Sinophobia on the rise: Anti-Chinese sentiment growing in South Korea • FRANCE 24 English

Key Concepts

• Xenophobia/Sinophobia: Fear or hatred of foreigners or Chinese people, respectively.
• Misinformation and Stereotypes: False or inaccurate information and oversimplified, often negative, generalizations about a group of people.
• Organ Trafficking Allegations: False claims about Chinese individuals involved in illegal organ harvesting and trade.
• Cyophobia: Fear or prejudice against Chinese people.
• Migrant Aid Association: Organizations that support and assist foreign residents in a country.
• Virtual vs. Real World Spread of Hate: The transition of online hate speech and prejudice into tangible, real-world actions and assaults.
• National Policy and Far-Right Amplification: The use of national policies and political discourse by extremist groups to promote their agendas.
• Chinatown (in Seoul): A specific district in Seoul with a significant Chinese population, often subject to negative perceptions.
• Jos Jock (조선족): South Koreans of Chinese origin, often with ancestral ties to the Korean peninsula.
• Bridging Communities: Efforts to foster understanding and connection between different ethnic and cultural groups.

Summary

Anti-Chinese Sentiment and Xenophobia in South Korea

The transcript details a growing wave of anti-Chinese sentiment and xenophobia in South Korea, particularly evident in protests and online discourse. Chants and banners in central Seoul claim the Chinese Communist Party is infiltrating South Korean politics and society, with accusations that pro-Chinese politicians are enacting laws that favor China. These demonstrations, attended by thousands braving cold weather, are fueled by social media misinformation and stereotypes about Chinese people.

Specific Examples of Misinformation and Stereotypes

Protesters express anger through statements like, "We shout out with the Communist Party so that all those stupid Chinese get out." They cite perceived wrongdoings such as littering, public defecation, and, most alarmingly, the false accusation of stealing organs from South Koreans.

The Organ Trafficking Allegation

The reference to organ trafficking stems from a case in the 2000s where Chinese authorities were accused by a religious group of harvesting organs from imprisoned followers. Protesters have distorted this case to falsely claim widespread organ trafficking by Chinese individuals within South Korea. President Lee has publicly dismissed these rumors as false and condemned the rise in cyophobia, stating, "Such uncivilized, degrading acts that damage our national dignity must never be tolerated or left unchecked."

Impact on Chinese Residents and Migrants

The increasing xenophobia is causing alarm among the nearly 1 million Chinese residents in South Korea, who constitute over one-third of the foreign population. Park Dongchan, president of a migrants aid association, shares his discomfort with online comments like, "We need a law that bans the Chinese from posting comments," highlighting how racism is manifesting in new ways. He expresses concern that hatred, once confined to the virtual space, is now spilling into daily life, workplaces, and evolving into physical assaults.

Attribution to Political Incidents

Park attributes this trend partly to an incident on December 3rd, 2024, where the then-president Yunsukol allegedly denounced Chinese and North Korean infiltrators to justify a failed imposition of martial law, which emboldened xenophobic supporters.

Historical Context and Shifting Perceptions

China, South Korea's largest trading partner, has not always been viewed as a threat. Seoul and Beijing maintained close ties in the 1990s, but public opinion has become increasingly hostile towards China, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. The recent demonstrations are linked to national policy and are being exploited by the South Korean far-right to amplify their voices.

The Case of Daerim-dong

Tensions are particularly visible in Daerim-dong, a neighborhood in southern Seoul where one in four residents is Chinese. Some Koreans express fear of visiting Korea's Chinatown. Park organizes monthly walking tours to Daerim-dong, aiming to dispel negative perceptions. He describes the neighborhood as lively, especially on weekends, and seeks to bridge the gap between Chinese and Korean communities. He notes that Daerim-dong is often negatively perceived as run-down and overwhelmed with foreigners, but his tours reveal it as a normal place with immigrants.

Bridging the Gap Through Experience

Participants in Park's tours, which have attracted over 2,000 people in three years, often realize their preconceived notions were based on a lack of direct experience. One woman, a "Jos Jock" (South Korean of Chinese origin) who has lived in Daerim-dong for almost 30 years, emphasizes that they are citizens and belong in Korea. She states, "I think the demonstrations against Chinese people are a bad thing. We are citizens of this country, so we also belong here as Korean people."

Conclusion

While diplomatic ties between China and South Korea may be improving, the transcript highlights a significant disconnect at the citizen level. The rise of xenophobia, fueled by misinformation and exploited by political factions, is creating a challenging environment for Chinese residents and migrants in South Korea. Efforts like community tours are underway to foster understanding and bridge the gap between communities, but significant work remains to achieve genuine integration and mutual respect.