Beijing is experiencing a peculiar tension in May 2026. As President Donald Trump concludes his visit to China, news emerges that President Vladimir Putin of Russia is heading to Beijing immediately afterward. While this may seem like a familiar scene, with Putin having visited China multiple times and Sino-Russian summits being commonplace, this occasion carries a different weight.
The urgency of Putin's visit, right after the US-China summit between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, signals Russia's desperation. In international politics, powerful nations typically project confidence; a sense of urgency often reveals a weakening position.
The war in Ukraine has exposed Russia's vulnerabilities. Despite being the successor to the Soviet Union, a superpower that once competed with the United States for global dominance and possessing nuclear weapons and vast territory, Russia has revealed limitations in its economic, industrial, and technological capabilities during this prolonged conflict. The gap between Russia and the West in advanced semiconductors, AI, space, drones, and precision-guided munitions is significantly larger than anticipated.
A more serious issue is Russia's economic structure, which remains heavily reliant on oil, natural gas, and mineral resources. While it appears strong when energy prices are high, its industrial framework is far from a future-oriented advanced economy. In the 21st century, as industries pivot towards AI, biotechnology, quantum computing, and next-generation semiconductors, Russia's economy is increasingly sidelined.
The European Union (EU) faces a similar predicament. Once regarded as the world's largest economic bloc capable of challenging the United States, the Ukraine war has revealed Europe's structural weaknesses. Industries dependent on cheap Russian energy are faltering, and Germany's manufacturing sector shows signs of stagnation. Political leadership in France and Germany has also weakened, and militarily, Europe remains heavily reliant on the United States and NATO.
Today, the real power players shaping the 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 status as the world's largest manufacturing hub, supply chain, rare earth elements, battery production, electric vehicles, and a massive domestic market.
Next in line could be 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. 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, while Russia and the EU still possess military strength and remnants of past glory, they are increasingly sidelined 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 exemplifies this reality. Trump and Xi reportedly discussed various issues, including Taiwan, North Korea, the Iran nuclear situation, global supply chains, and AI dominance. This indicates a reconfiguration of the world order around a G2 framework, distinct from the Cold War-era bipolarity of the U.S. and the Soviet Union. This new G2 order intertwines 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 significant, with the scars of colonialism and historical issues requiring remembrance and reflection, strategic cooperation toward the future is equally essential amid the monumental civilizational shifts of the 21st century.
The AI era is not merely a technological competition; it demands that human spirit, ethics, culture, and philosophy guide technology. It is a time when humanity's spirituality and civilization should lead AI, marking the advent of "Spirituality-Centered AI."
In this context, South Korea and Japan could form a remarkable partnership. South Korea brings dynamism, digital transformation capabilities, and competitiveness in content and semiconductors. Japan contributes precision manufacturing, fundamental science, craftsmanship, and system stability. Together, they have the potential to emerge as a new axis in AI, semiconductors, biotechnology, energy, and cultural industries, following the U.S. and China.
Moreover, both nations share a civilizational foundation rooted in Confucianism, Buddhism, and the East Asian community. This is a civilization characterized by coexistence, order, moderation, and balance, rather than a Western-style hegemonic model. 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 be a diplomatic event. It must serve as a historical starting point for both 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 building a North America-centered supply chain, while China is strengthening its economic sphere. Europe operates based on the EU single market. If South Korea and Japan continue to consume each other in historical conflicts, they will ultimately be the biggest losers.
The Korea-Japan economic community is not just a free trade conce; it should evolve into a future-oriented strategic alliance encompassing an AI semiconductor joint supply chain, energy security cooperation, joint research and development (R&D), talent exchange, and digital financial collaboration.
The "I Ching" states, "Those who share the same intention can cut through metal (同心之言 其利斷金)." This is precisely what South Korea and Japan need now: 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 historical grievances. History contains suffering and wounds that cannot be erased. However, civilization does not endure solely through resentment. Memory is necessary, but a future cannot be built on hatred.
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; it is resolved 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 encourages creating a higher order beyond wounds. The great scriptures of human civilization may use different languages, but they ultimately point in the same direction: towards reconciliation, coexistence, and courage for the future.
We live in an era where Trump, Xi, and Putin are active. However, what is truly important is the wisdom to not be swayed by 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 was generated using generative AI and has been reviewed by an editor.
The urgency of Putin's visit, right after the US-China summit between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, signals Russia's desperation. In international politics, powerful nations typically project confidence; a sense of urgency often reveals a weakening position.
The war in Ukraine has exposed Russia's vulnerabilities. Despite being the successor to the Soviet Union, a superpower that once competed with the United States for global dominance and possessing nuclear weapons and vast territory, Russia has revealed limitations in its economic, industrial, and technological capabilities during this prolonged conflict. The gap between Russia and the West in advanced semiconductors, AI, space, drones, and precision-guided munitions is significantly larger than anticipated.
A more serious issue is Russia's economic structure, which remains heavily reliant on oil, natural gas, and mineral resources. While it appears strong when energy prices are high, its industrial framework is far from a future-oriented advanced economy. In the 21st century, as industries pivot towards AI, biotechnology, quantum computing, and next-generation semiconductors, Russia's economy is increasingly sidelined.
The European Union (EU) faces a similar predicament. Once regarded as the world's largest economic bloc capable of challenging the United States, the Ukraine war has revealed Europe's structural weaknesses. Industries dependent on cheap Russian energy are faltering, and Germany's manufacturing sector shows signs of stagnation. Political leadership in France and Germany has also weakened, and militarily, Europe remains heavily reliant on the United States and NATO.
Today, the real power players shaping the 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 status as the world's largest manufacturing hub, supply chain, rare earth elements, battery production, electric vehicles, and a massive domestic market.
Next in line could be 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. 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, while Russia and the EU still possess military strength and remnants of past glory, they are increasingly sidelined 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 exemplifies this reality. Trump and Xi reportedly discussed various issues, including Taiwan, North Korea, the Iran nuclear situation, global supply chains, and AI dominance. This indicates a reconfiguration of the world order around a G2 framework, distinct from the Cold War-era bipolarity of the U.S. and the Soviet Union. This new G2 order intertwines 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 significant, with the scars of colonialism and historical issues requiring remembrance and reflection, strategic cooperation toward the future is equally essential amid the monumental civilizational shifts of the 21st century.
The AI era is not merely a technological competition; it demands that human spirit, ethics, culture, and philosophy guide technology. It is a time when humanity's spirituality and civilization should lead AI, marking the advent of "Spirituality-Centered AI."
In this context, South Korea and Japan could form a remarkable partnership. South Korea brings dynamism, digital transformation capabilities, and competitiveness in content and semiconductors. Japan contributes precision manufacturing, fundamental science, craftsmanship, and system stability. Together, they have the potential to emerge as a new axis in AI, semiconductors, biotechnology, energy, and cultural industries, following the U.S. and China.
Moreover, both nations share a civilizational foundation rooted in Confucianism, Buddhism, and the East Asian community. This is a civilization characterized by coexistence, order, moderation, and balance, rather than a Western-style hegemonic model. 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 be a diplomatic event. It must serve as a historical starting point for both 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 building a North America-centered supply chain, while China is strengthening its economic sphere. Europe operates based on the EU single market. If South Korea and Japan continue to consume each other in historical conflicts, they will ultimately be the biggest losers.
The Korea-Japan economic community is not just a free trade conce; it should evolve into a future-oriented strategic alliance encompassing an AI semiconductor joint supply chain, energy security cooperation, joint research and development (R&D), talent exchange, and digital financial collaboration.
The "I Ching" states, "Those who share the same intention can cut through metal (同心之言 其利斷金)." This is precisely what South Korea and Japan need now: 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 historical grievances. History contains suffering and wounds that cannot be erased. However, civilization does not endure solely through resentment. Memory is necessary, but a future cannot be built on hatred.
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; it is resolved 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 encourages creating a higher order beyond wounds. The great scriptures of human civilization may use different languages, but they ultimately point in the same direction: towards reconciliation, coexistence, and courage for the future.
We live in an era where Trump, Xi, and Putin are active. However, what is truly important is the wisdom to not be swayed by 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 was generated using generative AI and has been reviewed by an editor.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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