{"id":2203423,"date":"2024-01-12T17:10:47","date_gmt":"2024-01-12T08:10:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2203423"},"modified":"2024-01-15T18:13:50","modified_gmt":"2024-01-15T09:13:50","slug":"south-koreas-new-focus-on-economic-security-reflects-china-us-trade-concerns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/01\/south-koreas-new-focus-on-economic-security-reflects-china-us-trade-concerns\/","title":{"rendered":"South Korea\u2019s new focus on economic security reflects China, US trade concerns"},"content":{"rendered":"
South Korea\u2019s addition of a third deputy director to the National Security Office (NSO), focusing on economic security, signals its decision to separate trade strategy from its other diplomatic endeavors.<\/span><\/p>\n While outwardly addressing Seoul\u2019s trade relations with China, experts told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i> that there is a deeper agenda: preparing for possible protectionist shifts in trade policies by the U.S. and Japan.<\/span><\/p>\n This new position in the NSO, a key decision-making body, marks a clear delineation in the division of responsibilities. Unlike the principal deputy, Kim Tae-hyo, who manages diplomacy, and the second deputy, who is responsible for national defense, this role \u2014 formerly under the \u201cdiplomacy\u201d segment of the office \u2014 zeroes in on economic security, particularly the stability and security of supply chains.<\/span><\/p>\n Wang Yun-jong, who assumed this role on Thursday, is a seasoned expert in South Korea\u2019s trade with China, and he will likely push for Seoul to reassess its views on its trade dependency on Beijing, traditionally seen as its top trade partner.<\/span><\/p>\n However, the broader implications of this appointment extend beyond China. There\u2019s a growing awareness in Seoul of the need to fortify against potential trade challenges not just from China but also from long-standing allies like the U.S. and Japan, which may adopt more protectionist trade policies as they face pressure from their respective voters.<\/span><\/p>\n