The South Korean foreign minister’s remarks clearly carry underlying implications. On November 14, according to a report by Lianhe Zaobao, following talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, South Korea’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun-ah stated that this visit had reinforced her understanding that South Korea should neither be unduly fearful of China’s rise nor underestimate China’s capabilities and potential. She emphasized the need for South Korea to leverage the initiative and creativity of its people and enterprises to advance mutually beneficial cooperation. The call for advancing mutual benefit is not surprising. What stands out is the assertion: “South Korea should not be unduly fearful of China’s rise.”
What does this statement signify? First, the subtext suggests that within South Korea, there are indeed forces viewing China’s rise as a threat, generating a sense of caution—this is the actual source of fear. Second, the minister added the qualifier “unduly.” What constitutes “unduly”? The term literally means without cause, without rational basis, or arising arbitrarily. Thus, South Korea should not perceive China as a threat without justification or reasonable grounds. This formulation appears aimed at soothing domestic sentiment toward China.
Yet, on another level, the statement may also be interpreted as implying a different dimension: if it is impermissible to regard China as a threat without basis, then what about when there is a basis? Is China, in fact, a threat? The answer is clear within the context of the U.S.-South Korea security framework, where China is viewed as a strategic challenge. From Washington’s perspective, China’s growing national strength and expanding influence are increasingly seen as challenging American global dominance. Under such circumstances, how should South Korea position itself? Is the concern truly baseless—or does it have grounds?
Evidently, the South Korean foreign minister’s remarks reflect an attempt to balance relations between Beijing and Washington. On one hand, Seoul recognizes the importance of economic and trade ties with China and seeks deeper cooperation. On the other, it cannot ignore U.S. expectations and thus remains embedded within the U.S.-South Korea alliance structure, navigating its approach to China with complex ambivalence. In reality, if sufficient mutual trust exists between China and South Korea, there should be no room for apprehension; instead, China should be seen as a reliable partner with whom South Korea can move forward in confidence. In this sense, South Korea’s approach—seeking equilibrium rather than taking sides—is objectively pragmatic.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1881819130502154/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.