South Korea's foreign policy faces challenges amid tensions between the two major powers, the United States and China. The U.S. is pressuring South Korea to deploy troops to the Hormuz Strait, while differences in perception have arisen with China regarding the naming of the 'Taiwan Pavilion' at the Gwangju Biennale and remarks by Wang Yi, head of the Chinese Communist Party's Central Foreign Affairs Commission and Foreign Minister, about the Korean Peninsula being 'two countries.' This situation underscores the importance of the Lee Jae-myung administration's 'pragmatic diplomacy' in managing relations with both the U.S. and China.
Park Du-sun, spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, stated during a regular briefing at the ministry's headquarters in Seoul on October 8, 'We are closely consulting with the international community to restore freedom of navigation in the Hormuz Strait and to ensure peace and stability in the Middle East, but no specific measures have been decided yet.'
He added, 'The Biennale issue was made based on private judgment and is unrelated to our government's stance on Taiwan. We hope it does not affect Korea-China relations. It is necessary to maintain close communication based on mutual respect and reciprocity between the two countries.'
Particularly, it has been reported that the Blue House is considering troop deployment to the Hormuz Strait, leading to some discontent within the ruling coalition. Some analysts suggest that while deploying troops could strengthen the South Korea-U.S. alliance, it may also worsen relations with Iran and other Middle Eastern countries, presenting a double-edged sword for South Korea.
Additionally, a South Korean embassy official in China reportedly told local correspondents the day before that there seems to be 'some differences in perception' regarding the naming controversy of the Taiwan Pavilion at the Gwangju Biennale. The Foreign Ministry has clarified that the controversy is not an official government position, indicating that the central government cannot intervene in cultural and artistic matters, but it appears that the differences in perception have not been fully resolved.
Following the controversy, the government reiterated its unchanged position regarding the joint statement from the establishment of diplomatic relations between South Korea and China in 1992, which states, 'The Government of the Republic of Korea recognizes the Government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate government of China and respects China's position that there is only one China and Taiwan is part of China.'
Furthermore, it is reported that the government raised concerns about Wang Yi's remarks last month referring to the two Koreas as 'two countries.' National Security Office Director Wi Seong-rak stated during a closed meeting on September 28, 'The two-country theory is North Korea's position. It is not our government's position, so we took necessary measures with the Chinese government.' He emphasized that according to the agreement made when South Korea and China established diplomatic relations, China supports Korea's unification.
He also cautioned, 'There could be misunderstandings, and it does not align with our position. If we are seen as 'two countries,' unification will be further away, so we should avoid using expressions that could lead to misunderstandings.'
However, there are also positive factors in South Korea's relations with the U.S. and China. South Korea's investment in the U.S. is imminent, and recently, the Korea Disaster Relief Team (KDRT) rescued a Chinese national ten days after a major flood in Nepal.
Min Jeong-hoon, a professor at the National Diplomatic Academy's Americas Research Department, told Aju Economy, 'The issues in South Korea-U.S. relations are intertwined and need to be unraveled like a tangled thread. Since U.S. President Donald Trump is interested in investment in the U.S., resolving the investment outcomes and the pressure regarding Hormuz will generally strengthen South Korea-U.S. relations.' He emphasized the importance of communication between the two countries.
Kang Jun-young, a professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies' Department of Chinese Studies, stated, 'It is important to acknowledge the differences in perception without imposing them on each other, as this can be a new starting point for Korea-China relations.' He stressed the need to voice concerns when necessary to maintain the autonomy of South Korean diplomacy.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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