China's 'Mini NATO' Backlash at Korea-US-Japan Summit... Concerns Over Repeated Hanhanryeong Restrictions

Joint Statement by South Korea, US, and Japan Leaders Mentions 'China'
NYT "Possible Economic Retaliation by China"

Tensions are rising in South Korea-China relations as the leaders of South Korea, the United States, and Japan explicitly mentioned 'China' for the first time in their joint statement (Camp David Spirit), intensifying pressure on China. Recently, China fully lifted restrictions on group tours from South Korea for the first time in over six years since 2017, raising hopes for improved bilateral relations. However, concerns have emerged that the 'Hanhanryeong' (restrictions on the Korean Wave) could be reinstated following this joint statement.

In the joint statement titled 'Camp David Spirit' released on the 18th (local time) by the leaders of South Korea, the United States, and Japan, they stated, "We share concerns about actions inconsistent with the rules-based international order that undermine peace and prosperity in the region," and added, "Regarding the dangerous and provocative actions supporting the People's Republic of China's unlawful maritime claims in the South China Sea, we recall each country's publicly stated positions and strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the Indo-Pacific waters."

President Yoon Suk-yeol, U.S. President Joe Biden, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida are walking together along a forest path on the 18th (local time) at Camp David, the U.S. presidential retreat near Washington DC, for a trilateral joint press conference. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

In response, China's state-run news agency Xinhua warned on the 20th in a commentary that "the Cold War atmosphere emanating from Camp David is driving the whole world into a chill," cautioning that the strengthening of security cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan could heighten tensions in the Northeast Asian region.

Xinhua stated, "The United States drawing South Korea and Japan into security cooperation disregards the security of both countries and puts them in dangerous situations," adding, "Rather than providing a sense of security to South Korea and Japan, it increases regional security risks and tensions, ultimately harming South Korea and Japan."

Amid this, there are forecasts that China could retaliate economically, similar to the Hanhanryeong imposed in response to the deployment of the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) system by the US Forces Korea.

The New York Times (NYT) introduced signs that China has begun to translate its opposition to this South Korea-US-Japan summit into actions and predicted possible economic retaliation by China. The NYT reported that "what South Korea, the US, and Japan call deterrence, China defines as encirclement and even provocation," and noted that "amid the Ukraine war, with South Korea and Japan moving closer to NATO, this summit has deepened China's concerns about a 'mini NATO' in Asia."

On the 20th, a Chinese-speaking tourist guide is assisting tourists on the streets of Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Although expectations for tourism revitalization are rising as China recently announced it would allow group tours from China for the first time in 6 years and 5 months since the THAAD conflict, there are concerns that this momentum could be dampened.

Experts diagnose that the future development will depend on how the situation unfolds. On the 21st, Professor Moon Il-hyun of the China Political Science and Law University said on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' regarding China's full lifting of restrictions on group tours to South Korea, "The Asian Games will be held in Hangzhou at the end of next month, and when the Hangzhou Asian Games take place, they will want many spectators to enter and attend," adding, "For that to happen, many Chinese tourists must travel abroad, which will lead to increased flights and various follow-up effects."

He continued, "The domestic economy in China is currently very sluggish," and "Therefore, to stimulate the domestic economy, they seem to be focusing on tourism and overseas travel as a key point."

Professor Moon said, "China made this decision based on its own needs, and it is unlikely to reverse it immediately," adding, "However, if the situation worsens, since they temporarily simplified the visa procedures for South Koreans entering China until the end of December, they might reconsider that as well."

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