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| BTS / Korea time file |
By Kim Jae-heun
Not even a day after China's fifth largest logistics company Yunda Express announced it will halt the delivery of products related to BTS, two more companies, YTO Express and ZTO Express, have also joined the boycott products related to the K-pop superstars.
Such measures were taken after BTS rapper RM made a remark on the Korean War at the Van Fleet Award ceremony held online on Oct. 7.
RM mentioned the U.S. in the award acceptance speech, saying, "We will remember the history of pain that our two nations shared together and the sacrifices of the countless men and women."
Chinese internet users argued that BTS ignored Chinese soldiers' noble sacrifices by emphasizing the words "two nations" which referred to South Korea and the United States.
All three logistics firms imputed the General Administration of Customs of China for their "inevitable" actions.
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| ZTO Express's post about the refusal of BTS-related goods on its Weibo account / Screen captured from Weibo |
ZTO Express posted a notification on its Weibo account saying the Chinese government started supervising printed goods and printed products more thoroughly, which led the firm to refuse BTS product deliveries.
"Each box that is suspicious can be opened as the regulations have become strict. Other Korean products will be affected as well," the logistics firm said in a statement.
Yunda Express also commented on the issue on its Weibo account by saying it will not deliver BTS-related goods for a while. "We all know the reason," the logistics firm added.
Allegations rose among Chinese BTS fans that the Chinese government is behind the controversy ― pointing out ZTO Express' post on Weibo.
ZTO Express took down its post the next day. The Korean Embassy to China explained that the General Administration of Customs of China did not provide new guidelines to target BTS.
South Korea's Ambassador to China Jang Ha-sung said he had contacted the Chinese customs service center to check the truth but was told that it did not put any restrictions on the three firms.
"I double checked early this morning but the General Administration of Customs of China said it is not involved in it. When the government audit ends, I will raise this issue with Chinese officials again," Jang said.
Opinions of Chinese fans are divided on the boycott of BTS goods among Chinese logistics firms.
Some are denouncing Yunda and two other firms for such unfair measures while others are praising them as "truly patriotic firms."
It has not been revealed when the three firms will restart delivery services for BTS-related goods.
Big Hit Entertainment did not comment in detail in regards to the issue, saying the company has a neutral stance on the topic.
