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| People enter a polling station to vote in Hong Kong, Sunday. Hong Kong voted in the first election since Beijing amended laws to reduce the number of directly elected lawmakers and vet candidates to ensure that only those loyal to China can run. AP-Yonhap |
Moon's selective silence on democracy leaves other countries scratching heads
By Nam Hyun-woo
Korea is turning a blind eye to the democracy movements in Hong Kong and Taiwan, in an apparent gesture to keep a low profile regarding issues that could irk China.
This approach contrasts starkly with its active voice on democracy issues in Myanmar, Nicaragua and Gambia. The Moon Jae-in administration's ambiguity on certain issues related to China are raising suspicions that Seoul is being selectively silent on democratic values overseas.
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| Taiwan's Digital Minister Audrey Tang / Yonhap |
Tang was set to speak at a conference held by Seoul's Presidential Committee on the Fourth Industrial Revolution on Dec. 16. However, just a few hours before the conference, its organizers informed Taiwan that Tang's scheduled address had been canceled, according to Taiwanese foreign ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou.
Taiwan's Central News Agency quoted Ou as saying the conference organizers said the decision was made considering "various aspects of cross-Strait issues," possibly referring to Beijing expressing its displeasure over inviting Tang.
"Cross-Strait issues" refer to the relations between Taipei and Beijing, which claims Taiwan as its territory. In line with its "One-China policy," Beijing opposes Taiwanese government officials making official exchanges with China's overseas counterparts.
Following the protest, Korean foreign ministry spokesman Choi Young-sam said, "I understand the decision was made after a comprehensive review of all related aspects," and reiterated Seoul's basic stance of "enhancing unofficial exchanges with Taiwan."
A senior Cheong Wa Dae official said, Wednesday, "The cancellation was decided based on our diplomatic principles, rather than taking China's stance into account."
Seoul also took a quiet stance on the Dec. 19 legislative election in Hong Kong, in which only candidates screened by the government as "patriots" could run, and ended in a record-low 30.2-percent voter turnout.
On Dec. 20, the foreign ministers of the G7 countries ― Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the U.K. and the U.S. ― released a statement expressing their "grave concern over the erosion of democratic elements" of Hong Kong's electoral system.
When asked if Korea agrees with that statement, Choi said, "We are paying attention to the election and other Hong Kong-related matters," without directly expressing concerns.
"Korea hopes that Hong Kong is able to maintain its security and development while enjoying a high degree of autonomy under the one country, two systems policy, as well as guaranteeing the basic rights and freedoms of residents," Choi said.
However, these moves contrast with the ministry's active voices advocating democracy in other countries.
On Dec. 13, the foreign ministry released the spokesman's comments on the Dec. 4 Gambian presidential vote, welcoming the election's democratic and transparent process.
On Dec. 7, it issued a statement regarding the guilty ruling on Myanmar's deposed leader Aung San Suu Kyi and said it "expresses concerns on the aggravating situation in Myanmar, and hopes that the country returns to democracy promptly." Also on Nov. 11, the ministry expressed "deep concern that the presidential election held in the Republic of Nicaragua on Nov. 7 was not conducted in a free, fair and transparent manner."
Korea's ambivalent stance is interpreted as the Moon government's low-profile approach on issues that Beijing finds sensitive. President Moon has been resorting to a balancing act between the U.S., which is Korea's key ally, and China, which is its largest trade partner.
Despite the dilemma, calls are growing that Korea should raise its voice when it comes to democratic values.
After President Moon attended the G7 summit in June, his administration has been stressing that Korea is now at the level of the G7 countries, citing its strong quarantine measures and economic resilience. But as Korea remains silent on global issues related to democracy, it faces increasing criticism for seeking to enjoy its elevated status while neglecting the core values of democracy.
"In order to cope with geopolitical competition, Korea should seek strategic transparency depending on the issues, rather than strategic ambiguity," Ahn Ze-no, a researcher at the Institute for National Security Strategy, wrote in a Dec. 17 report.
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