'Yoon Seok-yeol Government, Stand with the Freedom of Hong Kong' – Jung-Hoon Lee

China's Communist Party breaks its 'One Country, Two Systems' promise Arrests of anti-China officials and suppression of democracy in Hong Kong 'Values Diplomacy' Yoon's government must assist Hong Kong citizens"

Jimmy Lai, a Hong Kong media giant and a prominent pro-democracy figure, has been detained for over 1,000 days on charges of violating the National Security Law. The core provisions of this law allow for the maximum penalty of life imprisonment for four offenses: secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces. At the age of 75 this year, there is growing concern that Lai may end up spending the rest of his life behind bars, leaving the international community in shock.

Jimmy Lai, who began his career in the clothing industry, notably with the brand 'Giordano,' founded the widely-read newspaper 'Apple Daily' (蘋果日報) in Hong Kong in 1995, emerging as a meteoric figure in the Hong Kong media industry. Lai, who had been highly critical of the Tiananmen Square massacre in the past, consistently voiced opposition to China's tightening grip on Hong Kong through Apple Daily. He even directly participated in the protests against the National Security Law in July 2020. In an interview with the BBC shortly after the law was enacted, he did not hide his discomfort, saying, 'The death knell for Hong Kong is ringing in the region.

Lai also warned, 'Without the rule of law, people doing business in Hong Kong will not be protected, and this place will become as corrupt as the Chinese mainland.' His warning proved prescient. Apple Daily, which had become a target as a pro-democracy media outlet, could not withstand the pressure of search and seizure, arrests, asset freezing, and other forms of coercion, and ultimately ceased its operations in 2021, ending its 26-year history, just one year after the implementation of the National Security Law.

When Hong Kong was handed back to China in 1997, it was a symbol of the capitalist market, and there were concerns about how well it would adapt to rule under the Chinese Communist Party. However, few expected the situation to deteriorate to this extent. At that time, the Chinese government had promised Hong Kong citizens that they would preserve their civil liberties under a new agreement called 'One Country, Two Systems' for at least 50 years, which was why there was hope for a smooth transition.

However, in August 2017, on the 20th anniversary of the handover, a spokesperson for the Chinese Communist Party's Foreign Ministry declared, 'The Hong Kong handover agreement is now history,' indicating that the promise of 'One Country, Two Systems' had become virtually meaningless. Subsequently, with the introduction of the National Security Law, the crackdown on pro-democracy groups intensified, leading to the forced dissolution of numerous media outlets and civic organizations, not only Apple Daily.

Once known as the 'Pearl of the Orient,' Hong Kong was a shining beacon of vibrant capitalism, symbolized by its towering skyscrapers, shopping, and culinary delights. Moreover, having developed a strong sense of civic consciousness during 156 years of British rule, it consistently held the honor of being the world's top city for international visitors. The fact that this Hong Kong, which used to be, is being dismantled by the heavy-handed rule of China is a cause of great concern and sorrow for many.

We cannot simply stand by and watch. Firstly, individuals like Jimmy Lai and Martin Lee, who are often referred to as the 'fathers of Hong Kong democracy,' must continue to inform the international community about the seriousness of the situation. Furthermore, it is necessary to seize the opportunity of Hong Kong's application for membership in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), an intra-regional economic partnership. Hong Kong has already officially submitted its application and is currently in close consultation with existing member countries to expedite its membership. During this process, RCEP member countries, including South Korea, could consider making compliance with the Hong Kong handover agreement a stringent condition for membership. This could be effective because China views Hong Kong's RCEP membership as a means to circumvent U.S.-led export restrictions on advanced semiconductor equipment.

We hope that the Yoon Seok-yeol government, which places importance on values diplomacy, can play a role befitting a 'global middle power' in support of the Hong Kong citizens who are fighting to rekindle the fading flames of freedom and human rights. It is our wish that they actively engage in the struggle to uphold these values.

Jung-Hoon Lee is the Dean of Yonsei University's Graduate School of International Studies, South Korea’s former Ambassador for North Korean Human Rights and Ambassador for Human Rights, and a Patron of Hong Kong Watch. This article was published at Hankookilbo on 11 October 2023.