'Kimchi Gongjeong' Controversy... Japanese Media Says "Based on Explanation, Chinese Paocai is the Original Kimchi"

"Criticism of Koreans Claiming Korean Origins in Various Cultures"

Recently, a Japanese media outlet reported that Korean kimchi originated from the Chinese pickled vegetable 'paochai'. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Recently, amid controversy sparked by attempts in some parts of China to incorporate the Korean traditional food Kimchi into their own culture, so-called the 'Kimchi Gongjeong,' a Japanese media outlet claimed that Kimchi originated from the Chinese pickled vegetable 'Paochai.'

On the 26th (local time), the Japanese online economic magazine 'Japan Business Press' reported in an article titled 'Korea's Counterargument Culture Seen in the Korea-China Kimchi Origin Controversy' that Kimchi originated from Chinese cuisine.

The media introduced the recent 'Kimchi Gongjeong' controversy between Korea and China, stating, "Until now, Koreans have claimed Korean origins for various cultures. Even regarding Japan alone, there is no end to examples such as sumo, kabuki, soy sauce, and udon."

It added, "Nowadays, when people think of Kimchi, they imagine red Kimchi made with red pepper powder, but originally, Kimchi referred to pickled vegetables similar to pickles," explaining, "The beginning of Korean Kimchi was when chili peppers were used as a substitute for salt during a famine in Korea in the 1760s."

The media claimed that regarding 'Paochai,' a pickled vegetable dish recently certified by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), "Judging only by the description, there is no difference between Paochai and the original pickled vegetable dish Chimchae, which is the origin of Kimchi," and argued, "Each country has only slightly modified it according to their respective climates, ethnicities, and lifestyles."

Chinese YouTuber 'Li Ziqi' who posted a video of making Baechu Kimchi with the hashtag implying 'Chinese food' / Photo by Li Ziqi, YouTube video capture

Earlier, in November last year, the Chinese state-run media Global Times claimed that Paochai received international standard certification from ISO and stated, "China's Kimchi industry has become the standard for the international Kimchi market." It also reported with the implication that "the Kimchi origin country Korea has been humiliated."

In response, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs explained in a press release last month that "The ISO document mentioning Paochai clearly states, 'This document does not apply to Kimchi.'"

Meanwhile, recently, some Chinese netizens on Chinese social networking services (SNS) and online communities have stirred controversy by claiming Kimchi is a Chinese food.

Earlier on the 9th, a Chinese YouTuber 'Li Ziqi,' who has 14 million subscribers, filmed a video of making kimjang (Kimchi-making), which some Chinese media introduced as 'Chinese food,' sparking controversy. Li Ziqi tagged her kimjang video with hashtags such as '#TraditionalChineseCuisine' and '#ChineseFood.'

YouTuber Hamzy is tasting kimchi during a 'mukbang' broadcast. / Photo by YouTuber Hamzy Channel Capture

Hamzy (31, real name Ham Jihyung), a mukbang (eating broadcast) YouTuber with over 5.29 million subscribers, recently claimed, "Ssam (wraps), Kimchi, and others are Korean foods, and the fact that such topics cause controversy is absurd," but faced harsh criticism from some Chinese netizens.

As the controversy escalated, Hamzy's Chinese agency notified her of contract termination on the 17th. In an official statement, the agency said, "Hamzy's recent insults toward China have had a very serious negative impact on the Chinese public," and "We have decided to officially terminate all cooperation starting today."

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