China expels South Korean missionaries amid missile defence tensions

[singermelodie1]

China has expelled 32 South Korean Christian missionaries, a Seoul official has said, amid diplomatic tension between the two countries over the planned deployment of a US missile defence system.

The 32 were based in China’s northeastern Yanji region near the border with North Korea, many of whom had worked there more than a decade, South Korean media has reported.

 

South Korea’s foreign ministry said on Friday it briefed Christian groups on the case of the missionaries, adding that they were expelled in January.

The ministry advised the groups on the importance of complying with the laws and customs of the areas where they work, it said.

In South Korea, China is widely believed to be retaliating against Seoul’s plan to host the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (Thaad) system of the US military, against the threat of the missile attack from North Korea.

But there was no indication of a direct link between the expulsions and tension over Thaad, said the South Korean government official, who requested anonymity. “There was no official explanation from China,†he said. “There is no confirmation that it is related to Thaad.â€

China’s Communist party says it protects freedom of religion, but keeps a tight rein on religious activities and allows only officially recognised religious institutions.

 

 

The number of Korean missionaries working in China might top 1,000, South Korean media say. Most are in the northeast, and many help defectors flee North Korea and travel to third countries, including the South.

Thaad’s radar is capable of penetrating Chinese territory. Beijing has objected to the planned deployment, saying it will destabilise the regional balance of security, threaten China’s security and do nothing to ease tension on the Korean peninsula.

Many South Koreans believe Beijing is retaliating against Thaad, with measures against some companies and cancellations of performances by Korean artists. On Wednesday, South Korea’s Lotte Group said Chinese authorities had halted construction at a multi-billion dollar real estate project after a fire inspection.

 

source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/feb/11/china-expels-south-korean-missionaries-amid-missile-defence-tensions

[BlueButterfly]

Mess... Korea has to continually deal with the foolishness of the decision to adopt Thaad 

[thefacts]

China is making Asia great again.

[Miracle Mind!]

They don't do anything to North Korea making missiles but they kick out South Koreans for a missile defense system. It a defense system. It tracks and shoot down missiles. There's no risk of it firing missiles into China.

[Zenist]

They do do anything to North Korea making missiles but they kick out South Koreans for a missile defense system. It a defense system. It tracks and shoot down missiles. There's no risk of it firing missiles into China.

 

You are thinking WAY too naive.

 

By placing an anti nuke system in SK, USA removes China's chance to retaliate in case USA or its allies fires a nuke missile to China.

 

Its like you going into a knife fight and then the other guy takes away your knife.

[Miracle Mind!]

You are thinking WAY too naive.

 

By placing an anti nuke system in SK, USA removes China's chance to retaliate in case USA or its allies fires a nuke missile to China.

 

Its like you going into a knife fight and then the other guy takes away your knife.

So you want South Koreans to sit like babies while China help supplies North Korea with missiles supplies? If China was so worried they could of stopped it years ago.

[Zenist]

So you want South Koreans to sit like babies while China help supplies North Korea with missiles supplies? If China was so worried they could of stopped it years ago.

 

Well USA could've stopped supplying North Korea too.

 

Its this game that everybody is playing for their own sake.

 

I personally don't blame the action of the Koreas, USA or China here.

 

But let's see if China will be putting on more pressure to South Korea and see if everybody can maintain peace or not.

[JiMiJu]

Hopefully a compromise can be worked out.

[PrincessRoxi_02]

messy