【By Guan Cha Zhe Wang, Yuan Jiaqi】

The temporary visa-free entry policy for Chinese group tourists in South Korea has taken effect since early October. While the ruling Democratic Party of Korea urged the government to crack down on anti-China rallies, the opposition conservative People Power Party introduced an "anti-foreign" bill targeting Chinese citizens, which sparked intense criticism.

According to This Week in Asia, a news platform under Hong Kong's South China Morning Post, the People Power Party recently unveiled a proposed bill called the "Three Shopping Prevention Law." The bill specifically targets Chinese citizens, baselessly accusing them of abusing South Korean national health insurance and engaging in speculative real estate purchases. It also claims that Chinese citizens should not participate in local elections in South Korea.

Last Friday, Kim Eun-hye, a People Power Party member who previously served as a spokesperson for President Yoon Suk-yeol, stated that the bill would be submitted to the National Assembly. However, the report noted that the National Assembly is currently controlled by the Democratic Party of Korea led by President Lee Jae-myung, making the likelihood of the bill passing extremely low.

In response to the People Power Party's allegations, the Democratic Party dismissed them as "baseless." According to reports, Democratic Party spokesperson Hwang Jeong-ya pointed out that last year, Chinese nationals who were enrolled in the national health insurance system paid 93.69 billion won in premiums, while receiving 93.14 billion won in benefits, resulting in a surplus of 550 million won for South Korea.

"But the People Power Party spreads false statements about 'foreigners taking advantage of welfare,' thus deceiving the public," she said.

Regarding the issue of voting rights, Hwang Jeong-ya emphasized that only foreigners who legally reside in South Korea and pay taxes have the right to participate in local elections.

Regarding the situation of Chinese citizens purchasing property in South Korea, she added that the number of Americans owning apartments in Seoul exceeds that of Chinese citizens, and most of the properties owned by Chinese citizens in South Korea are self-occupied homes located in established Chinatown areas.

The Hong Kong media also mentioned that, under the guise of national security and public threats, members of the People Power Party have recently criticized the visa-free policy for Chinese tourists, even spreading absurd claims that the policy could lead to an increase in transnational crimes and the spread of infectious diseases, which are truly astonishing.

The report cited analysts' views, stating that this bill, led by the People Power Party, caters to the growing anti-China sentiment among young people in South Korea and exposes the party's tendency to use far-right rhetoric to consolidate its conservative base. Analysts are concerned that the People Power Party's attempt to gain political benefits by inciting anti-China sentiment could severely damage South Korea's international reputation and exacerbate domestic racism. Moreover, given that China is South Korea's largest trading partner, and current bilateral relations are at a fragile stage, such legislation may ultimately affect South Korea's own interests.

On October 2, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung ordered the crackdown on anti-China rallies. Screenshot from video

Professor Lee Jun-han from Incheon National University condemned the proposed bill by the People Power Party as "irresponsible and short-sighted."

"This bill is clearly aimed at winning support before the local elections in June next year," he said. "However, as an opposition party, the People Power Party also has a responsibility to maintain the stability of South Korea-China relations rather than undermining it."

Professor Lim Sung-hack from Seoul National University also pointed out that the rhetoric of the People Power Party is similar to that of far-right extremists on social media and street demonstrations.

"The largest opposition party should focus on proposing reasonable policies to return to power, but instead, it is leaning towards the far right, which is worrying," Lim said. "Their xenophobic rhetoric reminds people of far-right movements in Europe."

He added that South Korea should not alienate China, especially considering that the number of Chinese tourists visiting South Korea is increasing, and it is also facing difficult tariff negotiations with the United States.

Choi Jin, director of the South Korean Presidential Leadership Institute, also believes that the People Power Party's actions aim to "institutionalize anti-China sentiment."

"If China takes equivalent countermeasures against South Korean citizens, how will South Korea respond?" Choi asked. "In the context of increasing global uncertainty, provoking China does not serve South Korea's national interests."

Conservative South Korean media, the Chosun Ilbo, also published an editorial on Monday criticizing the People Power Party, stating that if there are indeed legal issues regarding foreign property ownership or voting rights in South Korea, the party should work with the ruling party to revise relevant laws. "But using public sentiment toward a specific country for political gain is unacceptable," it said.

The Chosun Ilbo warned in its editorial, "Especially when this country, China, can significantly impact our economy and security, such political maneuvering could seriously harm national interests."

Another conservative daily, the Dong-A Ilbo, also criticized on Monday, stating that since the implementation of the visa-free policy for Chinese group tourists, hate speech and conspiracy theories against Chinese citizens have increased in South Korea, and "they have crossed the line."

The report pointed out, "The largest opposition party has been criticized for stoking anti-China sentiment to consolidate its base. Spreading such remarks recklessly not only undermines efforts to improve South Korea-China relations but directly harms national interests."

Starting September 29, the South Korean government implemented a trial visa-free entry policy for Chinese group tourists, which will continue until June 30 next year. During the trial period, groups of three or more Chinese tourists can enter South Korea without a visa and stay for 15 days. Jeju Island remains the same, allowing both individual and group tourists to enter without a visa and stay for 30 days.

The South Korean government expects this policy to attract approximately 1 million additional tourists, injecting much-needed funds into South Korea's struggling tourism and retail industries.

On September 29, Chinese group tourists arrived at Incheon International Airport on the first day of the visa-free entry policy. Visual China

However, while the South Korean government was implementing the visa-free policy, some forces in the country took the opportunity to incite anti-China sentiment for political gain.

At the same time, anti-China rallies have recently occurred in Seoul and other areas, with some protesters waving banners and chanting anti-China slogans, even harassing and insulting Chinese tourists in popular tourist areas like Myeongdong.

According to the WeChat official account "Embassy of China in South Korea," on October 2, the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in South Korea expressed a firm position on the anti-China demonstration held by a few forces in South Korea.

The spokesperson stated that China regretfully noted that some South Korean politicians spread false information, and some far-right groups frequently held anti-China demonstrations in areas where Chinese tourists gather, such as Myeongdong and Dalmok-dong. Both China and South Korea have clearly opposed this. According to the information, some South Korean far-right forces plan to hold an anti-China demonstration in the center of Seoul tomorrow (October 3). They chose this date, which is a festive time for the Chinese people celebrating the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival, and for the South Korean people celebrating the Gaecheonjeol and Mid-Autumn Festival, which is obviously malicious and lacks public support.

The spokesperson said that the Chinese Embassy once again reminded Chinese tourists in South Korea and those planning to visit South Korea to remain highly vigilant and pay attention to personal safety. We also solemnly request the South Korean side to effectively protect the personal safety and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens in South Korea.

The spokesperson pointed out that recently, high-level officials in the South Korean government and various sectors have clearly stated that the anti-China words and deeds of a few forces harm South Korea's national image and interests, and require a serious response. We believe that through the joint efforts of the Chinese and South Korean sides, the strategic partnership between China and South Korea can develop positively, and the schemes of a few political forces will not succeed.

On the same day, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung instructed government departments to take measures to crack down on anti-China rallies. Lee emphasized that "it cannot be allowed for people to engage in behavior lacking cultural literacy, inferior, and damaging to the country's dignity."

During a meeting hosted by the presidential office, Lee said that after the trial implementation of the visa-free entry policy for Chinese group tourists, the Myeongdong commercial street in Seoul has regained vitality, and the influx of tourists is expected to promote domestic consumption in South Korea and help economic recovery. "When we should thank, encourage, and welcome tourists, how can we allow hatred, insults, and defamation?"

Lee pointed out that attracting Chinese tourists helps South Korea's economic recovery, and it is necessary to eliminate behaviors that harm South Korea's interests and image.

"One tourist might spend millions of won, and if another ten million tourists come, the effect would be comparable to a huge export. But if they are insulted for no reason, who would want to visit and consume in South Korea?" Lee said. "Rumors and hate speech against specific countries and their people are spreading, and xenophobic rallies continue. These harmful self-destructive actions that damage our national interests and image must be completely eliminated."

This article is an exclusive contribution from Guan Cha Zhe Wang. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7560900812529861156/

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