Amid ongoing impeachment politics, anti-China sentiment has spread, leading to a rally near the Chinese Embassy in Myeongdong, Seoul, condemning the Chinese government. Participants held placards reading 'No China' and 'Reject Chinese Communist Party' alongside a sign that said 'Oppose President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment.' They also chanted, 'Get out, Xi Jinping.' Chinese tourists passed by with wary looks. Myeongdong merchants noted, 'We don’t have Chinese nationality, but we are suffering losses in our business.'
Around 4 p.m. on the 31st, about 150 supporters of President Yoon gathered in front of the Central Post Office in Myeongdong, Seoul, to hold a rally condemning the Chinese government. This location is approximately 150 meters from the main entrance of the Chinese Embassy in South Korea.
The rally held by supporters of President Yoon appears to be influenced by heightened anti-China sentiment following the impeachment proceedings. At anti-impeachment rallies organized by President Yoon's supporters in Gwanghwamun and Hannam-dong, accusations often arise that the last general election was fraudulent, with claims that the Chinese government is behind this alleged fraud. At the rally that day, protesters also displayed placards related to election fraud allegations, such as 'Stop the steal.' Kenneth Suh, 63, who came from Arizona, said, 'It doesn’t make sense for Joseonjoks to have voting rights.'
The rally location is well-known among foreign tourists for its large electronic display installed at the main Shinsegae department store, making it a popular spot for 'certification photos.' When protesters shouted 'Xi Jinping out,' Chinese tourists trying to take pictures with their smartphones hurriedly left the area. A Chinese tourist named Shu Mo, 27, expressed with a shocked face, 'I don’t know much about Korean politics, but I do not agree that China interfered in the elections,' and added, 'It feels like protesting is a waste of time.'
Within President Yoon's supporters, some have criticized group leaders holding anti-impeachment rallies as 'pro-China.' Bae In-kyu, leader of the 'New Male Coalition,' which has co-led anti-impeachment rallies alongside Rev. Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church and Shin Hye-sik of 'God's One Move,' posted a YouTube video on the 27th titled 'I will no longer hold rallies or activities.' In the video, Bae noted, 'Some supporters say, 'Because of you, the president got arrested,' and claimed that 'a certain YouTuber is labeling me as an ethnic Chinese.' Bae has reportedly faced accusations of being pro-China since he advocated for peaceful protests regarding the Western District Court intrusion incident.
Ethnic Chinese who hold Taiwanese passports and have lived in Korea for a long time expressed feeling 'bewildered.' Lee Mo, 63, who has run a variety store in Myeongdong for 15 years, said, 'Anti-China sentiment has always existed like anti-Japan sentiment, but the atmosphere has changed a lot since the impeachment politics began,' adding, 'People have come into the store without reason, picking fights and causing trouble. I wonder what is going on.' A worker at a Chinese restaurant named Joo Mo, 53, expressed, 'I’m a bit afraid that incidents like the disturbance at the Western District Court might happen at Chinese restaurants as well.'
Kuk Baek-young, 87, who runs a specialized bookstore for Chinese books 'Daehan Cultural and Art Company,' stated, 'As people express anti-China sentiment, they also criticize Joseonjoks, which leads to greater negative impact on ethnic Chinese. However, Joseonjoks and ethnic Chinese are completely different,' and added, 'Ethnic Chinese do not receive benefits from China or Taiwan.'