Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Tuesday, August 19, 2003
Roh Moo-hyun Expresses Regrets over Violent Anti-DPRK Protest
In what appeared to be a conciliatory gesture, South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun expressed regret Tuesday over a recent anti-DPRK protest that led the DPRK to boycott this week's world university games.
In what appeared to be a conciliatory gesture, South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun expressed regret Tuesday over a recent anti-DPRK protest that led the DPRK to boycott this week's world university games.
"Burning the North Korean(DPRK) flag and the portrait of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il was inappropriate," Roh told a meeting with aides.
He instructed his Cabinet to express regrets as well and ordered the the Unification Ministry to take prompt measures so that the Universiade will proceed smoothly.
"I hope such incidents will not be repeated," said Roh.
Thousands of conservatives activists rallied in Seoul Friday, burning a huge DPRK flag and a life-size image of the DPRK leader. They asked their government to strengthen alliance with the United States to pressure the North to give up its nuclear weapons program.
On Monday, the DPRK responded by boycotting the Universaide scheduled to open in South Korea's southeastern city of Daegu on Thursday for an 11-day run.
DPRK claimed it cannot send its athletes to a "dangerous" country where "brothers do harm to their own brothers."