"Hankookin-eun Ojimaseyo" Korean Hate Fueled by COVID-19

Spread of Hate Against Koreans Including East Asians After COVID-19 Outbreak

First COVID-19 Death Reported in Europe
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Seulgi Kim] As fear of the virus grows following the outbreak of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) in Wuhan, China, Korean racial discrimination, including East Asian phobia, is spreading in Western countries.

On the 12th, a famous luxury brand stated, "For safety reasons, it has been decided not to invite any Korean media, including brand executives and celebrities. This applies not only to Korea but to the entire Asia-Pacific region."

This was understood to mean that Korean entertainers, influencers, and press would not be invited due to the possibility of COVID-19 infection. As a result, the planned trip to London by actors Gong Hyo-jin and Yoo Ah-in was canceled.

It has been reported that hatred and racial discrimination against Koreans, including East Asians, have continued since the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

KLM Airlines Flight KL855 restroom notice in Korean / Photo by Yonhap News

On the 10th, a notice written only in Korean saying "Crew Only Restroom" was posted in one of the restrooms on KLM KL855 flight from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to Incheon Airport, causing controversy.

Kim Go-eun, who reported the situation, appeared on YTN Radio's "Noh Young-hee's Start New Morning" on the 17th and said, "I hope this issue is not only publicized in Korea but also followed by an apology at the headquarters level," adding, "Most Korean passengers at the time felt uncomfortable. Since communication in English was difficult, we could only stand by, but when I protested, people around me shared my anger."

Following the controversy, KLM held a press conference on the 14th and said, "We apologize to the passengers who experienced discomfort on the flight and to all Korean nationals who suffered mental distress due to this incident."

However, when asked by reporters whether KLM considered the incident as 'racial discrimination,' the airline responded, "We cannot understand how this could be racial discrimination," drawing criticism for offering a 'half-hearted apology.'

Amid the spread of the novel coronavirus infection known as 'Wuhan pneumonia,' the scene at Toronto Pearson International Airport on the 25th / Photo by AP Yonhap News

As confirmed COVID-19 cases originating from Wuhan, China, have appeared in Western countries, discrimination and phobia against Koreans, including East Asians, continue overseas.

On the 3rd (Korean time), Son Heung-min, active in the English Premier League, was involved in controversy when some foreign football fans claimed, "Son Heung-min has the COVID-19 virus" and "Son Heung-min is already showing symptoms of COVID-19" after he coughed lightly during an interview.

One netizen expressed outrage, saying, "Making baseless speculative claims just because Son Heung-min coughed is clear racial discrimination."

On January 30th, a music academy in Italy announced, "Due to the outbreak of the epidemic originating from China, East Asian students (Korean, Chinese, Japanese, etc.) are prohibited from attending classes."

However, most students enrolled at this academy were found to have lived in Rome or nearby Italian regions for a long time or were second-generation immigrants unrelated to their countries of origin, sparking controversy.

A professor at the academy strongly criticized the school's decision, saying, "(The school's response) infringes on the rights of students attending classes," and "This is an unreasonable and crazy communication that spreads fear and unfairly discriminates against the students."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.