{"id":2201674,"date":"2023-07-12T19:22:54","date_gmt":"2023-07-12T10:22:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2201674"},"modified":"2023-07-13T18:43:34","modified_gmt":"2023-07-13T09:43:34","slug":"why-south-koreas-outreach-to-nato-could-pose-problems-at-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/07\/why-south-koreas-outreach-to-nato-could-pose-problems-at-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Why South Korea\u2019s outreach to NATO could pose problems at home"},"content":{"rendered":"
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol is making his <\/span>second appearance<\/span><\/a> at a NATO summit this week \u2014 this time in Vilnius, Lithuania. With an ambitious agenda of seven bilateral meetings on the first day alone, Yoon\u2019s attendance presents both opportunities and potential challenges for South Korea on the international and domestic fronts.<\/span><\/p>\n The primary objective of these meetings is to expand South Korea\u2019s export market. This diplomatic initiative could significantly bolster the ROK\u2019s advanced industrial sectors, such as semiconductors. Strategic dialogues with leaders of Western countries, including the Netherlands and Poland, could lead to strengthened partnerships, increased international influence and economic growth.<\/span><\/p>\n However, these engagements also come with risks. Expanding ties with NATO member countries could further strain Seoul\u2019s relations with Beijing and Moscow. This is particularly relevant given NATO\u2019s recent <\/span>communique<\/span><\/a>, which asserts that China\u2019s \u201cambitions and coercive policies\u201d challenge the bloc\u2019s interests, security and values.<\/span><\/p>\n In response, the Chinese mission to the European Union (EU) has <\/span>expressed<\/span><\/a> strong opposition to NATO\u2019s perceived \u201ceastward movement into the Asia-Pacific region,\u201d warning that any action threatening Beijing\u2019s rights would be met with a firm response. It\u2019s worth noting that NATO\u2019s communique made no explicit mention of Taiwan.<\/span><\/p>\n Domestically, Yoon\u2019s outreach to NATO, part of his \u201c<\/span>values-based diplomacy<\/span><\/a>\u201d that has controversially included seeking rapprochement with Japan could face resistance. His overarching foreign policy vision lacks broad political support, and it risks politicizing South Korea’s alignment with the West. This could be particularly contentious among <\/span>domestic<\/span><\/a> stakeholders<\/span><\/a> with vested interests in maintaining strong economic and diplomatic ties with China and Russia.<\/span><\/p>\n