ROK concerned over flag burning in taekwondo row
Sunday, 21 November 2010
SEOUL, Nov 20 (AFP): South Korea's foreign ministry expressed concern to Taiwan Saturday over the burning of its flag and boycotts of its products in a heated row over taekwondo at the Asian Games, local media said.
Taiwanese fighter Yang Shu-chun was disqualified from the Games Wednesday for wearing extra sensors in her socks, sparking fury in her home island, where irate fans have blamed South Korean judges for kicking her out.
"The disqualification of Yang Shu-chun at the Games is regrettable, but there is a need to pay attention to the burning of South Korean flags and boycotting of products that are spreading across the island," the ministry said in a statement quoted by South Korea's Yonhap news agency.
The ministry said it had passed the message to Taiwan via its representative office there, asking them to "if necessary express regret over the anti-South Korean sentiments that have erupted in the past few days", Yonhap said.
Taiwanese fighter Yang Shu-chun was disqualified from the Games Wednesday for wearing extra sensors in her socks, sparking fury in her home island, where irate fans have blamed South Korean judges for kicking her out.
"The disqualification of Yang Shu-chun at the Games is regrettable, but there is a need to pay attention to the burning of South Korean flags and boycotting of products that are spreading across the island," the ministry said in a statement quoted by South Korea's Yonhap news agency.
The ministry said it had passed the message to Taiwan via its representative office there, asking them to "if necessary express regret over the anti-South Korean sentiments that have erupted in the past few days", Yonhap said.