Tibetan Activist Dampens Activities Out of Fear
A prominent Tibetan political activist in Korea has deemed it too dangerous to continue his efforts to shed light on human rights abuses occurring in his homeland over fears of the current Korean administration.
D.P. Lama, better known locally as "Minsu," believes Korea has become too precarious a place for him to carry on his protests.
"I don't protest at the moment because of fear of the government," said the 33-year-old in an interview with The Korea Times, Monday.
He believes there is a realistic prospect that he might end up being detained because of what he claims is the hardline approach of the Lee-Myung-bak administration toward migrants and activism. He said his family's well-being would then be at stake, leaving them without their main breadwinner.
The mass protest held as the Olympic torch for the Beijing Olympics came through Seoul last year was a result of actions by Minsu, who attracted support after he staged a demonstration outside the Chinese Embassy in Seoul.
Although he still continues activist work alongside other protesters over Tibet-related issues, he has put the majority of his involvement on ice.
His parents fled to India in the face of Chinese attacks before he was born, and eventually moved on to Nepal. A Nepalese citizen, he is no stranger to stories about Tibetan problems.
Minsu first came to Korea in search of work, and it was his labor, primarily in the 3D sector of the economy ― dirty, difficult and dangerous ― that led to his activism, at first for migrant worker unions.
However, after becoming more aware of the situation in Tibet last year, he launched his high-profile attempt to draw attention to the issue here.
"My family knew I am in Korea so I felt I had to do something," said Minsu. "So I started a small press conference in front of the Chinese embassy."
Despite his fears, Minsu, who last year opened a restaurant in Myeong-dong, Seoul, vowed to continue his protests, albeit in a dampened fashion.
"From this restaurant, I can live ― but also continue my protest by talking. I tell people who want to know about Tibet," he explained.
Having taken part in countless demonstrations over the years, such as a 384-day sitting protest at Myeong-dong Cathedral, he says it is hard for him to drop all his activities.
"My heart says one thing but my brain says another," Minsu said.
"I support protests, such as if there is a sitting struggle I will send a donation."
However, he said that if something major were again to happen in Tibet, he would again take up the fight in a more active way.
Korea Times intern JR Breen contributed reporting to this article.