"Rejecting the Olympics" Anti-China Sentiment Moves Online... Growing Public Concern

Conservative Groups Hold Anti-China Rally on the 9th
Reactions Say Anger Is Justified... but "Concerns Over Creating an Uneasy Atmosphere"

On the 9th, the conservative group Nara Jikimi High School Union held an anti-China rally at the plaza in front of Seoul Central Post Office.

"We reject the Beijing Olympics!"

More than ten people shouted this slogan at a rally held in the square in front of Seoul Central Post Office. The brightly colored placards bore even more provocative phrases such as "A curse from heaven on the CCP's Winter Olympics." A rally organizer holding the microphone raised their voice, saying, "Chinese President Xi Jinping is staging the Beijing Olympics show to solidify his one-man dictatorship," and added, "The Olympics have become a tool to cover up the Communist Party's atrocities."

The anti-China sentiment that grew online after the biased judging at the Beijing Olympics is now spilling over into the real world. While some believe the anger is justified, citizens' concerns about hate speech are increasing.

On the 9th, the conservative group Nara Jikimi High School Union held a "China Out" rally in front of the Central Post Office, arguing that the Beijing Olympics should be opposed. About 15 people participated in the rally that day, and some passersby stopped briefly to listen to their claims. A rally organizer expressed satisfaction, saying, "Never before have so many people shown interest in our rally."

Students also joined the rally, raising anti-China voices. An 18-year-old Chinese high school student, Mr. A, said, "I remember coming to Korea with my family in 2018 to escape pressure from China," and added, "I joined the rally because I think China's actions deviate from universal values." However, during the rally, there were hateful remarks such as cursing President Moon Jae-in and calling for the expulsion of Chinese people and ethnic Koreans from China.

Citizens watching the rally showed mixed reactions. Mr. Jeong (38, male) said, "Considering China's recent actions, the anger is understandable," and added, "Although some expressions are extreme, I believe it is ultimately an individual's freedom." On the other hand, Ms. Jang (46, female), who runs a variety store catering to Chinese customers in Myeongdong, sighed, saying, "People's thoughts are becoming extreme, which is upsetting," and expressed concern, "I worry that business will get even worse."

Daerim-dong Chinatown Street, Seoul.

In this situation, the atmosphere in Daerim-dong and Garibong-dong in Gwanak-gu, Seoul, where many Chinese and ethnic Koreans from China live, was relatively calm. At 11 a.m. that day, Daerim-dong Chinatown was bustling with people enjoying Chinese food such as shabu-shabu, going about their daily lives as usual. The same was true for Garibong Market. Residents were seen buying twisted doughnuts on the street and asking each other how they were doing.

However, when asked about the controversy over the short track judging at the Beijing Olympics, residents here showed somewhat agitated reactions. Mr. Park (30, male), a Korean living in Daerim-dong, said, "I was very angry when I saw the judging," but added, "Since this kind of behavior from China is not a one-time thing, I just accept it."

Some Chinese people also expressed anxiety due to the anti-China sentiment. Ms. Kim (45, female), an ethnic Korean from China who runs a malatang restaurant, said, "There are occasionally people who speak harshly about Chinese and ethnic Koreans from China," and expressed concern, "They don't openly curse, but recently an uneasy atmosphere has been forming."

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