S. Koreans Among Most Critical of China on Tibet: Poll

WASHINGTON -- South Koreans are more critical of China's Tibet policy than citizens of other countries in Asia and the West, according to poll results released Tuesday.

Eighty-four percent of South Koreans said they agree with the critics who demand that Tibet should have autonomy and be allowed to preserve its traditional culture and that the Dalai Lama be permitted to return, the poll conducted by WorldPublicOpinion.org said.

The average among all respondents was 64 percent.

The survey was conducted in six countries -- South Korea, France, England, India, Indonesia and the U.S. -- before the recent protests and violence in Tibet. In South Korea, the poll was taken in telephone interviews of 600 people on Feb. 11-12. The polling in other countries was held Jan 18-Feb. 29, with the margin of error ranging from 3.1 to 4.1 percent.

The respondents were presented with both the position of critics of Chinese policy and the position of Beijing. China's view was described as Tibet having been part of China for a long time, that it benefited from modernization, and that the Dalai Lama should not be allowed to return because he aims to split Tibet from China.

On average across the six polled countries, 64 percent said their view was close to those of the critics, while 17 percent said they agreed with Beijing's stance.

The critical view prevailed by large majorities in all three Western nations -- the U.S. (74 percent), France (75 percent) and England (63 percent).

Views were more varied among Asian nations. Fifty-four percent of Indonesians sided with the critics while 12 percent endorsed China's position.

In India, views were nearly evenly divided, with 37 percent agreeing with the critics and 33 percent siding with China, while 31 percent did not take a position. (Yonhap)