Perceptions of China in South Korean Broadcast Media: Bifurcated Frames of Politics and Economy

This study analyzes how the “Security with the U.S., Economy with China” frame is reproduced in actual broadcast news. Using big data on China-related political and economic news aired between 2012 and 2023 by South Korea’s major broadcasters, this study conducted network analyses of news sources and keywords. The results reveal that South Korean media coverage in China exhibits a dual perceptual structure, starkly separated across the political and economic domains. Political reporting relied on limited official channels, and security conflicts dominated. Economic reporting draws on diverse sources and focuses on market- and industry-specific keywords. A distinct “Economy with China” frame emerged, recognizing China as an “irreplaceable partner” and a key structural variable for the South Korean economy. The study empirically demonstrated that South Korean broadcasters reproduce structural contradictions by defining China as a security threat and an economic partner.