"Five-Star Red Flag Raised at Elementary School Sparks Flood of Protests: 'Is This China?'"

The five-star red flag hoisted on the flagpole of an elementary school in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Screenshot from X.

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Public outrage has erupted online after it was revealed that the five-star red flag was hoisted on the flagpole of an elementary school playground in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. The school explained that, as part of its multicultural education program, it has been raising the national flags of various countries, including Taiwan and Vietnam, for one month each.

On September 2, the elementary school in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, took down the five-star red flag, which had been hoisted for the past two weeks, following the controversy. The issue spread rapidly through social networking services (SNS), leading to a number of complaints.

The school issued a notice stating, "We apologize for causing concern regarding the display of multicultural flags. As part of our multicultural global citizenship education, we raise the national flag of a multicultural student enrolled at our school alongside the Korean flag each month." The school added, "In the past, we have hoisted the flags of Cambodia, Taiwan, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, and Japan for one month each, and the Chinese flag was displayed for two weeks before being taken down."

Regarding the controversial photo, the school clarified that the five-star red flag was not hoisted alone, but together with the Korean flag, and that the angle of the photo made the Korean flag invisible. The school further explained, "There are two flagpoles at our school. The Korean flag is raised on the left, and the flag of a multicultural student currently enrolled at our school is raised on the right, with the latter changed monthly."

Recently, in the Myeongdong area where the Chinese Embassy in Korea is located, anti-China protests have continued, with demonstrators shouting "China Out." Hundreds of people, including members of conservative groups and ordinary protestors, are participating in these rallies, while nearby merchants have expressed concerns, saying, "We are worried that Chinese tourists might stop coming."

In addition, last February, a "Communism Eradication Festival" was held in front of the Chinese Embassy in Korea. Since the 12·3 Martial Law Incident, anti-China sentiment has escalated to outright hostility toward China. Protest participants have even been seen hurling insults such as "Get lost" at passing Chinese tourists, indicating a rising level of intensity.

Anti-China protesters are marching in Myeongdong Street, Seoul, shouting "China Out." Owl My God China documentary YouTube capture

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In response, the Chinese Embassy in Korea sent an official document to the Korean authorities in July, expressing difficulties related to the anti-China protests. As rumors of Chinese interference in Korean elections spread and protests near the embassy showed signs of intensifying, the embassy requested the Korean government to pay greater attention to the issue.

The Chinese Embassy stated on social media, "Recently, some people have been holding anti-China rallies and protests in places like Seoul's Myeongdong, which are popular with Chinese tourists, and we cannot rule out the possibility of aggressive behavior." The embassy added, "We have lodged a stern protest with the Korean authorities and demanded measures to ensure the personal safety of Chinese nationals."

President Lee Jaemyung also addressed the issue during a cabinet meeting last month. On August 12, President Lee said at the cabinet meeting, "Not long ago, in Daerim-dong and in front of the Chinese diplomatic mission, there were hate protests filled with insults and violence that went beyond freedom of expression," adding, "This is not befitting the status of the Republic of Korea as a model democracy that values diversity and inclusiveness."

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