"Why is Kimchi called 'Sinchi'? Absurd Measure"… Ministry of Culture Withdraws Chinese Notation Following Cheong Petition

Chinese Characters for Kimchi: Not 'Paochai (泡菜)' but 'Sinchi (辛奇)'

Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition website screen capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recently decided to specify the Chinese translation and notation of kimchi as 'Xinqi' (辛奇), but a petition calling for its withdrawal has drawn attention.

On the 5th, Kim Byung-gi, an emeritus professor of Chinese Language and Literature at Jeonbuk National University, posted a petition titled "Please withdraw the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's announcement to change the Chinese notation of kimchi to Xinqi (辛奇, pronounced Xinqi in Chinese)" on the Blue House National Petition Board. As of 4:30 p.m. that day, the petition had received over 8,200 endorsements.

Professor Kim acknowledged, "The Chinese government mandates that all products sold in China must display Chinese characters (Hanja) names, so it is recognized that a Hanja name is necessary to introduce Korean kimchi to the Chinese market," but emphasized, "Notating kimchi as Xinqi is an absurd measure. This action by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism must be withdrawn."

He pointed out, "Using 'Xinqi' instead of 'kimchi' diminishes the meaning of our proud traditional proper noun that has been used for hundreds of years, and it will cause significant damage to the image of kimchi both domestically and internationally. Establishing 'Xinqi' as a substitute term for kimchi could lead to misunderstandings that Korea has abandoned the word 'kimchi' and adopted a newly coined term 'Xinqi,' or even mistakenly believe that a new product similar to kimchi called 'Xinqi' has been developed."

He continued, "This could also have a huge negative impact on other foreign countries besides China. It risks confusing foreigners who already know kimchi, and the inconsistency in terminology used for promoting kimchi will greatly reduce promotional effectiveness."

Additionally, Professor Kim stated, "Hanja is by no means exclusive to China. Korea has used it for over 2,000 years, and Japan also uses it as a shared East Asian script. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's recent measure is a hasty action taken solely with China in mind, based on the premise that Hanja is never used in Korea."

Furthermore, he criticized, "How Chinese people write and pronounce Korean proper nouns is entirely their issue. For us to step in and create a new name 'Xinqi,' abandoning the original pronunciation of the proper noun 'kimchi,' is a foolish act that abandons our pride and a ruinous form of new-style servility."

Finally, Professor Kim warned, "Unless we withdraw the term 'Xinqi,' Chinese people may soon say, 'Korea has Xinqi, right? Kimchi, or pao cai, is a traditional Chinese food,'" and reiterated his petition urging the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to immediately withdraw the notation 'Xinqi.'