Sing Haiming, Chinese Ambassador's Remarks Cause Ripple Effect... Possibility of Being Designated as a 'Diplomatic Persona Non Grata'

Persona Non Grata Designation Public Opinion
Interpreted as Part of China's 'Wolf Warrior Diplomacy'
Sharp Deterioration in Bilateral Relations Due to Retaliation

Amid growing repercussions over the provocative remarks made by Xing Haiming (邢海明), the Chinese Ambassador to South Korea, voices are emerging calling for Ambassador Xing to be designated as a "persona non grata." Persona non grata is a Latin term meaning "an unwelcome person," declared by the host government when it no longer wishes to accept a particular diplomat such as an ambassador or envoy. Once declared, the diplomat loses diplomatic immunity. It is the most severe punishment that can be imposed on a foreign diplomat.

According to diplomatic sources on the 12th, after the dinner meeting between Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Ambassador Xing on the 8th, the aftershocks continue. At the meeting, Ambassador Xing stated, "Some are betting that the United States will win and China will lose, but those betting on China's defeat will surely regret it later." This remark was criticized as inappropriate, going beyond merely checking the Yoon Seok-yeol administration's diplomatic strategy and potentially amounting to interference in internal affairs.

As flights on the Gimpo-China route, which were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, resumed after three years, Ambassador Xing Haiming of China to Korea delivered a congratulatory speech at the 'Gimpo-Beijing/Shanghai Route Resumption Ceremony' held at the international terminal of Gimpo International Airport on the 27th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

Furthermore, following the South Korean government's "summoning" of Ambassador Xing on the 9th, the Chinese government responded the day before by "counter-summoning" Jeong Jae-ho, South Korea's ambassador to China, escalating tensions between the two countries. In particular, the ruling party has intensified criticism, mentioning the possibility of designating Ambassador Xing as a "persona non grata," given that his extreme remarks are not a first occurrence.

Even in the Case of the Former Belgian Ambassador’s Assault, Severe Punishment by Home Government...Low Likelihood of Persona Non Grata Designation

However, at present, the South Korean government is unlikely to declare Ambassador Xing persona non grata. China is South Korea's largest export market. Although the export dependency on China fell below the 20% mark to 19.5% in the first quarter, it remains the top market for South Korea’s total exports. In this context, taking strong diplomatic measures against Ambassador Xing could severely strain bilateral relations to an irreparable degree.

In fact, when the wife of the Belgian ambassador to South Korea assaulted a clothing store clerk domestically in 2021, the Belgian government promptly recalled her and issued an order banning overseas assignments, which resolved the controversy. Before South Korea could designate persona non grata, the Belgian government had already taken severe disciplinary action. Similarly, between 2003 and 2005, there was public opinion to declare Takano Toshiyuki, the Japanese ambassador to South Korea who asserted Japan’s territorial claim over Dokdo, persona non grata, but it was never implemented.

Typically, the designation of persona non grata is a notification from the host country to the sending country, but it is a rare diplomatic act internationally due to the significant diplomatic risks it entails and the consideration of friendly and neighborly relations between the two countries.

On the afternoon of the 8th, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, visited the Chinese Ambassador's residence in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, and shook hands with Xing Haiming, the Chinese Ambassador to Korea. On this day, Lee and Ambassador Xing discussed joint measures to prevent Japan's "Fukushima contaminated water discharge into the ocean," as well as strengthening economic cooperation and public diplomacy between the two countries. Photo by the National Assembly Press Corps

Ambassador Xing’s ‘Crossing the Line’ Remarks Interpreted as Backlash from China’s ‘Wolf Warrior Diplomacy’

In 2018, after an assassination attempt on Sergei Skripal, a Russian double agent in the UK, the UK declared 23 Russian diplomats persona non grata and expelled them, citing involvement in the incident. The United States, Australia, Canada, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Ukraine, and others also declared Russian diplomats persona non grata for the same reason. In 2017, Malaysia designated Kang Chol, North Korea’s ambassador to Malaysia, persona non grata and expelled him due to the assassination of Kim Jong-nam at a Malaysian airport.

Since Ambassador Xing’s remarks are part of China’s so-called "wolf warrior diplomacy," the possibility of a persona non grata designation is cautiously raised. Wolf warrior diplomacy refers to Chinese diplomats publicly using harsh language through media appearances and articles on issues China considers vital to its national interests.

In July 2021, when then-presidential candidate Yoon Seok-yeol stated that THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) was "clearly within our sovereign territory," Ambassador Xing unusually wrote a rebuttal article. At an October discussion hosted by the Kwanhun Club last year, he said that Korea-China relations were at a critical juncture and that "the biggest external factor is the United States." On a recent MBC radio appearance last month, he expressed concern about the risk of further deterioration in Korea-China relations, continuing to make harsh remarks about bilateral ties. Since his appointment in January 2020, Ambassador Xing pressured the South Korean government to officially support the Hong Kong National Security Law in a May 2020 media interview.

Earlier, on the 8th of last month, the Canadian government designated Zhao Wei (趙巍), the Chinese consul in Canada, persona non grata for allegedly attempting to intimidate Canadian politicians critical of China.

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