[EAI Knowledge Maru Talk SNS Live Broadcast] Professor Jeon Jae-sung: “Korea must play the role of a middle power to prevent US-China conflict”

YouTube link : video.eai.or.kr/SNSliveweb_120228.flv

Professor Jeon Jae-sung (@eai_2002), Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Seoul National University and Director of the Center for Asian Security Studies at the East Asia Institute, held EAI's first Knowledge Maru Talk SNS live broadcast discussion on the 28th, under the theme “US-China Competition Era, Korean Diplomacy at a Crossroads.”

In this Knowledge Maru Talk, held via Wikitree's 'Social Broadcast,' Director Jeon discussed the diplomatic strategy that Korea should pursue within the framework of its military alliance with the United States and its strategic partnership with China. Reflecting the recent intense interest in US-China relations, numerous questions followed on Facebook and Twitter.

Professor Jeon first assessed the future of US-China relations from a medium- to long-term perspective, stating, “Due to the US's 'return to Asia' strategy, East Asia has emerged as a stage for US-China confrontation, and the Korean Peninsula has been placed at the 'core of US-China conflict.'

He further predicted, “Nevertheless, structurally, the US and China are in a relationship that requires cooperation, so the possibility of a new Cold War, as some fear, is low.”

When asked about ways for Korea to smoothly resolve North Korean issues in the era of US-China competition, Professor Jeon predicted, “If the US and China confront each other geographically in the future, China will absolutely not be able to abandon North Korea, with which it has a 'lips and teeth' relationship, making the Korean Peninsula highly susceptible to significant impact.”

He added, “To prevent this, we must effectively utilize the Six-Party Talks, the only multilateral security dialogue in Northeast Asia.”

In this regard, he emphasized, “We must take the lead in the Six-Party Talks to enhance our regional influence, and as Korea handles North Korean issues more effectively, both the US and China will pay more attention to Korea's positions and voices.”

Professor Jeon further stated, “China also does not desire a crisis on the Korean Peninsula as the chair of the Six-Party Talks and has a strong will to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue through these talks. North Korea also still holds expectations for the Six-Party Talks, as it is their only channel for receiving external aid.”

Regarding the recent issue of North Korean defectors, Professor Jeon commented, “It will be difficult for China to fundamentally change its position in its bilateral relations with North Korea,” while also advising, “The important thing is for South Korea to demonstrate its intention not to politicize human rights.”

In response to a request to introduce the new international political theory presented in his book, "East Asian International Politics: From History to Theory," published at the end of last year, Professor Jeon pointed out, “The question of ‘Where should we position ourselves amidst the US and China?’ is unavoidable,” and “To answer it, an understanding of East Asian international politics must precede it.”

Professor Jeon then introduced the complex organizational principle, which he posits as the organizing principle of future international politics, explaining, “East Asian international politics is a place where time and space are complex; therefore, the intention of the book is to re-examine the political structure of East Asia beyond simply asking where it lies between the US and China.”

Regarding the direction of future Korean diplomacy, Professor Jeon assessed, “The Korean Peninsula amidst the US and China is fluid,” and advised, “Both the US and China speak of the inevitability of conflict, compelling neighboring countries to make choices. This carries the risk of becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy, so we must plan step-by-step by predicting various scenarios.”

In this regard, he added, “We must consider the role of a middle power that can prevent conflict between the two countries.”