{"id":2203378,"date":"2024-01-08T17:00:59","date_gmt":"2024-01-08T08:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2203378"},"modified":"2024-01-09T18:20:25","modified_gmt":"2024-01-09T09:20:25","slug":"south-koreas-focus-on-us-japan-relations-in-2023-overlooks-regional-players","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/01\/south-koreas-focus-on-us-japan-relations-in-2023-overlooks-regional-players\/","title":{"rendered":"South Korea\u2019s focus on US, Japan relations in 2023 overlooks regional players"},"content":{"rendered":"

South Korea\u2019s diplomatic efforts in 2023 saw a pronounced focus on enhancing relations with Japan and fortifying its trilateral partnership with Washington and Tokyo. This shift, mirroring the evolving dynamics of East Asian geopolitics, marked a significant development in Seoul’s foreign policy approach.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, Seoul\u2019s concentrated attention on Tokyo and Washington has raised concerns among experts about potential oversights in other vital regional relationships.<\/span><\/p>\n

As South Korea approaches its general elections in April and the U.S. gears up for its presidential election in November, the electoral results will significantly impact President Yoon Suk-yeol\u2019s diplomatic strategy and his ability to balance Seoul\u2019s commitments and interests in a rapidly changing global environment.<\/span><\/p>\n

LAYING THE FOUNDATION<\/b><\/p>\n

South Korea\u2019s diplomatic strategy was notably characterized by efforts to strengthen its alliances with the U.S. and Japan. Go Myong-hyun, a senior analyst at the Seoul-based Asan Institute for Policy Studies, told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i> that these efforts have effectively \u201claid the groundwork and built a foundation,\u201d particularly emphasizing Seoul\u2019s commitment to its alliance with Washington.<\/span><\/p>\n

A key development was the successful establishment of the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) with the U.S., which Go described as a \u201csignificant development asset,\u201d along with the improvement of ties with Japan.<\/span><\/p>\n

Go highlighted that while this progress in ROK-Japan relations garnered recognition from the U.S. and other nations, Japan\u2019s response was more reserved. This external acknowledgment, he noted, signified an international appreciation of Seoul\u2019s sincere efforts in its diplomatic overtures toward Tokyo.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jung Sung-Chul, an assistant professor of political science and diplomacy at Myongji University, observed that South Korea\u2019s dedication to the \u201cstrategic aim of safeguarding and reinforcing the principles of liberal democracy\u201d has been instrumental in fostering collaboration with Japan across various sectors.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jung regards this as part of a broader strategy aimed at revitalizing trilateral cooperation to levels surpassing previous achievements. This approach, Jung suggests, provides a \u201cpromising starting point that holds potential for further expansion.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

However, South Korea\u2019s relations with Japan eased swiftly only after the Yoon administration announced its unilateral decision to compensate Korean victims of Japanese forced labor without demanding Tokyo\u2019s participation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Go raised concerns regarding the Yoon administration\u2019s lack of a clear explanation to domestic audiences about how its efforts to mend relations with Japan and bolster the trilateral partnership have translated into \u201cstrategic gains\u201d for South Korea.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

President Yoon Suk-yeol holds a joint press conference with U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Aug. 18, 2023 | Image: ROK Presidential Office<\/p><\/div>\n

INCOMING CHALLENGES<\/b><\/p>\n

While experts who spoke to <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i> recognize the importance of South Korea\u2019s efforts to improve ties with Japan, Lee Myon Woo, the deputy director of the Diplomatic Strategy Center at the Sejong Institute, stated that Seoul\u2019s ties with Tokyo are still hampered by a lack of strong domestic support for Yoon\u2019s foreign policy and Japan\u2019s deep-seated distrust of South Korea\u2019s domestic politics.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe administration’s support base lacks stability in terms of policy consistency. While Tokyo has observed President Yoon and may express confidence in his cooperation, there are lingering reservations about how well his objectives will align with the intricacies of South Korean politics,\u201d Lee explained to <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

This concern was amplified in <\/span>March 2023<\/span><\/a> when Seoul\u2019s decision to unilaterally compensate Korean victims of Japanese forced labor programs faced significant domestic opposition. About <\/span>60%<\/span><\/a> of the South Korean public opposed the deal and the main opposition Democratic Party branded the move as \u201csubmissive diplomacy,\u201d leading to a <\/span>notable drop<\/span><\/a> in Yoon\u2019s approval rating.<\/span><\/p>\n

This domestic political \u201cinstability,\u201d as highlighted by Lee, brings to the forefront \u201cuncertainties about the country\u2019s political future.\u201d He emphasized the need for a \u201cstrong parliamentary support base\u201d to sustain the momentum of Yoon\u2019s diplomatic goals, conveying that the upcoming general elections will play a decisive role in \u201cshaping the trajectory\u201d of Yoon\u2019s foreign policy going forward.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jung Sung-Chul of Myongji University echoes the sentiment, stressing the administration\u2019s need to \u201cprioritize national understanding and consensus around its diplomatic policies.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Adding to these challenges, Min Tae-eun of the Korea Institute for National Unification (KINU) points out the additional complications posed by the 2024 U.S. presidential election.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite expectations of a stable international political structure, especially regarding the U.S.-China rivalry, Min emphasizes the necessity for South Korea to develop a \u201cflexible diplomatic strategy\u201d to adapt to potential changes in U.S. leadership.<\/span><\/p>\n

Min further notes the shifting U.S. public opinion on military engagements and highlights recent revisions in the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act that suggest a move toward more stringent conditions for foreign aid, prioritizing U.S. economic interests.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt is essential that South Korea is diplomatically prepared for any of these possibilities,\u201d Min stressed to <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

The South Korean and Chinese flags, 2013 | Image: Blue House via Flickr<\/p><\/div>\n

A MORE BALANCED APPROACH<\/b><\/p>\n

Experts suggest that South Korea must broaden its diplomatic focus beyond its current emphasis on the U.S. and Japan to prevent limiting its engagement with other significant regional players.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lee of the Sejong Institute expressed concerns that South Korea\u2019s diplomatic efforts in the past year have been disproportionately centered on Japan and the U.S. He advocates for a more balanced approach, particularly highlighting the importance of engaging with China, a vital economic partner for Seoul.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lee also urges South Korea to strategically assess and articulate its role in its ties with the U.S. and Japan, emphasizing clarifying its tole is \u201csomething that should be promptly announced.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Min of KINU advises Seoul to extend its diplomatic outreach to China by enhancing relations with ASEAN countries. She points out that South Korea\u2019s current approach toward China appears to \u201clack careful diplomacy,\u201d risking \u201cunintended tensions\u201d due to excessively aligning with the U.S.<\/span><\/p>\n

Min observes that the U.S. has been proactively engaging with the ASEAN region, particularly in initiatives aimed at \u201creducing dependency on China\u2019s supply chain of raw materials.\u201d She suggests that South Korea could learn from this \u201cproactive stance\u201d to better manage its own relations with China.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSouth Korea\u2019s outreach to ASEAN has brought limited results in 2023. In order to be responsive to the evolving geopolitical trends, we should expand in stronger ties with ASEAN and commit to safeguarding our economic interests,\u201d the KINU research fellow added.<\/span><\/p>\n

Jung Sung-chul of Myongji University also cautions against overlooking China and North Korea in South Korea\u2019s diplomatic plans for 2024. He said that there is a need for a more \u201cconcrete strategic vision to foster peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c[South Korea] should not only focus on short-term diplomatic responses but also engage in strategic planning for long-term diplomatic objectives that extend beyond the current administration\u2019s tenure to achieve sustained diplomatic success,\u201d Jung told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Edited by John Lee<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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

South Korea\u2019s diplomatic efforts in 2023 saw a pronounced focus on enhancing relations with Japan and fortifying its trilateral partnership with Washington and Tokyo. This shift, mirroring the evolving dynamics of East Asian geopolitics, marked a significant development in Seoul’s foreign policy approach. However, Seoul\u2019s concentrated attention on Tokyo and Washington has raised concerns among […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10909,"featured_media":2200802,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[26,27,28],"yoast_head":"\nSouth Korea\u2019s focus on US, Japan relations in 2023 overlooks regional players - 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\/2024\/01\/south-koreas-focus-on-us-japan-relations-in-2023-overlooks-regional-players\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"South Korea\u2019s focus on US, Japan relations in 2023 overlooks regional players - KOREA PRO\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"South Korea\u2019s diplomatic efforts in 2023 saw a pronounced focus on enhancing relations with Japan and fortifying its trilateral partnership with Washington and Tokyo. 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