Korea Faces Mounting Pressure to Define Stance as China-Japan Tensions Escalate
SEOUL – South Korea is walking a diplomatic tightrope as escalating tensions between China and Japan over Taiwan threaten to pull Seoul into teh fray,experts warn. While the Lee Jae Myung administration has recently strengthened ties with the United States,including commitments that irk beijing,China’s comparatively restrained response may not last if Seoul accelerates defense projects seen as provocative.
The situation is elaborate by a potential shift in dynamics surrounding Taiwan.A prolonged standoff in the Taiwan Strait will likely increase pressure on Korea to take a definitive position, according to observers. This pressure comes as the Lee administration signals a closer alignment with Washington, demonstrated by a joint fact sheet released after the Korea-U.S. summit on october 29. The statement opposed “unilateral changes to the status quo” across the Taiwan Strait and secured Korea’s approval to build nuclear-propelled submarines – both sensitive issues for China.The agreement also allows for domestic construction of U.S. military vessels.
China’s initial reaction has been measured, with calls for “compliance with nonproliferation obligations” and urging “prudence.” Analysts suggest Beijing is currently prioritizing its dispute with Japan and hesitant to broaden the conflict. Though, this coudl change rapidly should Korea move forward with nuclear-propelled submarine or warship development.
On November 13, Chinese Ambassador to Korea Dai Bing directly warned Seoul and Washington “not to play with fire” over Taiwan, even though Korea was not then directly involved.
despite thes pressures, the Korean government is attempting to maintain a neutral stance. “For Korea, siding with either bloc would come at a cost later,” explained Lee Wang-hwi, a professor of political science and diplomacy at Ajou University. “The safest path is to maintain the current Korea-U.S. and korea-U.S.-Japan framework while emphasizing its role as a mediator for peace and stability in Northeast Asia.”
