By Tenzin Sangmo
New Delhi, April 24 – As a sign of protest at China’s repressive policy in Tibet and against North Korean renegades, human rights groups in South Korea said they will disrupt the Olympic torch relay scheduled for April 27.
“We urge China, as a host of the Olympic Games, to abide by the common values of humankind and respect the human rights of the weak,” said Christian Accountability for Society, Save North Korea and Helping Hands Korea in a joint press conference held in front of the World Peace Gate at Seoul’s Olympic Park. “China must stop its forceful repatriation of North Korean refugees and its violent crackdown on Tibetan protestors.
Meanwhile, South Korean PM Han Seung-soo at a luncheon with foreign correspondents April 14 said the torch relay in Seoul will be an opportunity to promote the spirit of the Games. China is one of South Korea’s most important trading partners and given China’s economic strength the two countries have maintained friendly relations in several departments.
“Several thousand activists in South Korea plan to hold protests during the Seoul torch relay, with some expecting to disrupt it,” Lee Sang-rim, an official at Christians for Social Responsibility told AP.
Civic organizations from North Korea are also expected to join the anti-China rally during Sunday’s torch run in the South Korean Capital. They plan to block the bridges running through the heat of the city on the Han River to stop torchbearers from crossing it.
The Korea Olympic Committee refused to divulge the route of the torch relay including its length citing security reasons.
Three torchbearers including a civic leader, lawyer and an environmentalist have already withdrawn their names expressing concerns about China’s record of human rights abuses. They were among 80 torchbearers chosen to carry the Olympic flame through its Korean leg of the relay.
