Anti-China Disinformation Impacts South Korea’s Year of Crisis

South Korea’s anti-China sentiment fuels political disinformation wave

A failed attempt by former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to impose martial law last year triggered a cascade of disinformation targeting China, with unsubstantiated claims of Beijing’s interference spreading widely through right-wing networks and social media.

In the aftermath of Yoon’s political crisis and subsequent impeachment, his supporters began circulating theories that China had orchestrated his downfall. These claims included allegations that Beijing had infiltrated protests, funded his impeachment campaign, and manipulated online opinion ahead of the June snap election that brought opposition leader Lee Jae Myung to power.

Yoon himself contributed to these suspicions during televised remarks last December when he warned that “forces linked to North Korea and China are threatening our democracy from within.” The narrative gained traction among his supporters and eventually spilled into public demonstrations, with groups marching through Seoul this autumn waving flags and chanting slogans against “Chinese infiltration.”

However, an AFP Fact Check investigation found no substantial evidence supporting the most widespread claims. The review revealed that many viral stories—including allegations about “99 Chinese spies” being arrested at the National Election Commission—were fabricated or based on manipulated evidence.

This particular claim spread rapidly through conservative forums like Ilbe and DC Inside before being amplified by right-wing media outlets. AFP found that the photos accompanying these reports actually showed Chinese fishermen detained for illegal fishing in 2016. Both the National Election Commission and US Forces Korea confirmed these reports were “entirely false.”

“Younger Koreans already had strong resentment toward China over cultural and historical issues,” explained Ha Nam-suk, a professor at the University of Seoul. “After Yoon’s impeachment, online influencers weaponized that resentment, turning frustration into political identity.”

The disinformation campaign intensified during the Constitutional Court’s deliberations over Yoon’s removal from office. Top judge Moon Hyung-bae became a target when a doctored image circulated showing him “swearing allegiance before a Chinese flag.” The original Yonhap photograph had shown South Korea’s flag.

Such fabricated content contributed to growing public distrust in the judiciary. Several surveys conducted early this year indicated that public distrust in the court had risen beyond 40 percent.

When Lee won the presidency, similar themes resurfaced. Social media posts falsely claimed that The Guardian had reported China helped Lee win the election. In reality, the article cited a White House official’s general concerns about Chinese influence in democracies without mentioning South Korea’s election.

Conservative lawmaker Yoo Sang-bum nonetheless claimed Chinese nationals “heavily participated in pro-impeachment rallies,” while popular right-wing YouTuber Shin In-kyun asserted the election “proved how deeply Chinese influence runs in our politics.”

The Justice Ministry’s introduction of a visa-free program for Chinese group tourists in August further inflamed tensions. Former prime minister Hwang Kyo-ahn claimed it was a plot to enable fraud in next year’s elections, despite the National Election Commission’s clarification that only foreigners with at least three years of permanent residency can vote in local elections.

Experts suggest these narratives reflect deeper political and cultural dynamics. “There used to be goodwill toward China, a sense of economic partnership,” said Ha Nam-suk. “But as competition deepened and cultural disputes intensified, frustration turned into resentment. Politicians understood that, and some used it as a convenient rallying tool.”

Kim Hee-gyo, a professor at Kwangwoon University, noted that after Yoon’s removal from office, hard-liners needed a new focus for their grievances. “They filled the vacuum by constructing an external enemy, turning general anti-China feeling into ideological sinophobia,” he explained.

The phenomenon extends beyond South Korea’s borders. “Across democracies, we’re watching crusade-style politics take root—where one side must die for the other to survive,” Ha observed.