“Disrespecting Asian Fans” — Lee Kang-in’s PSG and European Clubs Face Backlash (Ft. UN)

Several prestigious European football clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), where South Korean footballer Lee Kang-in plays, have faced backlash for referring to the Lunar New Year as "Chinese New Year" in their social media posts.

On January 31, Sungkyunkwan University professor Seo Kyung-duk raised the issue on his Facebook page, highlighting the problem with globally recognized clubs like PSG and Real Madrid using the term "Chinese New Year."

Ignoring Asia’s Diversity

Professor Seo pointed out that the Lunar New Year is celebrated in many Asian countries, including South Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia. "By labeling it as ‘Chinese New Year,’ they are disregarding the diverse cultures that observe this holiday," he criticized. He added, "The United Nations (UN) has recognized Lunar New Year as an ‘optional holiday,’ and New Jersey’s state senate passed a resolution establishing it as an official holiday."

Global Shift Toward ‘Lunar New Year’

Professor Seo also mentioned that in 2021, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau referred to the holiday as "Lunar New Year" during a televised address, even adding a "Kamsahamnida (thank you)" in Korean, which drew attention worldwide. "The term 'Lunar New Year' is becoming the global standard," he emphasized.

Seo recalled past campaigns against European football clubs’ use of Rising Sun flag symbols, saying that continuous protests have led to changes. "We will continue to advocate for the proper terminology of ‘Lunar New Year’ until changes are made," he vowed.

Ongoing Debate over Lunar New Year Terminology

The debate over how to refer to the holiday remains ongoing. China asserts that since the holiday is rooted in the Chinese-developed lunar calendar, it should be labeled as "Chinese New Year." However, critics argue that the holiday is celebrated in multiple countries across Asia, including Korea and Vietnam, and using the term "Chinese New Year" erases the diversity of its cultural significance. They advocate for the more inclusive term "Lunar New Year."

UN Caught in Its Own Contradiction

The United Nations recently sparked controversy by using the term "Chinese New Year" on its annual Lunar New Year stamp, despite having designated it as "Lunar New Year" when adding the holiday to its optional holiday list last December.

In its statement at the time, the UN acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue, stating, "The designation of Lunar New Year as a UN holiday has been a long-standing interest for our Chinese staff. Some Chinese staff proposed using 'Lunar New Year' to gain broader support from other Asian countries."