"Discomfort" Surges as Anti-China Sentiment Grows... Myeongdong Merchants Gripped by Anxiety [Report]

Since September 29, Visa-Free Entry for Chinese Group Tourists
Myeongdong Merchants Say, "We Have Yet to Feel a Boost from Chinese Visitors"
Anti-China Press Conference Held Near Myeongdong

"Are there still no people today?" "No, there aren't!"

At 3:40 p.m. on October 1, street vendors began lining up their stalls along Myeongdong Street in Seoul to sell street food. The street food vendors greeted Lee Hyejung (female, 60), who was selling socks, and asked her about the atmosphere in Myeongdong. While Lee greeted them warmly, she shook her head, saying there were fewer people than expected. The vendors responded to her answer with a bitter smile and began preparing for business.

The scene of Myeongdong street in Seoul on the 1st. Photo by Gong Byungseon

Lee is a long-time fixture in Myeongdong, having run her business there for 30 years. However, she expressed concern that the recovery of the commercial district has been slow, despite the start of visa-free entry for Chinese group tourists. She was angry, saying that anti-China rallies had affected the local business environment. Then, she pulled something out of her pocket. It was 30,000 won.

"Normally, I make about 100,000 won from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. But after several anti-China rallies, not only Chinese people but also other tourists are afraid to come. It's already hard enough for small business owners to make a living, so I really don't understand why this is happening."

Lee added, "Chinese tourists visiting Myeongdong are aware that anti-China sentiment is spreading among Koreans. At a time when we should be attracting more tourists, I can't understand why people are trying to drive them away. I hope there will be no more of these hateful rallies."

On the 1st, Lee Hyejung (60, female), who has been running a business in Myeongdong, Seoul for 30 years, is showing the money she earned in one day. 30,000 won came out of Lee's pocket. Photo by Gong Byungseon

Mr. Kim (male, 36), who runs a cafe, also said, "Maybe there are more tourists in the main streets, but not enough Chinese visitors are coming to the side alleys yet. It's clear that repeated anti-China rallies have hurt local businesses. Customers who used to line up have avoided the area and gone elsewhere because of the rallies."

A Chinese female tourist in her twenties who entered Korea that day said, "I haven't encountered any anti-China rallies yet, but if I do, I think it would be unpleasant."

The government has allowed visa-free entry for Chinese group tourists of three or more people for up to 15 days, from September 29 until June 30 next year. In addition, it expects about 1 million additional Chinese tourists to visit Korea by June next year. There are also high hopes for a boost in tourism during China's National Day holiday, which runs from October 1 to 8.

On the 1st, UnionPay, a Chinese mobile payment platform, set up a booth on the streets of Myeongdong, Seoul, to promote its platform. Photo by Gong Byungseon

Myeongdong has prepared to welcome tourists in line with the start of visa-free entry for Chinese visitors. On this day, it was easy to spot advertisements targeting Chinese tourists along Myeongdong Street. Alipay and UnionPay, mobile payment platforms widely used by Chinese tourists, set up booths to promote their platforms. Clothing stores displayed signs in Chinese advertising discount events on their racks. Employees at cosmetics shops stood outside, calling out to passersby in Chinese to attract customers.

However, Myeongdong merchants said they have not yet felt a significant positive impact from the influx of Chinese tourists. They pointed to anti-China rallies as the main reason. Even after President Lee Jaemyung criticized the rallies as "nonsense" on September 9, the demonstrations have continued to affect local businesses.

Although there were no anti-China rallies in Myeongdong on this day, voices expressing anti-China sentiment were still loud. At 2 p.m., the civic group "Chinese Communist Party Out" held a press conference in front of the Seoul Central Post Office, which is connected to Myeongdong.

The distance between Seoul Central Post Office and Myeongdong is less than a five-minute walk. At the press conference, a representative of the civic group stated, "The visa-free entry for Chinese citizens allowed by the Lee Jaemyung administration is a treasonous act that puts Korea's security and the safety of its people at risk. Jeju Island, which has allowed visa-free entry for Chinese nationals for over 10 years, has one of the highest crime rates among all provinces and cities in Korea. The Lee Jaemyung administration's decision to allow visa-free entry for Chinese citizens will make the whole country like Jeju Island."

On the 1st, the civic group "Chinese Communist Party Out" held an anti-China press conference in front of the Seoul Central Post Office located in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Gong Byungseon

In reality, anti-China sentiment is rising both online and offline. On September 29, Kim Minsu, a Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, said at a party leadership meeting, "There is a risk that criminal organizations could exploit the visa-free system," and added, "Allowing visa-free entry for Chinese nationals is a gamble with public safety." Recently, fake news has also spread on social media, claiming that "Chinese nationals entering without a visa are kidnapping people and engaging in organ trafficking."