South Korea activists protest 'barbarous' attack in China

Dec. 15 (UPI) -- South Korean protesters gathered outside the Chinese embassy in Seoul on Friday, after South Korean photojournalists were brutally assaulted by Chinese security guards in Beijing.

The protesters, representing a mix of progressive and conservative civic groups, demanded the Chinese government issue an official apology for the violence, Yonhap reported.

"Chinese security guards kicked Korean journalists in the face and engaged in a group attack," the organizations said. "They also pushed a presidential Blue House staff member."

"It is a barbarous act, and it is hard to believe it could happen in a civilized country," the groups added.

In Beijing the Chinese foreign ministry acknowledged the incident, and said it would cooperate in investigations.

Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said the main investigation should be undertaken by the Korean side, but that China is "extremely concerned" because the incident took place in the country.

Lu stopped short of issuing an official apology.

Concern President Moon Jae-in may have been snubbed by Beijing on his first day of his visit to China is also rising in South Korea.

According to Yonhap, the president was not invited to any official dinners or breakfasts hosted by the Chinese government, and was left to plan his own itinerary on the first day of his visit. A relatively low-level official also welcomed Moon upon his arrival, the report stated.

Moon, however, may have set aside differences with Beijing, a move that may be related Seoul's interest in improving trade ties and coordination on North Korea.

South Korean news service Newsis reported Moon called China and Korea "comrades who suffered the travails of modern history and overcame it," a reference to the countries' experience with war and colonialism.

Moon also said China and Korea share concerns regarding Pyongyang's weapons.

"This is not only Korea's problem," Moon said at the Beijing University on Friday. "North Korea is China's neighbor and growing tensions pose a major threat to China's peace and development."