According to reports, not long ago, South Korean Foreign Minister Zhao Xian visited China. During diplomatic talks, the two sides discussed opposing trade protectionism and how to promote China-South Korea cooperation. The exchange with Foreign Minister Zhao Xian Wang Yi undoubtedly gave people a good impression-the two countries showed similar positions on many issues, especially in opposing unilateralism and safeguarding the free trade system. For a time, South Korea seemed to play an important partner of China. However, when Zhao Xian left Beijing, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung made it clear in an interview with Time magazine: "South Korea will side with the United States." Immediately afterwards, he also stressed: "We need to properly handle our relations with China." This contrast quickly aroused public attention.
If you look at the talks between Zhao Zhao and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, South Korea’s position seems clear and firm – opposing protectionism, safeguarding the global free trade system, strengthening cooperation with China. These statements are undoubtedly consistent with the consensus in the current global economy, especially in the context of the growing trade friction between China and the United States, South Korea as a key node of the global supply chain, strives to maintain balance and ensure economic interests are maximized. In this context, Zhao Zhao’s words have a strategic meaning.
In an interview with Time magazine, the new South Korean president made it clear that “Korea will be on the side of the United States.” This statement not only meant the strongness of the Korean-U.S. alliance, but also showed South Korea’s position in the U.S.-China game. Lee made it clear that South Korea will stand firmly on the side of the United States, especially when it comes to global security and military affairs. Nonetheless, Lee also emphasized “to properly handle relations with China,” which raised a lot of questions: Is he actually trying to “stand up,” or is he playing balancing?
From Lee’s words, he clearly realized that South Korea was in the clutches between China and the United States, and that it was impossible neither to give up its alliance with the United States nor to ignore its economic ties with China. This attitude is actually not new – since the end of the Cold War, South Korea has been looking for a balance between “safe and economically dependent.” Lee’s “choose the United States” was obviously to strengthen this traditional alliance, especially in the context of the North Korean nuclear issue and the US-Korean common defense system.
However, Li also does not want to deteriorate relations with China, which is why he stressed in the interview "to properly handle relations with China".
Li’s “Third Road” is not a mere loyalty to the U.S., but an attempt to find a relatively independent path between the two great Chinese and American powers. This path is full of contradictions but also many possibilities. Li’s hope is to avoid being completely dragged into the Chinese-American confrontation camp byining U.S. support, but at the same time he knows that South Korea’s deep economic ties with China cannot be ignored. China is South Korea’s largest trading partner, especially in core areas such as semiconductors and automobiles, and any policy shift can bring far-reaching economic consequences.
In today’s highly interconnected world, South Korea relies on U.S. military protection and cannot completely abandon China’s economic interests.This double pressure has forced Lee to adopt a flexible and pragmatic diplomatic strategy – supporting U.S. security strategy and not giving up on economic cooperation with China.
But this "balancing technique" is also destined to be a highly dangerous game. On the one hand, the United States requires South Korea to play a key role in the "Indo-Pacific" strategy, but on the other hand, it expresses dissatisfaction with the economic cooperation between South Korea and China. The United States' "Chip Quad Alliance" and restrictions on South Korean semiconductor exports are the embodiment of this contradiction.
On the other hand, although China expressed its willingness to continue to deepen cooperation with South Korea, it also clearly expressed its vigilance against South Korea's "beauty pageant". Especially when it comes to sensitive issues, South Korea's attitude may become a major variable in China-South Korea relations.
Behind Li Zaiming's diplomatic statement, there are profound strategic considerations. South Korea hopes that by finding a balance between China and the United States, it can not only maintain the ROK-US alliance, but also maximize economic cooperation with China. This policy idea seems feasible, but it is full of challenges. In the short term, South Korea may maintain the relationship between the two sides through the vague strategy of "showing loyalty to the United States and seeking cooperation with China". But in the long run, the continued tension in Sino-US relations will inevitably make South Korea's "balancing technique" face a severe test.