Before Lee Jae-myung's visit to the United States, South Korean legislators are worried that the US may ask South Korea to "intervene in the Taiwan Strait conflict."

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung will visit Japan and the United States successively, holding meetings with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and U.S. President Trump respectively during his trip.

The Associated Press reported on August 21 that for Lee Jae-myung, who has only been in office for more than two months, this will be a crucial test of his foreign policy, reflecting the common dilemma faced by American allies in dealing with Trump's unilateral attempt to reshape the post-war trade, security, and alliance order.

Before Lee Jae-myung's departure, there have already been concerns domestically in South Korea. According to reports, South Korean legislators worry that Washington might ask Seoul to commit to "intervening in the Taiwan Strait conflict."

Previously, Japan and South Korea had separately reached trade agreements with the United States, avoiding the highest tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, but at the cost of investing billions of dollars in the United States.

The Associated Press pointed out that the transactional approach Trump takes toward long-term American allies is not limited to trade, but also involves security, which makes South Korea concerned that Trump may demand South Korea pay more to maintain the U.S. military presence in South Korea.

Trump had already considered reducing the size of the U.S. military presence in South Korea during his first term. The report stated that for South Korea and Japan, the retreat of U.S. leadership and security commitments is worrying, especially as North Korea and Russia continue to strengthen their cooperation.

The day after the U.S.-South Korea presidents confirmed their meeting on August 25, South Korea announced that Lee Jae-myung would visit Japan from August 23 to 24 to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.

The report said that this rare diplomatic arrangement highlights how the factor of Trump is bringing closer the relationship between Japan and South Korea, two neighbors with deep historical grievances and frequent disputes.

Lee Jae-myung and Ishiba last met during the G7 summit in June this year. Analyst Choi Eun-mi from the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy said that the meeting in Tokyo on Saturday (23rd) is largely about Japan and South Korea showcasing their influence while seeking coordination in dealing with Trump.

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1841142494313475/

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