"We Don't Accept Chinese Customers" ... Seongsu-dong Café's Policy Sparks Discrimination Controversy [What Do You Think?]

[Financial News] A café in Seoul has come under fire for discrimination after publicly announcing that it would not accept Chinese customers.
According to KNN on the 17th, a café in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, announced via social media that it would restrict Chinese customers from using the establishment.
The café reportedly wrote, "We do not accept Chinese guests," in its Instagram bio. It did not post a separate notice inside the café and announced the policy only through social media.
After the controversy erupted, the café explained that the decision was not based on personal anti-China beliefs. The café told the broadcaster, "This measure was taken in consideration of conflicts that occurred between Chinese customers and other patrons."
A complaint was subsequently filed with the National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK), arguing that restricting Chinese customers' access constituted discrimination. The NHRCK asked the owner to remove the wording, and the owner agreed.
The café has now withdrawn its policy restricting Chinese customers' entry. However, as related posts continue to be reshared, the debate remains ongoing online. Some users said, "Private business owners also have the right to choose their customers" and "It would be understandable if there was actual harm," while others criticized the policy, saying, "Barring Chinese people as a whole is discrimination."


[email protected] Han Seung-gon Reporter