PSG Labels Holiday as "Chinese New Year" Again; Seo Kyungduk Criticizes Disregard for Asian Fans

Professor Seo Kyungduk of Sungshin Women's University has criticized prestigious European football clubs for labeling the holiday as "Chinese New Year" instead of "Lunar New Year" on their social media platforms, calling it "an act that disregards countless Asian fans."

On January 31, Professor Seo stated on Facebook, "The real issue is that world-renowned clubs with a large global fanbase, such as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), where Lee Kangin currently plays, and Real Madrid, where Kylian Mbappe plays, have used this labeling."

Real Madrid (left) and Paris Saint-Germain Real Madrid (right) labeled Lunar New Year as Chinese New Year. Professor Seo Kyungduk SNS

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Professor Seo emphasized that "Lunar New Year" is not a holiday exclusive to China, but is celebrated in various Asian countries, including Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia.

He added, "The United Nations has already designated 'Lunar New Year' as an optional holiday, and the New Jersey State Senate in the United States adopted a resolution declaring 'Lunar New Year' as a commemorative day." He continued, "Just as it made headlines in 2021 when the Canadian Prime Minister greeted viewers with 'Happy Lunar New Year. Gamsahamnida' on a news broadcast on the day of the holiday, the use of 'Lunar New Year' is now becoming a global trend."

Professor Seo also stated that, just as persistent protests against the use of the Rising Sun Flag pattern by European football clubs have led to significant changes, he will continue to raise awareness among these clubs about the legitimacy of using the term "Lunar New Year."

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