[30 Years of Korea-China Diplomatic Relations] The Three Major Factors Hindering Korea-China Harmony: System, the United States, and Zhonghua

Professor Yoon Young-kwan: "Anti-China Sentiment at Its Peak, a Structural Problem"
Political System, Pushing Out the U.S., Sinocentric Hegemonism

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Although it is the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and China, the emotional rift between the peoples of the two countries is deeper than ever.

In particular, anti-China sentiment among Koreans is at an all-time high. It is not uncommon to hear that 'anti-China' sentiment is stronger than 'anti-Japan.' The anti-China feelings among the millennial generation, who will lead the future, are overt. Professor Yoon diagnosed that underlying this resentment are "three structural issues that Korea and China find difficult to agree on."

Former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Yoon Young-kwan. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Professor Yoon identified the political systems of the two countries as the first issue. Korea is a democracy where even the president can be removed, whereas China is an authoritarian state centered on the Communist Party.

Professor Yoon said, "Korea inevitably pursues diplomacy consistent with the identity of a democratic country, which is difficult for China to agree with," adding, "Because the political systems and beliefs differ, many Chinese people do not agree with the opinions of Koreans."

The perspectives on the 'United States' are also completely opposite. He said, "Since the threat from North Korea is real for Korea, it must maintain an alliance with the United States to deter it," and "On the other hand, China has a desire to push out American power from the Korean Peninsula to maintain its hegemonic status in East Asia."

China's 'Sinocentrism' ideology is another factor deepening the divide between the two peoples. China’s Sinocentric hegemonic view, which regards itself as a 'great power' and 'center' while viewing other East Asian countries as 'small countries' and 'peripheries,' intensifies conflicts between the two countries.

Professor Yoon explained, "China has a desire to revive Sinocentrism centered on China in the Asian continent. However, Korea is accustomed to a horizontal order that respects Western international law and liberalism and emphasizes sovereign equality between states," adding, "Since Korea has grown up within such an order, it does not align with Sinocentrism."

Professor Yoon pointed out that Korean diplomacy has rather exacerbated these aspects. He said, "In diplomacy with China, these three aspects should have been acknowledged and clear boundaries drawn, but most past governments tended to gloss over them," adding, "They are a great power and sometimes commit diplomatic rudeness and use the economy as a weapon to bully, but we cannot even properly say what we need to say. From the perspective of the bold and confident younger generation, this is incomprehensible and unacceptable."

He emphasized that Korea must clearly draw boundaries with China and build Korea-China relations based on strategic thinking rather than hopeful thinking.

◆ Professor Yoon Young-kwan Profile

Born in 1951, Professor Yoon graduated from Jeonju High School, Seoul National University’s Department of Diplomacy, earned a master’s degree in International Politics from Seoul National University, and a Ph.D. in International Politics from the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Johns Hopkins University. He has served as an assistant professor of political science at the University of California, a professor in the Department of Diplomacy at Seoul National University, and a visiting professor at SAIS. He also served as the first Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade under the Roh Moo-hyun administration.

He was the first to hold the position without passing the foreign service exam. He is also the older brother of Yoon Young-chan, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who served as the first Senior Secretary for Public Communication under the Moon Jae-in administration.

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