The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Tue, August 16, 2022 | 04:13
Editorial
China’s Territorial greed
Posted : 2012-09-26 17:30
Updated :  
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
Seoul should push back Beijing’s farfetched claims

Only last year, the world noted and marveled at the economic and political potential of the three Northeast Asian countries in a bloc. That seems to be eons ago, as Korea, China and Japan now bicker with one another over historical and territorial issues.

China’s omnidirectional territorial push has just turned toward Korea, because Beijing now includes Ieodo, a submerged rock 150 km from Jeju Island, into its jurisdiction to reportedly be monitored by unmanned aviation drones.

Not only does Beijing’s move make little sense in terms of international maritime rules but also its unilateral nature does not suit diplomatic courtesy.

As is well known, Ieodo, or Socotra Rock, is neither an area of land nor even an island, and so it is not subject to territorial dispute but to jurisdictional contention. As it sits 4-5 meters underwater and is located far closer to Korea when a line is drawn down the center of their overlapping exclusive economic zones, China’s assertion is legally groundless.

Beijing officials seem to know this, too. So they cite flimsy reasons for the claim, such as their far longer coastline and far greater population on the nearest land to the rock as well as the structure of the continental shelf beneath it. Whatever they may say, however, the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea, to which both countries have acceded, has only one criterion in this case: distance.

Korea has called for China to fix the demarcation line in the past 16 years only to run up against Beijing’s rejection of this proposal, aimed at gaining time to formulate arguments for gradually turning it into a territorial dispute. So what Korea should do is clear: bring China to the negotiation table as early as possible while letting the rest of the world understand more about Beijing’s illogical claims. As seen in the dispute over the Dokdo islets with Japan, a territorial or jurisdictional issue does not allow optimism or complacency.

Beijing’s move was all the more alarming, because it came on the day when China’s first-ever aircraft carrier, Liaoning, made its debut. From Seoul’s standpoint, our gigantic neighbor is distorting history on land by trying to snatch away Korea’s ancient kingdoms by claiming them as provincial states, and defying international rules at sea. All this means the nation should remain more vigilant than ever to survive regional security situations while sandwiched between one expansionary and one historically regressive neighbor. We wonder whether the presidential candidates have firm, concrete plans to cope with this crisis.

But this should not mean they should pick from either defense or welfare when formulating government budgets. Nor should the three major candidates’ stances on the controversial naval base construction in Jeju be the only criterion of their ability or aptitude in matters of national security. Either China or Japan is too much for Korea, especially when it is divided into two. This country needs the best mix of diplomatic and military readiness, while maintaining an exquisite balance among competing giants.

Korea should maintain sufficient self-defense capability in times of emergency while developing legitimate and justifiable logic that can win international support. What the nation needs is a cold-headed, resolute and farsighted leader who can do this most effectively.
 
LG
  • Hyundai Motor Group becomes world's No. 3 automaker in sales volume
  • Thinking the unthinkable on North Korea
  • 'Missing Here' song bridges Israel, Korea
  • 'Japan is our partner': Yoon vows to improve Seoul-Tokyo ties
  • Consumers angered by luxury fashion platforms' return policies
  • Life of early 'Koryoin' featured in exhibition
  • [Analysis] Yoon faces uphill battle to regain public trust
  • Customs agency considers taxing intermediaries for brokered overseas purchases
  • Will Hyundai Motor Group reorganize Mobis for governance reform?
  • Conflict reignites over relocation of POSCO Holdings to Pohang City
  • Interactive News
  • With tough love,
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • A tale of natural wine
    • Reality shows go abroad again amid eased COVID-19 travel restrictions Reality shows go abroad again amid eased COVID-19 travel restrictions
    • Late Samsung chairman's collection highlights painter Lee Jung-seop as family man Late Samsung chairman's collection highlights painter Lee Jung-seop as family man
    • [INTERVIEW] Actor Ko Kyoung-pyo explains why he doesn't obsess over lead roles [INTERVIEW] Actor Ko Kyoung-pyo explains why he doesn't obsess over lead roles
    • Girls' Generation music video director apologizes for copying design Girls' Generation music video director apologizes for copying design
    • Star directors' new series to A-listers' small screen comeback expected in coming weeks Star directors' new series to A-listers' small screen comeback expected in coming weeks
    DARKROOM
    • Ice is melting, land is burning

      Ice is melting, land is burning

    • Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

      Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

    • Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

      Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

    • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

      Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

    • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

      Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    The Korea Times
    CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
    Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
    Tel : 02-724-2114
    Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
    Date of registration : 2020.02.05
    Masthead : The Korea Times
    Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
    • About Us
    • Introduction
    • History
    • Location
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
    • Products & Service
    • Subscribe
    • E-paper
    • Mobile Service
    • RSS Service
    • Content Sales
    • Policy
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
    • 고충처리인
    • Youth Protection Policy
    • Code of Ethics
    • Copyright Policy
    • Family Site
    • Hankook Ilbo
    • Dongwha Group