The Epoch Times, a U.S. publication, reported on former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn's CPAC interview on the 1st (local time). [Screenshot from Epoch Times Online Edition] Foreign media interview during attendance at CPAC in the U.S.... Reported by The Epoch Times 

Left-wing figures like Moon Jae-in and Lee Jae-myung allow large numbers of Chinese immigrants to enter 

Korean conservatives strongly oppose, fearing expansion of Chinese Communist Party's influence 

Many Koreans believe "some Chinese immigrants may be CCP spies" 

Korean visas for China typically valid for 1 year... Chinese visas valid for up to 10 years 

Lee called anti-China rallies last October "self-destructive actions that damage national interests" 

Hwang Kyo-ahn emphasized at CPAC: "The National Assembly is controlled by pro-China forces"

South Korean conservatives suspect the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is behind the increase in Chinese immigrants, former Prime Minister and leader of the Freedom and Innovation Party Hwang Kyo-ahn said, according to a report by The Epoch Times of the United States on the 1st (local time). 

In a foreign media interview with the newspaper during his attendance at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) held in Texas, USA, late last month, Hwang suggested that a surge in Chinese immigration resulted from the lowering of existing strict immigration thresholds due to the influence of the Chinese Communist Party. 

According to the newspaper, Hwang stated that left-wing leaders such as Moon Jae-in and Lee Jae-myung are reportedly behind the allowance of a large influx of ethnic Korean Chinese immigrants, primarily of Joseonjok ethnicity. He added that this policy change has drawn backlash from many conservatives in South Korea who are concerned about the expansion of the Chinese Communist Party's influence. 

Specifically, Hwang frankly described the reality in South Korea, saying, "They are opening their borders primarily for Chinese people, but conservatives are criticizing this." 

The newspaper also reported that Hwang said many Koreans suspect that some of the Chinese immigrants may be working as CCP spies. Hwang's perspective is that Chinese immigrants are presenting strategic ways for the Chinese Communist Party to exert influence on the South Korean government, a strong ally of the United States. 

In this regard, The Epoch Times pointed out that while Chinese nationals of Korean descent (Joseonjok) began returning in the 1980s, the pace has accelerated in recent years. According to South Korean government data obtained by the newspaper, the number of foreigners residing in South Korea in October of last year reached 2.8 million, exceeding 5% of the total population. This significantly surpassed the previous record of 2.65 million in November of the preceding year, 2024, with the majority of these being ethnic Korean Chinese. 

The issue of mass immigration is not confined to South Korea alone. Democratic countries in Europe and the United States are also implementing stricter legal frameworks to prevent border violations while grappling with anti-immigration sentiments. A case in point is U.S. President Donald Trump's promise to close the southern U.S. border after approximately 11 million undocumented immigrants entered during the previous Biden administration. 

Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Freedom and Innovation Party, is interviewed by The Epoch Times at the CPAC event in the U.S. late last month. [Provided by Freedom and Innovation] 

According to Hwang, the Lee Jae-myung administration is admitting foreigners through policy changes. Under the Lee Jae-myung regime, residents of 14 Chinese cities, including Beijing, will have their multiple-entry visa validity period extended from the current 5 years to up to 10 years. This is pointed out as a contrast to China not offering the same benefits to Koreans. Korean multiple-entry visas for China are typically valid for 6 months to 1 year. The validity can be extended up to 3 years depending on travel history. 

Lee Jae-myung sternly ordered crackdowns on anti-China rallies last October, calling them "self-destructive and utterly useless actions that damage national interests and the nation's image." In response, The Epoch Times reported that the South Korean government evaded requests for comment. 

The newspaper stated that left-wing figures like Moon Jae-in were favorable towards opening up to foreign workers and multiculturalism. They argued that more foreigners should be allowed to enter under the pretexts of filling labor shortages and bridging the gap caused by low birth rates, as well as for global integration. 

Conversely, conservatives like President Yoon Suk-yeol advocated for a strong relationship with the United States, secure borders, and prioritizing Korean citizens. According to Hwang, conservatives are concerned about the growing Chinese community in Korea as China exerts its influence over the country. In particular, conservative lawmakers during the Yoon Suk-yeol administration urged for stricter limitations on the political rights of foreign permanent residents, especially Chinese nationals. 

This political climate ultimately led to drastic upheaval. In December 2024, President Yoon Suk-yeol became the first incumbent president to be impeached after declaring martial law to protect the nation from the gridlock of anti-state forces and the opposition-dominated National Assembly. Yoon was impeached in April of the following year, 2025, and sentenced to life imprisonment in January of this year for charges of rebellion. 

Amidst the national turmoil, Hwang Kyo-ahn also had an arrest warrant sought for inciting rebellion related to the martial law last year, but the court dismissed the warrant. 

Hwang delivered a speech at the main stage of this CPAC, stating that the freedoms of many citizens are being suppressed and that the National Assembly is "controlled by pro-China forces," surprising not only the United States but the entire world. He also emphasized that the separation of powers is collapsing and freedom of expression is at risk, sparking concerns that the judicial reforms of the Lee Jae-myung administration, including the increase in Supreme Court justices, are infringing upon judicial independence. 

The newspaper also recorded in its report that left-wing lawmakers in South Korea attempted to legislate a bill that would impose a prison sentence of up to 10 years for those who speak of election fraud, but this ultimately failed due to fierce backlash.