Chinese State Media Publishes Article on Korean Tourism... Expectations for Easing of Hanhanryeong

Interview with the Korea Tourism Organization Beijing Branch Manager, "Expecting Expanded Exchanges Between Korea and China on the 30th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations"
Global Times Distorts Media Coverage of BTS Van Fleet Award Acceptance Speech

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Chinese state media published an interview article with Yoo Jin-ho, head of the Korea Tourism Organization's Beijing office, raising expectations for the easing of the Hanhanryeong (Korean Wave restriction order).

On the 19th, Global Times introduced Yoo's remark, "When the rooster crows in Shandong, it can be heard in Incheon," in its newspaper.

In the interview, Yoo emphasized this year as the Year of Korea-China Cultural Exchange and next year as the 30th anniversary of Korea-China diplomatic relations, stating, "The Beijing Winter Olympics next year will promote friendly relations between the two countries," and added, "I hope that Korea-China winter sports tourism exchanges, centered on skiing, will also expand."

He also said, "The Korea Tourism Organization has strived to provide smart and warm tourism opportunities to Chinese tourists," and "I hope that tourism exchanges between Korea and China will resume earlier than with any other country after COVID-19."

Earlier, on the 12th, Global Times also ran an advertisement by the Korea Tourism Organization featuring the Korean idol group EXO and Gyeonghuigung Palace as the background. The advertisement asks whether people have ever experienced Korea and felt Korea's past and present. The newspaper plans to run advertisements introducing Busan and Gangneung in the future.

Global Times is a sister publication of the People's Daily, the Chinese Communist Party's official newspaper, and is considered one of China's five major state media outlets alongside Xinhua News Agency and CCTV. This media outlet has often covered articles that stimulate nationalism, sometimes causing friction with Korea. It has addressed topics such as the Chinese origin theory of kimchi. Last year, it distorted BTS's Van Fleet Award acceptance speech, causing significant backlash.

The publication of this interview article and advertisement is also interpreted as a positive signal from the Chinese government regarding the lifting of the Hanhanryeong and Korean tourism.

On the other hand, there is an uncomfortable view that China, busy seeking allies amid US-China conflicts, may be offering the carrot of lifting the Hanhanryeong to Korea under the pretext of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations.