ROK-China Rapprochement: Sustainable in the Long Run?
ByDong Gyu Lee [Research Fellow, The Asan Institute for Policy Studies]
►With a recent shift in China’s approach to South Korea, South Korea-China relations seem to be onthe mend, although conflict issues in bilateral relations, such as the South Korea-U.S.-Japansecurity cooperation, and the Taiwan issue, remain unresolved.
►China seeks additional goals through this rapprochement, including economic recovery, weakeningthe anti-China coalition, and exerting pressure on North Korea.
►South Korea should carefully consider what it should pursue and achieve through reconciliationwith China, not only at the bilateral level but also in various issues such as North Korea’sdenuclearization, the North Korea-China-Russia alignment, and China’s economic coercion.
