This article examines how growing fears, insecurities and uncertainties during the
COVID-19 pandemic have prompted an emotional distance from others. The aim is to explore
how global solidarity and nationalism are challenged and constructed as collective
emotional processes concerning 'others'. Drawing on social theories of emotions during
crises and emotions towards others, this study looks at policy decisions around vaccines
and health services and their associated emotions in the context of Korea, which has
a relatively small migrant population and a short history of supporting people in
lower-income countries. The study finds that the COVID-19 pandemic has strengthened
nationalism, both ethnic nationalism and cosmopolitan nationalism. This points to
the need to highlight global norms such as human rights and justice and cultivate
foundational emotions such as empathy and compassion. This article suggests paying
attention to the role of emotions in generating othering practices and developing
global solidarity.
