A Chinese YouTube channel with a significant following recently uploaded a video alleging that President Yoon Suk-yeol threatened striking doctors, stating “Enlistment if resign.” The video further claimed that many Koreans would choose conviction over military enlistment due to the bullying culture within the armed forces, which has tragically resulted in numerous suicides. The video distorted the president’s statements and exaggerated negative aspects of Korean military culture.
Ahead of the April 10 general election, Chinese media and influencers are systematically generating and disseminating negative content against the Yoon Suk-yeol administration over the current medical conflict. Experts speculate that these efforts are aimed to spread anti-Yoon sentiment among both Koreans in China and the Chinese individuals eligible to vote in Korea. Chinese accounts leave comments on Korean online news articles, advocating for the defeat of liberal democrats and voicing support for the main opposition leader Lee Jae-myung. Chinese entities have emerged as campaigners for the upcoming general election.
Chinese media outlet Guancha and magazine Vista Story have recently reported that Yoon is utilizing governmental authority to enlist striking trainee doctors or potentially subject them to conviction. However, the government has not yet reached a final decision regarding the resignation of the striking doctors. While enlistment is possible if resignations are accepted, the fate of their medical licenses remains undetermined.
Chinese state-run media Huanqiu criticized the government’s measures to increase medical school enrollment quota, labeling it “populism.” The article argued that the government is neglecting the reality of a declining birthrate and solely pushing for the expansion of medical schools, leading doctors to resign in large numbers.” A former Chinese Central TV personality with 1.16 million followers took to his social media to condemn the Yoon Suk-yeol administration, calling South Korea a feudal society and a colony.
