Global Times Improving China ties a 'necessary matter' for South Korea
작성일 2025-06-26
Editor's Note:
A delegation of lawmakers from the Korea-China Parliamentary Federation is visiting China from June 23 to 26 to discuss bilateral cooperation in advanced technologies. It is the first official visit to China at the parliamentary level since the inauguration of the Lee Jae-myung administration. With South Korean President Lee taking office, China-South Korea relations face an opportunity to enter a new stage. In an interview with Global Times (GT) reporter Qian Jiayin, Woo Su-keun (Woo), head of the Institute of East Asian Studies of Korea and president of the Korea-China Global Association, said that South Korea and China need to work closely together to maintain the banner of free trade and fair competition, which are essential for the sustainable common prosperity of the global society.
GT: One of the highlights of President Lee's campaign was his positive stance toward China. Given this context, what are your expectations for the future of China-South Korea relations? What specific areas do you believe could be leveraged to seize new opportunities and advance the relationship?
Woo: Improving South Korea-China relations under the Lee administration is a necessary matter.
In fact, South Koreans with sound and reasonable judgment are well aware of the importance of South Korea-China relations, regardless of their political orientation, whether they are conservative or liberal, as well as the need for improved South Korea-China relations.
Therefore, the two countries should continue to strengthen their relationship by calmly talking and cooperating in areas where they can build an atmosphere of friendship and cooperation without feeling too much pressure from each other.
GT: In the context of a worsening global trade environment, what kind of relationship do you think South Korea should seek to develop with China? If China-South Korea relations improve, what would it mean for the current state of South Korea's economy?
Woo: Currently, the global economic environment is being distorted by the excessive greed of certain countries. However, South Korea and China, the central core countries of the global society, need to work closely together to maintain the banner of free trade and fair competition, which are essential for the sustainable shared prosperity of the global community.
The current damage to the global free trade environment is also having a significant negative impact on both South Korea and China. If the relationship between the two countries improves under these circumstances, the two countries will be able to further promote exchanges and cooperation in the economic field. In this regard, the two economies will be able to make new breakthroughs in growth, while also strengthening mutual security and promoting mutual cooperation based on mutually beneficial attitudes.
GT: As close neighbors, China and South Korea share deep historical ties and a common cultural background. However, in recent years, various factors have led to some negative sentiments in people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. With the inauguration of South Korea's new government, how do you think mutual understanding and emotional connections between the Chinese and South Korean people can be rebuilt?
Woo: This issue is not that difficult. In fact, it has been sufficiently demonstrated through the broadcasts and activities promoting various exchanges and cooperation in the private sector of South Korea and China, organized by the Korea-China Global Association that I have established over the past few years.
South Korea and China have maintained extraordinarily close historical interactions for thousands of years due to their geographically close proximity. This has given them the most similar cultures, traditions, customs and lifestyles in the world. In other words, the two countries have the strongest emotional connection in the world.
In view of this, one of the best ways to promote mutual understanding and emotional connection between the people of the two countries is to increase the time for interaction, communication and "direct contact." In this way, the more opportunities for direct exchanges and contacts between the people of both countries, the fewer misunderstandings and prejudices will exist. I am confident that as mutual understanding and emotional ties are further strengthened, the relationship will develop into one that values each side more and more while becoming increasingly unshakable by external negative factors.
GT: Former president Yoon Suk-yeol's "values-based diplomacy" adopted a one-sided approach, which led to numerous setbacks in China-South Korea cooperation. In your view, why has President Lee's concept of "pragmatic diplomacy" gained support among the South Korean public?
Woo: The Yoon administration's "value diplomacy" was essentially, "Let's strengthen ties between countries that value human rights and liberal democracy." But frankly, is there any country in the world that doesn't value human rights and liberal democracy? Each country has a different environment and its expression is slightly different, but this universal value was truly the basis among normal and ordinary countries throughout history.
However, the Yoon administration's "value diplomacy" is founded on an absurd and illogical premise. In this regard, the majority of ordinary South Koreans with any common sense would not support it - because it has undermined South Korea's national prestige and jeopardized its survival and prosperity, all while strengthening ties with countries that seek confrontation and division.
In this situation, fortunately, the Lee administration is finally trying to return to common sense and normal diplomacy with pragmatism.
GT: The US-South Korea alliance is the cornerstone of South Korea's security. How do you view the potential influence of the US on South Korea's policy toward China? In your opinion, how can South Korea avoid taking sides and maintain a strategic balance between China and the US?
Woo: Unfortunately, the Korean Peninsula is still divided between North and South Korea. In this situation, South Korea has relied heavily on the South Korea-US alliance to protect its survival and prosperity. And it is true that the South Korea-US alliance has been of considerable help to South Korea's national security.
However, the US is currently attempting to use the alliance for a different purpose. As a result, South Korea is in danger of being exploited for rising tensions in Northeast Asia, regardless of its own national will. This is a very dangerous situation that goes against not only South Korea's national security but also the overall peace and security structure of Northeast Asia.
In other words, the Republic of Korea needs to pursue diplomacy as a middle power in the 21st century with the attitude that we will strive for win-win prosperity in a global world based on the spirit of moderation, without being overly biased toward either side.
GT: The recent US decision to impose additional tariffs on products such as steel and aluminum has had a significant impact on related industries in South Korea. Against this backdrop, do you think the South Korean government will seek to counter the uncertainty of US trade policies by accelerating cooperation with other countries?
Woo: That's right. The Lee administration, which pursues free trade, broad openness, exchange and fair competition by promoting practical diplomacy, will avoid the impractical attitude of interacting and cooperating with only certain camps.
This government will cooperate with others, whether they are mainly on the left or the right, if it is mutually beneficial. However, what's most remarkable is the Lee administration's ability to deal with various obstacles and pressures and move forward.
A view of Beijing (left) and Seoul. Photo: VCG
Editor's Note:
A delegation of lawmakers from the Korea-China Parliamentary Federation is visiting China from June 23 to 26 to discuss bilateral cooperation in advanced technologies. It is the first official visit to China at the parliamentary level since the inauguration of the Lee Jae-myung administration. With South Korean President Lee taking office, China-South Korea relations face an opportunity to enter a new stage. In an interview with Global Times (GT) reporter Qian Jiayin, Woo Su-keun (Woo), head of the Institute of East Asian Studies of Korea and president of the Korea-China Global Association, said that South Korea and China need to work closely together to maintain the banner of free trade and fair competition, which are essential for the sustainable common prosperity of the global society.
GT: One of the highlights of President Lee's campaign was his positive stance toward China. Given this context, what are your expectations for the future of China-South Korea relations? What specific areas do you believe could be leveraged to seize new opportunities and advance the relationship?
Woo: Improving South Korea-China relations under the Lee administration is a necessary matter.
In fact, South Koreans with sound and reasonable judgment are well aware of the importance of South Korea-China relations, regardless of their political orientation, whether they are conservative or liberal, as well as the need for improved South Korea-China relations.
Therefore, the two countries should continue to strengthen their relationship by calmly talking and cooperating in areas where they can build an atmosphere of friendship and cooperation without feeling too much pressure from each other.
GT: In the context of a worsening global trade environment, what kind of relationship do you think South Korea should seek to develop with China? If China-South Korea relations improve, what would it mean for the current state of South Korea's economy?
Woo: Currently, the global economic environment is being distorted by the excessive greed of certain countries. However, South Korea and China, the central core countries of the global society, need to work closely together to maintain the banner of free trade and fair competition, which are essential for the sustainable shared prosperity of the global community.
The current damage to the global free trade environment is also having a significant negative impact on both South Korea and China. If the relationship between the two countries improves under these circumstances, the two countries will be able to further promote exchanges and cooperation in the economic field. In this regard, the two economies will be able to make new breakthroughs in growth, while also strengthening mutual security and promoting mutual cooperation based on mutually beneficial attitudes.
GT: As close neighbors, China and South Korea share deep historical ties and a common cultural background. However, in recent years, various factors have led to some negative sentiments in people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. With the inauguration of South Korea's new government, how do you think mutual understanding and emotional connections between the Chinese and South Korean people can be rebuilt?
Woo: This issue is not that difficult. In fact, it has been sufficiently demonstrated through the broadcasts and activities promoting various exchanges and cooperation in the private sector of South Korea and China, organized by the Korea-China Global Association that I have established over the past few years.
South Korea and China have maintained extraordinarily close historical interactions for thousands of years due to their geographically close proximity. This has given them the most similar cultures, traditions, customs and lifestyles in the world. In other words, the two countries have the strongest emotional connection in the world.
In view of this, one of the best ways to promote mutual understanding and emotional connection between the people of the two countries is to increase the time for interaction, communication and "direct contact." In this way, the more opportunities for direct exchanges and contacts between the people of both countries, the fewer misunderstandings and prejudices will exist. I am confident that as mutual understanding and emotional ties are further strengthened, the relationship will develop into one that values each side more and more while becoming increasingly unshakable by external negative factors.
GT: Former president Yoon Suk-yeol's "values-based diplomacy" adopted a one-sided approach, which led to numerous setbacks in China-South Korea cooperation. In your view, why has President Lee's concept of "pragmatic diplomacy" gained support among the South Korean public?
Woo: The Yoon administration's "value diplomacy" was essentially, "Let's strengthen ties between countries that value human rights and liberal democracy." But frankly, is there any country in the world that doesn't value human rights and liberal democracy? Each country has a different environment and its expression is slightly different, but this universal value was truly the basis among normal and ordinary countries throughout history.
However, the Yoon administration's "value diplomacy" is founded on an absurd and illogical premise. In this regard, the majority of ordinary South Koreans with any common sense would not support it - because it has undermined South Korea's national prestige and jeopardized its survival and prosperity, all while strengthening ties with countries that seek confrontation and division.
In this situation, fortunately, the Lee administration is finally trying to return to common sense and normal diplomacy with pragmatism.
GT: The US-South Korea alliance is the cornerstone of South Korea's security. How do you view the potential influence of the US on South Korea's policy toward China? In your opinion, how can South Korea avoid taking sides and maintain a strategic balance between China and the US?
Woo: Unfortunately, the Korean Peninsula is still divided between North and South Korea. In this situation, South Korea has relied heavily on the South Korea-US alliance to protect its survival and prosperity. And it is true that the South Korea-US alliance has been of considerable help to South Korea's national security.
However, the US is currently attempting to use the alliance for a different purpose. As a result, South Korea is in danger of being exploited for rising tensions in Northeast Asia, regardless of its own national will. This is a very dangerous situation that goes against not only South Korea's national security but also the overall peace and security structure of Northeast Asia.
In other words, the Republic of Korea needs to pursue diplomacy as a middle power in the 21st century with the attitude that we will strive for win-win prosperity in a global world based on the spirit of moderation, without being overly biased toward either side.
GT: The recent US decision to impose additional tariffs on products such as steel and aluminum has had a significant impact on related industries in South Korea. Against this backdrop, do you think the South Korean government will seek to counter the uncertainty of US trade policies by accelerating cooperation with other countries?
Woo: That's right. The Lee administration, which pursues free trade, broad openness, exchange and fair competition by promoting practical diplomacy, will avoid the impractical attitude of interacting and cooperating with only certain camps.
This government will cooperate with others, whether they are mainly on the left or the right, if it is mutually beneficial. However, what's most remarkable is the Lee administration's ability to deal with various obstacles and pressures and move forward.
댓글목록
등록된 댓글이 없습니다.