Yin Yongkuan: Strengthen the new strategic situation in Korea

Yin Yongkuan

The geopolitical situation in Northeast Asia is changing. Fortunately, Japan and South Korea, the two major democratic peoples in the region, are moving closer to general directions.If the leadership team with cautious and strategic vision can have dominance in Tokyo and Seoul, the historical grievances of the two countries may eventually become the past, and the security environment in the Indo -Pacific region will also be strengthened.

The problem of bilateral diplomatic friction can be traced back to before World War II, and the catalyst that reduces friction is that Yin Xiyue swore to serve as the president of the Republic of Korea last May.With Yin Xiyue's entry into the Presidential Palace, it was previously regarded as the core of South Korean foreign policy and seeking to seek some unreal balance between China and the United States, which has made a clearer evaluation of the country's security needs.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a big stick for many Koreans in Yin Xiyue and many political factions.Because China and some countries actually supported the criminal behavior of Russian President Putin, the war caused the entire international security structure to be questioned.Coupled with the increasingly serious North Korean nuclear threat, the continuous exacerbation of China -US confrontation, and China that may follow Russia to invade Taiwan, these evidence is enough to promote Yin Xiyue to believe that based on national security, South Korea is necessary to establish a closer relationship with the United States and Japan.

Although the US -Japan strategist in South Korea has occupied a more prominent position in the eyes of South Korean strategic makers, the Yin Xiyue government did not give up relations with China.On the contrary, his government still focuses on eased tensions and has been helped by China in curbing North Korean leader Kim Jong -un.But different from the former Wen Zaiyin, Yin Xiyue did not think that pretending to be opened with the United States was a prerequisite for establishing a relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In Yin Xiyue's view, admitting that the new national security needs in South Korea means a more positive and outgoing diplomatic situation.He hopes to make South Korea a key role in maintaining international order, not just a small regional country that pays attention to the relationship between the Korean Peninsula.

Yin Xiyue defeated the left opponent with only 0.74 percentage advantages. For him, the problem lies in the political support of major foreign policies in China.In view of the political system of winners in South Korea, the president has only one five -year term. Many people worry that any major foreign policy change may be reversed immediately in 2027.Since the next presidential election will not be held until then, as long as Yin Xiyue is working hard enough, there will be time to reach a consensus in this regard.

Therefore, although South Korea's strategic adjustment under Yin Xiyue's strategic adjustment seems significant, if it fails to achieve formal institutionalization with its allies, especially Japan and the United States, this strategic adjustment will still be in danger.This is why the Yin Xiyue government has not waited for Japan to take the first step (this has always been a typical approach to South Korean diplomacy), but actively attacked, trying to resume from 1998 to 2000, South Korean President Kim Daka and Japanese Prime Minister Komiyama San SanIntimate relationship at any time.

We must want this effort to bloom as soon as possible.However, the intensity of bilateral relations eventually depends on the three sides of Japan, South Korea and the United States, and the three countries still have many things to do in terms of deepening relations.Last summer, experts put forward dozens of policy suggestions at a three -sided meeting organized by the Manosfield Foundation.For example, a meeting of the Three Kingdoms and Foreign Minister of Defense and Foreign Minister can be held on a regular basis, namely the "2+2+2 summit" to establish trust and improve policy coordination, and formulate more effective common risks (such as security threats composed of North Korea).

In the next generation of semiconductors, aerospace technology, 5G and 6G communications, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing areas, it can also start joint measures to establish trust.The National Science Foundation of China, the comprehensive development institution of the new energy industry in Japan, and the Korean National Research Foundation can jointly coordinate the work in the above fields.

The same important is to deepen the connection among the people of the three countries.For example, especially for young people, media people, and other "influential people" various exchange projects, it will help build a common community and win greater public support for the deepening of the three -sided alliances.

More widely, South Korea must also participate more in multilateral institutions and networks in order to cooperate with other countries, provide international public products, alleviate supply chain problems, and solve other global problems.The most important organization that South Korea should seek to join is perhaps the Indian Democratic National Group, which is composed of Australia, Japan, India, and the United States, that is, the "four -party security dialogue".

Although the Sifang Security Dialogue has no expansion of political will, the opportunity to include South Korea into it should not be missed.South Korea should also actively strive to join other important multilateral international networks, such as the Indo -Pacific Economic Framework initiative of the Seventh Kingdom Group and the US President Biden, and the chip Siquan Alliance (US, Japan and South KoreaTaiwan), and a huge cross -Pacific Trade Group, a Capital Pacific Partnership Comprehensive Progress Agreement (CPTPP).

To seize these opportunities and mobilize a wider range of regions and global networks, South Korea and Japan need strong and far -sighted leaders.However, as often happens, to maintain the current momentum, it is necessary to play a leading role in the United States.

In 2022, the US National Security Strategy called for investment in the US national strength and co -organized allies and partners to defeat China in the competition and restrict Russia.However, the Biden government has not yet formulated an effective plan to unite allies and like -minded countries under the common safety goals.

One of the reasons is that the United States has not considered the impact of its domestic policy on foreign policy interests.For example, France, South Korea, and other countries have been complaining loudly that they have been excluded from the new industrial policy in the United States (such as reducing the tax credits of electric vehicles produced by the inflation in the United States).

Although Biden has promised to solve these problems, he must act as soon as possible.After all, the alliance is based on trust; trust will be a key element that builds a security alliance that deserves a security alliance that is derived from the great democratic country in Asia.

Author Yoon Young-Kwan is a former Foreign Minister in Korea

The current honorary professor of international relations in Seoul National University

English Original: Streangthening South Korea's New Strategic Posture

All rights reserved: Project syndicate, 2023.

Although the US -Japan strategist in South Korea has occupied a more prominent position in the eyes of South Korean strategic makers, the Yin Xiyue government did not give up relations with China.On the contrary, his government still focuses on eased tensions and has been helped by China in curbing North Korean leader Kim Jong -un.