China's Huanqiu Shibao Calls VANK's Attacks "Harsh and Reckless" Targeting China

Poster created by VANK titled "Are You Going to Claim China as the Origin of All the World's Foods?" Photo by VANK [Image Source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Choyoung] The Chinese state-run newspaper Huanqiu Shibao has unleashed harsh criticism against the Korean cyber diplomacy group 'VANK,' openly expressing its hostility.

On the 18th, Huanqiu Shibao reported, "Both South Korea and China hope to quell the noise arising between cyber public opinion and civilian sentiment. For example, the 'Kimchi controversy' at the end of last year has almost subsided," adding, "However, the Korean civic group 'VANK,' which causes problems, is still posting petitions on the world's largest petition site, protesting that 'China is stealing Korean culture.'"

The newspaper stated, "VANK was established on January 1, 1999, with the purpose of promoting correct recognition and understanding of Korea among netizens worldwide," and asked, "What role has VANK, whose name means 'Friends of Korea' in Chinese, played in Korea-China cultural exchanges over the past 22 years?"

It further noted, "Most of the issues raised by VANK are related to territorial, historical, and cultural disputes and are highly provocative," and criticized, "Since VANK is a civilian organization using the title 'cyber envoy,' it is easy to deceive Korean youth."

Continuing, it evaluated, "Based on our investigation, compared to past protests against Japanese right-wing historical distortions, VANK appears very rough and reckless regarding issues related to China," and added, "The group has gathered many prejudices against China within Korean society."

The newspaper cited an interview with Professor Zhan Debin of the Korea Peninsula Research Center at Shanghai University of International Business and Economics, claiming that Korean media fosters an anti-China atmosphere. Professor Zhan stated in the interview, "There is not only one organization similar to VANK in Korea. Such organizations are just one axis that stirs up Korea-China cultural conflicts," and argued, "Some academics and media outlets also participate in creating an overall (anti-China) atmosphere."

He also mentioned Professor Seo Kyungduk of Sungshin Women's University, who has recently been working to correct distorted historical facts. He said, "Professor Seo Kyungduk of Sungshin Women's University, who first provoked the Korea-China Kimchi origin dispute and protested the nationality issue of 'Joseonjok poet' Yun Dongju, has recently become a notable online celebrity."

Huanqiu Shibao also raised concerns about public funds being involved with VANK. The newspaper claimed, "VANK states that event hosting, fundraising, and souvenir sales are its main sources of income, but in reality, it receives government funding in various forms," and asserted that in 2008, then-President Lee Myung-bak supported VANK with 50 million won at the government level, indicating that VANK has been supported by public funds.

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