Gov’t Slams Torch Relay Violence

The government expressed regret Monday over Chinese residents’ violent protests during Sunday’s Beijing Olympic torch relay in Seoul and delivered its plan to indict those responsible for the violence.

A government official said on Monday that Deputy Foreign Minister Lee Yong-joon expressed “strong regret” over the clashes by Chinese demonstrators, during a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to Seoul Ning Fukui.

In response, the ambassador expressed regret and sympathy for some Korean police officers and journalists injured during the violent protests.

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.

jin0619@donga.com