Seoul: Representative Dr Tsewang Gyalpo Arya of the Liaison Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Japan and East Asia concluded his 10-day South Korea tour yesterday after successful Tibet advocacy schedules in Seoul and visits to the Korean temples and Tibetan Buddhist Centres.

South Korea-based human rights, freedom, and democracy groups, most prominently The Solidarity for Free Asia and Korea Globe, organised a weeklong Free Asia-related events, including talks, seminars, and discussions from 19 to 25 August in Seoul. Representative Dr Arya and the representatives of China, Uyghur, Manchu, and Southern Mongolia participated in the events and shared Tibetan experiences in their struggle for freedom, justice, and democracy.

On 19 August, the Seoul National University Truth Forum invited the delegations to address a conference on the “International Conference on the Future of China” at the University. The next day, the delegations participated in a seminar called “The Steppe Road, The Free Economic Area and Northeast Asian Ethnic Policy” at the South Korean National Assembly building’s conference hall where former Prime Minister Kyo-Ahn Hwang gave the keynote address followed by speeches from members of major think tanks and former officials, including former Korea’s Ambassador to Japan. Korean intellectuals and representatives of minority nationals talked about how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has become a major threat to peace and stability in Asia and the world. China and members of minority nationals talked about the repressive, assimilative, and aggressive policy of the CCP regime.

The Kando Research and Rescue Centre invited the delegations and briefed them about how China is distorting history to legitimise its claim of Korean territory in the North. The delegation spoke at the meetings organised by The Council of State of the Republic of Korea on “International Order in Northeast Asia and Korea’s Role”. The delegations met members of the South Korean National Assembly Suh Cheon Ho and Yang Mun Suk separately and briefed them on the Chinese atrocities in their respective regions.

Representative Dr Arya delivered talks on the Tibet issue at the Korean Parliament building, Seoul University, and other forums and meetings. Dr Arya briefed the historical status of Tibet from the Tang dynasty to the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties and explained how China’s claim on Tibet is irrelevant and deliberate historical distortion. He updated the current situation in Tibet and explained how China is trying to eliminate Tibetan identity by forcing indoctrination of Tibetan children in colonial-style boarding schools. He talked about the recent US legislation “The Tibet Resolve Act” and its importance and how the US law rejects China’s claim that Tibet has been a part of China since ancient times. He requested support from the Korean public and government in establishing a similar policy and helping resolve the Sino-Tibetan conflict.

Representative Arya met former Prime Minister Kyo-Ahn Hwang and the two members of parliament separately and shared the Korean translations of the US “Tibet Resolve Act” with them and requested their support in introducing such a bill in the parliament.

The organisers arranged a press conference and interaction with media people where the organisers and the delegations shared the purpose of the events and explained the growing Chinese repression and aggression in China and around the world.

Representative Dr Arya accompanied by Ven. Geshe Sangpo of the Tibetan Community in Korea later visited Korean Temples like Thongdosa, Haeinsa, and Songwangsa, representing Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha of Korean Buddhism. He visited Daewonsa Temple hosting the Tibet Museum in South Gyeongsang. Dr Arya paid respect to the Chief Priests and staff of these Temples and thanked them for their support to Tibet and the Tibetan monks in Korea and requested their support in condemning the CCP’s increased religious repressions and interference in the selection of the reincarnation His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Representative Arya visited Juntoh Maeul Ganwolsa Temple and paid respect to Ven. Neung Haeng and to thank the administration for their help to the Tibetan community.

At Songgwangsa Temple’s museum, with the permission of the Temple, Dr Arya studied an ancient document believed to be a 13th century decree by Drogon Chogyal Phagpa of Tibet to the Mongol warlords advising them to be kind and just to the Koreans under the Yuan Dynasty’s rule. It is said that the Koreans requested the Tibetan Lama’s interference to get relief from the Mongol’s repression.

Representative Arya visited the Tibetan Buddhist Centre Shedrupling in Seoul, and Tibetan Buddhist Teaching Centres in Ulsan and Gimhae-si, where he updated the Tibetan Geshes and monks about the Tibet issue and the recent talk events.

-Report filed by the Office of Tibet, Japan