The concluding text on Sino-South Korean relations will focus on the challenges in cultural interactions, where even pandas can spark outrage.
Cultural Relations
On the other hand, as local brands gain popularity in China, the recognition of Korean brands has relatively declined, and consumer preference for domestic products has increased. Consequently, Samsung and LG exited the Chinese market in 2019 amid growing competition, a shift in consumer preferences towards domestic goods, and geopolitical tensions affecting business operations.
The Battle Over Cultural Heritage: New Episodes
Disputes over cultural appropriation and claims of heritage continue. For instance, a music video by the K-pop girl group IVE faced criticism from Chinese online users, who accused the group of appropriating their culture by incorporating too many Chinese cultural elements that Koreans had “borrowed”.
Conversely, So Kyung-duk, a professor at Sungshin Women’s University, voiced strong objections to a decision made by local authorities in China’s northeastern province of Jilin to include the traditional Korean dish bibimbap on their list of cultural heritage items, viewing this as another attempt to claim Korean heritage. “China insists that since ethnic Koreans are one of its national minorities, their cultural elements are part of Chinese culture. By this logic, the culture of Chinese immigrants living in Korea should be considered part of Korean culture.” Shockingly, Professor So discovered that China’s largest search engine, Baidu, described bibimbap as a “unique dish prepared by Koreans not only on the Korean Peninsula but also in northeastern regions of China, such as Heilongjiang, Jilin, and Liaoning”.
In response, South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on the Chinese government to ensure that issues related to Korea’s national cultural identity do not negatively impact friendly relations between the two countries. Meanwhile, South Korea’s Cultural Heritage Administration announced plans to enhance the international competitiveness of its cultural heritage, including a potential application for UNESCO intangible cultural heritage status for bibimbap.
South Korea is also closely monitoring China’s attempt to register Mount Baekdu as a new UNESCO global geopark under the name “Changbai Mountain.” The highest peak on the Korean Peninsula, it lies on the border between North Korea and China. Currently, one-quarter of the mountain (including the summit) is located in North Korea, while three-quarters lie within China’s borders. Although Beijing was within its rights to pursue this and succeeded in doing so, the South Korean media reported on it with a particular undertone.
The Panda Controversy
I would like to conclude this narrative with a story that leaves the author with no comment other than, “It wouldn’t be as funny if it weren’t so sad”.
Fu Bao, the first giant panda born in South Korea in 2020, was the offspring of pandas Ai Bao and Le Bao, who were sent in 2016 by Chinese President Xi Jinping as a gesture of friendship between Seoul and Beijing. This beloved panda of South Korea resided in the country’s largest amusement park, Everland, until 3 April, when it was transferred to China under an agreement for the conservation of endangered species. The agreement stipulates that pandas lent by China, along with their offspring, must be returned before they turn four years old.
The transportation procedure caused a stir among fans. Although the panda was transported in a special vibration-free vehicle typically used for semi-conductors, a government official inserted a finger into one of the container’s openings and touched the panda without wearing gloves. Upon its arrival, Fu Bao was also seen under the flashes of media cameras. This was enough to prompt outraged South Koreans to accuse the Chinese authorities of mistreating their cherished panda, calling on China to provide Fu Bao with exceptional care.
The Seoul City Hall received approximately 10 petitions from citizens demanding that Fu Bao be brought back to South Korea and housed in a municipal zoo funded by the government. The zoo administration politely responded that the return of Fu Bao would only be possible with the approval of the Chinese government and noted that maintaining a panda would require a substantial budget amounting to hundreds of millions of won.
Anti-Chinese sentiments as the result of all mentioned above
The sensationalisation of such stories leads to predictable consequences. For instance, there was a high-profile murder case in which a 37-year-old man named Baek killed his neighbour with a 75 cm-long Japanese sword. During the trial, the murderer stated that he had purchased the weapon “to kill a Chinese spy who was watching him.” When asked about the reason for attacking the victim, the man replied that he “did not know him personally but thought he was spying on him” and expressed no regret for his actions.
In another incident, after a fire at the Aricell factory in Hwaseong claimed the lives of 23 people, including 17 Chinese nationals, several hateful comments appeared on the far-right online community DC Inside. These included statements such as, “This incident doesn’t affect me because they are Chinese,” and, “More than 90% of them are not Koreans but foreigners, so why does it matter?”
As for the opposite trend, Han Dong Gyun, a professor at Hannam University specialising in Chinese business, believes that the likelihood of government-imposed restrictions leading to widespread anti-Korean sentiment in China is low. However, the current situation, where sinophobia is driven more by society than by the authorities, will not contribute to warming relations in the medium term.
Konstantin Asmolov, PhD in History, Leading research fellow at the Center for Korean Studies, Institute of China and Modern Asia, Russian Academy of Sciences
