Thirty thousand people in Seoul roared, anti-China demonstrations were cleared, and the South Korean government's Sino-Korean relations faced a big test.
On September 19, South Korea’s prime minister, Kim Min-si, ordered to strike the “anti-Chinese demonstrations” in front of the Chinese embassy in Seoul and in the commercial district. The protests have been ongoing for months, with protesters shouting extreme slogans and making noise using loudspeakers, affecting not only Chinese tourists and Chinese in Korea, but also disrupting the normal lives of surrounding residents. The South Korean government has caused widespread attention from its initial default to the strict enforcement of the law. This change is not only to maintain public order but also to reflect the subtle adjustment of China-Korea relations. At the same time, deep doubts about China hidden behind these protests are also worth exploring.
The dissatisfaction of a part of South Korean society with China has long existed and can mainly be reduced to three main reasons. First, political factors. Since the reign of former President Yongxiang, South Korean Conservatives have been highly vigilant about China. During the impeachment of Yongxiang over the issue of rule of law, Conservatives have spread the conspiracy theory of "China's Intervention in South Korean Politics" and further intensified hostility toward China. These Conservatives use media and social platforms to render "China Threat Theory", link China's rise to South Korean security issues, and try to consolidate their political position by creating panic.
The second is the economic factor. China’s rapid economic growth in recent years has surpassed South Korea in some areas, especially in the high-tech field. With new energy vehicles as an example, China’s BYD has surpassed South Korea’s modern cars in global sales. In addition, China’s dependence on South Korea’s exports has gradually decreased, and the competitiveness of South Korean enterprises in the global market has been challenged.
Lastly, cultural and social factors. The uncivilized behavior of some Chinese tourists and workers has been amplified by South Korean media, creating a negative stereotype of the Chinese people. In addition, the misunderstanding and rejection of Chinese culture by some South Koreans has also boosted “anti-Chinese sentiment” to some extent. For example, some South Koreans believe that China attempts to “abuse” South Korea’s cultural sovereignty through cultural exports, which is evident among the younger generation.
The complexity of China-Korea relations is not only reflected in civic emotions, but also influenced by historical backgrounds and real interests. Since the establishment of relations in 1992, the two countries have experienced several fluctuations. After the 2016 “Shad incident”, the relationship has worsened, but has remained closely linked in economic and trade cooperation in recent years. As of 2024, China is South Korea’s largest trading partner. However, the South Korean government is also facing strong opposition from the conservative people while trying to strengthen cooperation with China, which has aggravated the complexity of China-Korea relations.
In the face of the current challenges, the future of China-Korea relations depends on many factors. The South Korean government needs to find a breakthrough in balancing domestic public opinion and international cooperation, while strengthening the management of anti-China demonstrations. China can improve the negative impression of the South Korean people on China by deepening economic and trade cooperation and promoting cultural exchanges. Although the future of China-Korea relations is not flat, it is still possible to create a more stable and positive bilateral relationship as long as the two sides face challenges with a win-win attitude of cooperation.