Freedom scores, autocrats parry, 'Pilseung Korea!'

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Opinion

Bernard Rowan

Freedom scores, autocrats parry, 'Pilseung Korea!'

Posted : 2023-04-11 16:45

Updated : 2023-04-11 16:45

By Bernard Rowan

The contest between the alliances for autocracy and freedom continues. Its energy gains pace. The year 2023 has been a busy year thus far. Russia's prosecution of a war on Ukraine has stalemated, with a spring offensive by Ukraine in the offing. Finland has joined NATO, a major blow to Russian regional ambitions and autocracy. Other members will join in time. South Korea, Japan and the United States engaged in successful military exercises. These countries also joined with nine others to form the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. Alliance members stand up, and the course of freedom continues. The domestic politics of NATO countries has not seen a decrease of support for Ukraine. Global condemnation of autocratic efforts persists and grows.

Nonetheless, one shouldn't adopt a romantic delusion about these scores for freedom's alliance. The war in Ukraine continues to exact a terrible toll, and Russia has shored up her supply lines, thanks to China, Iran and North Korea. Iran continues to act as a regional spoiler, providing aid and support to terrorists in the Middle East and continuing its own silo efforts against her own people. Saudi Arabia emerges as the great pretender, proving both the need to develop alternative energy technologies and resources as well as the contemporary world's overdependence on crude oil. The Saudis compromise all comers whose development and advancement rely on fossil fuels. Kim Jong-un and daughter go on parade surrounding various planned and real missile launches and exercises. Chinese development and power projections continue, notably about Taiwan. Autocrats have their bragging points this year.

Global bipolar politics is a disappointing reality. It's necessary because much good comes from the relations of nations and peoples, much cooperation and sharing of technologies, cultures, goods and services. It's dissatisfying because of the possibilities for conflict, war and insecurity. The virtual world also has brought more civilization, advancement and commerce. It also causes conflict, war and insecurity. Witness the predatory North Korean cyberattacks and cryptocurrency scams.

South Korea continues to follow her commitments and develop her economy and society as a member of the alliance for freedom. The Yoon administration soon hopes to settle free trade agreements (FTAs) with Ecuador and the Gulf Cooperation Council. It carried out a successful summit between Yoon and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, with related talks following. It has begun to develop further cooperation with France for maritime interests in the Indo-Pacific region. These moments mark important steps in the continuing march of Korean civilization.

It can't give complete reassurance for South Korea to put itself in a position that rankles Chinese views and interests. Cooperation for security with the United States, diplomacy with Japan or trade and security partnerships to which China isn't a partner amounts to a decision and choice. American and European partners should support Korea's decision-making and allow for greater South Korean leadership. Any rational alliance must understand that its members have diverse contexts and needs. South Korea long has excelled in being a nation between rival powers, and its surest sign of success is her rise to status as an advanced nation, economically and in military terms.

This score's value for freedom is inestimable. No other nation has achieved its version of democratization and economic progress so well! Besides today's vanguard actions of the Ukrainian people and government, there is no greater achievement. Freedom and world democracy should premise the advance of South Korea. I hope the people of South Korea take stock of this singular achievement. In times of rapid change and discontinuity, her advance is one of the brightest spots on Earth. It's a sign of God's presence in our midst at this Easter season. Let us pray it continues to forevermore.

Bernard Rowan (browan10@yahoo.com) is associate provost for contract administration and academic services and professor of political science at Chicago State University. He is a past fellow of the Korea Foundation and former visiting professor at Hanyang University.