Experts urge caution against taking advantage of anti-China sentiment for election

South Korea has witnessed a rise in anti-China sentiment ahead of the presidential election slated for March 9. gettyimagesbank

China policy yet to take shape until after presidential election, but Beijing still largely seen as key economic partner

By Kim Bo-eun

HONG KONG ― South Koreans avidly took part in boycotting Japanese brands when bilateral tensions escalated in the past years, given the history of the two countries. This time, the antagonism is directed at another neighbor in Northeast Asia: China.

While the situation may appear negligible and based merely on online skirmishes over the origin of cultural elements such as the pickled side dish kimchi or hanbok, a recent survey shows that the level of anti-China sentiment in Korea is notable. At this time when certain presidential candidates may be looking to take advantage of this sentiment to shore up support, experts warn of potential dangers, given how crucial bilateral relations between the countries are.

A series of events at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics last month rekindled an earlier online war over the origin of kimchi. Koreans expressed their discomfort over a performer of Chinese nationality dressed in Korean traditional attire ― hanbok ― and carrying a Chinese flag at the opening ceremony of the Games, to which the Chinese embassy in Seoul stated that this performance was intended to show the diverse ethnic groups that comprise the country, including ethnic Koreans, or Joseonjok.

The disqualification of two promising South Korean short track speed skaters in a semi-final race later into the Games outraged Koreans, who took their anger online, facing a backlash from some Chinese.

But anti-China sentiment had been brewing prior to the Beijing Olympics, data shows.

A survey by Stanford University's Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies of over 1,000 South Koreans conducted in January shows their feelings toward China came to an average of 26.5 out of 100, with 0 being on the negative end and 100 the most positive. This figure compares with 69.1 for the U.S. and 30.7 percent for Japan, despite Korea's history of colonization by the latter country. A survey by Korean media outlet SisaIN in May 2021 showed a similar dynamic.

The institute attributed the low figure of Koreans' feelings toward China to factors including Korea's air pollution, which is attributed partly to China's industrial activity, Beijing's perceived cultural imperialism, and China's perceived lack of respect for Korea.

Analysts are focusing on the phenomenon, given that it could exert influence on domestic politics and foreign policy. The survey shows that 78 percent of respondents will take the China factor into consideration when casting their votes for the March 9 presidential election. Given that the sentiment persists, it could extend beyond the election and play into policy, experts said.

South Korea's leading presidential candidates are seen at a TV debate held March 2, at broadcaster KBS' studio in Seoul. Left is the ruling Democratic Party of Korea's Lee Jae-myung and on the right, Yoon Suk-yeol of the main opposition People Power Party. Yonhap

Some presidential candidates have taken advantage of the situation, and made remarks seeking the public's support.

"It is understandable that the candidates tried to appease public sentiments, such as anti-Chinese sentiments, during the campaign, but they need to be careful of not crossing the line, as they, if elected, will have to deal with China," Stanford University professor of sociology Shin Gi-wook, who authored a commentary on the survey, said in an email.

Andrew Yeo, SK-Korea Foundation Chair in Korean Studies and a senior fellow at the Center for East Asia Policy Studies at the Brookings Institution, said, "It is always tempting to drum up nationalism and anti-foreign sentiment during election season, which can create unintended consequences of permanently damaging bilateral relations between Korea and China."

China remains Korea's No. 1 trading partner. The Moon Jae-in administration has also largely relied on Beijing for progress in relations with Pyongyang, given the North's close alliance with China.

"Whoever wins the election will need to maintain ties to Beijing given the significance of economic ties between Korea and China," Yeo said via email.

"There may be greater pressure to decouple from China and join U.S.-led coalitions if the anti-China sentiment is sustained for a prolonged period, which neither China would take kindly. However, given the size and influence of China's economy in East Asia, Korea will need to sustain a sizeable degree of trade and investment with Beijing," he said.

The main opposition People Power Party's candidate, Yoon Suk-yeol, has made clear plans to strengthen Korea's alliance with Washington while downplaying ties with China. The ruling Democratic Party of Korea's Lee Jae-myung, the other leading candidate, has taken what he calls a pragmatic stance of strategically walking between the two countries.

Shin, who doubles as head of Stanford's Walter H. Shorenstein Asia Pacific Research Center, also said, "China will continue to be important to Korea. Korea cannot let anti-China sentiments dictate policy to the point that they shut out China completely."

But he noted at the same time, "Still, anti-China sentiments are so strong now that the new administration will have to take that into account when formulating China policy. This new paradigm will have to consider the changing situation both domestically and internationally."