Suggestions for a New Design of South Korea's Public Diplomacy

[Editor's Note]

To diagnose the changing international landscape and key issues ahead of the presidential election and the launch of a new administration in 2017, EAI convened a roundtable discussion with experts from various fields to suggest directions for desirable South Korean foreign policy. This paper was written by the author based on the discussions held at the roundtable. The ROK-China relationship is currently facing its greatest challenge in the 25 years since diplomatic ties were established. This is because China has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the deployment of THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) and has imposed economic retaliatory measures against South Korea. While it is true that the immediate focus is on how to navigate the ROK-China relationship, which is intricately intertwined with core security issues surrounding the Korean Peninsula and its neighbors, such as the North Korean nuclear issue, THAAD deployment, and the ROK-US alliance. However, we should not be solely focused on finding an exit from the strained ROK-China relations caused by the THAAD deployment. If the ROK-China relationship is defined solely by focusing on the Korean Peninsula issue, particularly the North Korean nuclear issue, South Korea's strategic options within the context of US-China competition could be significantly narrowed. This paper argues that wisdom must be exercised to resolve the current difficulties within a vision for building a more comprehensive ROK-China relationship from a future-oriented perspective.

[Excerpt]

"The ROK-China relationship, which should be celebrating its 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties, is facing its greatest challenge... While it is important to restore ROK-China relations immediately, the approach to untangling the current complexities should be based on a comprehensive review of the structural issues facing South Korean diplomacy and complex strategic thinking, extending beyond the bilateral ROK-China relationship."

"If the resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue relies excessively on the roles of the two major powers, the US and China, who are in a delicate competitive relationship, there is a risk that the North Korean nuclear issue could be reduced to an object of bargaining or management between the US and China. In short, if we seek compromise with China by focusing solely on the cessation of retaliatory measures for the THAAD issue, it could lead to new instabilities. A strategic approach that comprehensively considers the issues of North Korea's nuclear program and US-China competition on the Korean Peninsula, which lie at the background of the THAAD conflict, is necessary. Furthermore, a sober recognition of the structural vulnerabilities facing the ROK-China relationship must be a prerequisite."

"The reality where the THAAD issue is overwhelming the ROK-China relationship is abnormal. However, it is difficult to conclude that resolving the THAAD conflict directly equates to the restoration and development of ROK-China relations. This is because the THAAD issue is merely a symptom that has manifested due to structural problems accumulated over the 25-year history of ROK-China relations. It is now important to soberly assess the structural problems that cast a long shadow over the ROK-China relationship through the lessons learned from THAAD and seek solutions."

"In reality, South Korea has few cooperative agendas with China to discuss, other than the North Korean nuclear issue and unification. However, both of these issues invariably lead to strategic dependence on China and have a high potential to reintroduce US-China competition to the Korean Peninsula. New strategic agendas that create incentives for China to cooperate with South Korea must be developed."

"We must focus on seizing new future cooperation opportunities with China. Focusing on developing the future Chinese domestic market and building partnerships in new industrial sectors is far more important than overreacting to current retaliatory measures."

[Lead Author]

Lee Dong-ryul_ Director of EAI Center for Chinese Studies, Professor at Dongduk Women's University. He obtained a Ph.D. in Political Science from Peking University's School of International Studies and has served as a policy advisor to the Ministry of Unification and an executive member of the Joint Committee of ROK-China Experts. His main research areas include China's foreign relations, China's ethnic minorities, and Chinese nationalism. Recent works include "Changes and Continuity in the Foreign Policy of the Xi Jinping Regime," "China's policy and influence on the North Korea nuclear issue: denuclearization and/or stabilization of the Korean peninsula?", "Talking About China's Future" (co-editor), and "China's Territorial Disputes" (co-author).

EAI Issue Briefings provide expert diagnosis and analysis for a correct understanding of major domestic and international issues, and offer recommendations for desirable policy directions. EAI strives to provide a balanced perspective, create a forum for constructive policy discussions, and generate ideas needed for our society.