Seok Kyung-deok Criticizes "Chinese Embassy's Big Mistake... 'Hanbok Gongjeong' Started Before the Olympics"

Embassy of China in Korea: "Hanbok also belongs to Joseonjok... Please respect ethnic sentiments"
Professor Seo Kyung-deok: "China seems to be mistaken, ignoring the consistent 'Hanbok Gongjeong'"

On the afternoon of the 4th, at the National Stadium in Beijing, China, a performer wearing a hanbok waved their hand during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] Professor Seokyung Deok of Sungshin Women's University urged the Chinese Ambassador to Korea to "show sincere actions for a fundamental resolution" regarding the Hanbok controversy that arose after the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

On the 10th, Professor Seokyung posted a rebuttal on his Facebook, stating, "I have read the statement from the Chinese Embassy in Korea several times, but there are many disappointing parts."

Earlier, on the 8th, the Chinese Embassy in Korea issued a statement through its spokesperson saying, "Traditional culture (Hanbok) belongs to the Korean Peninsula and also to the ethnic Koreans in China. The so-called terms 'cultural engineering' and 'cultural plundering' are completely unfounded," and added, "China respects Korea's historical and cultural traditions, and hopes Korea will also respect the feelings of all ethnic groups in China, including the ethnic Koreans."

In response, Professor Seokyung said, "The Chinese Embassy is under a big misconception," and claimed, "China has already carried out too many 'Hanbok engineering' efforts."

He cited examples such as the distortion on Baidu Encyclopedia, China's largest portal site, which states that "Hanbok originated from Hanfu," and the controversy caused when Xiaomi, a leading Chinese electronics company, introduced Hanbok as "China Culture" in its smartphone wallpaper store.

He also pointed out the case where Chinese users demanded clarification that Hanbok is the traditional clothing of the ethnic Koreans and part of Chinese attire after the Chinese game company Paper Games released the mobile game "Shining Nikki," which features Hanbok as a concept.

Professor Seokyung emphasized, "The 'Hanbok controversy' has never ceased in various Chinese games such as Shining Nikki," and added, "The Chinese Embassy must never overlook the fact that 'Hanbok engineering' has been steadily progressing across various fields in China."

Furthermore, Professor Seokyung raised his voice, saying, "If this statement was not issued to calm the rising anti-China sentiment in Korea or out of fear of being labeled a 'cultural plundering country' as widely reported in foreign media, then from now on, sincere actions for a fundamental resolution must be shown."

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