What began as a casual question online—“Should I wear this badge?”—has evolved into a symbol of safety and identity for Taiwanese travelers in South Korea.
The badge, bearing the words “I’m from Taiwan” in English and “I’m Taiwanese” in Korean alongside the Taiwanese flag, is helping visitors distinguish themselves amid growing anti-China sentiment.
Taiwanese tourists say they are frequently mistaken for Chinese nationals, often leading to uncomfortable or even hostile encounters. Many report that wearing the badge has significantly improved how locals interact with them.
The distinction has taken on a serious dimension following several incidents targeting Chinese speakers. Earlier this year, a man assaulted two Chinese women speaking Mandarin on a Seoul bus. In a separate attack, the same individual struck a Taiwanese man with a bottle, believing him to be Chinese. He was later sentenced to prison by a district court for committing a hate crime.
Tensions have risen alongside South Korea’s new visa-free entry policy for Chinese tour groups, part of efforts to revive tourism. The move has sparked protests by far-right groups opposing what they call “Chinese influence,” with demonstrators displaying slogans such as “China Out” and “Eradicate Communism.”
President Lee Jae Myung condemned the rallies, calling them damaging to South Korea’s image, and directed authorities to act against hate speech.
According to the Ministry of Justice, 525,396 Chinese nationals visited South Korea in October—a 16.4 percent increase from the same period last year. Data from the Korea Tourism Organization shows that Chinese visitors accounted for roughly one-third of all foreign tourists as of August.
The “I’m Taiwanese” badge first gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping Taiwanese nations to distinguish themselves from mainland Chinese and avoid discrimination.
For many Taiwanese travelers, the badge has become more than a precaution—it is also a quiet assertion of identity amid a complex regional landscape shaped by politics, perception, and personal safety.
