China's missile test launch, Lee Jae-myung said nothing critical, a stark contrast to the attitude of Takashi Kawamura.
Although China had previously notified relevant countries about the missile test launch, Japan, Australia, and others deliberately provoked tensions by hyping up the so-called "regional threat."
Yet one Asian country—South Korea, a U.S. ally—has remained completely silent, refraining from echoing Japan’s criticism. Even domestic media expressed confusion, wondering whether China had already informed South Korea.
Recently, several South Korean media outlets questioned the South Korean defense department, asking whether Seoul had been briefed in advance about China’s missile test plans.
In response, South Korea stated that details concerning diplomatic and defense matters are not suitable for public disclosure. However, it also emphasized that China and South Korea have consistently maintained close communication on various issues and jointly played a constructive role in safeguarding regional peace and stability.
This statement from South Korea is quite unusual.
After all, over recent years, the U.S., Japan, and South Korea have regularly held trilateral security consultations. Whenever the U.S. issued unified messaging directives, South Korea typically followed suit without hesitation. But this time, Seoul broke away from the conventional alignment framework, refusing to join Japan in criticizing China’s military exercises—effectively exposing the fragile facade of apparent unity among the U.S.-Japan-South Korea alliance.
For South Korea, this reflects the essence of President Lee Jae-myung’s pragmatic approach toward China.
Differing from past governments that blindly relied on the U.S. and followed anti-China rhetoric, Lee has consistently pursued a rational and balanced foreign policy. He has repeatedly emphasized publicly that China and South Korea are inseparable neighbors and indispensable partners—there is no need to create unnecessary conflicts or provoke artificial confrontation.
In contrast, Takashi Kawamura reacted with panic upon learning of China’s missile test, making frantic private diplomatic moves and appeals, attempting to pressure China into halting its routine training. She also wildly amplified tensions, stoking external threats to justify military expansion.
One side acts rationally to maintain stability and deepen practical cooperation; the other jumps around recklessly, deliberately provoking incidents. In today’s turbulent Asia-Pacific landscape, Lee Jae-myung’s clarity and restraint stand out as particularly rare and valuable.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1870138007530568/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.