South Korea seethes over journalist beaten to blood by Chinese security

South Korean media was in turmoil after a reporter was beaten by Chinese security while working during President Moon Jae In's visit.

Chinese security officials spy for the CIA? Chinese security before the G20 Summit: Just for show? Chinese security shows its "boss" position at the G20 summit

South Korean President Moon Jae In (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping - Photo: AFP

Opposition parties and netizens in South Korea have joined in, asserting that this incident has clearly depicted the Asian "giant's" attitude towards neighboring countries, according to AFP news agency.

The main opposition party in South Korea, the Liberty Korea Party (LKP), called on President Moon Jae-in to cancel his four-day visit to China and return home immediately. The LKP said the use of violence was a "terrorist attack against the entire nation of South Korea".

Chosun Ilbo, South Korea's best-selling daily newspaper, meanwhile headlined "Abusing President Moon and Assaulting South Korean Journalists - This Is the Chinese Dream."

Chosun Ilboand many other Korean newspapers emphasized the point that Mr. Moon's first three meals in China did not have any Chinese officials, including a lunch event with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang that was also canceled.

And while Mr Moon was greeted by only a Chinese assistant minister upon take-off, last year Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was greeted by Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

According toChosun IlboThe violence and the diplomatic situations described above were "not unintentional", but were carried out by China's "arrogance and violent nature", as well as South Korea's own weak attitude.

Netizens in South Korea were also outraged by the incident. One particular comment in this wave was "China trampled on Korea and all Koreans".

Earlier on December 14, a few hours before Chinese President Xi Jinping received South Korean President Moon Jae In in Beijing, a South Korean photojournalist was beaten by Chinese security forces.

Video footage shows the incident taking place in an area where reporters were covering a bilateral economic event, according to CNN.

The photojournalist was later identified as Lee Chung Woo, who worked at the newspaper.Maeil Businessin Seoul. Mr. Lee was punched, kicked, and thrown to the floor by a group of men in black vests.

The video shows other South Korean reporters shouting in both English and Korean phrases like "Don't touch the camera" and "Who is in charge of Chinese security here?"

As the incident unfolded, Mr. Lee was bleeding heavily from his face and hands. An official from the South Korean president's office confirmed to CNN that Mr. Lee was later taken to the hospital.

South Korea's Foreign Ministry called for an investigation into the incident. Spokesman Roh Kyu Deok said: "Our government expressed immediate concern to the Chinese government" about the case.

According to TTO