South Korea’s Decisions

You might be interested in these observations from Wi Sung-lac at Korea JoongAn Daily on the foreign policy decisions South Korea should make:

First of all, the Moon administration must draw up a comprehensive plan, including a fixing of our position between China and the U.S., to facilitate consultations with Washington. What counts most here is that the United States is our ally while China is a partner. South Korea also shares more values with the United States than with China.

South Korea has made one of the most outstanding accomplishments over the past decades by upholding democracy and a market economy system. China took a different path. If we were to veer closer to China, we would have to compromise such precious and fundamental values as freedom, democracy and sovereignty. Therefore, we should fix our future direction closer to the United States. At the same time, the government needs to be discreet in dealing with China given its geographical proximity and our economic interdependence.

Second, it would be better for the government to devise effective ways to stabilize its relations with Japan. Washington would welcome that. Unless the government demonstrates flexibility on sensitive issues, including the wartime forced labor and sexual slavery hot potatoes, it can hardly expect a positive reaction from Tokyo. The longer such disputes drag on, the more disadvantageous for South Korea.

Third, the government should reactivate the suspended peace process after determining ways to respond to China and Japan and consulting with Washington over the North Korea issue.

I’m a bit concerned that his advice doesn’t touch on some major roadblocks. For example, South Koreans need to give up on the idea of reunification for the foreseeable future. And North Korea is only predictable in the sense that we should be confident that North Korea won’t allow itself to be ignored.

2 comments… add one
  • Grey Shambler Link

    The South Korean sense of calm befuddles me.
    I’d embark on a Manhattan size project to harden most of Seoul’s infrastructure and plenty of living space deep underground of ten or twenty feet of concrete.
    Then I’d negotiate with Washington to deploy theatre nukes along the DMZ.
    In fact, that’s the same advice I’d give Taiwan.
    Who really wants to be the next Hong Kong?

  • bob sykes Link

    I should have thought that relations with North Korea were the main problem. I suppose if you don’t look at the tiger it’s not really there.

    And then there is RCEP, which further integrates the South Korean economy with China’s and 13 other Asian and South Pacific countries. RCEP excludes the US. Is South Korea moving away from the US and towards China?

    President Moon Jae-In and his leftist party might not be anti-American, but they are at least American-suspicious. The recent meetings between Moon and Kim were unexpectedly friendly and productive. Both North and South Koreans appear to be more simpatico with each other than non-Koreans. And then there is the unresolved WW II issues and the previous colonial issues with Japan. None if this is discussed by Wi Sung-lac

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