Naiju ROK-US 2+2 Talks... 'ROK-US Alliance' Strengthened but Burdened by 'China Containment' Demands

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Next week, the South Korea-US Foreign and Defense (2+2) talks will take place. The 2+2 talks, held for the first time since the Biden administration took office, are significant as they demonstrate the strength of the South Korea-US alliance, but there is also a possibility that demands to join efforts to contain China, represented by the 'Quad,' may arise.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 14th, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will visit South Korea from the 17th to the 18th. US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will also visit South Korea from the 17th to the 19th. During this period, Secretary Blinken and Secretary Austin will each hold bilateral talks with Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong and Defense Minister Suh Wook, respectively, followed by the 2+2 talks.

This 2+2 meeting is the first in five years since October 2016 and the first under the Moon Jae-in administration. The Blue House emphasized the significance of this visit, stating that "it is unprecedented for South Korea to be the first overseas destination." The establishment of the 2+2 talks, along with the dramatic resolution of the stalled South Korea-US Special Measures Agreement (SMA) on defense cost-sharing, demonstrates the strength of the South Korea-US alliance.

The two countries are expected to focus on discussing the North Korean nuclear issue during the 2+2 talks, as well as South Korea-US relations and the transfer of wartime operational control. Additionally, the US side may emphasize trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the US, and Japan to contain China or request participation in efforts to contain China. Although there was no direct mention of China at the Quad summit held on the 12th, discussions on containing China through 'vaccine diplomacy' and establishing rare earth supply chains took place.

Attention is also on whether the two sides will reach a consensus on North Korea's denuclearization. While the South Korean government advocates for advancing the 'Korean Peninsula peace process,' the US side is primarily focused on achieving North Korea's denuclearization. At the Quad summit, the joint statement reflected a consensus on the need for North Korea's complete denuclearization. According to Radio Free Asia, Acting Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Sung Kim said in a telephone press conference that the core of the Biden administration's North Korea policy is 'complete denuclearization.'

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.