South Korean athlete at Youth Olympics accused of blinding Chinese Premier with laser pen

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (centre) waves as he meets with volunteers of the 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, Jiangsu province on Aug 28, 2014. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (centre) waves as he meets with volunteers of the 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing, Jiangsu province on Aug 28, 2014. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

BEIJING (AFP) - South Korean diplomats said Tuesday they were "confirming facts" after one of the country's young athletes was accused of shining a laser pen into the face of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

Li, the second most important official in a country which goes to great lengths to prevent embarrassing incidents involving its leaders, was targeted by the laser pen at last Thursday's closing ceremony for the Youth Olympics, television images showed.

The beam flickered across his face as he waved to the crowd while taking his seat at the Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre Stadium in front of 60,000 spectators, state broadcaster China Central Television showed.

Chinese netizens blamed a South Korean athlete for the incident, which came at the end of 12 days of competition between 3,700 athletes aged 15 to 18.

"We are still confirming the correct facts relating to this course of events," the South Korean embassy said Tuesday in a post on its verified account on Sina Weibo, China's version of Twitter.

"Shining a laser pen on another country's leader is extremely regrettable behaviour."

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