[Report] "Are We Monsters?" 100 Days of COVID-19, the Hate That Scarred Daerim-dong

100 Days Since Korea's First COVID-19 Case on the 28th
Daerim-dong Residents Deeply Wounded by COVID-19 Stigma
Chinese-Korean Association: "Wish There Were No Prejudice Against Outsiders..."

On the afternoon of the 27th, the area around Daerim Central Market in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, is bustling with people visiting the market. Photo by Yeonju Kim, intern reporter yeonju1853@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporters Seunggon Han, Intern Reporter Yeonju Kim] "Are we monsters?", "It hurts so much"

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis has not only caused fear of the spread of the epidemic but also created hatred toward Chinese people, as the origin of COVID-19 was known to be Wuhan, China.

Among them, Daerim-dong in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, where many Chinese-Koreans live, was hit hard by this hatred. Some media outlets described Daerim Central Market using terms like 'unsanitary,' 'street vendors,' 'serious hygiene issues,' and 'spitting.'

These market conditions were no different from other markets, but since only Daerim-dong was singled out and reported, residents of Daerim-dong suffered great wounds. Some even suspected them of being human viruses.

Today (the 28th), 100 days after the first confirmed COVID-19 case in Korea, they are still struggling with 'finger-pointing' and 'hateful gazes.'

On the 27th, residents of Daerim-dong repeatedly refused interviews with reporters. They were anxious that their words might be conveyed differently from their intentions, ultimately trapping Daerim-dong again in hateful views.

Two women in their 40s hurried away after revealing they were reporters, saying, "I don't know anything." Another man in his 40s briefly answered "Yes" when asked about "discriminatory behavior toward Chinese-Koreans due to COVID-19" and quickly left.

A woman in her 40s who sells side dishes near Daerim-dong kept turning her head during the interview with Asia Economy reporters. She said, "I have been in Korea for 10 years from China," and lamented, "When COVID-19 first spread, the hatred toward Chinese was so severe that I couldn't go outside."

She added, "Especially the finger-pointing at Daerim-dong hurt me a lot." She continued, "At that time, everyone was so hurt that no one said anything to each other. I stayed home and only came out about two weeks ago. Now, it’s a bit better."

On the afternoon of the 27th, around Daerim Central Market in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yeonju Kim, intern reporter yeonju1853@asiae.co.kr

◆ "An Unforgettable Wound" Daerim-dong Residents Deeply Hurt by COVID-19 Hate

"I think Korea considers Chinese-Koreans the easiest target. They think all Chinese-Koreans are gangsters and criminals."

A man in his 50s who has run a restaurant in Daerim-dong for eight years expressed his pain from COVID-19 hatred, saying, "What’s the point of talking about the wounds I received? It’s even scary."

He said, "Chinese-Koreans came to Korea to earn money. If you’re going to treat us like this, why did you give us visas?" He vented, "How would people feel if they were called dirty and bad when they live honestly?"

He continued, "During the peak of COVID-19, I couldn’t even speak outside. I was afraid that people would curse me as a Joseonjok or use slurs and harm me based on my accent, so I kept quiet. It was very hard. It’s a bit better now, but it’s an unforgettable wound."

A woman in her 40s working in the travel industry near Daerim Station shared a similar experience. She raised her voice, saying, "I don’t even like the term Chinese-Korean. I wish no one mentioned it."

She added, "Even if we do good things, people first insult us when they hear the term Chinese-Korean. Especially if one Chinese-Korean commits a petty crime, all Chinese-Koreans are treated as criminals."

She continued, "We live just like Koreans. If I don’t open my mouth outside, can you tell which country I’m from? No, right? But when I see the news or newspapers, they say Chinese-Koreans are uncivilized, don’t wash, and are dirty. Regarding COVID-19, the news says Chinese-Koreans spit anywhere, touch food with their hands, and eat with their hands. But where are those people here? Find one and bring them. It’s just too much," she said passionately.

On the afternoon of the 27th, the area around Daerim Central Market in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, appeared quiet. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@asiae.co.kr

A man in his 30s who asked not to reveal his occupation vented the grievances he had endured. He said, "So far, no one in Daerim-dong has contracted COVID-19. As far as I know, no confirmed patients have visited Daerim-dong," expressing his frustration.

He continued, "But the news made it seem like the epidemic started in Daerim-dong. We are not monsters. We are all human beings. Why do they upset people who live quietly? Why do they point fingers at people who are trying hard to settle down? It’s very disheartening."

He added, "I had some affection for Korea, but it feels like it was all for nothing. I hope the hatred toward Chinese-Koreans stops. It’s a bit better now as usual, but who knows when the topic of Chinese-Koreans will come up again..." he trailed off.

Kim Yong-seon, Honorary President of the Chinese-Korean Unity Association, pleaded for an end to the hatred caused by COVID-19. Kim said, "During the COVID-19 outbreak, hatred toward Chinese exploded," adding, "It’s true that people became withdrawn. Although it was revealed that Daerim-dong and Chinese-Koreans were not the cause of the epidemic spread, no media covered this."

He continued, "They received hatred and fabricated fake news as if it were true, spreading hatred toward Chinese-Koreans without hesitation. I don’t know what is gained by hating like this."

He added, "Many Chinese-Koreans are struggling. Still, they don’t just withdraw but settle down in Korea and volunteer and support when bad things happen in Korea. They sent masks and other supplies to support Gyeongbuk, which suffered greatly from COVID-19. They are truly compatriots. I hope the prejudice of seeing them as foreigners can be reduced."