Since 2016, China has been blocking the domestic distribution of Korean cultural industry content, and it appears that the doors remain locked. The Chinese side expressed reluctance to the proposal for opening the cultural content market made by the special envoy delegation during President Lee Jae-myung's visit to China, and it has been reported that obstacles remain that are difficult to resolve in the short term.
However, the participation of Chinese President Xi Jinping in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit is practically confirmed, and there have reportedly been clear advancements regarding export controls on rare earth elements.
Director General Park Byung-seok stated this during the briefing on the results of the visit to China held at the South Korean Embassy in China on the 26th. In response to the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) in 2016, China has imposed sanctions on Korean music, films, and dramas. Although there has been no explicit declaration of a 'Korean Wave Ban', the Chinese government officially denies this, but the distribution of Korean cultural industry content remains blocked in China.
Director General Park noted, "I presented several proposals to the Chinese side to improve anti-Korea sentiments in China and anti-China sentiments in Korea. Especially among the younger generation, broadening mutual understanding through cultural exchanges will be the way forward," and demanded the opening of the cultural content market. He also said, "All the special envoys emphasized (the opening of cultural content) in unison. I said it would help create a friendly sentiment centered on the younger generation, and even mentioned the results of relevant opinion polls."
Director General Park stated, "However, I have confirmed that there are still mountains to climb." He added, "In response to the proposal for opening, China only expressed that 'it can expand exchanges in beneficial areas.' It seems that the standards for what China considers 'beneficial and healthy culture' differ from ours. I believe more time and understanding are necessary." This suggests that the Chinese government restricts Korean cultural industry content under the reasoning that it is 'not beneficial and healthy.'
Additionally, Director General Park mentioned that Xi Jinping's participation in the APEC summit is practically confirmed. He said, "The letter of friendship delivered by the special envoy delegation to Wang Yi, the Chinese Foreign Minister, also included the invitation to the APEC meeting," and noted, "Unless it is a matter that would shock the heavens and earth, he will attend (the APEC)." He also mentioned that prior to the APEC meeting, Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin is planning a visit to China, and Wang Yi conveyed that he would review his schedule.
There have also reportedly been advancements regarding export controls on rare earth elements. While he refrained from making specific comments due to concerns about fairness with other countries, Director General Park stated, "I can only say that there have been advancements. The Chinese side said that if Korean corporations apply for rare earth exports, they will process a certain amount without issue, and that they would resolve any issues related to core mineral matters if they hinder business."
Regarding the overall results of the visit to China, Director General Park stated, "I believe we have effectively completed the fundamentals of the mission we initially planned." He remarked, "During a time of U.S.-China tensions overlapping with the Korea-U.S. summit, we set a principle that being candid is preferable and adhered to it." He added, "In particular, we had an open and honest discussion with Director General Wang Yi. We spent 1 hour and 30 minutes in a simultaneous interpretation meeting and had a dinner lasting 1 hour and 20 minutes. We had many discussions over the course of 3 hours."