The Chinese Embassy in Korea demanded that the Korean side guarantee the safety of Chinese nationals in Korea, saying an anti-China protest scheduled for the 3rd has an impure intent.
On the 2nd, the Chinese Embassy made this demand in a post on its website titled "The Chinese Embassy in Korea Spokesperson's stern position on a small group in Korea holding anti-China protests."
The Chinese Embassy said, "Regrettably, we have taken note that an individual Korean politician is spreading false information, and that some far-right groups often hold anti-China protests in places where Chinese tourists gather, such as Myeong-dong and Daerim-dong in Seoul," adding, "Both China and Korea clearly oppose this."
It continued, "Some far-right forces in Korea are planning an anti-China protest in downtown Seoul on the 3rd," and argued, "Choosing this celebratory period when Chinese nationals mark National Day (the anniversary of the founding of the Chinese government) and Chuseok, and Koreans mark National Foundation Day and Chuseok, to do this (anti-China protest) carries an impure intent and will never win public support."
The embassy urged Chinese tourists staying in Korea or planning to visit Korea to maintain high vigilance and pay attention to personal safety, saying, "We solemnly request that the Korean side thoroughly guarantee the personal safety and lawful rights and interests of Chinese nationals in Korea."
The embassy also said, "Recently, senior members of the Korean government and knowledgeable figures from various sectors have clearly pointed out that anti-China remarks and actions by a small group damage Korea's national image and interests, and have called for a stern response," adding, "We are confident that, through joint efforts across sectors in both China and Korea, the China-Korea strategic cooperative partnership will surely develop positively and the schemes of a small political force will never succeed."
President Lee Jae-myung said at a senior secretaries' meeting the previous day, "As of three days ago, temporary visa-free entry became possible for group tourists from China," adding, "Yet malicious rumors and hate speech targeting a specific country and its people are being spread indiscriminately, and racist rallies are continuing. We must completely root out this utterly harmful act of self-injury that undermines the national interest and Korea's image."