South Korean activists burned the North’s flag on Sunday in a protest against the two countries’ efforts to improve relations during the Winter Olympics.
The protesters set the flag alight along with a portrait of Kim Jong Un, whose sister was due to watch a Northern musical display with the South’s President at a nearby theatre in Seoul.
A Pyongyang orchestra was to give a concert in Seoul as part of a cross-border deal in which the isolated, nuclear-armed North sent hundreds of athletes, cheerleaders and others to the Pyeongchang Games in South Korea.
But the rapprochement pushed by South Korean President Moon Jae-in has angered conservatives who accuse him of being a North Korea sympathiser.
South Korean activists burned the North’s flag on Sunday in a protest against the two countries’ efforts to improve relations during the Winter Olympics
The protesters set the flag alight along with a portrait of Kim Jong Un, whose sister was due to watch a Northern musical display with the South’s President at a nearby theatre in Seoul
The North’s presence has dominated the headlines in the early days of the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. The signs read: ‘Pyongyang Olympics’
Kim on Saturday invited President Moon to a summit in the North, an offer extended by his sister and special envoy Kim Yo Jong, who made history as the first member of the North’s ruling dynasty to visit the South since the Korean War.
‘Having these red communists in the heart of Seoul is an utter humilation!’ one protester shouted near the venue as dozens of others waved banners condemning both Moon and Kim Jong Un.
‘We are against the ugly political Olympics!’ read one banner.
Some set a North Korean flag on fire before police intervened, and others chanted ‘Let’s tear Kim Jong Un to death!’ as they ripped up posters bearing his portrait.
Some set a North Korean flag on fire before police intervened, and others chanted ‘Let’s tear Kim Jong Un to death!’ as they ripped up posters bearing his portrait
The rapprochement pushed by the South Korean President has angered some who accuse him of being a North Korea sympathiser. Pictured: a defaced portrait of Kim Jong Un
Protesters scuffled with police officers during a rally. The protesters accuse Moon of allowing North Korea to stage its ‘propaganda’ in Seoul and undermining the alliance with the US
The diplomatic thaw has also seen a unified ‘All Korean’ team compete in the Olympic ice hockey tournament. Pictured: North Korean cheerleaders
The North’s presence has dominated the headlines in the early days of the Olympics, with all eyes turning to Swiss-educated Kim Yo Jong, believed to be 30, who is among her brother’s closest confidantes.
The diplomatic thaw has also seen a unified ‘All Korean’ team compete in the Olympic ice hockey tournament.
The protesters accuse Moon of allowing North Korea to stage its ‘propaganda’ in Seoul and undermining the military alliance with the US.
Sunday’s concert – the orchestra’s second and final show – was expected to feature South Korean pop songs as well as North Korean music, and to be watched by Moon, Kim Yo Jong, and Kim Yong Nam, the North’s ceremonial head of state.