Seoul Cafe Sparks Anti-Chinese Discrimination Debate Ahead of APEC Summit

A cafe in Seoul's Seongsu-dong district sparked international outrage after posting on social media that it does not accept Chinese customers, a move that ignited heated debates about racial discrimination and rising anti-China sentiment in South Korea. The cafe owner justified the policy by citing negative experiences with Chinese customers, claiming that their presence altered the atmosphere and expressing fears about crimes involving Chinese nationals, stating the ban would remain until social tensions ease. The decision was met with strong criticism from Chinese social media influencers and users worldwide, who labeled the policy as blatant racism and a "global embarrassment," while some Koreans expressed mixed views, acknowledging the owner's frustration but condemning the discrimination. Local authorities, including the Seongdong district mayor, pledged to persuade the cafe to revoke the notice, emphasizing the area's status as a popular tourist destination welcoming visitors from various countries. Experts warned that such exclusionary practices reflect a dangerous normalization of discrimination and called for stronger political and social interventions to prevent hate from spreading. The incident has also fueled online hate movements, with calls to establish "No Chinese Zones" proliferating on social media platforms, further exacerbating tensions.