Anti-South Korean sentiment oranti-Republic of Korea sentiment (simplyanti-ROK sentiment) refers to opposition or hostility towards theSouth Korea. While anti-South Korean or anti-ROK sentiment are distinct from "anti-Korean sentiment" related to ethnic hostilities, they may also include racist elements such as hostility towards the South Korean people.
TheKorean Wave, a reference to the global trend of South Korean popular culture since the 1990s, has caused pushbacks in some countries.
| Country polled | Positive | Negative | Neutral | Pos-Neg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 China | 25% | 71% | 2 | −46 |
 Germany | 11% | 32% | 57 | −21 |
 Spain | 24% | 42% | 34 | −18 |
 Brazil | 36% | 46% | 18 | −10 |
 Mexico | 36% | 42% | 22 | −6 |
 Greece | 24% | 29% | 47 | −5 |
 Pakistan | 19% | 22% | 59 | −3 |
 India | 27% | 28% | 45 | −1 |
 Peru | 37% | 37% | 26 | 0 |
 Kenya | 34% | 34% | 32 | 0 |
 France | 45% | 44% | 11 | 1 |
| Global average | 37% | 36% | 27 | 1 |
 Nigeria | 44% | 34% | 22 | 10 |
 Canada | 47% | 36% | 17 | 11 |
 United Kingdom | 52% | 40% | 8 | 12 |
 Russia | 32% | 20% | 48 | 12 |
 Indonesia | 37% | 23% | 40 | 14 |
 United States | 51% | 33% | 16 | 18 |
 Australia | 61% | 24% | 15 | 37 |
 Turkey | 70% | 21% | 9 | 49 |
Despite the popularity of South Korean culture in Brazil among young people,[2] some anti-Korean incidents have occurred in Brazil.[3] In 2017, the Brazilian television hostRaul Gil was accused of racism and xenophobia while making derogatory jokes to Asians and a "slit eye" gesture during a live interview with theK-Pop groupK.A.R.D. This drew backlash from the Brazilian and foreign press.[4][5][6] In 2019, a Brazilian couple published several videos on social media making fun of Korean food and language during a trip to South Korea. The case generated harsh criticism on social media.[7]
At the end ofWorld War II, North Korea, which was aligned with theSoviet bloc, became an ally of thePeople's Republic of China (PRC), while the PRC and theRepublic of Korea did not recognize each other. During theKorean War, when China was engaged in war with South Korea and itsUnited Nations allies, propaganda was used to indoctrinate people into hating South Korea, which was called a "puppet state" of the United States by the PRC government of the time.[8]
From 1992 onward, after South Korea'snormalization of relations with China, the relationship between the two nations gradually improved. From 2000 onward,Korean popular culture became popular within China.[citation needed]
A February 2021 survey conducted by scholars fromRice University, theUniversity of British Columbia, and theLee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy had 43% of Chinese respondents expressing an unfavorable view of South Korea, compared to 49% expressing a favorable view.[9]
In Indonesia, Anti-Korean sentiment emerged in the 2000s. The emergence of anti-Korean sentiment is caused by several factors, such asplastic surgery andatheism in South Korea. Some Indonesians call Koreans "plastic".[10] This stereotype arises because of the popularity of plastic surgery in South Korea.[11] This stereotype has strengthened since the suicide of the former member ofShinee,Jonghyun.[12] In addition, there are assumptions that Korean drama lovers are excessive and people of Korea are always committing adultery.[13][14] It was reported in 2013 that someBali businesses had put up signs prohibiting Korean customers, due to reports that a number of them flouted regulations during their stay.[15][16]
In 2021, a South Korean man allegedly launched a racist attack against an Indonesian woman on social media, this sparked anger among Indonesian public and triggered further anti-Korean sentiment in the country.[17] also in that year, A Korean internet personality living in the country named SunnyDahye also under fire by Indonesian people due to her past comments calling Indonesians are "stupid" and she also allegedly pretended to fast during the month ofRamadhan, the live coverage of the2020 Olympics in garnered ire to some Indonesians after MBC mistakenly setting a picture of the map ofMalaysia when theIndonesian contingent arrives at the opening ceremony.[citation needed]
In June 2024, it has been widely discussed on social media about racism committed by some South Koreans in a website called Indosarang. It is an online forum used by South Korean workers living in Indonesia. In the forum, several user have madederogatory comments towards Indonesians and their religion.[18]
Because of theCOVID-19 pandemic, South Korean tourists were instructed to avoid public places and remain in isolation in their hotels.[19] The Israeli military announced its intention to quarantine South Korean nationals to a military base.[20] Many of the remaining South Koreans were rejected by hotels and were forced to spend nights atBen Gurion Airport.[21] An Israeli newspaper subsequently published a Korean complaint that "Israel is Treating [Korean and other Asian] Tourists Like Coronavirus".[22] South Korean Foreign MinisterKang Kyung-wha has described Israel's response as "excessive".[23]
In early 2020, a leading Italian music school banned allEast Asian students from attending classes due to coronavirus fear, with South Koreans the largest nationality being affected.[24][25] South Korean students also describe being barred from the building and being mocked by other students because of their origin. In addition, some South Korean residents have reported fear of leaving their homes amid rising incidents of discrimination and mockery, and others considered leaving Italy because they could not "stay in a place that hates us".[26]
TheKorean Wave, or the exportation of South Korean pop culture, has created some negative feelings among pockets of Japanese society. Many Japanese citizens with conservative views and someright-wingnationalist groups have organized anti-Korean Wave demonstrations via2channel. On 9 August 2011, more than 2,000 protesters demonstrated in front ofFuji TV's headquarters inOdaiba,Tokyo against the broadcasting ofKorean dramas.[27] Earlier, in July 2011, well-known actorSousuke Takaoka was fired from his agency,Stardust Promotion, for tweeting criticisms against the influx of Korean dramas.[28] The general perception of Koreans on 2channel is negative, with users depicting them as a violent, unethical, and irrational people who are a 'threat' to Japan.[29] Users often reference stereotypes of Koreans, such as theuse of dogs in Korean cuisine.[30]
In 2008, it was reported that some South Korean men tooksex tourism trips to Mongolia, often as clients of South Korean-run businesses in the country. This was said to spark anti-Korean sentiment and an increased number of assaults on South Korean nationals in the country.[31]
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Naval skirmishes frequently occur between the two states, with North Korea targeting South Korean naval bases. TheBombardment of Yeonpyeong was cited by former UN ambassadorBill Richardson to be "the most serious crisis on the Korean peninsula since the 1953 armistice".[32]
In January 2024,Kim Jong Un was officially reported to abandon the goal ofreunification,[33] and recognize South Korea as a "primary foe and invariable principal enemy".[34]
Ethnographic fieldwork done inSabang from 2003 to 2015 found that the influx of [South] Koreans was viewed negatively by some locals and resident Westerners.[35] South Koreans were also identified in 2007 as the top violator of immigration laws according to the PhilippineBureau of Immigration.[36]
Many South Korean social media influencers have been accused of a marketing strategy dubbedpinoy baiting,[37] a practice that many other foreigners are also accused of.[38] The strategy refers to the insincere usage, appropriation, and acknowledgment of Filipino culture by foreigners to pander to a Filipino audience.
Some Filipinos perceive Koreans to be rude and to refuse integration intoFilipino culture.[39] Another area of concern was the prohibition of South Korean tourists from doing business with local tourist firms by South Korean tour operators. This would mean that Filipino firms would benefit significantly less from South Korean tourists.[citation needed]
Some Korean media portrayals of Filipinos in movies such asWandeuki (Punch) and negative treatment of Filipino-born or Filipino-raised celebrities living in South Korea such as politicianJasmine Lee and entertainerSandara Park, have worsened Filipino views of Koreans.[40] In an interview, Sandara Park stated, "[Filipinos] are really gentle. I feel upset because the Korean media only reports crime [when talking about the Philippines]."[41]
SenatorJinggoy Estrada proposed banning all Korean dramas and movies in the Philippines, and said "My observation is if we continue showing Korean telenovelas, our citizens praise the Koreans while Filipino artists continue losing jobs and money. So sometimes it comes to my mind that we should ban the telenovelas of the foreigners, and the Filipino artists who have great talent in acting are what we should be showing in our own country."[42][43] Estrada clarified that he was only frustrated "that while we are only too eager and willing to celebrate South Korea's entertainment industry, we have sadly allowed our own to deteriorate because of the lack of support from the movie going public."[44][45]
In September 2020, Filipino-American TikTok starBella Poarch posted a video of herself dancing, in which Japan'srising sun flag could be seen tattooed on her arm. South Koreans swarmed the comments section saying the tattoo was offensive and that she should apologize and get it removed.[46]
Shortly after backlash and criticism from her video, Bella posted a comment of apology on TikTok : "I'm very sorry if my tattoo offends you," she wrote. "I love Korea, please forgive me." Additionally, her caption read, "I would never do anything to hurt anyone." Bella also explained that she got the tattoo back in March 2020 but had it scheduled for removal. She also promised to learn more about the symbol's history and help educate people further on the symbol, but has been unable to remove the tattoo as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite the apology, many South Korean users continued with hostile comments, attacking Filipinos referring to them aspoor, slaves, ugly, and uneducated, as well as making racist remarks. The issue soon spilled over Twitter, sparking an argument on Korea's racist attitudes and the long history between South Korea and the Philippines. Along with #CancelKorea, the hashtags #ApologizeToFilipinos including #CancelRacism and #한국취소 (meaning Cancel Korea, or inHanja: #韓國取消) also trended with Twitter, with Filipino users airing out their anger at the mockery and insults.[47]
However, the anger was relieved when other South Korean netizens apologized on behalf of the racist remarks, spreading the hashtag '미안해요 필리핀 (#SorryToFilipinos)'. From these apologies, some Filipinos suggested to change the hashtag #CancelKorea to #CancelRacism.[48] Some Filipino netizens went out to apologize for any offensive remarks made against the Koreans during the spat, using the hashtag #SorryToKoreans and accepting the apology.[49][50]
Within Taiwan, some existing animosity towards South Koreans amongst Taiwanese may be present as a result of the rivalry between the two states in relation to baseball.[51][52] Disputes between Taiwan and Korea in the international sport competition arose numerous times.
In November 2010, Taiwanese citizens protested against the disqualification ofTaekwondo athleteYang Shu-chun at the2010 Asian Games after a Korean-Filipino referee[53][54] disqualified a Taiwanese fighter.[55] Images and messages deriding South Korean products and culture were widely shared online. There were reports of restaurants displaying 'No Koreans' signs on their doors, and protesters burning the Korean flag or destroying South Korean products.[56]
On 23 August 1992, South Korea's "Nordpolitik" (Northern diplomacy) have made it to establish a diplomatic ties with the People's Republic of China after Soviet Union. This resulted in the change in the diplomatic relationship of South Korea with the Republic of China, since it replaced anti-communist foreign policy with an effort to improve relations with other surrounding countries in the sense of geopolitics, including the People's Republic of China, in order to pressure and appease North Korea that eases the political anxiety and softens military tension in the Korean Peninsula and enables the possibility of a peaceful reunification of Korea. As normalization begun, PresidentRoh transferred diplomatic recognition from the ROC to PRC, and confiscated the property of the ROC embassy, transferring it to the PRC.[57]
According to an official from the Korean trade office in Taipei, sales of Korean products are not very successful in Taiwan because "the Taiwanese felt very betrayed after Korea severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan and reestablished ties with China in 1992, because the people of Taiwan had seen Korea as an ally in the fight against Communism... Now because the two countries have similar export-oriented economies and focus on the same business sectors, the Taiwanese see Korea as a great rival, and think that losing to Korea would be the end of Taiwan."[58] (South Korea's GDP and population are more than twice those of Taiwan, but the two countries competing in the semiconductor sector.)[59]
The popularity of theKorean wave in Thailand has led some Thai authorities to cast it as a threat to local culture.[60] Some locals in 2017 reportedly began to perceive Hallyu negatively or as a form ofcultural imperialism.[61]
It has been reported that South Korean soldiers committed war crimes during the Vietnam War that killed somewhere between 40,000 and 50,000 civilians, which has led to lingering anti-Korean sentiment especially amongst older Vietnamese people.[62] The South Korean government has long denied these charges. However, in 2020, reported Vietnamese survivors of these war crimes, including citizen Nguyen Thi Thanh,[63] filed lawsuits against South Korea.[62] By contrast, Vietnam and North Korea enjoyed a more positive relationship in the Vietnam War.[64]
Allegations ofsex trafficking in South Korea of Vietnamese women has also sparked some negative sentiment amongst Vietnamese people.[65]
While the Korean Wave has been mostly enthusiastically accepted among younger women in Vietnam, there has been some pushback from government and the public.[66] Criticisms focused on the perceived femininity of Korean male idols and perceived self-indulgence that went against the spirit of the collectivist Communist culture.[66]
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