Did China meddle in South Korea’s election? Concern over claims by Yoon supporters

Claims by South Korea’s conservative bloc that China meddled in the country’s election could escalate tensions with Beijing and jeopardise trade ties, analysts have warned.

Beijing has voiced strong discontent over the allegations by supporters of suspended President Yoon Suk-yeol, who on December 3 plunged the country into political chaos with a martial law decree that he insisted was necessary to investigate election fraud involving China and North Korea.

Seoul’s election watchdog has dismissed the allegations as baseless.

Adding to the controversy, a viral fake news story on YouTube claims that martial law troops arrested 99 Chinese “hackers” who helped opposition parties at the National Election Commission.

In response, Dai Bing, the Chinese ambassador in Seoul, issued a statement late on Monday condemning the spread of unfounded allegations.

“China has all along upheld the principle of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs. And we have always honoured our word and are completely above board on it,” he wrote on social media.