Myeongdong, Where Hatred of "Anti-China" Sentiment Grows

Visa-Free Entry for Chinese Group Tourists Begins... But Myeongdong Sighs Only Grow Louder

"Are there no people today either?" "No, there aren't!"

At 3:40 p.m. on October 1, street vendors began lining up their stalls along Myeongdong in Seoul to sell street food. The street food vendors greeted Lee Hyejung (female, 60), who was selling socks, and asked her about the atmosphere in Myeongdong. Lee greeted them warmly but shook her head, saying there were fewer people than expected. In response, the vendors gave wry smiles and began preparing for business.

The scene of Myeongdong street in Seoul on the 1st (left) and a scene of an anti-China press conference nearby. Photo by Gong Byungseon

Lee has been a fixture in Myeongdong, doing business there for 30 years. However, she expressed concern that the recovery of the commercial district has been slow despite the start of visa-free entry for Chinese group tourists. She was upset, saying that anti-China rallies have affected the business environment. She then took something out of her pocket: it was 30,000 won.

"Normally, I earn about 100,000 won from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. But after several anti-China rallies, not only Chinese tourists but also other visitors are scared and don't come. It's already hard enough for small business owners to make a living-I don't understand why this is happening."

Lee also said, "Chinese tourists visiting Myeongdong are aware that anti-China sentiment is spreading among Koreans. At a time when we should be attracting more tourists, I can't understand why we're trying to drive them away. I hope these hateful rallies will no longer be held."

On the 1st, Lee Hyejung (female, 60), who has been doing business for 30 years in Myeongdong, Seoul, is showing the money she earned in one day. 30,000 won came out of Lee's pocket. Photo by Gong Byungseon

Domestic Tourists Also Disappear Amid Repeated Hate Rallies... Chinese Tourists Say "It's Unpleasant"

Mr. Kim (male, 36), who runs a cafe, said, "Even if the number of tourists has increased on the main streets, there still aren't enough Chinese tourists to fill the side alleys. The repeated anti-China rallies have definitely hurt business. Customers who used to line up have avoided the area when rallies are taking place and gone elsewhere."

On this day, a Chinese tourist, Ms. A (female, 20), who entered Korea, said, "I haven't encountered any anti-China rallies yet, but if I do, I think I would feel very uncomfortable."

The government has allowed visa-free entry for Chinese group tourists of three or more people, permitting stays of up to 15 days from September 29, 2025, to June 30, 2026. The government also expects around 1 million additional Chinese tourists to visit Korea by June next year. There are also high expectations for a boost in tourism during China's National Day holiday period from October 1 to October 8.

On the 1st, UnionPay, a Chinese mobile payment platform, set up a booth on the streets of Myeongdong, Seoul, to promote its platform. Photo by Gong Byungseon

Despite National Day Promotions and Discounts... Merchants Say They Don't Feel the "Warm Breeze" from China

Myeongdong has finished preparations to welcome tourists in line with the start of visa-free entry for Chinese visitors. On this day, it was easy to spot advertisements targeting Chinese tourists along the streets of Myeongdong. Alipay and UnionPay, mobile payment platforms widely used by Chinese tourists, set up booths to promote their services. Clothing stores displayed signs in Chinese advertising discount events. Employees at cosmetics stores stood outside, soliciting passersby in Chinese.

However, Myeongdong merchants unanimously said they have yet to feel any significant boost from Chinese tourists. They cited anti-China rallies as the main reason. Even after President Lee Jaemyung criticized the anti-China rallies as "disruptive" on September 9, these rallies continue to impact the business environment.

Although there was no anti-China rally in Myeongdong on this day, voices denouncing China could still be heard loudly. At 2 p.m., the civic group "Chinese Communist Party Out" held a press conference in front of the Seoul Central Post Office, which connects to Myeongdong.

On the 1st, the civic group "Chinese Communist Party Out" held an anti-China press conference in front of the Seoul Central Post Office located in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Gong Byungseon

The distance between Seoul Central Post Office and Myeongdong is less than a five-minute walk. At the press conference, a representative of the civic group said, "The visa-free entry for Chinese citizens permitted by the Lee Jaemyung administration is a treacherous move that endangers national security and the safety of the Korean people. Jeju Island, which has allowed visa-free entry for Chinese citizens for over 10 years, has among the highest crime rates in the country. The Lee Jaemyung administration's decision will make the entire nation face a situation similar to Jeju Island."

In reality, anti-China sentiment is rising both online and offline. Kim Minsu, a Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, said at the party's Supreme Council meeting on September 29, "There is a possibility that criminal organizations could exploit the visa-free system," and added, "Allowing visa-free entry for Chinese citizens is a gamble with public safety." Recently, false rumors have spread on social media, claiming that "Chinese citizens entering visa-free are kidnapping people and engaging in organ trafficking."