China’s Bureaucrats, America’s Capitalists, and Korea’s Hidden Elite

There is no such thing as a perfect country.

I once discussed with a friend that every nation, no matter how developed or democratic it claims to be, has its own privileged class. Since I have only lived for a few years in China, South Korea, and the United States, my perspective is limited. But from the standpoint of an ordinary person, I’d like to share my impressions of these three places.

China: The Bureaucratic Elite

China is unmistakably an official-centered society. Certain names and groups cannot even be mentioned openly, and anything issued by government authorities is automatically regarded as righteous and beyond criticism. Even when mistakes are made, they are reframed as correctness.

Ordinary citizens cannot openly voice criticism.

However, it's not like they don't take criticisim. No, Chinese officials are not like arrogant and ignorant like their western peers. They do take criticism and advise. In fact, I once read that a Singaporean diplomat was asked by Chinese officials for advice on international relations, and he offered guidance.

This reminded me of old times, when only designated officials—censors and court speakers—could raise objections. No matter what they said, they would never be punished for their words—not even the emperor himself.

That is the restriction placed on the most superior man.

Westerners may never understand. You can criticize in China, but first you have to prove that you can offer constructive criticism.

The United States: The Capitalist Elite

In the U.S., the privileged class is not the bureaucrats but the capitalists. Politicians often function as spokespersons for the business elite.

An article I once read argued that the Iraq War was driven by Iraq’s refusal to honor debts owed to American corporations. The result? The country itself was destroyed. That kind of power belongs only to true capitalists. They can wage wars in the Middle East, turn Gaza into a living hell, and still remain untouchable.

Although the U.S. celebrates freedom of speech, you will rarely find mainstream media openly criticizing the capitalist class. Whether they trigger financial crises, burden public finances, or contribute to unemployment, the press treads lightly. This is why I see capitalists as America’s real privileged class.

South Korea: An Unexpected Privilege

South Korea truly surprised me. I hadn’t realized many South Koreans actually believe that their country is more advanced than China, and that China should learn from them. That perspective challenged my assumptions.

Initially, I thought South Korea’s chaebols—the large family-run conglomerates—were the privileged class. But then I saw a film openly criticizing them. True privilege rarely allows such open critique.

The president, too, hardly fits the role: many former South Korean presidents have gone to prison, and citizens freely criticize them.

I once saw a South Korean write online, “We can freely criticize our president.” My immediate thought was: yes, but you cannot freely criticize Americans. Is that really something to celebrate?

South Koreans show little respect for their own leaders while often bowing deferentially to American. They sincerely thank their American “patrons” for economic aid, crediting them for ensuring South Korea lives better than the North. From the perspective of ordinary citizens, this dependency feels like a blessing. But in reality, it reveals a deeper reliance: South Korea dares not defy the United States.

Small countries often have limited choices, but Singapore is also a small nation. Its leaders openly criticize the U.S. and Western hypocrisy, demonstrating dignity and independence. South Korea does not. Its economy, like Japan’s, ultimately depends on America’s goodwill.

The U.S. will never permit South Korea—or Japan—to surpass it. The moment it perceives a threat, it strikes. And when that happens, South Korea will immediately collapse in submission.

This realization struck me suddenly: South Korea’s true privileged class isn’t its politicians or corporations.

It’s the Americans.