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

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