Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) defeated the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) in this week’s presidential elections, clinching a historic third term. This victory, celebrated in Western circles as a democratic triumph, has not resonated similarly in South Korea. Instead, Seoul’s response is notably measured.

South Korean media and experts have highlighted distinct concerns, starkly contrasting the jubilant reactions from the U.S. and Europe. Editorial boards across the ROK focused on the potential economic and security risks that Taiwan’s anti-China leadership might precipitate.

The central worry concerns the semiconductor market, a cornerstone of South Korea’s economy, and the potential geopolitical tensions