"Why Create a Little China in South Korea?" Gangwon-do 'Chinatown' Opposition 청원 to Blue House

"Withdraw the Construction of Chinatown in Gangwon-do" 청원 at Blue House Gains 180,000 Supporters
Gangwon-do States "No Provincial Budget Will Be Allocated"

Incheon Chinatown. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Amid rising anti-China sentiment due to China's recent claims that kimchi and hanbok are part of its own culture, public opposition is growing against the 'Korea-China Cultural Town Construction Project' underway in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province. The 'Korea-China Cultural Town,' which is ten times the size of Incheon Chinatown, is scheduled for completion in 2022 and will feature various facilities such as traditional Chinese gardens to promote tourism.

On the 29th, a petition titled "Please Withdraw the Construction of Gangwon Province Chinatown" was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board. As of 9 a.m. on the 31st, the petition had received over 186,800 signatures.

The petitioner stated, "I recently heard news that the construction speed of the planned Chinese Cultural Town is being accelerated. Even if exchange and cooperation are important in Korea-China relations, this is an incomprehensible idea," adding, "Why should we create a little China in South Korea? This is South Korea. The people cannot understand why we should provide an excuse for experiencing Chinese culture on our land and firmly oppose it. Do not give Korean land to China."

The petitioner also criticized the Legoland theme park under construction on Hajeongdo Island in Chuncheon, saying, "The Hajeongdo prehistoric site is the world's largest archaeological site where tremendous artifacts have been excavated. Destroying such a valuable site for foreigners is an incomprehensible idea and could result in our history being buried."

Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition Board capture.

The petitioner also addressed Governor Choi Moon-soon of Gangwon Province, saying, "I want to ask why you are pushing forward with the construction despite opposition from the public and Gangwon residents," and raised their voice, "Even if Chinese capital is involved, this can never be justified and is an 'unacceptable act.'"

They continued, "The public is increasingly anxious about losing their own culture due to China's intensifying Northeast Project. Recently, a writer from a Chinese agency distorted Korean history with false stories, causing great deprivation and anger," emphasizing, "We must now stand up against China, which continues to 'plunder' our unique culture such as kimchi, hanbok, and gat."

Finally, the petitioner concluded, "No matter the situation, nothing is more important than the safety and peace of one's own country. If you truly care about your country, please listen to Korea and its people," adding, "The people oppose Gangwon Province becoming Sinified and do not want a massive Chinatown to be built."

As the controversy grew, Gangwon Province explained that the Korea-China Cultural Town is merely a themed tourist destination and not a facility for collective residence of Chinese people. They also emphasized that the province is only providing administrative support such as permits for the project, which integrates Korea-China culture and IT new technologies, and that no provincial budget is being invested.

Previously, Gangwon Province announced plans to create a Chinese complex cultural town within the Lavie Belle Tourist Complex located in Chuncheon City and Hongcheon County.

The Korea-China Cultural Town, covering an area of 1.2 million square meters (360,000 pyeong), will include a traditional Chinese street, media art, a Hallyu video theme park, a K-pop museum, a Shaolin Temple experience space, traditional Chinese gardens, and a food zone selling eight major Chinese dishes and famous liquors to promote tourism. This is ten times the size of Incheon Chinatown.

Regarding this, Governor Choi, who attended the launch ceremony of the Chinese complex cultural town project in 2019, said, "It will be a place of cultural exchange where Korean and Chinese cultures harmonize and attract global attention," adding, "I hope it will be completed in 2022, the 30th anniversary of Korea-China diplomatic relations and the year of the Beijing Olympics, contributing to the promotion of Korea-China cultural exchange, tourism in the province, regional economic revitalization, and job creation through early groundbreaking."