Departure hall of Incheon Airport. Yonhap News TV

Seo Sang-moon, Editorial Writer·President of the Korea Military Strategic Studies Association·President of the East Asia Future Research Institute"Conciliatory towards North Korea, indifferent to national safety, President Lee's 'I don't know' remarks continue to cause ripples."

This is the headline of a Mae Il Business Newspaper article dated December 7, 2025. If this headline were changed to "Subservient to China, indifferent to national safety, President Lee's 'I don't know' remarks continue to cause ripples," it would also not deviate from the facts.

The article begins with, "The current administration has consistently shown a conciliatory attitude towards North Korea, while criticism is growing that it is indifferent to the issue of protecting its citizens." If "North Korea" in this section were replaced with "China," it would also be accurate. As this points out, what is the Korean government truly doing?

Are you aware that even at this moment, over 200 foreigners have disappeared in China? What does that mean? It means over 200 foreigners are being forcibly detained. Are they prisoners of war? No! Have they committed any crimes? Absolutely not! Most are imprisoned without clear charges, or on "espionage charges" arbitrarily imposed by the Chinese government.

In October 2015, Swedish publisher Gui Minhai, who was abducted by Chinese intelligence agents in Pattaya, Thailand, was sentenced to 10 years in prison in February 2020 for selling books related to the Chinese leadership, essentially for "illegally providing information overseas." He is currently serving his sentence somewhere.

In April 2025, a U.S. Department of Commerce employee was detained to this day on charges of "threatening national security" due to a simple "administrative error" of not listing their government affiliation on a visa application. In March 2023, a 50-something employee of a Japanese pharmaceutical company, who was apprehended at the airport while attempting to leave China after completing their work, was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months in prison without specific charges being specified.

The over 200 foreigners detained in China are almost all Americans. Two to three years ago, 17 Japanese nationals were also imprisoned. The current number of approximately 200 Americans is after the U.S. and Japanese governments negotiated with the Chinese government to conditionally release some of their detained citizens. Nevertheless, approximately 200 Americans and 5 Japanese nationals remain detained in China. These are citizens of countries with the world's strongest economic and diplomatic power. If this is the outcome even when the U.S. and Japanese governments negotiate with China, what will become of citizens of countries like Korea, which China disregards? Will Koreans not be treated like mere cargo?

The problem is that this is not the end. The whereabouts of some of these individuals are unknown. They could be held in China's secret detention facilities under the "Residential Surveillance at a Designated Location (RSDL)" system. In these small rooms, measuring 4m x 4m, family and lawyer visits are blocked for up to six months, and they are monitored with lights on 24 hours a day. The toilet has no door, they must keep their hands on their knees, and they cannot close their eyes. UN experts refer to this as "torture." Secret detentions like RSDL are highly likely to violate the "International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Forced Disappearance" and the "Convention Against Torture."

Yet, such things are happening in China right now. The charges are not transparent, and the Chinese government offers no explanation at all. The official charges for detainees cited by the Chinese government are remarkably vague: "Threatening national security," "Espionage," "Involvement in criminal cases." That's all! They do not specify what actions were taken or what evidence exists.

In July 2025, Mao Chenyue, a senior executive at Wells Fargo bank, was prohibited from leaving the country on grounds of "involvement in criminal cases." The Chinese government did not disclose the reasons. Despite continuous reports from various international human rights organizations such as Safeguard Defenders and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) exposing China's arbitrary detention practices, China consistently feigns ignorance. Trials are conducted in secret, and international observation is excluded. Detaining individuals without informing them of clear charges violates the right to a fair trial guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). This is not jurisprudence; it is arbitrary rule.

What is even more frightening is that this arbitrariness is perpetrated for political purposes. Canadian nationals Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were detained on espionage charges immediately after Huawei's Vice President Meng Wanzhou was arrested in Canada. And as soon as Meng Wanzhou was released, the two men were also freed. This is no coincidence. It is clear evidence that China uses foreigners as a diplomatic tool. It means that detentions and releases are not a result of judicial procedures but political bargaining.

When necessary for negotiations with another country, China detains foreigners, makes arbitrary judgments, and exploits them as bargaining chips or hostages. The approximately 400 Chinese nationals currently detained in the U.S. are almost all criminals, and China's detention of Americans is largely a retaliatory response to U.S. arrests. The nature of arrests and the detention process differ qualitatively between the two countries.

Who makes the judgment and by what standard? The Chinese Communist Party is the subject, and China's Anti-Espionage Law is the tool of censorship. The Anti-Espionage Law, revised in July 2023, has infinitely expanded the definition of "espionage activities." The scope, previously limited to "the theft of state secrets and intelligence," now includes all activities related to "documents, data, materials, and items related to national security and interests."

As long as this law exists, collecting publicly available information, conducting academic research, performing due diligence for businesses, journalistic reporting, and even taking pictures at tourist sites could all be considered "crimes against national security." All of these are treated as potential espionage activities. As a "Party State," the Chinese government, which merely executes directives from the Communist Party, does not disclose its judgment criteria.

What is the true purpose of this? To instill fear! The Chinese government wants to make foreigners afraid to criticize China or collect sensitive information. This is what the Chinese government aims for. Self-censorship! To make people shut up and stay quiet on their own! This is already having a significant effect.

The majority of Japanese scholars are avoiding visiting China. Foreign journalists are reducing their activities within China. Foreign companies have suspended business trips to China. The author has also not visited China since their last trip in December 2019. Although I wish to visit China for purposes such as collecting research materials, visiting historical sites, attending academic conferences, and reuniting with old friends, I do not go. I only have one body, and I cannot know what might happen.

Report by Yonhap News TV in October 2023, during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration. / Video capture

The situation in Korea is serious. Korea readily accepted China's bait of visa-free entry for Koreans and granted visa-free entry to Chinese nationals. They welcomed Chinese tourists. Instead of considering the consequences, they only focused on the potential increase in tourism revenue. So, what has come in and what has been left behind? Major tourist destinations across the country are overflowing with Chinese visitors, and one frequently witnesses their excrement left on the streets.

Furthermore, they collect various information, engage in numerous suspicious activities, and then leave without any restrictions, all while enjoying the thrill of being the protagonists of a spy thriller! The Korean government does not monitor this. "Unable to monitor" might be the more accurate expression.

China, which granted visa-free entry to Koreans, beckons, saying, "Come to China." Tourism administrations of provinces, cities, and the central government in China promote the Great Wall and the Forbidden City with splendid photographs, and airlines offer cheap air tickets. It's as if China is a safe and attractive travel destination. However, this is a false welcome and one of many subtle lures. It is a temptation with traps laid everywhere.

What happens to Koreans if they go to China? They could be detained on unclear charges. Their place of detention might be unknown. Once detained, they cannot meet with family or lawyers. Can the Korean government provide assistance? It is extremely limited. Do not expect much! The Chinese government refuses or restricts foreign diplomats from observing trials. The Korean government can protest to China, but China has no intention of listening.

These situations are unfair and asymmetric. They are also unilateral acts of aggression. China is now a perilous land for Koreans, where they must travel at the risk of their lives. Yet, the Korean government, aware of this fact, does not inform its citizens. It remains silent until the very end. Look at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' travel information website. What does it say about travel to China? It only provides general cautionary advice. Information at the level of "Beware of pickpockets" and "Avoid going out at night."

However, the reality in China is not like this. Are over 200 foreigners not detained on unclear charges? Koreans can also be detained at any time. The Chinese government uses this as a diplomatic tool. This is the reality.

If so, should this information not be included in the travel advisories? "Caution when traveling to China! Currently, over 200 foreigners are detained on unclear charges. Koreans are not an exception. The Chinese government's Anti-Espionage Law is subject to arbitrary interpretation. Verification of detained individuals may be difficult." Is it not a fundamental duty of the state to protect national safety? Is this not a basic responsibility the state should undertake?

China is no longer a safe travel destination. I have traveled to various parts of China more than 100 times over the past 30 years. In the 1990s to early 2010s, when I frequently visited, China was not as dangerous as it is now. It has completely changed. With China enacting and strengthening its Anti-Espionage Law and engaging in U.S.-China rivalry, China is now a hazardous land where one can never know what will happen.

This applies not only to Americans, Japanese, and Koreans; China is a hazardous land for all foreigners. While it is not a war zone like Afghanistan or Syria, it is no different from those countries in that the rule of law does not function. One can be detained at any time based on the arbitrary judgment of the Chinese government, imprisoned without clear charges, or held in facilities whose locations are unknown.

Despite this, the Korean government does not inform its citizens of this fact. Instead, it remains silent to avoid harming relations with China. It turns a blind eye to maintain the visa-free agreement. Meanwhile, Koreans, unaware of anything, depart for China defenseless. As tourists, businessmen, students, and researchers. And some do not return. Or they return with psychological trauma.

Are you still going to travel to China? If you are classified as an enthusiastic "pro-China" figure by the Chinese Communist Party, it doesn't matter. You will receive not detention, but a cordial welcome with generous "hospitality" every time you visit. If you are like me, not pro-China or anti-China, but just an ordinary citizen who speaks about China as it is, then I cannot guarantee what will happen.

It is time to speak up. The Korean government can no longer remain silent. While the U.S., Japan, Canada, and Australia all issue "Caution" warnings to their citizens about traveling to China, why is our government alone issuing the lowest alert level of "Travel Advisory" (Level 1) and remaining silent? Is it because they feel indebted for help in gaining power and are repaying it? Is not the safety of one's own citizens far more important than subservient flattery or diplomatic convenience? The Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs must immediately update its China travel information. It must clearly state the number of foreigners currently detained in China, the ambiguity of the charges, the arbitrary application of law by the Chinese government, and that Koreans are not exempt from this.

Concurrently, the Korean government must raise this issue with the Chinese government. To my knowledge, there is at least one Korean who was apprehended by Chinese authorities while residing in China for business and whose fate remains unclear. Furthermore, beyond Mr. Choi, a former executive of Samjong Electronics (in his 50s) arrested in December 2023 on charges of violating the Anti-Espionage Law, the possibility of other detainees cannot be ruled out.

In addition to these, there are also North Korean defectors detained by Chinese authorities. They are estimated to range from at least 600 to a maximum of 2,000. There are also many North Korean women who are sexually abused by Chinese men, exploiting their vulnerable status as illegal immigrants. They are also Korean citizens. For them, China is a living hell. Traveling to China now is a journey into a perilous land that requires one to stake their life. This is the reality of China, a G2 nation, in the 21st century, an era of civilization. However, the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains silent.

Koreans must understand this reality correctly. And the Korean government must inform the public of this reality truthfully and without omission. Above all, the government has no right to hide this fact from its citizens. Regarding China, it must demand the release of detained foreigners, the guarantee of transparent trials, and an end to the arbitrary interpretation of the Anti-Espionage Law. This is not merely a human rights issue; it is an issue of our citizens' safety.

Since Lee Jae-myung is being referred to as the "President" of the Republic of Korea, I will ask directly: Do you know that this is the current situation in China? Have you raised the issue of Korean detentions with President Xi Jinping? A politician who takes responsibility must answer this question directly without evasion and actively work towards resolving the issue, even now.

Editorial Writer of Hanmi Daily·President of the Korea Military Strategic Studies Association·President of the East Asia Future Research Institute