South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun delivers a speech at the National Assembly in Seoul on July 23, 2025. Photo: VCG

 
South Korean police have launched an investigation into a social group that recently insulted China during a demonstration near the Chinese Embassy in South Korea, the Yonhap News Agency reported on Sunday.

According to Yonhap, the Namdaemun Police Station in Seoul recently summoned members of the right-wing group "Freedom University," which supports former president Yoon Suk-yeol, to appear for questioning on Monday. 

At around 8 pm on the evening of July 22, the group held a rally near the Chinese Embassy in Seoul's Jung District, which it claims to be aimed at condemning election fraud. During the rally, they carried out unfriendly activities towards China, including insulting the Chinese embassy, Yonhap reported.

Article 108 of South Korea's Criminal Code stipulates that insulting or defaming foreign envoys stationed in South Korea may result in imprisonment or confinement for up to three years, according to the Yonhap report.

Since President Lee Jae-myung took office, the South Korean government has sent positive signals of friendliness toward China, shifting to "pragmatic diplomacy" and emphasizing the deepening of bilateral economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, Da Zhigang, director of the Institute of Northeast Asian Studies at the Heilongjiang Provincial Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Sunday. 

This move also reflects that the current South Korean government does not support the actions of some domestic forces to promote anti-China sentiment or undermine bilateral relations. These practices not only go against South Korea's current diplomatic direction, but may also harm South Korea's own interests, the expert said.

The Global Times has reached out to the Chinese Embassy in South Korea for comment, but has not received a response as of press time on Sunday. 

During a visit to The Hankyoreh on August 7, Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Dai Bing expressed concern over the anti-China conspiracy theories propagated by some individuals in South Korean society. He emphasized that as important neighbors, China and South Korea should actively engage in exchanges and cooperation to continuously advance their friendly relations.

The Embassy has also previously expressed firm opposition to any accusations or smears against China. 

On July 9, the Chinese Embassy in South Korea posted a notice on its official WeChat account, reminding Chinese citizens in or coming to South Korea to strengthen safety precautions. The notice said that China congratulates South Korea on its successful presidential election. "We wish South Korea stability, development, and prosperity," it said, adding that exchanges and cooperation between China and South Korea in various fields are also increasing, which serves the common interests of the two peoples. 

"Unfortunately, certain political forces in South Korea have fabricated allegations of 'Chinese interference in the South Korean election' to accuse and smear China. China firmly opposes this," the notice said. 

The Embassy noted that some individuals had recently held anti-China rallies and demonstrations in areas like Myeongdong Street, where Chinese tourists are concentrated, and that extreme actions by some individuals could not be ruled out. The Embassy had lodged a solemn representation with the South Korean side, urging it to take measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens.

Notably, both sides have recently emphasized the need to enhance friendly exchanges and cooperation.

In a recent interview with the Washington Post during a trip to the US, South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun claimed that Seoul has become "rather alert to China's rise and its challenges," while also expressing desires to maintain a good relationship with China. 

When asked what the correct approach to China should be, Cho told the Washington Post, "We will try to send a message to China: 'We want to maintain a good relationship, and [see] you abide by international law in not only bilateral, but in regional affairs.'"

Shortly after the interview, which sparked speculations that it is unfriendly toward China, South Korea's Foreign Ministry also issued a statement, emphasizing that Cho had underscored "the necessity of engagement with China" in discussions with regional partners. His remarks, officials said, were not intended as provocation but as part of a broader strategy to manage China's rise while safeguarding South Korea's strategic interests, according to The Chosun Daily.

On August 5, the Chinese Embassy in South Korea said that strengthening friendly cooperation is in the best interests of China and South Korea and their peoples, in responding to Cho's remarks.

In a statement sent to the Global Times at the time, the Chinese Embassy in South Korea stated that China and South Korea are important neighbors and cooperative partners, and strengthening friendly cooperation is in the best interests of the two countries and their peoples.

"China stands ready to work with South Korea to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and push the China-South Korea strategic cooperative partnership to a higher level," the embassy said in the statement.

Global Times