<Commentary W> China once again issuing “Limited Korean Order”? Is the worsening relationship between Korea and China having an impact?

Korean media reported that a Hallyu star who was scheduled to make a guest appearance on variety in China was suddenly canceled. South Korea's public broadcaster KBS said, "There are speculations that this may be a sign of the revival of the so-called 'Limited Korea Order,' which restricts the flow of Hallyu culture into China." Also, recently, in China, there is a phenomenon in which access to South Korea's largest portal site "NAVER" is not possible. The South Korean media reports that the Taiwan issue has been affected by the worsening relations between South Korea and China.

Multiple Chinese media reported on May 10th that Korean singer and actor John Yong Hwa (CNBLUE) will appear in the audition program of the video streaming channel, but Beijing Central Radio and Television denied this. He revealed that he has no plans to appear as a guest in the future. On the 17th of this month, John posted a photo on SNS with the Beijing Capital International Airport in the background. With the comment "Beijing, it's been a long time", the program appearance was certain.

On the 23rd, Chinese internet media reported that the appearance was canceled after Chinese internet users reported to the Chinese authorities about John's appearance on the program. In addition, some media outlets said, "It has been confirmed that the 'Limited Korea Order' has not yet been lifted."

In 2016, China protested the agreement between South Korea and the United States to deploy the United States' state-of-the-art ground-based interceptor missile, the THAAD, to South Korea. Decree to limit the number of Koreans was issued. In addition to banning the screening of South Korean movies at Chinese movie theaters and video streaming services, it has also banned the import of South Korean popular culture and the activities of Hallyu stars in China. Although it is regarded as a de facto retaliation by China for opposing the deployment of THAAD, the Chinese government has not officially acknowledged the existence of the Korean Defense Order itself.

However, in December of the year before last, the Korean movie "Oh! Muni" was released in China. In November last year, the online video stream service (OTT) resumed showing Korean movies. As restrictions on TV series and games were gradually lifted, there was a view that the "Limited Korea Order" had been lifted.

Recently, however, there have been movements in China that could be interpreted as resistance or strengthening of the 'Korea Limit Order'. In addition to the above-mentioned cancellation of Mr. Chung's appearance on the program, the South Korean portal site NAVER continues to be difficult to access in major areas of China such as Beijing and Shenyang in Liaoning Province. South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Lim Soo-seok said on May 23rd that they were "confirming this with relevant agencies."

Some speculate that worsening relations between South Korea and China are behind these moves in China. Most recently, South Korean President Yoon Seo-gyul's mention of the Taiwan issue in an interview with Reuters last month provoked a backlash from the Chinese government. "The Taiwan issue should not simply be a problem between China and Taiwan, but should be seen as a global problem that transcends the region, just like the inter-Korean problem," Yoon said.

China's foreign ministry's deputy spokesperson responded by saying, "The Taiwan issue is a matter for the Chinese themselves, and we do not allow anyone else to interfere. The issues of the Korean Peninsula and Taiwan are completely different in nature and background, and cannot be compared," he said, expressing his displeasure with being on the same page. In addition, the Chinese side made a request through the channels of Beijing and Seoul to refrain from words and deeds regarding the Taiwan issue.

At the China-South Korea bureau chief-level diplomatic meeting held on the 22nd, the director-general of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Asia bureau is said to have lodged a protest with the South Korean side.

In addition, China is increasing its restraint on the Yun administration's efforts to strengthen relations with Japan and the United States. South Korea participated in the G7 Summit (Hiroshima Summit) held from 19th to 21st of this month as a guest country. For President Yoon, it has become a stage for appealing to his self-reliant "values diplomacy” that emphasizes freedom, democracy and human rights. A Japan-U.S.-ROK summit meeting was also held, and they agreed to develop cooperation among the three countries to a new level. US President Biden also proposed to invite the leaders of Japan and South Korea to the US soon.

South Korea is still highly dependent on China for trade, and China's cooperation is indispensable even on the North Korean nuclear issue. Experts point out that the Yun administration has shifted the central axis of diplomacy to the United States side and emphasized cooperation between Japan, the United States, and South Korea, as well as cooperation within the international community.

K-POP exports to China from January to April this year amounted to $18,981,000, a threefold increase from the previous year. While the market is expected to expand further, there are disturbing movements reminiscent of the "rejection of the Korean Wave" in China.