South Korean journalists assaulted by Chinese security personnel

Posted on : 2017-12-15 16:16 KST Modified on : 2019-10-19 20:29 KST
The incident occurred while reporters were covering an event attended by President Moon
A photographer from the Hankook Ilbo lies on the ground after being assaulted by Chinese security personnel while covering an event China National Convention Center in Beijing on Dec. 14. (Blue House Photo Pool)
A photographer from the Hankook Ilbo lies on the ground after being assaulted by Chinese security personnel while covering an event China National Convention Center in Beijing on Dec. 14. (Blue House Photo Pool)

South Korean journalists were assaulted by Chinese security personnel on Dec. 14 while covering an event attended by President Moon Jae-in, who is currently visiting China as a guest of the state. The Blue House responded to the incident with a message of stern protest to Beijing and a Ministry of Foreign Affairs request for Chinese authorities to investigate. Authorities in China launched an investigation at 9 pm that evening. The two photojournalists victimized in the assault received emergency treatment from the President’s medical team before being taken to a university hospital for closer examination.

A Blue House senior official said the situation was “under examination, with reports that the people taking part in the assault were employees of a security company contracted by the China branch of KOTRA [the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, which organized the event].”

“In addition to the assault, Chinese authorities have a responsibility to command the scene, and that area is also under close investigation,” the official added.

The incident began at 10:50 am while journalists, photographers, and cameramen with the Blue House press corps were covering Moon’s visit to the inaugural ceremony for a South Korea-China Economic and Trade Partnership event at the China National Convention Center in Beijing. The inside of the venue was crowded, and several confrontations occurred between local security staffers and reporters attempting to cover Moon’s activities.

When Hankook Ilbo photographer Ko Yeong-gwon protested, Chinese security staffers grabbed him by the neck and pushed him to the ground, at which point around ten other security staffers approached Maeil Business Newspaper photographer Lee Choong-woo, dragged him into a hallway, and assaulted him. During the assault, Lee was kicked in the face while lying on the ground, sustaining an orbital fracture around his eyes. The two reporters assaulted in the incident were scheduled to deliver statements to Chinese authorities on Dec. 15 before flying back to South Korea that evening. The Blue House announced plans for them to be accompanied on their return by a consular representative from the South Korean Embassy in Beijing.

“The Blue House takes this assault very seriously, and has used its diplomatic line to voice its stern protest and demand a swift investigation and identification of those responsible,” a senior Blue House official said.

“President Moon also received a report and takes the issue seriously as well,” the senior official added. Later in the evening, the Blue House said the South Korean Embassy “plans to offer its fullest support for a swift and thorough investigation.”

KOTRA had around 190 security staffers present at the event through contracts with a local security company, source reported.

“Events with 1,000 people or more are supposed to be reported to Chinese authorities, and contracts with the security company are supposed to be appended to the reports,” a KOTRA source said.

“KOTRA reported contracts signed with security companies designated by the venue (the China National Convention Center), and command and oversight on the ground was in compliance with Chinese authorities,” the source added.

In a daily briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang noted that the event was “organized by the South Korean side for President Moon Jae-in’s visit.”

“Although it was organized by South Korea, [the incident] took place in China, so we are affording it major attention,” he continued.

“Hopefully, this will be a minor incident. Both the South Korean and Chinese sides have worked hard to prepare for President Moon’s visit and share the goal of having this be a successful visit,” he added.

In a statement, the Foreign Correspondents' Club of China (FCCC) said it had “received numerous reports in 2017 of assaults against journalists residing in China.”

“Violence against journalists is completely unacceptable,” it stressed.

By Kim Bo-hyeop, staff reporter and Kim Oi-hyun, Beijing correspondent

Please direct questions or comments to [english@hani.co.kr]

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