[The Editors' Verdict] China's Secret Police Station in Seoul: The Truth Must Be Revealed

Baek Jong-min, Opinion Editor

[Asia Economy Reporter Baek Jong-min] It has already been several days since the revelation that China has been operating secret police stations in the heart of Seoul's downtown. If it is true that China is running unauthorized police stations in major cities around the world such as New York and Seoul, thereby infringing on the sovereignty of those countries, this cannot be overlooked.

Following this revelation, locations identified as secret police stations around the world have come under media scrutiny. Reports have continued that these secret police stations were operated as Chinese restaurants, convenience stores, or real estate agencies. Neighbors of the secret police station in New York, known as the only base in the U.S., said they were surprised to learn its true nature. Why New York, of all places? During my time as a New York correspondent, I often passed by the large Chinese Consulate General located along the Hudson River. Protests were frequently held there, naturally anti-China demonstrations. Recently, protests criticizing China’s oppressive COVID-19 quarantine measures and demanding the resignation of President Xi Jinping were also held there. China is well aware of this situation.

According to overseas media reports, many of the secret police stations began operating after the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020. Although the parties involved deny it, this aligns with reports that a Chinese restaurant in Seoul is a base for China’s secret police organization. This restaurant also opened after COVID-19. The Chinese authorities explained that these facilities are operated by volunteers to provide administrative services such as driver’s license renewals to Chinese nationals living abroad, but this is hard to accept. Why would administrative services be provided at a restaurant? If they are volunteers, can they contribute to China’s administrative work? It is also strange that there are no locally hired employees. It is easy to confirm from user reviews that the Chinese restaurant identified as a secret police station in Seoul is operated only by Chinese nationals.

There have been indications worldwide that China has been conducting a ‘Fox Hunt’ operation to repatriate dissidents since President Xi Jinping took power. China claims this mainly targets economic offenders, but U.S. authorities have been closely monitoring the Fox Hunt operation, even indicting a Chinese prosecutor on charges related to repatriating dissidents. “We are aware of the existence (of China’s secret police stations). The idea that China has set up a secret police station in New York is absurd,” said Christopher Wray, Director of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Director Wray publicly stated in congressional testimony that China has established unauthorized police stations in the U.S.

Can our government accurately grasp the situation and disclose it? The Ministry of Foreign Affairs still maintains a cautious stance. At the Korea-China summit held in Bali last November, both countries confirmed their intention to develop relations based on respect, reciprocity, and mutual benefit. The foundation of respect and reciprocity is mutual trust. President Yoon Suk-yeol even requested President Xi Jinping’s visit to Korea. China retaliated, shaking us by claiming its interests were infringed after the deployment of the U.S. THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) missile defense system in Korea. Amid the spread of anti-China sentiment, the secret police station controversy, which emerged while the government was trying to thaw Korea-China relations, is an issue with enough destructive power to shake future Korea-China relations. The government must accurately ascertain the facts and disclose them to the public as they are. If necessary, China must also apologize. Ambiguous positions are unacceptable. That is the rule of law and sovereign diplomacy.

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