Controversy Erupts Over Chinese Flag Displayed Alongside South Korean Flag in Jeju

A recent incident on a beach in Udo, Jeju Island, has sparked controversy after the Chinese national flag, known as the 五星红旗 (Wǔxīng hóngqí), was displayed next to the South Korean flag, the 태극기 (Taegeukgi). The flag was reportedly installed by a Chinese employee working at a nearby café. According to officials from the Udo Township Office, the employee stated that the flag was meant to serve as a photo zone to attract more Chinese tourists to the area. However, local authorities expressed concern that this would benefit the café more than the island itself and warned that the beach, being public land, could not be used for such displays without permission. Following the uproar, the Jeju City Marine and Fisheries Department visited the site and ordered the immediate removal of the flag, threatening fines if compliance was not met. The incident gained attention after a social media user posted a video showing both flags side by side along the coastal road, which included additional decorations like a piano and lotus flower models, creating a tourist photo opportunity. The video quickly went viral, leading to public outcry with comments questioning the presence of the Chinese flag in Jeju and calling for action against such displays. In 2024, Jeju welcomed approximately 1.9 million foreign tourists, with Chinese visitors making up 68.4% of that number, highlighting the region's growing dependence on Chinese tourism.