The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Thu, July 7, 2022 | 07:36
Guest Column
THAAD and Korean images of China
Posted : 2016-07-12 17:00
Updated : 2016-07-12 18:34
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
By Lee Seong-hyon

South Korean media are already abuzz with "imminent" Chinese retaliation to the Park Geun-hye government's announcement to host the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system. Has China suddenly become a vengeful hegemon? Even until January this year, Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se characterized Seoul-Beijing ties as the "best ever." Media outlets often portrayed the relationship of the two leaders, Park Geun-hye and Xi Jinping, as a "honeymoon."

The South Korean eruption of fear over Chinese retaliation also contrasts with China's portrayal of itself as a "responsible power" (fuzeren de daguo) that emits an aura of a benevolent and big-hearted global leader. As the issue of THAAD and the Korean panic is soaring, with various specific scenarios of how China will seek revenge, it is also quite relevant to muse on how South Korean images of China are playing their psychological roles in the narrative.

Befitting this topic, three young Chinese scholars ― Dong Xiangrong, Wang Xiaoling and Li Yongchun ― penned a book titled "South Korean Images of China." These researchers represent China's new generation of emerging scholars. Among the highlights of the book are the surveys they conducted on how South Koreans feel about China. And the results are quite eye-opening.

According to the Chinese survey, South Koreans have a "conflicted image" of China. China can be characterized as "developing," "full of uncertainty," "a country that we don't like," or "a socialist country that cannot be trusted." South Koreans also see China as an "economic partner" yet "a politically alien country," which therefore poses a "threat" to South Korea. China represents to South Koreans a country that is "rapidly developing," yet "backward," and "uncertain of its future trajectory."

The survey also shows two keywords South Koreans use when referring to China: "a security threat," and "poor quality products." For instance, 73 percent of South Korean respondents said China's military buildup posed a security threat to South Korea and thereby reminded them of China's "invasion and oppression" and reflected their fear of China's growing influence on the Korean Peninsula.

What is bafflingly interesting is that South Koreans also have favorable cultural orientations toward China as well; South Koreans feel a natural affinity to the Chinese culture, recognize China's spectacular economic expansion, and respect China's hosting the six-party talks. So, why the conflicting images?

Division on THAAD
2016-07-12 17:03  |  Editorial

The authors believe that the culprit is the United States. The Chinese scholars think South Korean perceptions of China have been modified and "reshaped" by the post–Cold War influence of the United States, to which South Korea has been a major military ally. Simply put, the Chinese bemoan that South Korea, a former tributary, looks at China through "the American prism" and thus has a growingly negative view toward today's China.

The Chinese authors use the concept of "da guo" (big country) as an example. Both the Chinese and South Korean people use the term. Namely, China is a "big country," which means that it is a country that has a large landmass and a huge population. In its extension, this term also means China's growing sphere of influence in terms of economic and international politics and the military realm. However, there is another term, "shang guo," which means "a country to look up to."

In the past, China was both "da guo" and "shang guo" to Koreans. China was a powerful and highly civilized nation that smaller neighboring countries admired. This involved a historical mentality of respect that Koreans attached in reverence to a big and powerful country. But not anymore. The Chinese authors conclude: "For South Koreans, today's ‘shang guo' is the United States, not China" (p. 179).

The authors call on China to reclaim its high position that commands respect from Koreans by establishing superiority.

"Therefore, until the time when China completely establishes its superiority to South Korea, the (negative) image South Koreans have about China will not likely have a fundamental shift." (p. 186–87).

Since the Chinese authors did not elaborate on it further, there is no way to know what they meant by "establishing superiority to South Korea." This could mean that China would need to upgrade its soft-power leverage toward South Korea. This could also indicate China's determination to outstrip South Korea in terms of economic, political and cultural prowess, a position that would make South Koreans feel overwhelmed, like in the old days. Or, it may refer to its willingness to use physical means to subjugate South Korea. The interpretation is open, debatable and includes uncertainty. This ambiguity is unhelpful as it generates uneasiness in the minds of South Koreans toward China's future power projections.

Overall, the book reads very much like a self-conscious image-journal of China, baffled by why South Korea, its former tributary, does not revere the Middle Kingdom emperor anymore. I think this is a loaded question that the Chinese already know the answer to. Just look at the widespread panic in South Korea regarding China's "imminent" retaliation over THAAD. While China may ponder on specific measures, a relevant question to consider is what kind of image China wants to impress upon South Koreans? China's choice will have far-reaching implications for China's soft-power strategy with its neighboring countries, beyond South Korea.

Lee Seong-hyon, Ph.D., is a research fellow at the Sejong Institute.






 
LG
  • Woman gets 1-year imprisonment for assaulting elderly man on subway train
  • First lady thrust back into spotlight over unofficial aide
  • Seoul gov't promotes veganism to fight climate crisis
  • Kakao falls victim to Google's in-app payment policy
  • Korea's new COVID-19 cases up for 2nd day amid resurgence concerns
  • 'Stable environment needed to nurture Korean mathematicians': June Huh
  • Yoon orders military to swiftly punish North Korea in case of provocations
  • President Yoon's approval rating falls: poll
  • Court upholds ban on rallies in front of ex-president's home in Yangsan
  • Appeals court upholds prison term for father for fracturing infant son's skull
  • Lee Jung-jae, Jung Woo-sung reunite after 23 years for Lee's directorial debut, 'Hunt' Lee Jung-jae, Jung Woo-sung reunite after 23 years for Lee's directorial debut, 'Hunt'
  • 3 black-and-white photo exhibitions offer testament to 20th-century world history 3 black-and-white photo exhibitions offer testament to 20th-century world history
  • [INTERVIEW] 'Money Heist: Korea' writer feels satisfied to expand series' franchise [INTERVIEW] 'Money Heist: Korea' writer feels satisfied to expand series' franchise
  • BLACKPINK to drop new album in August BLACKPINK to drop new album in August
  • Jecheon festival to present film concerts Jecheon festival to present film concerts
DARKROOM
  • Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

    Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

  • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

    Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

  • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

  • Poor hit harder by economic crisis

    Poor hit harder by economic crisis

  • Roland Garros 2022

    Roland Garros 2022

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group