{"id":2199272,"date":"2022-10-27T10:12:58","date_gmt":"2022-10-27T10:12:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nknews.org\/koreapro\/?p=2199272"},"modified":"2023-04-05T16:11:05","modified_gmt":"2023-04-05T07:11:05","slug":"xi-jinpings-consolidation-of-power-spells-trouble-for-south-korea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2022\/10\/xi-jinpings-consolidation-of-power-spells-trouble-for-south-korea\/","title":{"rendered":"Xi Jinping\u2019s consolidation of power spells trouble for South Korea"},"content":{"rendered":"

Xi Jinping is powered-up and ready to take on the U.S.-led international order following the ruling Chinese Communist Party\u2019s Congress, increasing the risk that South Korea gets caught in the middle.<\/span><\/p>\n

Xi <\/span>doubled down<\/span><\/a> on signature policies related to Taiwan and competition with the U.S. at the congress. He also packed his country\u2019s top leadership with <\/span>loyalists<\/span><\/a>, eliminating potential resistance toward achieving his goals.<\/span><\/p>\n

While South Korea relies on the U.S. military for its security, it also enjoys a profitable relationship with China, its largest trading partner. This puts South Korea in a dilemma on a number of issues, from the economy and North Korea to Taiwan.<\/span><\/p>\n

SECURITY > ECONOMY<\/b><\/p>\n

Xi mentioned security issues <\/span>far more<\/span><\/a> than the economy in his party congress speech \u2014 the <\/span>first time<\/span><\/a> a Chinese leader has done this since the CCP took power in 1949.<\/span><\/p>\n

Insofar as this is an indicator of Xi\u2019s priorities, it could mean that China will be more likely to carry out retaliatory economic measures against South Korea going forward as the Yoon administration bolsters ties with the U.S. This brings back memories of Beijing\u2019s boycotts that did <\/span>billions of dollars in damage<\/span><\/a> over Seoul\u2019s decision to deploy the U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system in 2017.<\/span><\/p>\n

One area of economic cooperation under serious threat is semiconductors, with Xi <\/span>reiterating<\/span><\/a> China\u2019s goal to achieve technological self-reliance at the party congress.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, Xi\u2019s drive for greater self-sufficiency comes as the U.S. moves to <\/span>hamper<\/span><\/a> its access to key technology due to national security concerns. Part of this approach means dragging South Korea away from China.<\/span><\/p>\n

One of these initiatives is Chip 4, a U.S.-led semiconductor supply chain alliance that includes Taiwan, Japan and South Korea. Seoul stresses that the group isn\u2019t about excluding a <\/span>\u201ccertain country,\u201d<\/span><\/a> but China\u2019s <\/span>opposition<\/span><\/a> to the Chip 4 shows it doesn\u2019t buy that.<\/span><\/p>\n

Top South Korean chipmakers Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix secured a <\/span>yearlong exemption<\/span><\/a> from U.S. restrictions. But there are still concerns about the fate of its facilities in China over the long term \u2014 behind the scenes, Samsung Electronics is still fighting for a \u201cwin-win solution.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

As South Korea-China relations worsen, North Korea-China ties are improving | Image: Rodong Sinmun (June 21, 2019)<\/p><\/div>\n

NORTH KOREA IS BEST KOREA<\/b><\/p>\n

Although Xi did not directly mention North Korea in his lengthy speech at the congress, developments surrounding the event give South Korea reason to worry about the relationship between the two countries.<\/span><\/p>\n

Just as the congress kicked off on Oct. 16, DPRK state media reported that Xi <\/span>replied<\/span><\/a> to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un\u2019s <\/span>message<\/span><\/a> congratulating the Chinese leader ahead of the event.<\/span><\/p>\n

In his reply, Xi stressed the importance of \u201cboosting unity and cooperation\u201d amid a \u201cserious and complicated change has been made in the international and regional situation.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Kim sent <\/span>another message<\/span><\/a> praising their ties on Oct. 23. The following day, North Korea\u2019s ruling party daily, the <\/span>Rodong Sinmun<\/span><\/i>,<\/span> devoted an <\/span>entire page<\/span><\/a> to hailing China\u2019s party congress.<\/span><\/p>\n

In contrast, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol appeared to send a <\/span>relatively plain<\/span><\/a> congratulatory message void of the flowery language in the Xi-Kim exchanges.<\/span><\/p>\n

The fact that Xi has now secured a third term suggests there will be continuity in Beijing\u2019s policy toward Pyongyang, under which China has been far more willing to <\/span>ignore<\/span><\/a> and even defend North Korea\u2019s continued weapons development.<\/span><\/p>\n

Moreover, Kim Jong Un has met Xi more than any other world leader \u2014 five times in 2018 and 2019 \u2014 and their personal connection may go some way toward reinforcing China-North Korea unity, a concern for South Korea as it seeks support pressuring the Kim regime.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, Beijing could change its tune in response to a nuclear test. If North Korea goes through with it, the U.S. is set to <\/span>deploy strategic assets<\/span><\/a> to the peninsula and work with allies South Korea and Japan to bolster its military position.<\/span><\/p>\n

China does not want a larger American military presence in the region, especially as <\/span>Washington<\/span><\/a> apparently sees a role for <\/span>U.S. Forces Korea (USFK)<\/span><\/a> in the event of a conflict in the Taiwan Strait.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

South Korea is getting caught in the middle of U.S.-China competition | Image: <\/span><\/i>The White House<\/span><\/i><\/a> (May 21, 2022)<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/div>\n

TIED UP IN TAIWAN<\/b><\/p>\n

Xi upped the ante on Taiwan at the congress, too, increasing concerns about the possibility of a conflict not far from the Korean Peninsula.<\/span><\/p>\n

In his speech, Xi <\/span>said<\/span><\/a> that while Beijing \u201cwill continue to strive for peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and the utmost effort,\u201d it \u201cwill never promise to renounce the use of force\u201d and China reserves \u201cthe option of taking all measures necessary.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This marks a step up from his remarks at the previous congress in 2017. The speech this year not only explicitly mentioned retaking Taiwan by force for the <\/span>first time<\/span><\/a> at a party congress, but also added that China <\/span>opposes \u201cforeign interference\u201d<\/span><\/a> over its reunification \u2014 a warning to the U.S. and its allies.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tensions over Taiwan are concerning for South Korea since it will <\/span>almost certainly<\/span><\/a> be sucked into a war in one way or another, whether it wants to or not.<\/span><\/p>\n

In response to <\/span>recent comments<\/span><\/a> by current and former USFK commanders suggesting that USFK would participate in a conflict, Seoul was quick to <\/span>assert<\/span><\/a> that the main role of the U.S. military presence is to defend South Korea.<\/span><\/p>\n

But even if USFK did not directly participate in a conflict, the U.S and its allies will only increase pressure on Seoul to cut economic ties with Beijing and take a harder line toward its aggression if tensions increase or conflict breaks out. It\u2019s difficult to see how either side would tolerate South Korea continuing its approach of balancing between the two powers during open warfare.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On top of this, China is still wary about <\/span>THAAD<\/span><\/a> and the U.S. military presence on the peninsula, and that means South Korea could become a target.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

GOING FORWARD<\/b><\/p>\n

South Korea has the chance to iron out its differences with China at two major meetings in November: the <\/span>G20 summit<\/span><\/a> in Indonesia and the <\/span>APEC meeting<\/span><\/a> in Thailand.<\/span><\/p>\n

Both sides will be hoping that they can come out of the other side of their current difficulties since the relationship has been so fruitful <\/span>over the past 30 years<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

But Xi\u2019s consolidation of power and desire to counter U.S. hegemony suggests that U.S.-China rivalry will dominate geopolitics in Asia for the foreseeable future. And that spells trouble for middle powers like South Korea.<\/span><\/p>\n

Edited by Bryan Betts<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Business & Economy<\/span><\/a>Defense & Security<\/span><\/a>Inter-Korean & Foreign Relations<\/span><\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Xi Jinping is powered-up and ready to take on the U.S.-led international order following the ruling Chinese Communist Party\u2019s Congress, increasing the risk that South Korea gets caught in the middle. Xi doubled down on signature policies related to Taiwan and competition with the U.S. at the congress. He also packed his country\u2019s top leadership […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5769,"featured_media":2199273,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[24,26,28],"yoast_head":"\nXi Jinping\u2019s consolidation of power spells trouble for South Korea - KOREA PRO<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2022\/10\/xi-jinpings-consolidation-of-power-spells-trouble-for-south-korea\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Xi Jinping\u2019s consolidation of power spells trouble for South Korea - KOREA PRO\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Xi Jinping is powered-up and ready to take on the U.S.-led international order following the ruling Chinese Communist Party\u2019s Congress, increasing the risk that South Korea gets caught in the middle. 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He also packed his country\u2019s top leadership […]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2022\/10\/xi-jinpings-consolidation-of-power-spells-trouble-for-south-korea\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"KOREA PRO\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/nknewsorg\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-10-27T10:12:58+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-04-05T07:11:05+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2022\/10\/The-State-Council-The-Peoples-Republic-of-China-Oct.-25-2022.jpeg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"935\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"500\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"jamesfretwell\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@southkoreapro\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@southkoreapro\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"James Fretwell\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2022\/10\/xi-jinpings-consolidation-of-power-spells-trouble-for-south-korea\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2022\/10\/xi-jinpings-consolidation-of-power-spells-trouble-for-south-korea\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"jamesfretwell\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#\/schema\/person\/95f65d76f6c6776f1fc388ab67365d88\"},\"headline\":\"Xi Jinping\u2019s consolidation of power spells trouble for South Korea\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-10-27T10:12:58+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-04-05T07:11:05+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2022\/10\/xi-jinpings-consolidation-of-power-spells-trouble-for-south-korea\/\"},\"wordCount\":1129,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#organization\"},\"keywords\":[\"Business & Economy\",\"Defense & Security\",\"Inter-Korean & Foreign Relations\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Analysis\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2022\/10\/xi-jinpings-consolidation-of-power-spells-trouble-for-south-korea\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2022\/10\/xi-jinpings-consolidation-of-power-spells-trouble-for-south-korea\/\",\"name\":\"Xi Jinping\u2019s consolidation of power spells trouble for South Korea - KOREA PRO\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2022-10-27T10:12:58+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-04-05T07:11:05+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2022\/10\/xi-jinpings-consolidation-of-power-spells-trouble-for-south-korea\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2022\/10\/xi-jinpings-consolidation-of-power-spells-trouble-for-south-korea\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2022\/10\/xi-jinpings-consolidation-of-power-spells-trouble-for-south-korea\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Xi Jinping\u2019s consolidation of power spells trouble for South Korea\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/\",\"name\":\"KOREA PRO\",\"description\":\"Be smart about South Korea. 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