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Two giants, China and Korea, are involved in a very heated cultural feud that has sparked intense debates across the world. From being accused of “cultural theft” to being termed a “Thief Country,” these two nations are engaged in a battle that started centuries ago but is rapidly intensifying.

What’s behind these rising tensions, and why are they becoming increasingly explosive now? With historical claims and cultural exchanges at its core, this conflict is only being fueled further by rising nationalism. But is it just a fight over heritage, or is there more at stake?

Buckle up as we dive into the roots of this fierce cultural dispute and uncover what’s really driving these accusations.

The Cultural Conflict: A Brief Historical Background

Cultural exchanges between China and Korea go back several centuries. Korea has adopted much from Chinese civilization, especially in politics, art, and the writing system, through various dynasties. For instance, during the Goryeo and Joseon eras, Confucian principles and the Chinese writing system were deeply integrated into Korean society. However, as Korea developed its own identity, these elements gradually took on uniquely Korean characteristics.

This historical exchange explains why both cultures share similarities, such as hanbok vs. hanfu, kimchi vs. pao cai, and similar rituals. Yet, despite these shared foundations, disputes have emerged over cultural ownership. China’s growing nationalism and desire to assert global authority have transformed these cultural exchanges into heated debates.

Why Accusations of Thief Country?

China’s accusations against Korea of “stealing” cultural heritage stem from both historical grievances and rising nationalism. Several key factors explain why this narrative resonates in China:

• Cultural Appropriation Concerns: Chinese netizens argue that some elements of Korean culture today originated from China. Thus, when Korea promotes its heritage globally, some Chinese citizens feel it is unfairly claiming elements they consider Chinese.
• Historical Claims: The Northeast Project, initiated in the early 2000s, sought to claim the ancient kingdom of Goguryeo, traditionally part of Korean history, as Chinese. This escalated tensions, as many Koreans saw it as China’s attempt to rewrite history for nationalistic purposes.
• Global Influence of K-pop: The Korean Wave (Hallyu) has popularized K-pop, dramas, and films globally, elevating Korean culture. Chinese nationalists feel threatened by Korea’s dominance in international media, fearing that Korea is taking ownership of elements tied to Chinese history.
• Nationalistic Sentiment: Nationalism plays a significant role in public perceptions of cultural disputes. For some in China, Korea’s global rise symbolizes a decline in China’s cultural dominance. Accusing Korea of “stealing” culture serves as a way to reassert Chinese cultural superiority.

Major Points of Contention: Hanbok, Kimchi, and More

Several cultural artifacts have become flashpoints in the ongoing dispute between China and Korea. These items represent deeper tensions over cultural ownership and historical legitimacy.

1. Hanbok vs. Hanfu

Traditional Korean hanbok and Chinese hanfu share similarities due to historical exchanges. However, when Korean celebrities or K-pop idols wear hanbok, some Chinese commentators claim that the designs are Chinese, not Korean. This argument gained significant traction during the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, when a Chinese woman in hanbok during the opening ceremony caused outrage in South Korea, which saw it as an attempt to claim hanbok as Chinese.

2. Kimchi and the Pao Cai Controversy

Kimchi, Korea’s most iconic dish, has also become a source of tension. China claims that Korea’s fermented cabbage dish originated from its own pao cai, a type of pickled vegetable from Sichuan. The controversy escalated when a Chinese dish received international certification for fermentation, with Chinese media outlets implying a connection to kimchi. Koreans protested, asserting kimchi as a distinct and globally recognized part of their culinary tradition, acknowledged by UNESCO.

3. Goguryeo and Balhae Kingdoms

The historical claims surrounding the Goguryeo and Balhae kingdoms, which ruled parts of modern-day Korea and Manchuria, remain contentious. While Korea considers these kingdoms part of its history, China claims them as extensions of its ancient territories. This ongoing historical tug-of-war continues to fuel modern accusations of cultural theft, with China accusing Korea of distorting history.

China’s “Creepy” Nationalist Campaigns: More Than a Cultural Dispute?

The cultural tensions between China and Korea are no longer limited to historical or academic debates. These disputes have escalated, especially online, with organized nationalist campaigns from China, which many find unsettling and aggressive. China’s campaigns are seen as strategic attempts not only to claim cultural artifacts but also to dominate Korea’s growing global cultural influence. Here’s why these actions go beyond simple cultural pride and delve into more problematic territory:

1. China’s Strategic Cultural Hegemony

China’s efforts to assert cultural dominance over Korea through historical and cultural claims are not random but part of a broader strategy to expand its global influence. One key example is the Northeast Project, launched in 2002, which seeks to reinterpret the history of ancient Korean kingdoms like Goguryeo as part of China’s historical territory.

This initiative sparked deep resentment in Korea, as it was seen as an attempt to distort history and claim elements of Korean heritage as Chinese. Ongoing disputes over hanbok, kimchi, and even the traditional Korean folk song Arirang are viewed by many Koreans as part of China’s bid to establish cultural hegemony.

2. Misinformation Through Chinese Media

Chinese media outlets play a central role in spreading misinformation about Korean cultural elements. A notable example is the state-run tabloid, Global Times, which published a controversial report in November 2020, claiming that kimchi fell under China’s ISO certification for paocai—a Sichuan pickled cabbage dish. This misleading report angered many Koreans, as it implied that China had set a global standard for kimchi production. Despite the ISO clarifying that kimchi was not included in this certification, the damage was done, with many Chinese netizens continuing to claim kimchi as part of China’s culinary heritage.

Similarly, Baidu, China’s largest search engine, perpetuates false information by listing kimchi and hanbok as Chinese cultural assets. This systematic distortion of cultural facts by Chinese media inflames tensions, misleading millions of people both inside and outside China.

3. Manipulation of Mass Media: Drama and Entertainment

Chinese drama series have increasingly incorporated Korean cultural elements, portraying them as Chinese. For instance, the recent historical drama “Royal Feast” became a flashpoint when Chinese actors wore costumes resembling Korea’s hanbok. The show’s producer, Yu Zheng, further fueled the controversy by claiming that hanbok originated from China’s Ming Dynasty, asserting that Korea was merely a vassal state that adopted Chinese styles. Korean netizens criticized this narrative as an attempt to rewrite history and present hanbok as hanfu, the traditional Chinese attire.

Chinese entertainment companies, like Paper Games, have also amplified these distortions. After Chinese netizens claimed hanbok was not authentically Korean, Paper Games removed it from their mobile game Shining Nikki, further angering Koreans and leading to boycotts and refund demands.

4. Economic Leverage and Cyberbullying

China’s economic power plays a significant role in its nationalist campaigns. Chinese companies and markets exert pressure on Korean businesses, influencers, and the entertainment industry. In controversies such as the kimchi and hanbok disputes, Chinese nationalists quickly organize online to demand boycotts of Korean products or pressure companies to cut ties with Korean content creators.

In the case of Shining Nikki, the game developer Paper Games sided with Chinese nationalists, removing hanbok from the game and shutting down its Korean server. Economic leverage is frequently used to suppress challenges to China’s cultural claims, forcing businesses to choose between access to China’s vast market or Korean cultural authenticity.

Additionally, Chinese cyberbullying campaigns target Korean content creators, celebrities, and ordinary citizens, flooding social media with derogatory comments and misinformation. These online attacks, often orchestrated by China’s Wumao Army (government-backed trolls), escalate to the point where rational discourse is drowned out by nationalist propaganda.

5. Using Global Events to Promote Nationalist Narratives

Global events, like the Olympics, have become platforms for China to assert cultural dominance. The inclusion of a hanbok-clad woman during the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics opening ceremony sparked outrage in Korea, as many saw it as an attempt to claim hanbok as Chinese culture. This incident reflects a broader pattern of China using international platforms to present Korean cultural elements as its own, rewriting the global understanding of cultural ownership.

How Korean Youth View China Today

The younger generation in Korea, particularly those in their 20s and 30s, has become increasingly critical of China. Surveys show that anti-China sentiment is at an all-time high among Korean youth, who view China’s actions as authoritarian and disrespectful of international norms and sovereignty. Growing up with democratic values and a global perspective, this generation is especially sensitive to issues of cultural appropriation and historical distortion.

Korean youth are also the primary consumers and creators of Hallyu (the Korean Wave), making them particularly protective of Korea’s cultural heritage. When China claims elements of Korean culture, such as hanbok or kimchi, the younger generation sees it as an attack on their national identity and an attempt to undermine Korea’s global cultural influence. These disputes are met with fierce resistance on social media, with younger Koreans leading the charge to defend their culture against what they perceive as China’s cultural imperialism.

The use of cyberbullying and online misinformation by Chinese netizens has only deepened the mistrust. Many young Koreans feel that China’s behavior reflects a broader pattern of bullying smaller nations, symbolizing the struggle between democracy and authoritarianism in East Asia.

Conclusion

China’s nationalist campaigns are more than expressions of cultural pride; they are part of a larger strategy to assert dominance over Korea’s global cultural influence. From coordinated online harassment to economic coercion and media manipulation, China’s actions have deepened the divide between the two nations. These ongoing disputes will likely shape not only cultural relations between China and Korea but also political dynamics in Northeast Asia for years to come.

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