Beijing Excludes Korea from Tibet Tour

China’s recent decision has sparked controversy in Korea as it allowed only a limited number of diplomats, excluding Korean officials, to tour Lhasa, recently rattled by Tibetans’ independence movement.

Beijing invited diplomats from 15 countries including the United States, Japan, Germany and Russia, who are responsible for state affairs, to look around the region for two days from March 28.

The countries also included France, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Singapore, Tanzania and EU chair Slovenia.

Some in the diplomats’ circle in Beijing interpret that the Chinese government’s exclusion of Korean officials indicates their mistreatment of the nation. The exclusion occurred after Seoul repeatedly requested for permission to visit the region for the protection of 32 Koreans residing in Tibet.

orionha@donga.com