themselves on fire with paint thinner in protest along the route and another man who attempted to jump in front of a torchbearer were taken into custody. They appeared to be connected to a group concerned with North Korean human rights.

AFP

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9 Comments

Maruku at 09:28 PM JST - 27th April

Scuffle ... pelted with metal bars, attempts at immolation ... ah ha. So that's a scuffle.
Badsey at 10:33 PM JST - 27th April

I understand that Korea always takes it a step farther than Japan, but I get lost in the logic: I thought this was about Tibet and I guess Chinese will always take it another step beyond that (NK).
Triple888 at 07:46 AM JST - 28th April

I will discourage all Chinese from visiting Korea now! Koreans are not friends of Chinese!
Terrikus at 11:30 AM JST - 28th April

I will discourage all Chinese from visiting Korea now! Koreans are not friends of Chinese!

Oh give me a break..
Altria at 12:45 PM JST - 28th April

Those Koreans sure know how to stage a protest...self-immolation, finger-chopping...
zzonkerr at 02:12 PM JST - 28th April

Korea knows how to take things up a notch, don't they? In Japan, they threw raw eggs. In Korea, it's metal bars. Impressive.

As for Triple888...

I will discourage all Chinese from visiting Korea now! Koreans are not friends of Chinese!

Oh, please. Anytime anyone speaks out about anything against China (usually in the context of criticism of the government or its associated bureaucracies), no matter how trivial, it's always, "So-and-so has hurt the feelings of the Chinese people..." As if the Chinese people care in the first place.

If it's that easy to "hurt the feelings of the Chinese people," then the Chinese people are strongly advised to get a reality grip and learn that sometimes criticisms are part of life.

Oh, and Triple888, good luck with your one-man embargo. I'm sure you'll have a broad and profound effect on international trade and industry.
apecNetworks at 04:05 PM JST - 28th April

Looks good. The Olympic Committee and cities are quickly adapting to the new realities of protests and adjusting security to meet the new circumstances. Heck, w/ some careful coordinated teamwork of nations, this year's Olympic may be ok, but not perfect. Gooooooo Olympics.
Taka313 at 08:32 PM JST - 30th April

If I remember correctly, S. Korean protests are not something to be taken lightly, no matter what the cause. When they protest, they PROTEST.

Taka
Kwaabish at 12:29 PM JST - 2nd May

Deport the attackers. Man... they don't even have the common courtesy of behaving while staying in someone else's house (country). Send them away.