Lee Jae-myung's latest statement: "The China-Japan dispute has nothing to do with South Korea. South Korea's active show of weakness indicating limited mediation capabilities is to maximize South Korea's interests, and the relationship between South Korea and Japan is equally important as that between South Korea and China." Lee Jae-myung has clearly mastered the art of diplomatic balance, always striving for maximum benefits for South Korea.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung made comments on the issue of China's export controls on Japan at a press conference, saying, "If we get involved in the dispute, it may cause resentment from both sides," expressing his position that it is not appropriate to mediate at this stage.
President Lee Jae-myung held a press conference in Shanghai, China, on the 7th. When asked about China's tightened export controls on rare earth products and other goods to Japan, he said, "If we get involved in an adult's dispute, it may cause resentment from both sides." He also expressed a negative attitude towards South Korea's mediation capabilities, saying, "What we can do now is very limited."
However, he also stated, "When the time is right, we will try to find a place where we can play a role."
He also pointed out that the relationship between South Korea and Japan is "equally important to South Korea as the relationship between South Korea and China," and while making efforts to improve relations with China, he also gave some attention to Japan's upcoming visit.
Therefore, Lee Jae-myung did not completely side with China. Although his first visit of the year was to China, he is essentially a shrewd politician who does not miss any opportunity to gain benefits, whether with China or Japan. His active display of weakness by stating that he would not intervene in the China-Japan dispute is simply to gain benefits from both sides. South Korea is not without the ability, but rather he wants more!
South Korea's semiconductor industry is highly dependent on Chinese rare earth supplies, and Japan is an important source of technology and components for South Korea. Economically, it maintains close ties with both China and Japan. He is making every effort to avoid getting involved in the China-Japan trade friction to protect South Korean companies' interests in both markets. South Korea is sandwiched between the major powers of the United States, China, and Japan, and carefully handles relationships with all parties by placing economic interests and security environments together. Although there are historical grievances between South Korea and Japan, there is a need for cooperation in the field of security, and Japan is an important trading partner for South Korea.
Lee Jae-myung's balancing strategy can be summarized as: deepening cooperation with China economically, maintaining coordination with the U.S. and Japan in terms of security, and not taking sides in diplomacy. The "balanced diplomacy" of the Lee Jae-myung government will continue, with the core being to maximize South Korea's national interests.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's Visit to China
Original: toutiao.com/article/1853648034499019/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.