{"id":2201135,"date":"2023-05-24T18:21:26","date_gmt":"2023-05-24T09:21:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2201135"},"modified":"2023-05-24T18:21:26","modified_gmt":"2023-05-24T09:21:26","slug":"why-south-korea-and-japans-radar-link-might-be-bad-news-for-china","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/05\/why-south-korea-and-japans-radar-link-might-be-bad-news-for-china\/","title":{"rendered":"Why South Korea and Japan\u2019s radar link plan might be bad news for China"},"content":{"rendered":"
Japanese cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno <\/span>confirmed<\/span><\/a> this month that negotiations are underway between the U.S., South Korea and Japan to reach a consensus on sharing real-time data about North Korean missile launches.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While no official agreement has been concluded, these diplomatic discussions signal an intention to fortify collaborative efforts in countering North Korea\u2019s nuclear threats.<\/span><\/p>\n However, such an accord might significantly complicate South Korea\u2019s diplomatic ties with China. It stands at risk of overstepping the parameters of two core principles from the \u201cThree Nos\u201d policy \u2014 a pledge made by the Moon Jae-in administration that current President Yoon Suk-yeol seems less than eager to stick to.<\/span><\/p>\n THE THREE NOS<\/b><\/p>\n There is heated debate about the nature of the \u201cThree Nos\u201d policy. During a tense period in the relationship between the ROK and China, largely precipitated by Seoul\u2019s decision to <\/span>host<\/span><\/a> U.S. Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile batteries, the then newly inaugurated Moon Jae-in administration sought to repair strained ties with its largest trade partner.<\/span><\/p>\n This diplomatic initiative culminated in a <\/span>bilateral meeting<\/span><\/a> on Oct. 31, 2017, where both nations agreed to set aside their disputes and reset relations.<\/span><\/p>\n Central to this reconciliation was the Moon administration’s declaration of the \u201cThree Nos\u201d policy, as <\/span>announced<\/span><\/a> by then-foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha. This policy stated that Seoul would refrain from deploying additional THAAD missile systems, participating in U.S. missile defense networks, or engaging in trilateral security cooperation with the U.S. and Japan that could evolve into a military alliance.<\/span><\/p>\n Throughout this period, neither South Korea nor China altered their fundamental positions. China remained adamantly against the deployment of THAAD anti-missile batteries. Meanwhile, a ROK foreign ministry spokesperson <\/span>emphasized<\/span><\/a> that any potential constraints on South Korea\u2019s sovereignty and security were not subject to consultation with Beijing.<\/span><\/p>\n Fast forward to Aug. 2022, ROK foreign minister Park Jin clarified that the \u201cThree Nos\u201d policy was not a codified approach to China. During a press conference in China, he <\/span>asserted<\/span><\/a>, \u201cI made it clear to the Chinese side that the THAAD deployment is a matter of our security and sovereignty against North Korea\u2019s nuclear and missile threats.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n However, that same day, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin <\/span>highlighted<\/span><\/a> the importance China attached to the ROK government\u2019s previous \u201cofficial announcement\u201d (\u5ba3\u793a \u2014 a declaration that was publicized widely) of its \u201cThree Nos\u201d policy.<\/span><\/p>\n