Entry Visa Ought to Be Granted
Is it possible that the Dalai Lama will realize his attempt this time to visit South Korea next year for attending to religious affairs? It is currently hard to tell because the issue must be resolved diplomatically rather than religiously in light of the relations between Seoul and Beijing.
But it is generally believed that the government has no choice but to allow the exiled Tibetan religious leader to visit, regardless of strong protests from the Chinese government. This assumption is mainly based on the support President Roh Moo-hyun expressed for a visit by the Dalai Lama during the presidential election campaign in December 2002. In addition, Minister of Foreign Affair and Trade Ban Ki-moon said in August that his ministry would seriously consider issuing an entry visa to the Tibetan religious leader if he applies.
The government’s sincerity will be put to the test as the Dalai Lama on Saturday expressed his intention of visiting the nation sometime around Buddha’s birthday in May next year to take part in religious events. It is also reported that the Dalai Lama recently told his plan to Korean monks taking part in a religious gathering in the Indian capital of New Delhi. Consequently, the Chogye Order, the nation’s largest Buddhist sect, is preparing for a visit by the Tibetan religious leader next year,
However, the matter is not a simple one, owing to the significantly increased status of Beijing in relations with Seoul. It will be impossible for the government to ignore the negative impact that granting an entry visa to the Dalai Lama will have on trade with China and the six-party dialogue aimed at peacefully resolving the two-year-long nuclear standoff between North Korea and the United States. China has not only emerged as the nation’s largest trading partner this year, replacing the U.S., but has also played a mediating role in the ongoing negotiations. In particular, any effort by Seoul to resume the multilateral dialogue, suspended since the third round held in Beijing in June, would be useless without China’s cooperation.
Despite the possible economic and political setbacks, the government should accept the Dalai Lama’s application for an entry visa to participate in religious activities. The government needs to safeguard the principles of separating the state from religion as stipulated in the Constitution. In this vein, the Tibetan spiritual leader should be permitted to visit the nation. Other countries cannot interfere with the execution of our sovereign rights. Respecting the independence of religion from state will also improve our image in the international community.
