Street Protests Expose a Deeper Political Shift
In late 2025, South Korea witnessed a surge of anti-China demonstrations that went far beyond routine protest politics. Marchers carried nationalist slogans, anti-Beijing placards, and symbols borrowed from foreign culture wars, amplifying public anxiety. While the rallies appeared spontaneous, analysts say they reflected a deeper transformation in how foreign policy issues are absorbed into domestic political conflict.
The timing heightened concern. Protests intensified just days before South Korea hosted a major regional summit, placing diplomacy and domestic mobilization on a collision course. For policymakers, the episode underscored how external relations are no longer insulated from electoral pressures.
Leadership Warnings and Diplomatic Fallout
President Lee Jae Myung responded publicly, warning that the protests risked harming national interests and South Korea’s international credibility. His remarks signaled unease within the administration about the long-term consequences of politicized diplomacy. Beijing also reacted sharply, with its ambassador criticizing narratives framed for domestic political gain.
These exchanges highlighted how quickly internal political messaging can spill into bilateral tensions. Once public sentiment hardens, leaders face narrower options, even when strategic restraint would otherwise serve national priorities.
Public Sentiment Becomes Politically Embedded
Experts argue the most troubling trend is not state-to-state disagreement, but the spread of hostility at the civilian level. Ryu Ji-won of Wonkwang University describes anti-China sentiment as increasingly embedded in everyday perceptions, particularly through online platforms. Digital amplification turns isolated disputes into enduring emotional narratives.
Over time, this process reshapes political incentives. Parties find it easier to mobilize voters through identity-driven messaging than nuanced diplomacy. The result is a feedback loop in which public sentiment constrains policymakers before negotiations even begin.
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Historical Precedents of Politicized Diplomacy
South Korea has experienced similar dynamics before. A frequently cited example is former president Lee Myung-bak’s 2012 visit to Dokdo, a disputed territory with Japan. While popular domestically, the move triggered a sharp downturn in bilateral relations and stalled security and economic cooperation.
The episode illustrates how symbolic gestures can generate short-term political gains while imposing long-term diplomatic costs. Critics argue such actions demonstrate how foreign policy can be leveraged for domestic consolidation at the expense of strategic flexibility.
Elections and the Risks of Campaign Rhetoric
Foreign policy messaging has repeatedly surfaced during election cycles. During the 2024 general election campaign, Lee Jae Myung faced criticism for remarks perceived as downplaying the importance of a Taiwan Strait crisis. Supporters framed his comments as strategic restraint, while critics warned they revealed the dangers of election-driven rhetoric.
Such moments expose a structural challenge. Issues requiring bipartisan consistency are increasingly filtered through campaign dynamics, raising the risk of miscalculation or mixed signals to international partners.
External Narratives Add Another Layer
The politicization of diplomacy is not confined to domestic actors. External media and foreign commentary actively shape perceptions inside South Korea. Opinion pieces from abroad have sought to reframe domestic debates, portraying anti-China rhetoric as politically motivated or exaggerated.
This external framing complicates policymaking further. When foreign policy becomes a domestic wedge issue, it also becomes a target for influence campaigns, making coherence and credibility harder to maintain.
Strategic Costs of a Polarized Foreign Policy
Analysts warn that structurally embedded hostility narrows future policy options. Any attempt at recalibration risks being labeled appeasement or betrayal, even when adjustments align with national interests. Over time, this rigidity can undermine South Korea’s ability to act as both stakeholder and mediator in a competitive region.
South Korea occupies a unique position amid U.S.–China rivalry, maintaining channels with multiple powers. Preserving that role requires predictability and discipline. As regional tensions persist, the greater challenge may not be choosing sides, but preventing foreign policy from becoming permanently captive to domestic polarization.
