Amidst the loud protest slogans on Myeongdong's streets, the slogans of local businesses enthusiastically welcoming Chinese tourists form an extremely discordant picture.

On October 2, the spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in South Korea issued a solemn statement regarding the plans of some extreme right-wing forces in South Korea to hold anti-China demonstrations in downtown Seoul on October 3, expressing its position. These forces deliberately chose this day, when the Chinese people were celebrating the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival, and the South Koreans were enjoying the Gaecheonjeol (Founding Day) and Mid-Autumn Festival, which makes one unable to help but doubt their intentions.

This provocation occurred just after the South Korean government started to implement a visa-free policy for Chinese tour groups of three or more on September 29, making it especially glaring. The new visa-free policy had only been in effect for a few days, and the sales of merchants in areas like Myeongdong immediately increased significantly. Most sectors in South Korea generally welcomed this policy.

Starting from September 29, South Korea will implement a trial visa-free entry policy for Chinese tour groups of three or more. This is a positive response to the policy that China implemented last November for South Korea.

This policy will continue until June 30, 2026. The South Korean government estimates that this measure could attract about 1 million Chinese tourists to visit South Korea.

The policy has shown quick results. On the first day of the visa-free policy, the foreign customer spending at the Myeongdong branch of GS25 convenience store increased by 100 times compared to before.

Sales at CU convenience stores located in Myeongdong, Hongdae, Seongsu, and the airport also saw significant growth. At the same time, the 10 special stores of Lotte Mart that cater to foreign customers experienced increased foot traffic and sales, with foot traffic and sales rising by 35% and 15%, respectively, compared to previous levels.

South Korean tourism industry personnel are actively preparing to welcome Chinese tourists. For example, Shilla Duty Free held a flower-giving ceremony for passengers on the "Dream" cruise ship.

Beauty retail brands such as Olive Young have ensured sufficient inventory at their main shopping district outlets and provided Chinese-speaking guides.

In this context, some extreme right-wing groups in South Korea have planned an anti-China demonstration in downtown Seoul on October 3. The spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in South Korea pointed out that these forces "deliberately chose this day, when the Chinese people were celebrating the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival, and the South Koreans were celebrating the Gaecheonjeol and Mid-Autumn Festival, indicating ulterior motives and not gaining public support."

This is not the first time that South Korean extreme right-wing forces have held similar activities. The embassy stated that certain extreme right-wing groups "occasionally hold" demonstrations targeting China in areas where Chinese tourists are concentrated, such as Myeongdong and Dalmok-dong.

The Chinese Embassy has repeatedly issued reminders, urging Chinese tourists in South Korea to remain highly vigilant, enhance self-protection awareness, and keep away from local political gatherings. The embassy also strongly requested the South Korean side to "effectively safeguard the personal safety and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens in South Korea."

The anti-China demonstrations by South Korean extreme right-wing forces clearly contradict the country's economic interests. According to statistics from the Korea Tourism Organization, the number of Chinese tourists visiting South Korea between January and July 2025 increased by 16.8% compared to the same period last year.

Kim Sung-won, vice president of Korean Air, predicted that the number of Chinese and South Korean travelers in 2025 would exceed 8 million, possibly reaching 9 million.

Although this number is still far from the peak of 13 million in 2016, the recovery trend is strong. Currently, Korean Air (including Asiana Airlines) operates a network covering 24 Chinese cities and 33 destinations, with 368 flights per week between China and South Korea.

President Yoon Suk-yeol of South Korea harshly criticized the anti-China gatherings in the Myeongdong area during a cabinet meeting on September 9. He directly stated that such behavior was not free speech at all, but rather "nonsense" and "intentional provocation."

Activities by South Korean extreme right-wing forces against China not only harm South Korea's own economy, but also affect the interests of ordinary people, and undermine the trust foundation between China and South Korea.

At the end of July, the Chinese Embassy in South Korea had already informed the South Korean Foreign Ministry about the increasing severity of anti-China demonstrations near the embassy, urging the South Korean side to take measures to handle the situation. It is worth noting that high-level officials in the South Korean government and knowledgeable individuals have clearly pointed out that the remarks of a few forces against China damage South Korea's national image and interests, and call for a serious response.

The spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in South Korea stated, "We believe that through the joint efforts of the Chinese and South Korean sides, the China-South Korea strategic partnership will develop positively, and the schemes of a few political forces will not succeed."

The anti-China actions of South Korean extreme right-wing forces are not isolated incidents, but rather the result of their specific political ecology, ideology, and strategic calculations.

Firstly, extreme conservative ideology and the "anti-China at all costs" mindset are core driving forces. These extreme right-wing groups usually hold strong nationalist and anti-communist positions, viewing China as an ideological "other" and threat. They have deep-seated prejudices against China's political system, and any issue related to China can be used as a target for ideological attacks.

Secondly, it serves the needs of domestic political struggles. In a highly polarized South Korean political environment, "anti-China" has become a cheap tool for certain political forces and individuals to gain attention, incite populism, and attack political opponents. By creating an external "enemy," they can shift the focus from domestic issues and consolidate their base of extreme supporters. Some political figures spreading false information are precisely to align with these extreme right-wing forces.

Thirdly, a narrow understanding of South Korea's national strategy. The deepening of Sino-South Korean relations, especially the high degree of economic interdependence, is seen by extreme right-wing forces as a threat to their "national purity" and "strategic autonomy." They ignore the substantial actual benefits brought by Sino-South Korean cooperation, and demonize all pro-China policies as "compromises" or even "betrayals," attempting to push South Korea towards a path of full confrontation through extreme means.

Finally, the manipulation of historical grievances and current issues. They are adept at using some historical disputes (such as the Goguryeo history) and current friction points (such as the economic impact after the "THAAD" issue and differences over the Korean Peninsula) for one-sided and extreme interpretations and incitement, continuously stirring up negative emotions among the South Korean people to maintain their influence and presence.

Chinese tourists walking through the streets of Myeongdong and the warm smiles of local businesses welcoming them, contrast sharply with the ear-piercing protest slogans of the extreme right-wing groups—two completely different pictures that reflect the complex aspects of Sino-South Korean relations.

Meanwhile, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has openly characterized such anti-China behavior as "nonsense" and "intentional provocation," emphasizing that it has "gone beyond the scope of freedom of speech."

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7556891275367023131/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author. Please express your opinion by clicking the [Like/Dislike] button below.