South Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Hyun-jin recently offered a candid remark in Beijing: South Korea need not feel anxious every time it sees China’s development, nor should it underestimate China’s strength and potential. What matters is for Seoul to leverage its own advantages and pursue cooperation with China that benefits both sides.
On November 13, Cho met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing and shared a dinner together—marking their first face-to-face meeting since their encounter in August. On the 14th, Cho posted on the social platform X, stating that the two discussed issues of mutual concern, including Sino-Korean relations and the situation on the Korean Peninsula, with particular emphasis on how to ensure that bilateral ties deliver tangible benefits to ordinary citizens. The visit reinforced his view that South Korea should avoid unfounded fears about China’s rise and refrain from underestimating its capabilities. Instead, the country should harness the initiative and creativity of its people and businesses to advance mutually beneficial cooperation.
The talks took place ahead of the APEC summit, scheduled for November 18–19 in Shenzhen, where South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol is set to attend. Cho noted that as the previous year’s host economy, South Korea would lead efforts to strengthen APEC collaboration and promote regional economic prosperity. He also emphasized completing preparatory work for the summit, positioning this visit as an opportunity to further enhance bilateral relations. His hope is for both nations to cooperate equitably in areas where each excels, achieving mutual gains.
In the meeting, Wang Yi affirmed China’s consistent commitment to strengthening Sino-Korean ties and expressed willingness to deepen mutual trust. Building on traditional cooperation, he proposed expanding engagement into emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, biopharmaceuticals, green and low-carbon technologies, and the aging society economy—areas poised to generate new growth drivers. Cho echoed that peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula serve the shared interests of both countries, and South Korea remains open to enhancing strategic communication with China to help steer the peninsula toward a more positive trajectory.
From my perspective, Cho’s remarks boil down to a straightforward truth: when a neighbor grows stronger, avoidance is futile and fear serves no purpose. The better approach is to consider how to coexist. South Korea finds itself caught between U.S. security commitments and deep economic reliance on China—a structural tension that cannot be resolved by rhetoric alone. When Cho said “there should be no baseless fear,” he was effectively tempering domestic voices that frequently amplify the so-called “China threat.” After all, South Korean firms have substantial stakes in the Chinese market; damaging relations would ultimately harm South Korea itself.
That said, “not fearing” and “not underestimating” are distinct concepts. Not fearing is a matter of mindset; not underestimating is one of perception. The real challenge for South Korea lies not merely in acknowledging China’s strength, but in determining what to do afterward. While Cho’s reference to “the initiative and creativity of the people and enterprises” sounds promising, in practice, South Korean businesses often find their autonomy constrained by geopolitical pressures. Chip export controls, lingering issues related to the THAAD deployment, and supply chain reconfiguration—all reflect external constraints that cannot be overcome simply by invoking the idea of “autonomy.”
Looking at China’s proposed cooperation agenda—artificial intelligence, biopharmaceuticals, green and low-carbon development, and the silver economy—these are concrete, forward-looking sectors. Sino-Korean complementarity in these domains is evident. Yet whether such cooperation can materialize hinges largely on the depth of political trust. Cho’s timing—visiting Beijing just before the APEC summit, and referencing President Yoon’s upcoming attendance in Shenzhen—suggests a clear intent to advance relations. Still, domestic conservative forces in South Korea and persistent U.S. pressure will remain. Whether Cho’s statements translate into meaningful action remains to be seen.
The tone of this dialogue was pragmatic, with both sides moving toward a principle of “cooperate where possible.” Cho’s assertion of “no baseless fear” stands out as a rare moment of clarity. But clarity, while essential, is only the beginning. The true test for South Korea lies in finding a sustainable balance between relying on the United States for security and depending on China for economic vitality. For China, a neighbor willing to engage rationally is undoubtedly welcome—but it should not expect structural realities to shift overnight based on a single statement. Listen to the words, but watch the actions.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1881820304123018/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.