Lee orders crackdown on protests

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has struck a right note by ordering a crackdown on protests and demonstrations against foreigners within the country, as such acts are "self-destructive", as he called them, according to analysts.

"Rumors and hate speech targeting specific countries and their people are being spread indiscriminately, and racially discriminatory rallies continue," Lee said on Thursday, as quoted by the Yonhap News Agency.

He said the "utterly harmful, self-destructive acts" damage South Korea's national interests and must be completely eradicated.

Lee's remarks came amid concerns that the ongoing protests in downtown Seoul could harm the country's tourism industry, after a visa-free entry program for Chinese group tourists began on Sept 29.

"At a time when we should be grateful, encouraging and welcoming, how can we instead engage in hatred, insults and abusive behavior?" Lee said, noting that Seoul's Myeong-dong tourist area has become more vibrant following the visa-free policy.

Lee urged relevant ministries to intensify efforts to combat activities that jeopardize the safety of foreign visitors and to implement stringent measures to eradicate racially discriminatory acts.

Large anti-China protests were held in downtown Seoul on Friday. Although local police had urged organizers to exercise restraint, banners demeaning China were still seen.

Ahead of the rallies, the Chinese embassy in Seoul expressed regret on Thursday that some politicians in South Korea are spreading disinformation. Certain far-right groups are holding demonstrations targeting China in areas such as Myeong-dong and Daerim-dong in Seoul, where Chinese tourists gather. The embassy is located in Myeong-dong.

In a statement, the embassy said that the planned rallies were ill-intentioned and against public sentiment. It noted that they were held on a festive occasion when Chinese people celebrate National Day and the Mid-Autumn Festival, while South Koreans celebrate the National Foundation Day and Chuseok holidays.

The embassy urged the South Korean government to guarantee the safety and lawful rights and interests of Chinese citizens in the country.

It also stated that the China-South Korea strategic cooperative partnership is expected to see positive and sound growth, and attempts by a small number of political forces will not succeed in affecting this path.

Woo Su-keun, head of the Institute of East Asian Studies of Korea in Seoul and president of the Korea-China Global Association, said that protests may harm tourism and cultural exchanges in the short term.

"This is because Chinese tourists might feel a psychological distance," Woo told China Daily.

However, Woo said the protests will not have any substantial influence since the vast majority of South Koreans view the protests negatively.

"The issue will not escalate into a diplomatic problem," said Woo, adding that he believes the South Korean government will deal with the issue properly, and the protesters will eventually lose their footing and fade away.

In an earlier interview with the Korea JoongAng Daily newspaper, Hong Sung-soo, a law professor at Sookmyung Women's University in Seoul, said the sentiment currently seen in South Korea has become "a direct social threat".

"It is necessary to launch awareness campaigns to clearly show that this is not the prevailing public mood in (South) Korea," said Hong.

Merchants near Myeong-dong also voiced concern that the protests, if they become more frequent, will stop Chinese tourists from visiting the area, according to local media.

kelly@chinadailyapac.com