South Korean President Moon Jae-in, second right, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, second left, meet during a bilateral meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. (Nicolas Asfouri/Pool/AP)
South Korean President Moon Jae-in, second right, and Chinese President Xi Jinping, second left, meet during a bilateral meeting at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017. (Nicolas Asfouri/Pool/AP)

Guards beat two journalists during South Korean president’s state visit to China

A group of Chinese security guards assaulted two South Korean journalists who were covering South Korean President Moon Jae-in’s visit to a business fair in Beijing, on December 14, 2017, according to news reports.

Footage of the incident broadcast by CNN shows security guards block Koh Young-kwon, a photojournalist for the South Korean daily Hankook Ilbo, from taking photos of Moon at the Korea-China Economic and Trade Partnership. The guards can be seen punching and kicking Koh in the footage.

When Lee Chung-woo, a photojournalist for the South Korean Maeil Business News, tried to intervene, the guards punched and kicked him, according to news reports and the video.

Koh and Lee were part of a press pool accompanying the South Korean president to the convention center during his state visit to China, according to The Korea Times and CNN.

The Korea Times reported on December 15, 2017 that it was not clear if the guards were police or from a private security firm.

Koh and Lee were taken to Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, where Moon’s medical team examined them, according to Korea Joongang Daily. Koh had back pain, and Lee had swollen eyes, a nose bleed, and a possible concussion, according to The Korea Times. CNN reported that Lee was taken to a hospital for further treatment.

The South Korean government filed a complaint to the Chinese government and demanded an apology and investigation, according to The Guardian. China promised to investigate thoroughly the assault carried out by the Chinese security guards, according to Yonhap News.