A growing tide of protest and sentiment
As China’s President Xi Jinping prepares to attend the APEC Summit in South Korea from October 30 to November 1, 2025, the country is simultaneously grappling with an escalating wave of anti-China sentiment. Thousands of demonstrators, many from right-wing groups, have taken to Seoul’s streets holding signs such as “Korea for Koreans” and shouting slogans like “Send the Communists away”.
President Lee Jae‑Myung has called the sights “self-destructive” and warned that such protests damage national interests and international image at a critical diplomatic moment.
Root causes: economic discomfort, geopolitics and identity
Several overlapping issues help explain this surge:
- China’s economic retaliation after South Korea hosted the U.S. missile-defence system previously, and ongoing disputes over fishing rights and cultural appropriation.
- The government’s recent move to allow visa-free entry for Chinese tourist groups, which some locals see as compromising national security and labour competition, has added fuel.
- Youth unemployment, housing stress and generational frustration in South Korea are giving anti-China narratives a receptive audience, especially when tied to nationalism.
Diplomatic implications ahead of Xi’s visit
Xi’s visit to South Korea holds strategic importance: beyond APEC, the two countries have trade, security and regional posture connections to navigate. The domestic unrest complicates Seoul’s ability to host smoothly, project stability, and manage relations with Beijing. Analysts note that public-opinion ambivalence toward China presents a diplomatic tightrope — balancing economic ties with nationalist sentiment.
The government’s response and the risk of escalation
President Lee’s directive on October 2 ordered a crackdown on anti-Chinese and anti-foreigner rallies, citing the need to protect the country’s image and economy. Authorities have blocked key protest zones (for example Seoul’s Myeongdong and Chinese-business districts) and announced monitoring of activities that may target foreign residents. But civil-society observers warn that suppressing expression without addressing grievances risks driving sentiment underground or into more extreme forms.
Why this matters beyond media headlines
- Trade and investment: South Korea is China’s important trading partner; anti-China public sentiment could chill investment, tourism or supply-chain decisions.
- Regional security dynamics: Seoul must also manage its U.S. alliance, China relationship, and the North Korea factor — domestic unrest weakens its strategic positioning.
- Social cohesion and minority safety: Chinese residents and businesses in South Korea are already reporting fear and uncertainty, raising concerns about discrimination and diplomatic backlash.
- Narrative setting ahead of the summit: With Xi arriving and global attention on the APEC summit, South Korea’s domestic sentiment will colour how the trip is perceived both at home and abroad.
The takeaway
South Korea finds itself balancing on a knife-edge: publicly hosting one of China’s most powerful leaders while privately managing a swelling wave of anti-China sentiment among its population. The coming days will test not only Korean diplomacy but also how South Korea negotiates its national identity, economic dependencies and foreign-policy alignment in an age of U.S.–China rivalry.
