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South Korean Ambassador to China Jang Ha-sung partakes in a parliamentary audit by the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee via video link on Oct. 21. (photo pool)

South Korean Ambassador to China Jang Ha-sung announced on Oct. 21 that he had personally raised issues with senior Chinese officials concerning Chinese logistics firms halting delivery of Korean merchandise amid a controversy over remarks about the Korean War by members of BTS.

Participating via video link in a parliamentary audit by the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee that day, Jang said he had “spoken directly with senior figures in the Chinese government the day after the situation was first reported.”

“Given how sensitive this matter is and its potential to trigger emotions among the public in both countries, we are responding very seriously,” he added.

“After the Chinese firm Yunda announced that it was suspending deliveries of merchandise related to BTS, there were reports that other companies such as ZTO had adopted the same measures, but they were found to be false,” Jang said. Responding to reports that China Customs had stepped up supervision and oversight of products arriving from South Korea in the wake of the BTS controversy, he added, “I’ve spoken by telephone with China Customs, and I was told that the reports related to BTS are ‘groundless.’”

Referring to the Korean War while accepting the Van Fleet Award given by the US-based Korea Society on Oct. 7, BTS leader RM (Kim Nam-jun) said, “We will always remember the history of pain that our two nations shared together and the sacrifices of countless men and women.” His remarks sparked controversy, with internet users in China criticizing him for “disregarding the sacrifices made by the Chinese.”

Jang said he had “received a response [from China] stating that since the BTS controversy does not benefit our countries’ relationship, they would manage the situation so that it does not escalate.”

“The Chinese Foreign Ministry has officially stated that its friendly relationship with South Korea is important and that ‘history should be regarded as an example as we proceed into the future,’ so they will be communicating more proactively,” he continued. Remarking on a large-scale commemorative event being organized by the Chinese government for the 70th anniversary of the Korea War’s outbreak on Oct. 25, he said it “appears it is being emphasized in the context of antagonism with the US rather than as a gesture of opposition toward South Korea.”

By Jung In-hwan, Beijing correspondent

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