Anti-Korea Sentiment

[Anchor Lead]

Amid growing anti-Korea sentiment in China as a result of Seoul’s decision to deploy the U.S. THAAD missile defense system, Korean schools are canceling field trips scheduled in China. Here’s our report.

[Pkg]

At this Korean cosmetics store in China, A Chinese man waving his hands vents out his emotions against Korea. There's no one stopping him.

[Soundbite] "Go away Koreans! (Yes!) Go away! (Yes!)"

Anti-Korean sentiment is escalating by the day in China. Korean schools that had planned field trips to China are calling them off. This school went to China for a field trip last year but changed their destination for this year. The reason being? Almost all of the students don't want to go to China.

[Soundbite] Lee Yong-gyun(Vice Principal, Choong Ang High School, Seoul) : "I believe the parents and students are concerned about the anti-Korea sentiment in China."

87 schools nationwide were planning a trip to China this year. 44, or more than half, have changed that plan. Most schools have decided on domestic travel. The Education Ministry has also advised against school trips to China as much as possible.

[Soundbite] Ministry Official(Voice modified) : "We can't force it. But student safety is the utmost concern. Schools then must prepare sufficient safety measures."

The ministry will continue to monitor the situation and officially restrict field trips to China if and when travel alerts to China are elevated.