Long-term perspective needed in Korea's response to US-China competition

The U.S.-China competition, which started with a tariff war under the former Donald Trump administration, is expected to escalate with the Joe Biden administration and continue to impact Korea's policy-making. gettyimagesbank

By Do Je-hae

One of the gravest challenges for Korea in the years ahead may be the escalating U.S.-China rivalry which will continue to have a profound impact on Korea's policies in various sectors, including diplomacy, national security and trade.

Already, key nominees of the new U.S. administration have expressed a hardline stance against China.

During a Senate confirmation hearing last week, U.S. Secretary of State-nominee Antony Blinken told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that he will maintain a tough stance on Beijing. Asked whether he had any doubts that the goal of the Chinese Communist Party is to be the world's predominant political, geopolitical, military and economic power and for the U.S. to decline, Blinken said, "I have no doubt."

Pull from two superpowers

The prospect of a continued tough stance by the U.S. on China has resulted in growing concerns for Korea, which has been stuck between the two superpowers who have become increasingly vocal in their demand for loyalty.

Even during the COVID-19 pandemic last year, some of the top policymakers from the U.S. and China rushed to visit Korea. In particular, the successive visits by Yang Jiechi, China's top diplomat and adviser to Chinese President Xi Jinping, and Wang Yi, state councilor and foreign minister, demonstrated the importance China places on Korea as a strategic partner in its efforts to deal with the competition with the U.S.

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi speaks during a visit to the National Assembly, Nov. 27, 2020. During Wang's visit to Korea, the two countries agreed on wide-ranging areas of cooperation ahead of the 30th anniversary in 2022 of the establishment of bilateral ties. Korea Times photo by Oh Dae-geun

The growing importance China places on Korea can be seen in the wide range of trade and economic cooperation opportunities Wang underscored during his visit here in November. Some experts say China is trying to bring Korea closer to its side by promoting economic cooperation, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), phase two deal of the Korea-China FTA and the Korea-China-Japan FTA.

After Wang's visit to Korea, the two countries announced that they would establish a "Korea-China Joint Plan for Economic Cooperation (2021-2025)," a blueprint for economic cooperation over the next five years. The two neighbors will also launch a committee for the future-oriented development of bilateral relations marking the 30th anniversary in 2022 of the establishment of diplomatic relations, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"Ultimately, China is trying to distance Korea from the U.S. by strengthening economic cooperation," Lee Seong-hyon, director of the Center for Chinese Studies at Sejong Institute, told The Korea Times. "Throughout his visit to Korea, Wang stressed the RCEP, Korea-China-Japan FTA and the second phase of the Korea-China FTA as well as the 30th anniversary committee. All of these are primarily aimed at driving Korea toward China economically and at the people-to-people level."

Unlike Trump who showed a disregard for allies, Biden is expected to implement policies to contain China in consultation with its allies and urge Korea to play a bigger role in its Indo-Pacific strategy. During a phone call with President Moon Jae-in on Nov. 12, 2020, Biden said Korea was the "linchpin of security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region."

Some experts say Korea is expected to let the two superpowers know exactly where it stands when it comes to sensitive issues, such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) currently involving the U.S., India, Japan and Australia that may be expanded to include other allies such as Korea on the South China Sea conflict. "The Biden administration will call for stronger participation from Korea in dealing with issues regarding China," Shin Beom-chul, director at Research Institute for Economy and Society, told The Korea Times.

Beyond U.S. and China

Last year, the Korean media was obsessed with how Korea will position itself between the U.S. ― Korea's most important security ally ― and China, which is Korea's biggest trading partner. But the often-asked question of how to make a choice is unrealistic for Korea as both countries are indispensable for its security and economy, according to other analysts.

"In fact, no other country in the world is making a choice over the other at the moment," Kim Heung-kyu, a professor of political science at Ajou University, told The Korea Times. "For us, both the U.S. and China are so important. Therefore, it is conducive to our national interest to continue to solidify the Korea-U.S. alliance and pay respect to the strategic cooperative partnership with China as much as possible as our strategic assets."

He also underscored the need for Korea to diversify its diplomacy and expand its global network to better prepare for the challenges of an era marked by intensifying superpower competition. Kim calls this a "solidifying alliance with the U.S. and developing a strategic partnership with China and plus strategy."

President Moon Jae-in, at the center of the screen, takes part in a virtual ASEAN summit at Cheong Wa Dae in November 2020. Experts are highlighting the need to diversify Korea's diplomacy to better prepare for the challenges of an era of superpower competition. Korea Times file

"We need a diplomacy that plays a stronger role in establishing a new order by utilizing our network in the third domain and work together with other countries that are concerned about the current chaotic situation," he said. "Therefore, a strategic alliance with Australia and Germany is important. Behind Germany, there is France. And Australia has a strategic alliance with ASEAN and is connected to Japan, Singapore and India. We should utilize these networks and play a vital role in forming a new order."

With the Moon administration entering its last year, there is perhaps very little President Moon can do to craft a more fundamental response to the U.S.-China rivalry. But from a broader perspective, Kim, also the founder and director of the U.S.-China Policy Institute at Ajou University, stressed that this is the time for Korea to start thinking outside of the box when it comes to the era of U.S.-China strategic competition. "Right now, we have leverage, because both the U.S. and China have an absolute need for Korea, in addition to the soft power that Korea has enjoyed globally. Based on these, we should play a leading role in creating a new order with these countries, going beyond being just concerned with making a passive choice as a country sandwiched between maritime and continental powers."