29 April 2008
South Korea vows 'diplomatic measures' over Chinese torch violence
(AFP) Violence by Chinese students at the Beijing Olympic torch relay in Seoul injured South Korea's national pride and "legal and diplomatic measures are necessary", Prime Minister Han Seung-Soo told a cabinet meeting, according to the Yonhap news agency. Public anger is growing over the violence on 27 April, recorded on widely circulated video clips, in which Chinese students attacked Koreans staging peaceful protests at Beijing's human rights record. Justice Minister Kim Kyung-Han told the cabinet: "The justice ministry will sternly deal with those responsible, regardless of their nationality". The government expressed "strong regret" to China's ambassador at the behaviour of the students. Newspaper editorials and Internet users slammed the youths and the largest-selling daily questioned whether Beijing is fit to host the Olympics. "We cannot but doubt whether China has the common sense and standards to host the Olympic Games", the newspaper Chosun Ilbo said, criticising the government and police for failing to stop the violence.