{"id":2208372,"date":"2025-02-13T17:18:39","date_gmt":"2025-02-13T08:18:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2208372"},"modified":"2025-02-13T17:18:39","modified_gmt":"2025-02-13T08:18:39","slug":"lee-jae-myungs-rise-fuels-us-fears-of-a-pro-china-shift-in-south-koreas-policy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2025\/02\/lee-jae-myungs-rise-fuels-us-fears-of-a-pro-china-shift-in-south-koreas-policy\/","title":{"rendered":"Lee Jae-myung\u2019s rise fuels US fears of a pro-China shift in South Korea’s policy"},"content":{"rendered":"

As South Korea\u2019s opposition leader Lee Jae-myung edges closer to the presidency, his past remarks on China have raised concerns among U.S. analysts and conservative politicians of a pivot to a policy of \u201ccompliance\u201d toward Beijing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While the now-imprisoned President Yoon Suk-yeol <\/span>raised Beijing\u2019s ire<\/span><\/a> at times with seemingly <\/span>adversarial rhetoric<\/span><\/a>, U.S. foreign policy analysts and conservative politicians have questioned the impeachment motion that led to his ouster as a precursor to a \u201cpro-China\u201d and \u201cpro-North Korea\u201d Lee administration.<\/span><\/p>\n

The first impeachment bill ultimately failed to pass the floor by a narrow margin, but the clauses related to the Yoon administration\u2019s foreign policy initiatives in the region as grounds for impeachment have caused concern in Washington that a progressive government would move closer to U.S. adversaries.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, history suggests such concerns may be overblown. Lee has already begun a foreign policy pivot to appeal more to centrist voters as the prospect of a presidential election looms.<\/span><\/p>\n

While the ruling conservatives have cast doubt on the sincerity of Lee\u2019s apparent shift, experts have noted that his current foreign policy rhetoric suggests a more pragmatic approach emphasizing \u201cpractical diplomacy\u201d (\uc2e4\uc6a9\uc678\uad50), reflecting changing sentiments toward Beijing in a deeply divided South Korea.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

Main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung during a meeting with acting U.S. ambassador to Seoul Joseph Yun, Jan. 22, 2025 | Image: Democratic Party of Korea<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

ANXIETY IN WASHINGTON<\/b><\/p>\n

Since Yoon\u2019s martial law declaration, conservative politicians and pundits in South Korea and abroad have escalated their rhetoric portraying Lee Jae-myung and progressive opposition forces as \u201cpro-China\u201d and \u201cpro-North Korea.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When the first impeachment motion against Yoon <\/span>failed<\/span><\/a> in early December, Luke de Pulford, a British human rights activist and the executive director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, <\/span>warned<\/span><\/a> that \u201cpro-China forces could take power\u201d in South Korea.<\/span><\/p>\n

De Pulford added that the next South Korean president, if progressive, could even \u201csupport China\u2019s policy on taking control of Taiwan.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

These fears arose from the foreign policy component of the DP\u2019s hastily-written first impeachment motion, which accused Yoon of \u201cantagonizing North Korea, China and Russia\u201d under the pretext of values-based diplomacy.<\/span><\/p>\n

The opposition removed the offending paragraph from the second impeachment motion, which <\/span>passed<\/span><\/a> on Dec. 14, but the original inclusion exacerbated long-held fears among conservative thinkers in the West that anything other than a conservative ROK government would result in subservience to China and North Korea.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe forces pushing for impeachment favor appeasement toward North Korea and compliance with China, which could bring great disaster to the stability of the Korean Peninsula and the entire region,\u201d Young Kim, a Korean-American Republican member of Congress, said in an <\/span>interview<\/span><\/a> with <\/span>Chosun Ilbo<\/span><\/i> in mid-January.<\/span><\/p>\n

Criticizing the opposition for using Yoon\u2019s \u201cantagonism toward South Korea\u2019s adversaries\u201d as grounds for the original impeachment motion, she lauded the impeached president for strengthening the U.S.-ROK alliance and opposing Beijing, Pyongyang and Moscow.<\/span><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, several U.S. analysts and former officials told the <\/span>Voice of America<\/span><\/i><\/a> (VOA) last month that the impeachment of Yoon would work in China\u2019s favor.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cChina sees the ascendancy of the Democratic Party (DP), known for its sympathetic approach to the PRC, as a positive development,\u201d former Acting Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs Evans Revere told VOA.<\/span><\/p>\n

Similarly, Gordon Chang, distinguished senior fellow at the Gatestone Institute and the author of <\/span>Plan Red: China\u2019s Project to Destroy America<\/span><\/i>, warned that the \u201cvery pro-China\u201d opposition will \u201creorient the country toward China\u201d if it returns to power.<\/span><\/p>\n

While couched in more immediate concerns about the impeachment motion\u2019s contentious foreign policy component, this rhetoric is nothing new.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ahead of the 2022 presidential election, Yoon <\/span>accused<\/span><\/a> Lee of pursuing \u201cpro-North, pro-China, anti-U.S.\u201d policies and criticized his rival\u2019s stated intent to establish a strategic balance between the U.S. and China.<\/span><\/p>\n

These accusations have continued to follow Lee domestically, with the ruling People Power Party (PPP) responding to his <\/span>criticism<\/span><\/a> of Yoon\u2019s alignment with Japan by repeatedly <\/span>attacking<\/span><\/a> the opposition leader during last year\u2019s parliamentary elections for \u201ckowtowing to Beijing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

Then-South Korean President Park Geun-hye welcomes Chinese leader Xi Jinping to the Blue House, July 2, 2014 | Image: ROK Presidential Archives<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

HOW THE CONCERNS HOLD UP<\/b><\/p>\n

While Lee remains the frontrunner in multiple presidential polls, Rhee Jong-hoon, a senior consultant at Politics and Business Consulting, told <\/span>Korea Pro <\/span><\/i>that the DP and Lee Jae-myung\u2019s established track record on foreign policy initiatives toward Beijing have prompted Washington\u2019s concern.<\/span><\/p>\n

In <\/span>June 2023<\/span><\/a>, Lee\u2019s meeting with China\u2019s former ambassador to South Korea, Xing Haiming, sparked outcry as it saw both counterparts criticizing President Yoon Suk-yeol\u2019s foreign policy initiatives. The PPP <\/span>criticized<\/span><\/a> Lee for remaining silent while Xing read prepared remarks, stating that South Korea would \u201cregret betting on China\u2019s defeat.\u201d The diplomatic incident led to Seoul\u2019s foreign ministry summoning Xing in protest.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lee reignited the debate during campaign stops leading up to the April 2024 parliamentary election, <\/span>suggesting<\/span><\/a> South Korea should stay out of Taiwan Strait tensions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy keep needling China? Just say ‘xie xie’ (thank you) to both China and Taiwan,\u201d Lee told supporters on <\/span>March 22<\/span><\/a>, arguing cross-strait issues were China’s internal matter.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite conservative rhetoric suggesting that a South Korean progressive administration\u2019s foreign policy would adopt a pro-China stance \u2014 based on Lee\u2019s past remarks \u2014 Benjamin Engel, a visiting professor at Dankook University, told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i> that current political tensions over South Korea\u2019s China policy often overlook a more complex history of bipartisan pragmatism in Seoul\u2019s approach to Beijing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor the most part, there was broad bipartisan consensus around developing deeper economic ties with China while maintaining the U.S.-ROK alliance,\u201d Engel added, noting that both conservatives and progressives have alternated between engagement and firmness with Beijing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This pattern often defied current ideological perceptions. In <\/span>Sept. 2015<\/span><\/a>, conservative President Park Geun-hye raised eyebrows in Washington by attending China\u2019s World War II victory commemoration as the only U.S.-allied leader present, seated alongside Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin.<\/span><\/p>\n

Conversely, progressive President Roh Moo-hyun took a hard line against China in <\/span>2006<\/span><\/a>, establishing a <\/span>research foundation<\/span><\/a> to counter Chinese claims over ancient Korean history.<\/span><\/p>\n

The examples challenge current conservative criticism of opposition leader Lee Jae-myung\u2019s calls for pragmatic engagement with Beijing, Engel said, noting Lee\u2019s stance largely reflects Seoul\u2019s pre-2016 approach before U.S.-China tensions intensified over the U.S.\u2019 deployment of its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile defense system in the ROK.<\/span><\/p>\n

Choi Gi-il, a professor in Sangji University\u2019s National Security Division, told <\/span>Korea Pro<\/span><\/i> that while the DP has never explicitly opposed the U.S.-South Korea alliance, \u201cright-wing critics have sought to distort and misrepresent its stance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He noted that while Lee Jae-myung advocated pragmatic diplomacy in the last election, Yoon Suk-yeol prioritized <\/span>self-reliance<\/span><\/a> (\uc790\uac15) \u2014 but after Yoon\u2019s victory, that focus quickly faded, leaving his administration without a clear foreign policy direction.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFrom a comparative historical view, Yoon is the relative \u2018oddball,\u2019 not Lee,\u201d Engel added.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

From left: U.S. President Donald Trump, South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung and Chinese leader Xi Jinping | Image: The White House<\/a>, Democratic Party of Korea<\/a>, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan<\/a>, edited by Korea Pro<\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

PRAGMATIC POLICY PIVOT<\/b><\/p>\n

Amid growing conservative concerns over his stance on China, Lee Jae-myung has notably softened his position on Beijing while reaffirming his commitment to regional partnerships.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Regarding South Korea-Japan relations, Lee stated in an interview with <\/span>The<\/span><\/i> Economist<\/span><\/i><\/a> that given geopolitical realities, he supports deepening ties with Japan and continuing trilateral cooperation with the U.S. and Japan.<\/span><\/p>\n

Similarly, during his <\/span>speech<\/span><\/a> at the National Assembly\u2019s plenary session on Monday, Lee vowed to uphold South Korea\u2019s commitments to its democratic partners while cautioning against escalating regional tensions, emphasizing a firm military readiness posture to respond effectively to North Korea\u2019s nuclear threats.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHaving preserved and advanced our national system with the support of the liberal democratic bloc, we will continue to uphold our responsibilities as a key member of this alliance,\u201d Lee said.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lee Jae-myung is currently the frontrunner in multiple presidential polls, showing an average 20% lead compared to other candidates in the most recent <\/span>Realmeter<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>National Barometer Survey<\/span><\/a> results, establishing himself as a heavy favorite to win Seoul\u2019s next presidential election.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the public\u2019s support for the opposition has notably waned, with the PPP leading recent polls by <\/span>2 percent margins<\/span><\/a>, although this is still within the margin of error.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Amid possible concerns over his fluctuating popularity, Lee\u2019s apparent \u201cpragmatist\u201d foreign policy shift appears to reflect his recognition of the South Korean public\u2019s plunging perceptions of China, Engel said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAlthough Lee\u2019s [previous] policy may not be new, it isn\u2019t really popular anymore either,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor this reason he may seek to downplay previous stances and possibly even begin to change his rhetoric given how unpopular China and the Chinese Communist Party are in Korea today.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The criticisms raised by U.S. politicians and pundits may also be a factor in Lee\u2019s apparent policy shift, according to Rhee.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs these signals continue to emerge, Lee appears to be reacting to them, recognizing their potential impact on domestic voter sentiment,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

Main opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung delivers a televised address, Jan. 23, 2025 | Image: Democratic Party of Korea<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

However, Rhee added that there are still questions over the \u201csincerity\u201d of Lee\u2019s shift at home and abroad, despite the DP\u2019s recent efforts to target more centrist voters.<\/span><\/p>\n

As Lee Jae-myung edges closer to the presidency, he may hope to win U.S. conservatives over, particularly with Donald Trump\u2019s return to the White House.<\/span><\/p>\n

Choi stated that handling Trump would prove challenging for either progressive or conservative governments in Seoul, and whoever leads South Korea will have to carefully manage foreign relations and security policies.<\/span><\/p>\n

But Lee\u2019s \u201cbulldozer-like leadership style\u201d and reputation for being \u201cbold and decisive\u201d may play to his advantage in this case, the expert added.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhile navigating foreign policy challenges will be difficult for any administration, there is a sense of cautious optimism that he could bring strong leadership and direction,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, Choi said it remains to be seen how a potential DP administration can work toward\u00a0 \u201cpractical diplomacy\u201d in the current global and regional geopolitical landscape.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs a nation caught between global powers, South Korea must adopt a pragmatic and strategic diplomatic approach,\u201d he advised.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSouth Korea faces a particularly complex diplomatic landscape, and navigating relations with both allies and adversaries will require careful and wise decision-making.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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

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

As South Korea\u2019s opposition leader Lee Jae-myung edges closer to the presidency, his past remarks on China have raised concerns among U.S. analysts and conservative politicians of a pivot to a policy of \u201ccompliance\u201d toward Beijing.\u00a0 While the now-imprisoned President Yoon Suk-yeol raised Beijing\u2019s ire at times with seemingly adversarial rhetoric, U.S. foreign policy analysts […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10909,"featured_media":2208374,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[27,28],"class_list":["post-2208372","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-analysis","tag-domestic-politics","tag-inter-korean-foreign-relations"],"yoast_head":"\nLee Jae-myung\u2019s rise fuels US fears of a pro-China shift in South Korea's policy - 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\/2025\/02\/lee-jae-myungs-rise-fuels-us-fears-of-a-pro-china-shift-in-south-koreas-policy\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Lee Jae-myung\u2019s rise fuels US fears of a pro-China shift in South Korea's policy - 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