Anti-Chinese Sentiment Supposedly Growing in South Korea

I don’t think six people protesting in front of the Chinese embassy means much of anything:

Public sentiment toward China is worsening here after two Korean photojournalists were beaten by more than a dozen Chinese security guards during a trade event attended by President Moon Jae-in in Beijing, Thursday.

The incident came a day after a dispute about Moon being greeted by Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Kong Xuanyou upon Moon’s arrival at Beijing for a state visit.

Kong’s rank is disputed because China previously sent its vice foreign minister or upper-level officials to greet heads of state visiting the country.

Under the circumstances, the attack on Korean photographers agitated feelings here that China is still humiliating and mistreating Korea despite the agreement they reached in October to end the row over the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery deployed in Korea.

Citing a statement issued by the Korea Professional Photographers Association in protest of Thursday’s attack, the opposition accused China, Friday, of “committing violence against the Republic of Korea.”

“It should be made clear the pride of our people is severely bruised,” said Ahn Cheol-soo, chairman of the second-largest opposition People’s Party. “Korean diplomacy cannot hang its head in shame.”  (……)

Main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) Chairman Hong Joon-pyo echoed a similar view separately.

“The Chinese leader was not there after inviting a state guest. This is no more than paying tribute to a Chinese emperor,” he said.  [Korea Times]

You can read more at the link, but could you imagine what the reaction in South Korea would be if the Japanese government snubbed ROK leaders and beat down journalists?  I guarantee there would be more than six people protesting in front of the Japanese embassy.

My opinion is that South Koreans are more hesitant to protest China because they know the Chinese will respond.  The current THAAD retaliation and the how the Chinese government sent thugs to beatdown people in the streets of Seoul back in 2008, or the Great Garlic War of 2000 are perfect examples.  The Japanese on the other hand are easy targets because you can protest them, bash them, and put up statues everywhere and they do little to nothing in retaliation.