(Lima = News 1) Reporter Kim Jeong-ryul = President Yoon Seok-yeol joined hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping again after two years. Ahead of the launch of the second term of the Donald Trump administration in the United States, attention is focused on whether there will be a change in the diplomatic stance of the Yoon Seok-yeol government, which is based on the existing ROK-US alliance.
President Yoon, who is visiting Peru to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, held the Korea-China summit with President Xi on the 15th. President Yoon showed diplomatic actions befitting the title of realizing a global pivotal nation by holding summit meetings with China, the United States, and Japan during the APEC summit.
President Yoon, who had a brief one-minute conversation with President Xi at last year’s APEC, continued the conversation for 29 minutes at this summit. It was longer than the Korea-China summit (25 minutes) held at the G20 summit held in Bali, Indonesia two years ago.
President Yoon met with President Xi before the start of the APEC summit. As this is the first official itinerary of his trip to Central and South America, it is analyzed that he is placing importance on the Korea-China summit.
President Yoon emphasized to President Xi to further strengthen economic cooperation. Accordingly, there was a clear thawing mood between Korea and China, with the two sides agreeing to complete FTA service investment negotiations early.
In particular, President Yoon mentioned the military cooperation between North Korea and Russia and proposed China’s role for regional stability. In response, President Xi said, “No matter how the situation changes, let us stick to the original intention of establishing diplomatic relations.”
President Xi’s remarks appear to be an indirect expression of China’s existing emphasis on multilateralism. This is interpreted to mean that although China understands the ROK-U.S. alliance, it must continue Korea’s policy of an American economy being China’s policy.
The reunion of the leaders of the two countries for the first time in two years was catalyzed by the closer relationship between North Korea and Russia and the appearance of President-elect Trump. The analysis is that China’s strategic consideration of North Korea’s move to closely associate with Russia and the needs of the Yoon Seok-yeol government, which may face regional problems if China, in addition to North Korea and Russia, becomes closely attached to North Korea.
It is difficult for the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, which is about to launch the second term of the Trump administration, to predict what changes will come in future North Korea-US relations. Previously, during the first term of the Trump administration, when President Trump spoke directly with North Korea, South Korea was left out of the North Korean issue. Accordingly, there is a need to restore relations with China, a major party.
This situation was also revealed in the scene where both sides proposed visiting Korea and China to each other during this summit meeting.
President Yoon held a Korea-U.S.-Japan summit with U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
The leaders of the three countries, including President Yoon, agreed that cooperation between Korea, the United States, and Japan will continue to develop without hesitation ahead of the inauguration of the Trump administration. In addition, the three countries adopted a joint statement and reaffirmed the existing stance of the Korea-U.S.-Japan alliance, including strongly condemning illegal military cooperation between North Korea and Russia.
In particular, President Biden reemphasized that the United States’ defense commitments to Korea and Japan are ironclad, and emphasized the United States’ will to strengthen extended deterrence cooperation through the ROK-US alliance and the US-Japan alliance.
In addition, they are evaluated as having laid the institutional foundation for the sustainability of the Korea-U.S.-Japan alliance through the establishment of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat.
This can be interpreted as an intention to continue the trilateral alliance even after the inauguration of the Trump administration.
In addition, President Yoon also attended the Korea-U.S. and Korea-Japan summits. President Biden promised President Yoon, “I will continue to support and help the ROK-U.S. relationship even if new leadership appears in the U.S.,” dispelling concerns that the ROK-U.S. alliance may be weakened after the inauguration of the Trump administration.
However, it is unclear whether the existing Korea-U.S.-Japan alliance will be maintained at the current level after the inauguration of the Trump administration.
Editor-in-Chief: What is your analysis of the recent Korea-China summit and the subsequent Korea-U.S.-Japan summit held by President Yoon Seok-yeol during his visit to Peru for the APEC summit? How significant are these meetings in the context of regional diplomacy and security?
Guest 1: The recent Korea-China summit and the subsequent Korea-U.S.-Japan summit held by President Yoon Seok-yeol are significant in that they reflect the shifting dynamics of regional diplomacy and security. The thawing of relations between Korea and China, as evidenced by the longer duration of their meeting compared to previous summits, indicates a recognition of the importance of maintaining a strong economic partnership. Moreover, China’s emphasis on multilateralism and affirming their commitment to the original intention of establishing diplomatic relations with Korea suggests an effort to balance its regional influence with Russia’s closer ties to North Korea.
Guest 2: I agree with my colleague. The dialogue between President Yoon and President Xi Jinping shows that both countries are trying to find a balance in their relationship amid changing geopolitical dynamics. However, I also see this as an opportunity for Korea to reassert its importance as a key player in Northeast Asian security. By committing to early completion of the FTA service investment negotiations and discussing military cooperation with President Xi, President Yoon demonstrated that Korea is committed to maintaining stability in the region while also seeking to enhance economic ties with China.
Editor-in-Chief: In light of the potential changes in North Korea’s relations with Russia and the U.S. under the new Trump administration, how would you assess the Yoon government’s approach towards China and its role in ensuring regional stability?
Guest 1: The Yoon government’s approach towards China appears to be strategic. By rekindling ties with China, Korea is hedging against the possibility of being sidelined in the event of closer ties between North Korea, Russia, and China. Moreover, the proposal for a Korean visit to China and China’s invitation for President Yoon to visit indicates a desire to maintain an open dialogue and ensure that China remains invested in the peace and stability of the region.
