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Dalai Lama Visit Refused by South Korea

Spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, has been refused entrance into South Korea. The reason stated has to do with consideration of Seoul`s relationship with China. The Dalai Lama had planned to visit South Korea next month for a conference of Nobel Peace Prize laureate, but was denied entrance and approval for its visa application. South Korea stated `overall relations with China and national interests,` said a Foreign Ministry official, as a sensitive issue not worth complicating with the Dalai Lama`s visit.

China captured Tibet by force in 1950 and the Dalai Lama went into exile in India following a failed uprising against Chinese rule in the territory. China is South Korea`s top trade partner and Korea also needs Beijing`s help in persuading North Korea to give up its nuclear ambitions.

China has even urged other countries not to host the exiled Tibetan Buddhist leader. China gives reasons saying he is a separatist bent on gaining independence for Tibet, reports UNI news agency.