Why supporting Taiwan remains a bridge too far for South Korea



Analysis Why supporting Taiwan remains a bridge too far for South Korea Indirect aid would align Seoul with other liberal democracies, but memories of Chinese economic retaliation linger John LeeJune 1, 2022 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen arrives in the U.S. on Aug. 12, 2018 \| Image: Taiwan Presidential Office's Flickr From Beijing’s point of view, U.S. President Joe Biden’s recent visit to South Korea was concerning. For one, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol committed his country to joining the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, despite China’s deep misgivings. Seoul and Washington also agreed to beef up their combined defense capability via expanded military exercises. Significantly, Taiwan came up during the two leaders’ joint press conference as well: Biden said he and Yoon were committed to “promoting stability across the Taiwan Straits as well; and ensuring freedom of navigation, including in the South China Sea and beyond.” While this © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. LATEST ANALYSIS 01South Korea’s won faces a new test as foreign bond buying loses momentum 02Trump’s Russian diesel deal may leave South Korea’s refining boom intact 03Trump’s Alaska LNG claim shows who really runs the US-South Korea alliance 04South Korea’s missile defense push raises new questions over wartime stocks 05South Korea bank hacks expose weak links beyond core financial systems 06Lee-Zelensky feud exposes South Korea’s widening Ukraine policy dilemma 07Lee Jae Myung’s ‘pacemaker’ strategy tests South Korea’s leverage with Trump 08Trump’s Korea investment victory lap masks safeguards Seoul still controls

Analysis

Why supporting Taiwan remains a bridge too far for South Korea

Indirect aid would align Seoul with other liberal democracies, but memories of Chinese economic retaliation linger

John LeeJune 1, 2022

Why supporting Taiwan remains a bridge too far for South Korea

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen arrives in the U.S. on Aug. 12, 2018 | Image: Taiwan Presidential Office's Flickr

From Beijing’s point of view, U.S. President Joe Biden’s recent visit to South Korea was concerning. For one, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol committed his country to joining the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, despite China’s deep misgivings. Seoul and Washington also agreed to beef up their combined defense capability via expanded military exercises.

Significantly, Taiwan came up during the two leaders’ joint press conference as well: Biden said he and Yoon were committed to “promoting stability across the Taiwan Straits as well; and ensuring freedom of navigation, including in the South China Sea and beyond.”

While this

LATEST ANALYSIS

01South Korea’s won faces a new test as foreign bond buying loses momentum
02Trump’s Russian diesel deal may leave South Korea’s refining boom intact
03Trump’s Alaska LNG claim shows who really runs the US-South Korea alliance
04South Korea’s missile defense push raises new questions over wartime stocks
05South Korea bank hacks expose weak links beyond core financial systems
06Lee-Zelensky feud exposes South Korea’s widening Ukraine policy dilemma
07Lee Jae Myung’s ‘pacemaker’ strategy tests South Korea’s leverage with Trump
08Trump’s Korea investment victory lap masks safeguards Seoul still controls

Why supporting Taiwan remains a bridge too far for South Korea

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John Lee