China Cools Sino-Korean Relations in Retaliation... "Warning Targeting Pro-American Stance"

South Korea and Japan Targeted: China Suspends Short-Term Visa Issuance
China "Reciprocal Measures Against Discrimination"...Foreign Ministry Expresses Regret
"Dissatisfaction with South Korea's Foreign Strategy...Retaliation May Intensify"

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] Concerns are rising that China’s complete suspension of short-term visa issuance to South Korean nationals, as retaliation against the South Korean government’s strengthened COVID-19 quarantine measures, could worsen Korea-China relations. While the South Korean government is cautious about overinterpretation, some analyses suggest that China’s retaliation may intensify to curb South Korea’s foreign strategy, which is closely aligned with the United States.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 11th, South Korea is the first country against which the Chinese government has taken retaliatory measures by suspending short-term visa issuance in response to quarantine measures for arrivals from China.

On the afternoon of the 10th, a Chinese visa application service center in downtown Seoul was seen after China completely suspended the issuance of short-term visas to Korean nationals as a retaliatory measure against South Korea's strengthened quarantine measures for arrivals from China. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Since the 2nd, the government has mandated PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing for both Korean and foreign nationals entering from China and suspended the issuance of short-term visas except for diplomatic and official purposes. Considering that the COVID-19 positive rate among arrivals from China reaches 30%, this was an unavoidable measure. These strengthened quarantine measures were commonly adopted by at least 16 countries, including the United States and Australia, but South Korea was actually among the last to implement them.

However, the Chinese Embassy in Korea announced the suspension of short-term visa issuance to South Korean nationals the day before. Regarding this, Wang Wenbin, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated, "A few countries ignore scientific facts and persist in discriminatory entry restrictions targeting China," adding, "China firmly opposes this and has taken reciprocal measures." While implying that this is retaliation against South Korea, he argued that the measure is justified.

China has not disclosed specific targets beyond the phrase "a few countries," but based on major foreign media reports so far, the suspension of short-term visa issuance by China appears to be directed only at South Korea and Japan. This has led to interpretations that China is sending a warning message targeting countries that are significantly strengthening their relations with the United States.

The fact that this measure came immediately after Foreign Minister Park Jin of South Korea and newly appointed Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang had their first phone call adds to the concerns. This is because Qin Gang did not accept the explanation that the measure was based on scientific grounds. Especially as this was Qin Gang’s first measure against South Korea since his appointment, and he is regarded as a figure who pursues "wolf warrior diplomacy," it signals a potentially tougher stance from China going forward.

However, diplomatic authorities maintain that this is a matter of reciprocity based on South Korea’s quarantine measures and draw a line against the possibility of Korea-China relations escalating into a conflict phase due to the visa suspension. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Lim Soo-seok stated the day after China’s measure, "Consultations and communications have been conducted through diplomatic channels between the two countries regarding China’s actions."

New Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Nevertheless, there are analyses expressing concern over possible additional retaliatory measures in the future, as South Korea appears to have been targeted as a "showcase" to express dissatisfaction with the international community’s strengthened quarantine measures against China.

Professor Kang Jun-young of the Graduate School of International and Area Studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the same day, "This is a very emotional measure, and since South Korea, which relatively delayed strengthening quarantine, was the first to be targeted, it is highly likely to remain the first target of future retaliation," adding, "It is a warning message to South Korea, which is significantly strengthening its relations with the United States, including the Korean version of the Indo-Pacific Strategy."

He continued, "Since China’s measure is also within the realm of sovereignty, it will not escalate into an official diplomatic conflict, but it cannot be seen as positive for Korea-China relations as it has stirred anti-China sentiment among the public," and predicted, "Even if China cannot bring South Korea into its camp amid the strategic competition between the U.S. and China, it will continue to issue warnings to curb South Korea’s closeness to the United States."

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