School Interruption at Korean School in Beijing, China

The Korean International School (KIS) was unable to hold classes as the Chinese school from which it rents its facilities in Beijing, China blocked the front gate yesterday.

China’s Weeing School, which is renting part of its building to KIS, unilaterally blocked the KIS’ front gate in time to hinder the students from coming to school, and none of the 600 elementary, middle, and high school students was able to attend classes and returned home.

The Chinese school’s measure seems to be due to the 29 and four North Korean defectors who entered the Korean International School on October 22 and December 15 afternoon, respectively.

Students on their way to school waited outside for some time and then returned home because the front gate was closed.

It was known that KIS expressed its regret to the building owner, the Chinese school, for having taken the measure without any previous notice and requested it to open the front gate, but the Chinese school refused.

“As the Chinese police authorities had a meeting at the Chinese school’s assembly hall until late at night yesterday, it seems that the blockade was ordered by them. The school interruption situation may prolong unless resolved through a diplomatic channel.”

Yoo-Seong Hwang yshwang@donga.com