Beijing is experiencing a peculiar tension this May. As President Donald Trump concludes his visit to China, news emerges that President Vladimir Putin of Russia is heading to Beijing immediately afterward. At first glance, this may seem like a familiar scene; Putin has visited China multiple times, and China-Russia summits are not unusual.
However, this situation is different. The fact that President Putin is rushing to Beijing right after the US-China summit between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping indicates Russia's urgency. In international politics, powerful nations typically project confidence. Conversely, haste often reveals a weakening of power.
The war in Ukraine has exposed Russia's vulnerabilities to the world. Despite being a successor to the Soviet Union, which once competed with the United States for global dominance during the Cold War, Russia has revealed limitations in its economic strength, industrial base, and technological capabilities amid a prolonged conflict. The gap between Russia and the West in advanced semiconductors, AI, space, drones, and precision-guided weapon systems is significantly larger than anticipated.
A more serious issue is Russia's economic resilience. The country remains heavily dependent on oil, natural gas, and mineral resources. While it appears strong when energy prices are high, its industrial structure is far from a future-oriented advanced economy. In the 21st century, as industries shift towards AI, biotechnology, quantum computing, and next-generation semiconductors, Russia's economy is increasingly being sidelined.
The European Union (EU) faces similar challenges. Once regarded as the world's largest economic bloc capable of countering the United States, the EU's structural weaknesses have been laid bare by the Ukraine war. Industries reliant on cheap Russian energy are faltering, and Germany's manufacturing sector shows signs of stagnation. Political leadership in France and Germany has also weakened. Militarily, Europe continues to rely heavily on the United States and NATO.
Ultimately, the real power players shaping today's global order are the United States and China. The U.S. maintains dominance through its control of the dollar, military strength, AI platforms, semiconductor design technology, and the global financial system. China counters with its vast manufacturing capabilities, supply chains, rare earth elements, batteries, electric vehicles, and a massive domestic market.
The next tier of power may belong to Japan and South Korea. Japan retains world-class competitiveness in semiconductor materials, equipment, precision machinery, and robotics. South Korea holds a unique position in memory semiconductors, AI infrastructure, batteries, shipbuilding, and the digital culture industry. Notably, the East Asian semiconductor belt, led by Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and TSMC, has become a strategic asset akin to oil in the AI era.
In contrast, Russia and the EU, while still possessing military strength and remnants of past glory, are increasingly being pushed aside in the competition for future industries and AI platforms. To put it bluntly, they are becoming "paper tigers"—imposing in appearance but distanced from the technologies and platforms that drive the future.
The recent US-China summit symbolically illustrates this reality. Trump and Xi reportedly discussed issues ranging from Taiwan and North Korea to Iran's nuclear program, global supply chains, and AI dominance. This underscores the reconfiguration of the global order around a G2 framework, distinct from the bipolar system of the Cold War era. This time, the G2 order integrates economics, technology, AI, data, supply chains, and finance.
In such an era, South Korea and Japan must not remain trapped in outdated historical conflicts. While the past is undeniably significant, with the scars of colonialism and historical issues requiring remembrance and reflection, strategic cooperation for the future is equally essential amidst the monumental civilizational shifts of the 21st century.
The AI era is not merely a time of technological competition; it is an age where human spirit, ethics, culture, and philosophy must guide technology. It is a time when humanity's spirituality and civilization should lead AI, marking the era of "Spirituality-Centered AI."
In this context, South Korea and Japan could form a remarkable partnership. South Korea brings dynamism, digital transformation capabilities, and strengths in content and semiconductors. Japan contributes precision manufacturing, foundational science, craftsmanship, and system stability. If the two countries collaborate, they have the potential to emerge as a new axis in AI, semiconductors, biotechnology, energy, and cultural industries, following the United States and China.
Moreover, South Korea and Japan share a civilizational foundation rooted in Confucianism, Buddhism, and the East Asian community. This is a civilization characterized not by a Western-style hegemonic model but by philosophies of coexistence, order, moderation, and balance. Therefore, what is needed now is not politics that dwells solely on past grievances but politics that designs the future.
The upcoming meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaiichi and President Lee Jae-myung in Andong should not merely end as a diplomatic event. It should serve as a historic starting point for the two nations to advance toward a new economic and technological community.
The world is moving into a significant era of bloc formation. The United States is establishing a North America-centered supply chain, while China is strengthening its economic sphere in the Chinese-speaking world. Europe operates based on the EU single market. If South Korea and Japan continue to consume each other in historical conflicts, they risk becoming the biggest victims of their own actions.
The Korea-Japan economic community is not just a concept of free trade. It should evolve into a future-oriented strategic alliance encompassing AI semiconductor supply chains, energy security cooperation, joint research and development (R&D), future talent exchanges, and digital finance collaboration.
The "I Ching" states, "Those who share the same intentions can even break metal (同心之言 其利斷金)." What South Korea and Japan need now is precisely that: the courage to remember past wounds while joining hands for the future and the determination to create a new order in East Asian civilization.
The most challenging issue in Korea-Japan relations remains the historical grievances. History carries wounds and scars that cannot be erased. However, civilization does not endure solely through resentment. Memory is necessary, but a future cannot be built on hatred alone.
The "Tao Te Ching" states, "If you repay hatred with hatred, hatred will never cease (報怨以德)." Laozi believed that softness lasts longer than strength and that virtue creates order rather than revenge. This is not a philosophy of defeat but a philosophy of civilization. The "Dhammapada" also teaches, "Hatred is not resolved by hatred, but by compassion. This is an eternal truth." The teachings of the Buddha from thousands of years ago still apply today in Northeast Asia. Inter-state relations cannot be sustained through endless hostility and hatred. Ultimately, understanding, moderation, and the wisdom of coexistence are essential.
The Bible also contains a verse that states, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." This does not imply forgetting. Rather, it suggests creating a higher order beyond the wounds. The great texts of human civilization may use different languages, but they ultimately point in the same direction: towards reconciliation, coexistence, and courage for the future, rather than the repetition of hatred.
We live in an era where Trump, Xi, and Putin are active. However, what is truly important is the wisdom to not be dragged between great powers. Now, South Korea and Japan must become a unified axis. This may be the most realistic path to maintaining peace in Northeast Asia and opening up prosperity for future generations.
However, this situation is different. The fact that President Putin is rushing to Beijing right after the US-China summit between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping indicates Russia's urgency. In international politics, powerful nations typically project confidence. Conversely, haste often reveals a weakening of power.
The war in Ukraine has exposed Russia's vulnerabilities to the world. Despite being a successor to the Soviet Union, which once competed with the United States for global dominance during the Cold War, Russia has revealed limitations in its economic strength, industrial base, and technological capabilities amid a prolonged conflict. The gap between Russia and the West in advanced semiconductors, AI, space, drones, and precision-guided weapon systems is significantly larger than anticipated.
A more serious issue is Russia's economic resilience. The country remains heavily dependent on oil, natural gas, and mineral resources. While it appears strong when energy prices are high, its industrial structure is far from a future-oriented advanced economy. In the 21st century, as industries shift towards AI, biotechnology, quantum computing, and next-generation semiconductors, Russia's economy is increasingly being sidelined.
The European Union (EU) faces similar challenges. Once regarded as the world's largest economic bloc capable of countering the United States, the EU's structural weaknesses have been laid bare by the Ukraine war. Industries reliant on cheap Russian energy are faltering, and Germany's manufacturing sector shows signs of stagnation. Political leadership in France and Germany has also weakened. Militarily, Europe continues to rely heavily on the United States and NATO.
Ultimately, the real power players shaping today's global order are the United States and China. The U.S. maintains dominance through its control of the dollar, military strength, AI platforms, semiconductor design technology, and the global financial system. China counters with its vast manufacturing capabilities, supply chains, rare earth elements, batteries, electric vehicles, and a massive domestic market.
The next tier of power may belong to Japan and South Korea. Japan retains world-class competitiveness in semiconductor materials, equipment, precision machinery, and robotics. South Korea holds a unique position in memory semiconductors, AI infrastructure, batteries, shipbuilding, and the digital culture industry. Notably, the East Asian semiconductor belt, led by Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and TSMC, has become a strategic asset akin to oil in the AI era.
In contrast, Russia and the EU, while still possessing military strength and remnants of past glory, are increasingly being pushed aside in the competition for future industries and AI platforms. To put it bluntly, they are becoming "paper tigers"—imposing in appearance but distanced from the technologies and platforms that drive the future.
The recent US-China summit symbolically illustrates this reality. Trump and Xi reportedly discussed issues ranging from Taiwan and North Korea to Iran's nuclear program, global supply chains, and AI dominance. This underscores the reconfiguration of the global order around a G2 framework, distinct from the bipolar system of the Cold War era. This time, the G2 order integrates economics, technology, AI, data, supply chains, and finance.
In such an era, South Korea and Japan must not remain trapped in outdated historical conflicts. While the past is undeniably significant, with the scars of colonialism and historical issues requiring remembrance and reflection, strategic cooperation for the future is equally essential amidst the monumental civilizational shifts of the 21st century.
The AI era is not merely a time of technological competition; it is an age where human spirit, ethics, culture, and philosophy must guide technology. It is a time when humanity's spirituality and civilization should lead AI, marking the era of "Spirituality-Centered AI."
In this context, South Korea and Japan could form a remarkable partnership. South Korea brings dynamism, digital transformation capabilities, and strengths in content and semiconductors. Japan contributes precision manufacturing, foundational science, craftsmanship, and system stability. If the two countries collaborate, they have the potential to emerge as a new axis in AI, semiconductors, biotechnology, energy, and cultural industries, following the United States and China.
Moreover, South Korea and Japan share a civilizational foundation rooted in Confucianism, Buddhism, and the East Asian community. This is a civilization characterized not by a Western-style hegemonic model but by philosophies of coexistence, order, moderation, and balance. Therefore, what is needed now is not politics that dwells solely on past grievances but politics that designs the future.
The upcoming meeting between Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaiichi and President Lee Jae-myung in Andong should not merely end as a diplomatic event. It should serve as a historic starting point for the two nations to advance toward a new economic and technological community.
The world is moving into a significant era of bloc formation. The United States is establishing a North America-centered supply chain, while China is strengthening its economic sphere in the Chinese-speaking world. Europe operates based on the EU single market. If South Korea and Japan continue to consume each other in historical conflicts, they risk becoming the biggest victims of their own actions.
The Korea-Japan economic community is not just a concept of free trade. It should evolve into a future-oriented strategic alliance encompassing AI semiconductor supply chains, energy security cooperation, joint research and development (R&D), future talent exchanges, and digital finance collaboration.
The "I Ching" states, "Those who share the same intentions can even break metal (同心之言 其利斷金)." What South Korea and Japan need now is precisely that: the courage to remember past wounds while joining hands for the future and the determination to create a new order in East Asian civilization.
The most challenging issue in Korea-Japan relations remains the historical grievances. History carries wounds and scars that cannot be erased. However, civilization does not endure solely through resentment. Memory is necessary, but a future cannot be built on hatred alone.
The "Tao Te Ching" states, "If you repay hatred with hatred, hatred will never cease (報怨以德)." Laozi believed that softness lasts longer than strength and that virtue creates order rather than revenge. This is not a philosophy of defeat but a philosophy of civilization. The "Dhammapada" also teaches, "Hatred is not resolved by hatred, but by compassion. This is an eternal truth." The teachings of the Buddha from thousands of years ago still apply today in Northeast Asia. Inter-state relations cannot be sustained through endless hostility and hatred. Ultimately, understanding, moderation, and the wisdom of coexistence are essential.
The Bible also contains a verse that states, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." This does not imply forgetting. Rather, it suggests creating a higher order beyond the wounds. The great texts of human civilization may use different languages, but they ultimately point in the same direction: towards reconciliation, coexistence, and courage for the future, rather than the repetition of hatred.
We live in an era where Trump, Xi, and Putin are active. However, what is truly important is the wisdom to not be dragged between great powers. Now, South Korea and Japan must become a unified axis. This may be the most realistic path to maintaining peace in Northeast Asia and opening up prosperity for future generations.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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