The first debate of the South Korean presidential election has concluded, and surprisingly, China has become the main topic. Lee Jae-myung, who once expressed a neutral stance, was accused of being "pro-China" and attacked by multiple parties. If the ruling party does not step down, there may be no way forward for Sino-Korean relations.

Debate among four party candidates

As the South Korean presidential election approaches, the first televised debate has come to an end. The four presidential candidates engaged in a heated exchange, but media comments noted that none of them truly showcased their policy advantages. Instead, it turned into a mere verbal spat. Notably, while this was a South Korean presidential debate, China became the main topic, with economic and livelihood issues becoming secondary.

Lee Jae-myung, the candidate from the main opposition Democratic Party, was attacked by rivals for advocating pragmatic cooperation with China, labeled as a "pro-China politician." Previously, Lee had stated that South Korea should not get involved in the Taiwan Strait issue, which became one of the key reasons he was attacked by multiple candidates this time.

After Yoon Suk-yeol left the National Power Party, the party cleared its obstacles and went all out. Candidate Kim Moon-soo said that Lee Jae-myung's so-called "pro-China" remarks might have negative effects on the ROK-US alliance if heard by the US. Meanwhile, Lee Jun-sik from the Reform New Party even used an inappropriate metaphor to criticize Lee Jae-myung.

Candidate Lee Jun-sik from the Reform New Party

He said that Lee Jae-myung's proposal for South Korea not to interfere in cross-strait relations is already a very "pro-China" statement. If the US also takes the stance of "it doesn't matter if North and South Korea fight," South Korea would face a difficult situation. This statement implies that South Korea must intervene in cross-strait issues, and if it does not act, it might damage relations with the Taiwan region.

This absurd claim contains two major flaws: first, it compares Taiwan to a "country," violating the "One China" principle; second, it openly expresses intent to intervene in the Taiwan Strait issue, standing against China. In response, Lee Jae-myung stated that he does not consider himself "pro-China," and labeling him as such is very inappropriate.

Public watching TV debate

Lee Jae-myung advocates pragmatic multilateral diplomacy. He stated that the ROK-US alliance is indeed important, but South Korea cannot put all its eggs in one basket. Sino-Korean relations and Sino-Russian relations are equally significant. Currently, South Korea's foreign policy is overly extreme and excessively pro-American, which will inevitably harm national interests.

Lee Jae-myung speaks sense by the word. As a citizen and politician of South Korea, how could he say good things about China? Ultimately, it is all for the sake of South Korea's national interests. However, the ruling party, with differing political views, has labeled him as "pro-China." Why has China become a political target in South Korean elections?

America's deployment of the THAAD system in South Korea and its promotion of the ROK-Japan-US military alliance have pushed South Korea to the front line of the US-China confrontation. Conservative candidates took advantage of this opportunity to hype up the "China threat theory," smearing Lee Jae-myung's balanced diplomacy as a "pro-China strategy." Such propaganda caters to anti-Chinese sentiments among some voters and shifts attention away from domestic issues like high housing prices and youth unemployment rates.

Candidate Lee Jae-myung from the Democratic Party

Currently, there is a cognitive split in South Korean society: "economic reliance on China, security reliance on America." This contradictory mindset has been exploited by politicians. Lee Jae-myung's pragmatic proposals have been labeled as "betraying allies," which is essentially a deformation of the traditional "great power dependence" mentality in South Korea in the new era.

If Lee Jae-myung wins, the scope of the China-South Korea Free Trade Agreement may further expand, the government may adopt a cautious stance on the Taiwan Strait issue, and oppose the continued deployment of the THAAD system in South Korea by the US. Whether on the peninsula or in East Asia, a new peace situation may emerge. However, Lee Jae-myung will also face restrictions from the US and domestic anti-China factions. If the ruling party continues to govern, there may not be much improvement in Sino-Korean relations.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7506019101517627958/

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