​People-to-people exchanges between ROK, China: A new opportunity for renewed relations

Dr. Jeonghun Min, a professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy (KNDA) [Photo/China.org.cn]

For many years, the Republic of Korea (ROK) and China have maintained exchanges across a wide range of fields, steadily building a foundation of mutual understanding. 

Recently, signs of improvement in bilateral relations – centered on people-to-people exchanges and practical cooperation – have become increasingly evident. 

In particular, the ROK's visa-free policy for Chinese visitors has made cross-border travel more convenient, injecting tangible momentum into the improvement of bilateral ties. 

Recent youth exchange events held in the ROK also highlighted a shared recognition that reducing prejudice and strengthening fact-based communication are essential to restoring mutual trust, suggesting that conditions for rebuilding confidence at the societal level are steadily taking shape.

Recently, the leaders of the ROK and China successfully held talks, during which both sides reached broad consensus on stabilizing bilateral relations and strengthening people-to-people and cultural exchanges. The meeting not only added new stability to bilateral ties, but also provided clear political guidance for the full restoration and deepening of societal exchanges. 

For the ROK, China is not only a geographical neighbor, but also a key partner with whom it maintains close cooperation in economic, cultural and human exchanges. Moreover, China plays an important role in matters concerning the Korean Peninsula, and stability on the peninsula aligns with China's strategic and economic interests. Against this backdrop, cooperation between the two countries remains both meaningful and indispensable.

People walk through Myeongdong shopping district in Seoul, Republic of Korea, Aug. 6, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

The visa-free arrangement serves as a practical institutional foundation for advancing people-to-people exchanges. Simplified entry procedures enhance the travel experience while creating greater opportunities for citizens of both countries to directly experience each other's societies and cultures. The continued rise in visitor numbers and inter-city travel clearly demonstrates how institutional facilitation is translating into more dynamic exchanges at the social level.

Recently, ROK media have reported that some young Chinese travelers have been using the term "Seoul Syndrome" on social media to describe their nostalgia for the city after having visited Seoul. This phenomenon reflects renewed interest among China's millennials and Generation-Z in ROK society and culture, further illustrating the strong potential of people-to-people exchanges. 

At this juncture, expanded mutual visits and closer interactions present a timely opportunity to deepen exchanges between the two societies. People-to-people engagement is not only a key means of implementing the consensus reached by the leaders of the two sides, but also an essential pillar for strengthening the social foundation of bilateral relations. 

The ROK sincerely welcomes Chinese visitors and hopes that every experience in the ROK can serve as a starting point for rebuilding a complementary and mutually beneficial relationship – one grounded in understanding and trust, and oriented toward a more stable and mature future.

Dr. Jeonghun Min is a professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy (KNDA).

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.