{"id":10905,"date":"2026-03-04T14:08:41","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T14:08:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/snuacwebzine.snu.ac.kr\/?p=10905"},"modified":"2026-03-24T07:38:55","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T07:38:55","slug":"the-rise-of-anti-china-sentiment-in-south-korea-in-2025-factors-and-implications","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/snuacwebzine.snu.ac.kr\/?p=10905","title":{"rendered":"The Rise of Anti-China Sentiment in South Korea in 2025 : Factors and Implications"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><div id=\"tdi_1\" class=\"tdc-row\"><div class=\"vc_row tdi_2  wpb_row td-pb-row\" >\n<style scoped>\n\/* custom css - generated by TagDiv Composer *\/\n\n\/* custom css - generated by TagDiv Composer *\/\n.tdi_2,\r\n                .tdi_2 .tdc-columns{\r\n                    min-height: 0;\r\n                }.tdi_2,\r\n\t\t\t\t.tdi_2 .tdc-columns{\r\n\t\t\t\t    display: block;\r\n\t\t\t\t}.tdi_2 .tdc-columns{\r\n\t\t\t\t    width: 100%;\r\n\t\t\t\t}.tdi_2:before,\r\n\t\t\t\t.tdi_2:after{\r\n\t\t\t\t    display: table;\r\n\t\t\t\t}\n<\/style><div class=\"vc_column tdi_4  wpb_column vc_column_container tdc-column td-pb-span12\">\n<style scoped>\n\/* custom css - generated by TagDiv Composer *\/\n\n\/* custom css - generated by TagDiv Composer *\/\n.tdi_4{\r\n                    vertical-align: baseline;\r\n                }.tdi_4 > .wpb_wrapper,\r\n\t\t\t\t.tdi_4 > .wpb_wrapper > .tdc-elements{\r\n\t\t\t\t    display: block;\r\n\t\t\t\t}.tdi_4 > .wpb_wrapper > .tdc-elements{\r\n\t\t\t\t    width: 100%;\r\n\t\t\t\t}.tdi_4 > .wpb_wrapper > .vc_row_inner{\r\n\t\t\t\t    width: auto;\r\n\t\t\t\t}.tdi_4 > .wpb_wrapper{\r\n\t\t\t\t    width: auto;\r\n\t\t\t\t    height: auto;\r\n\t\t\t\t}\n<\/style><div class=\"wpb_wrapper\" >[vc_acf field_group=&#8221;99&#8243; field_from_99=&#8221;field_606aa6f1c30dd&#8221; align=&#8221;right&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_10906\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10906\" style=\"width: 1657px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10906\" src=\"https:\/\/snuacwebzine.snu.ac.kr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/KakaoTalk_20260226_013919089.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1657\" height=\"872\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-10906\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Protesters march in Myeong-dong, Seoul, in 2025, expressing anti-China sentiment amid growing diplomatic and societal tensions between South Korea and China.<br \/>Source: YouTube (@Freeuniv0116)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Introduction<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Despite the dispute between China and South Korea over the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System (hereafter the THAAD system) against North Korea\u2019s possible provocations, Beijing has shown goodwill to South Korea, particularly after President Yoon Suk Yeol became South Korea\u2019s president in 2022 (Kim, 2024). China\u2019s engagement with South Korea aims to mitigate the pressure produced by the geo-political competition with the United States. Specifically, Beijing managed to preclude Washington\u2019s alliance behavior in Northeast Asia from undermining its geo-political interests.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">China\u2019s engagement policy toward South Korea does not reduce the public\u2019s negative perception of China within South Korean society. Instead, anti-China sentiment in South Korea has grown exponentially since the South Korean government introduced a visa-free program to Chinese tourists in fall 2025. Anti-China protests have been launched across tourist areas or regions with large Chinese populations. In fact, the growing anti-China sentiment in South Korea is largely attributed to the discrepant security interests between the two counties, associated with the negative attitude toward China-related political issues in South Korean society. Factors and implications of this phenomenon deserve deeper investigation.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Factors Contributing to the Growing Anti-China Sentiment in South Korea<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">A survey revealed that the percentage of South Koreans holding a negative attitude toward China has surpassed that toward Japan, South Korea\u2019s former colonizer (Choe, 2021). Anti-China sentiment in South Korea commences with the discrepant interests over North Korea\u2019s nuclear and missile issues. Subsequently, the disagreement toward political values, the controversy over China\u2019s espionage activities, and conflict between Chinese tourists and the locals exacerbate South Koreans\u2019 dissatisfaction toward China.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">First, the misconceptions about China\u2019s interests in security issues on the Korean Peninsula, coupled with Beijing\u2019s response to Seoul\u2019s decision to deploy the THAAD system, contribute to the rise of the anti-China sentiment in South Korea. With Seoul\u2019s engagement policy toward China during the Park Geun-hye administration, some expected that China would cooperate with South Korea in promoting the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. However, the Chinese government considers whether the geo-political circumstance within the region would compromise its interests and security. In this regard, China expressed its strong dissatisfaction with North Korea\u2019s two nuclear tests in 2016. Meanwhile, Beijing was concerned about the missile deployment within the South Korean territory would undermine China\u2019s security (Han, 2019). For this reason, Beijing launched an array of economic sanctions against South Korean firms. The enforcement of sanctions enforcement and Beijing\u2019s approach to Moon Jae-in\u2019s visit to Beijing after his inauguration triggered South Koreans\u2019 dissatisfaction toward China\u2019s overreaction to Seoul\u2019s defensive policy toward North Korea\u2019s aggression and its \u201cpassive\u201d attitude toward North Korea\u2019s provocations (Han, 2019). The dispute exacerbated South Korean public frustration and reinforced skepticism toward China\u2019s role in regional security.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Another significant factor contributing to anti-China sentiment in South Korea is disagreement over political values. Political movement in Hong Kong and the spread of the COVID-19 were the most obvious examples (Choi, 2023). China\u2019s handling of the political situation in Hong Kong during 2019 drew criticism internationally and resonated negatively within South Korean society. Reports of protests and student clashes in Hong Kong have not only highlighted the region\u2019s political tensions but also evoked memories of historical injustices experienced by Koreans, intensifying public empathy and frustration (Lee, 2019). Additionally, China\u2019s strict \u201czero-COVID\u201d policies, including its stringent pandemic control measures, have further fueled disapproval among South Koreans, who perceive these policies as authoritarian and overly rigid. These political and social developments have amplified perceptions that China\u2019s governance values diverge sharply from South Korea\u2019s democratic norms (Song, 2023).<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Moreover, the perceived promotion of Chinese political influence has fueled anti-China sentiment in South Korea. Beijing has been accused of employing \u201csharp power\u201d strategies to sway public opinion and gain access to sensitive information (Chung, 2024). Controversies have arisen over allegations of Chinese intelligence operatives operating in South Korea, as well as incidents in which Chinese nationals photographed military facilities under the pretext of curiosity (Lim, 2024). During the imposition of emergency measures by the South Korean president in 2024, these activities were cited as a security concern (Kim, 2025). Furthermore, amid the 2025 election period, reports emerged suggesting potential Chinese interference in South Korea\u2019s electoral process (Kim, 2025). These incidents have amplified public suspicion regarding China\u2019s intentions, reinforcing perceptions that Beijing seeks to assert political influence in South Korea beyond legitimate diplomatic engagement.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Finally, another source of anti-China sentiment in South Korea stems from the behavior of Chinese tourists. While most tourists behave appropriately, reports of misconduct and criminal incidents involving some travelers garnered significant media attention, fueling public frustration (Park, 2025). These incidents, ranging from minor violations of local norms to more serious offenses, contributed to the perception that Chinese tourists were disruptive and disrespectful. Consequently, such behaviors have reinforced negative stereotypes and exacerbated broader anti-China sentiment within South Korean society, illustrating how cultural and social interactions can influence diplomatic perceptions and public attitudes.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Implications of the Anti-China Sentiment in South Korea<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The rise of anti-China sentiment in South Korea has not only shaped public opinion but also exerted multi-dimensional impacts across diplomatic, governmental, and societal levels. This sentiment, deeply rooted in security concerns and political distrust, continues to complicate Seoul\u2019s policy choices and public attitudes toward China.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the diplomatic level, although the South Korean government seeks to maintain stable relations with Beijing, the growing public hostility toward China limits Seoul\u2019s flexibility in managing its foreign policy. The government faces increasing difficulty in balancing between its strategic partnership with China and its long-standing alliance with the United States. As public sentiment becomes increasingly critical of China, any attempt to engage Beijing is often interpreted domestically as a sign of weakness or concession. This public pressure complicates Seoul\u2019s diplomatic maneuvering, forcing policymakers to tread carefully between economic cooperation with China and strategic coordination with Washington.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the governmental level, policymakers are compelled to respond to domestic anti-China sentiment, often in a reactive rather than proactive manner. While trying to address public concerns, they also need to safeguard freedom of expression and avoid excessive censorship of online discourse related to China. The challenge lies in managing nationalist emotions while preventing them from undermining the broader national interests. In practice, the South Korean government must navigate a fine line\u2014neither appearing too conciliatory toward Beijing nor overly hostile, as either stance could provoke domestic criticism or diplomatic retaliation.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">At the individual level, the tension manifests in everyday interactions and perceptions. Negative media portrayals, cultural misunderstandings, and accumulated stereotypes have deepened the emotional distance between the two societies. Chinese tourists\u2014who once played a vital role in South Korea\u2019s tourism industry\u2014are now often viewed with suspicion, and even minor incidents are easily magnified on social media, fueling further resentment. In this context, there is a growing need for stronger public education on tourism etiquette, cultural sensitivity, and mutual understanding. Local authorities and civic groups could also play a more active role in promoting people-to-people exchanges and dialogue programs to help reduce prejudice and prevent small disputes from escalating into diplomatic issues. Encouraging constructive communication and nurturing empathy between citizens of both countries are essential to reversing the current cycle of hostility.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Ultimately, the persistence of anti-China sentiment poses a challenge not only to bilateral relations but also to the broader stability of Northeast Asia. Public opinion has become a powerful new variable that governments can no longer ignore. Without sincere efforts from both sides to rebuild mutual trust\u2014through transparency, consistent communication, and respect for each other\u2019s sensitivities\u2014such perceptions will continue to harden and may shape the trajectory of China\u2013South Korea relations in a negative and long-lasting way.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_text_separator title=&#8221;\uc800\uc790 \uc18c\uac1c&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><strong>Man Fung YEUNG (608270053@gms.tku.edu.tw)<\/strong><br \/>\ncompleted his Ph.D. degree at the Graduate Institute of International Affairs and Strategic Studies, Tamkang University (Taiwan). His research focuses on Northeast Asia Security, alliance politics, economic sanctions, and public opinion toward defense and foreign policy. He received the 2025 Best Dissertation Award from the Association of International Relations, ROC\u2014the largest academic organization in Taiwan in the field of international relations\u2014on November 15, 2025, for his doctoral dissertation titled \u201cAbandonment Anxieties and Alliance Coercive Diplomacy: A Case Study of China\u2013North Korea Relations (1992\u20132022).\u201d<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_text_separator title=&#8221;\ucc38\uace0\ubb38\ud5cc&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p class=\"references\" style=\"margin: 18pt 0cm 18pt 24.1pt; text-align: justify;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Chung, Y. 2024. The Relational Dynamics of China\u2019s Sharp Power and Korea\u2019s Chordal Triad of Agency. <i>Asian Perspective<\/i>, 48(3), 387\u2013408. <a href=\"https:\/\/muse.jhu.edu\/pub\/1\/article\/935483\">https:\/\/muse.jhu.edu\/pub\/1\/article\/935483<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"references\" style=\"margin: 18pt 0cm 18pt 24.1pt; text-align: justify;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Han, S. 2019. Resetting the South Korea\u2013China Relationship: The THAAD Controversies and Their Aftermath. <i>The Korean Journal of Defense Analysis<\/i>, 31(4), 539\u2013557.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"references\" style=\"margin: 18pt 0cm 18pt 24.1pt; text-align: justify;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Kim, D. 2024. Explaining China\u2019s Cautious Responses to the Strategic Choices of the Yoon Administration. <i>Issues and Studies<\/i>, 60(2).<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"references\" style=\"margin: 18pt 0cm 18pt 24.1pt; text-align: justify;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Kim, S. 2025. What Went Wrong with President Yoon? <i>Global Asia<\/i>, 20(1), 8\u201313.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"references\" style=\"margin: 18pt 0cm 18pt 24.1pt; text-align: justify;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Kim, S. 2025. S. Korea views White House comments about Chinese interference unrelated to election: Official. Yonhap News Agency. <a href=\"https:\/\/en.yna.co.kr\/view\/AEN20250605008600315\">https:\/\/en.yna.co.kr\/view\/AEN20250605008600315<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"references\" style=\"margin: 18pt 0cm 18pt 24.1pt; text-align: justify;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Lee, M. 2019. South Korean students voice support for Hong Kong protests. Yonhap News Agency. <a href=\"https:\/\/en.yna.co.kr\/view\/AEN20191119005400315\">https:\/\/en.yna.co.kr\/view\/AEN20191119005400315<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"references\" style=\"margin: 18pt 0cm 18pt 24.1pt; text-align: justify;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Lim, E.-W. 2024. Chinese student accused of filming U.S. aircraft carrier in Busan was model Communist Party member: Seoul. Korea JoongAng Daily. <a href=\"https:\/\/koreajoongangdaily.joins.com\/news\/2024-12-02\/national\/defense\/Chinese-student-accused-of-filming-US-aircraft-carrier-in-Busan-was-model-Communist-Party-member-Seoul\/2190619\">https:\/\/koreajoongangdaily.joins.com\/news\/2024-12-02\/national\/defense\/Chinese-student-accused-of-filming-US-aircraft-carrier-in-Busan-was-model-Communist-Party-member-Seoul\/2190619<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"references\" style=\"margin: 18pt 0cm 18pt 24.1pt; text-align: justify;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Park, U. 2025. Jeju residents unsettled by rise in Chinese tourist crimes. The Korea Times. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.koreatimes.co.kr\/southkorea\/society\/20250404\/jeju-residents-unsettled-by-rise-in-chinese-tourist-crimes\">https:\/\/www.koreatimes.co.kr\/southkorea\/society\/20250404\/jeju-residents-unsettled-by-rise-in-chinese-tourist-crimes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"references\" style=\"margin: 18pt 0cm 18pt 24.1pt; text-align: justify;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Sang-Hun, C. 2021. South Koreans Now Dislike China More Than They Dislike Japan. The New York Times. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2021\/08\/20\/world\/asia\/korea-china-election-young-voters.html\">https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/2021\/08\/20\/world\/asia\/korea-china-election-young-voters.html<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"references\" style=\"margin: 18pt 0cm 18pt 24.1pt; text-align: justify;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">Song, E. E. 2023. COVID-19, Anti-Chinese Sentiment, and Foreign Policy Attitudes in South Korea. <i>Asian Survey<\/i>, 63(5), 823\u2013850.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text]<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>While China has pursued a more conciliatory policy toward South Korea since 2022, anti-China sentiment within South Korean society has grown exponentially. Since September 2025, an increasing number of protests expressing dissatisfaction with China have taken place across South Korea. The recent rise in anti-China sentiment can be attributed to divergent security interests, conflicting political values, and cultural differences between the two countries. In light of this trend, it has become increasingly difficult for the South Korean government to balance its diplomatic priorities with domestic public opinion.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":10906,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1860,1683,1679],"tags":[1864,316,1865,510,597],"class_list":{"0":"post-10905","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-2026-5","8":"category-1683","9":"category-1679","10":"tag-1864","11":"tag-316","12":"tag-1865","13":"tag-510","14":"tag-597"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/snuacwebzine.snu.ac.kr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10905","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/snuacwebzine.snu.ac.kr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/snuacwebzine.snu.ac.kr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/snuacwebzine.snu.ac.kr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/snuacwebzine.snu.ac.kr\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10905"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/snuacwebzine.snu.ac.kr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10905\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10915,"href":"https:\/\/snuacwebzine.snu.ac.kr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10905\/revisions\/10915"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/snuacwebzine.snu.ac.kr\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/10906"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/snuacwebzine.snu.ac.kr\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10905"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/snuacwebzine.snu.ac.kr\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=10905"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/snuacwebzine.snu.ac.kr\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=10905"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}