Prime Minister Kim Min-seok criticized the recent increase in anti-China protests as "a self-harming act" and ordered a stern response from the Ministry of Justice and the Korean National Police Agency.
On the 15th, at a meeting of ministers on public order and safety held at the Seoul Government Complex, Prime Minister Kim referred to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit to be held at the end of this month and said, "At such an important time, some are continuing hate protests against foreigners," adding, "This is a self-harming act that not only causes anxiety among foreigners but also greatly disrupts business for domestic small and mid-sized merchants."
Prime Minister Kim went on to stress, "Freedom of expression is an important value in a democratic society, but it must be exercised in a mature manner within the scope that does not infringe on the rights and safety of others."
He continued, "Not only protests but also discriminatory acts or insulting expressions against foreigners in daily life or in industrial settings are acts that lower the national dignity and stature of the Republic of Korea," adding, "They must be eradicated without fail." Prime Minister Kim said, "Each ministry should respond strictly, in accordance with laws and principles, to any and all acts that incite hate and discrimination against foreign tourists and cause harm to the business of small and mid-sized merchants."
The meeting was held to inspect public order ahead of the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) summit to be held in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang, from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1.
Attendees included Minister Cho Hyun of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Yoon Ho-jung of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, Minister Won Min-kyong of the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination Yoon Chang-ryeol, First Vice Minister to the Prime Minister Kim Young-soo, Vice Minister Lee Jin-soo of the Ministry of Justice, Second Vice Minister Kim Dae-hyun of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Acting Commissioner General Yoo Jae-sung of the Korean National Police Agency.
Earlier, President Lee Jae-myung also, at a Cabinet meeting last month, ordered countermeasures regarding an anti-China protest held around Myeong-dong in Seoul, saying, "How is that freedom of expression? It's a 'ruckus.'"