South Korea Tries to Curb Anti-China Protests Ahead of Xi Visit

South Korea is facing a challenge as it prepares to host both Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Trump ahead of an Asia-Pacific economic summit. Demonstrations by far-right groups have surged in recent weeks over the easing of visa rules for Chinese tourist groups, with hundreds of protesters carrying signs saying "Korea for Koreans" and chanting racial slurs. The government is pushing to contain these protests, which threaten to complicate diplomacy. President Lee Jae Myung has condemned the protests as "self-destructive conduct," but faces opposition from conservatives who see it as suppressing dissent. The protests have evolved from earlier demonstrations in support of former President Yoon Suk Yeol, a conservative who was expelled from office following his imposition of martial law. Taiwanese tourists are taking precautions to avoid harassment by wearing badges or carrying signs identifying themselves as non-Chinese.

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