【By Liu Bai, Observers Network】In recent months, anti-American and anti-China protests have frequently occurred within South Korea. On November 6, "Nikkei Asia" reported that in this context, South Korea is drawing closer to Japan, seeking a more practical cooperative relationship.
The report said that South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol had just hosted the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, but the diplomatic afterglow may be fleeting. The nationwide waves of anti-China and anti-American sentiment are becoming an urgent foreign policy challenge for Yoon Suk-yeol.
This is a significant shift. The author recalls that when he went to Seoul in the early 2000s, there were almost no anti-China protests. Analysts point out that anti-China protests are closely related to conservative groups supporting former President Yoon Suk-yeol, and the conservative camp's hype about "Chinese election interference" led to a major defeat for Yoon's People Power Party.
At the same time, anti-American sentiment is also rising. In September, U.S. police raided a modern motor factory under construction, arresting illegal workers including 475 Koreans. Law enforcement agencies used armored vehicles and helicopters, and the arrested individuals were shackled and chained together. Reports about the poor detention conditions shocked the entire country of South Korea.
On October 18, Seoul, South Korea, protesters marched against U.S. President Trump's tariff policies on South Korea. Visual China
South Koreans are questioning: while the United States asks South Korea to make large investments in manufacturing, it treats South Korean citizens like this.
Combined with the high tariff policies of the Trump administration, trust between South Korea and the United States has further weakened. In July, both sides agreed to reduce the U.S. "reciprocal tariffs" and the import tariffs on South Korean cars from 25% to 15%, in exchange for South Korea's investment of $350 billion in the U.S. However, the U.S. insisted on requiring cash upfront, causing negotiations to stall. This amount exceeds 80% of South Korea's foreign exchange reserves, which South Korea cannot accept.
A survey by the South Korean polling agency Realmeter released on October 3 showed that 80.1% of South Koreans considered the U.S. requirement for advance payment "unfair." Although the U.S. has long been the country most "trusted" and "friendly" by the South Korean public, this favorability has significantly declined since the start of Trump's second term.
Meanwhile, Japan's image in South Korea is quietly improving.
After Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio took office on October 21, South Korea's National Security Office Director Lee Sang-wook immediately visited Japan, meeting with Japanese national security advisors and senior officials of the Liberal Democratic Party (including Deputy President Aso Taro). South Korea believes Aso was an important supporter of Kishida's rise to power.
August 23, Tokyo, Japan. South Korea's National Security Office Director Lee Sang-wook met with Japanese Ambassador to South Korea Mizushima Koichi at the Prime Minister's Office, IC Photo
Although South Koreans still hold a cautious attitude toward Kishida, they also hope that Kishida will take a pragmatic stance. In her press conference after taking office, Kishida referred to South Korea as a "partner," and stated that "the importance of Japan-South Korea relations continues to rise."
The report said that South Koreans' favorable view of Japan, especially among the younger generation, has reached the highest level in decades. Among the four neighboring powers—Japan, the United States, China, and Russia—South Korea sees Japan as the most likely to achieve a breakthrough in diplomacy. The Yoon government, facing diplomatic difficulties, obviously does not want to antagonize Tokyo.
Protests against China have caused concern among many people in South Korea.
Previously, some South Korean scholars warned that mainstream politicians must distance themselves from extreme rhetoric. Whether economically or in terms of security, South Korea cannot afford to lose China.
Professor Jeong Hoi-ok from the Department of Political Science at Myongji University said that the normalization of extremism and xenophobic rhetoric among some conservative figures is "quite worrying."
Xin Hui-zhen, a senior lecturer at the Department of Political Science at the National University of Singapore, told the BBC that the current anti-China sentiment should not be seen as "deeply rooted."
"Political forces sometimes try to incite voters to oppose China, and some party members continue to blame China for internal challenges in South Korea."
"Another factor is that more and more people feel that certain groups associated with the United States are deliberately stoking negative sentiments towards China in South Korea. There are still many debates about who is behind these actions."
Previously, the South Korean government repeatedly expressed its intention to take strong action against anti-China gatherings.
On September 9, Yoon Suk-yeol, during a cabinet meeting, stated that anti-China gatherings were disruptive acts beyond the scope of freedom of speech and instructed relevant departments to take effective measures. South Korean Prime Minister Kim Moon-soo also said that if necessary, the government would take strong measures against individual anti-China gatherings according to relevant laws. He simultaneously emphasized that in order to avoid inconvenience and panic for local merchants, residents, and Chinese citizens in South Korea, the government must ensure public safety.
On October 15, Kim Moon-soo reiterated that these "hostile demonstrations" were "self-harm," and the government would respond strictly in accordance with the law.
Xin Hui-zhen believes that there is no deep hostility in the mainstream of South Korean society towards China or any other country. Moreover, from an economic perspective, anti-China demonstrations hinder tourism and interfere with local businesses, causing them damage.
In October, the spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in South Korea solemnly stated that some South Korean political figures spread false information, and some right-wing groups often hold demonstrations targeting China in areas where Chinese tourists gather, such as Myeong-dong and Dalmok-dong in Seoul. Both China and South Korea clearly oppose this.
The spokesperson said that high-level officials in the South Korean government and well-informed people from all sectors have clearly pointed out that the anti-China remarks and actions of a few forces harm the country's image and interests, and call for strict measures. 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.
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Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7569829513052439092/
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