31st December 2020
The following story is truly a Shakespearean comedy play with a 21st Century touch added to it.
It seems that South Korea’s Kimchi dish heats up more than just the stomach because recently, it has generated a wildfire as well, one that risks further division between China and South Korea.
The clash over pickled cabbage is yet another addition to the ongoing series of intense debates over territory, power, history, and euphuism between the two nations.
The dispute began when the Chinese newspaper Global Times claimed that China had been granted the International Standards Organization (ISO) certification for the “pao cai” dish as a global emblem for the Kimchi market.
Indeed, the Chinese media carelessness surrounding cultural possessions pushed Koreans to believe that the neighbouring country definitely has imperialistic intentions.
Feeling outraged, the South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo stepped onto the stage and claimed that this is just another plot in China’s Rule over the world project.
It also described Global Times’ provocations as propaganda scrap.
The South Korean Agriculture Ministry also rejected the Chinese claims and insisted that kimchi is more than just soured cabbage.
Indeed, the ministry stated: “We need to understand that pao cai is different from kimchi.”
On the same matter, Julian Ryall, a journalist for the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph, reported in an article, that South Koreans were furious and quickly jumped to defend their nation’s core food on social media and tabloids.
The reason?
Collected data shows that more than two million tons of Kimchi are devoured every year.
Indeed, 90% of South Koreans claimed they have the dish daily, and about once on a minimum basis, while 60% include it with each meal of the day.
In addition, the remarkable and enduring tradition of celebrating kimchi-making is a core issue for South Koreans.
The process is known as “kimjang” and it includes three major steps.
It starts with cleaning and seasoning vegetables, followed by adding a sauce that contains garlic, red peppers, and smoked fish.
The third step is putting the mixture in clay containers and burying it underground.
And hardly to believe, but in 2013, the dish was chosen as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Against this background, Koreans take the fact that “pao cai” had been certified as a worldwide representative for Kimchi very seriously.
As an example, professor Seo Kyoung Duk of Sungshin Women’s University in Seoul severely urged the nation to combat the decision.
According to the Yonhap News agency, she plainly said:
“Both the government and civil society groups must take vigorous action against China’s efforts to take away cultural goods from Korea”.
Well, is this still about a dish?
But it seems that Kimchi induces a fiery temper within its lovers.
Another professor spoke up.
Ahn Yinhay, a teacher at the Korea University in Seoul, who is dedicated to making kimchi every fall, has also shared her opinion.
She found the challenge to the Koreans’ cuisine lifestyle to be hilarious.
She said: “I laughed when I heard that the Chinese were trying to claim that their dish is the definitive version of kimchi”.
She also contributed to the conspiracy of the Chinese world domination evil plan.
Yinhay stated: “I’m not sure what the Chinese newspaper was even thinking, but perhaps we should not be surprised as it is a state-run publication.”
On the popular South Korean web portal Naver, one post declared with all earnestness:
“It is so frustrating to see the Chinese claiming so much of our heritage.”
Another provided a strong argument for the circulating conspiracy and stated, “Historically, China has been the nation that has caused the most problems for the Korean Peninsula.”
One comment shined when reacting to this clash between South Korea and China.
It said: “I am sure I hate China more than I hate Japan now!”
Similarly, on Twitter, things got heated.
Particularly, one user was “Shading” China.
In the tweet, it stated that the country should be embarrassed for “not knowing world history.”
Things escalated further when another user advocated for boycotting every Chinese import and trip to China.
Essentially, the Korean reaction relating to the attempted Chinese takeover is very strong.
That is quite astonishing considering that the two countries have just endorsed the RCEP, which is a trade treaty with another 12 regional allies.
As a result, international firefighters are requested to hurry up!
Water is not only needed to cool off Kimchi lovers but also for the heated disputing parties.
Another solution might involve inviting both sides to a dining table.
It would definitely help dissolve the tension considering that these populations’ affection is sustained through the stomach.
