[Initial Perspective] What the Government Must Do After the Korea-US Summit

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] On the 21st (local time), the Medal of Honor ceremony for Korean War veteran Colonel Ralph Perkett was held at the White House in Washington DC, USA.

President Moon Jae-in, visiting the United States for the Korea-US summit, attended the Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House as the first foreign head of state to do so. President Moon knelt down to his knees together with President Joe Biden to take a commemorative photo.

Colonel Perkett was recognized for his bravery in defending Hill 205, a strategic point north of the Cheongcheon River during the Korean War, where he risked his life to repel attacks by the Chinese Communist forces.

Notably, Colonel Perkett received the Medal of Honor, the highest honor that can be awarded to a US soldier, for his actions against the Chinese army.

President Biden’s decision to have President Moon attend this event was interpreted as a ‘surprise event’ symbolizing the firm Korea-US alliance and the coalition to check China.

In this way, it is no exaggeration to say that the Korea-US summit started and ended with China. The joint statement mentioned Korea’s expanded role in the Indo-Pacific region in various parts.

Although there was no mention of Korea joining the four-country Indo-Pacific consultative group ‘Quad’, which had been controversial before the summit, the phrase “recognized its importance” was included. This opened the door for Korea’s participation in the Quad.

The phrase “maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea” was also included. Although China was not explicitly mentioned, it sent a warning message regarding China’s military and security threats.

The lifting of the Korea-US missile guidelines is also analyzed as a measure to check China. By granting missile sovereignty, Korea can deter China without deploying medium- and long-range missiles on the Korean Peninsula.

Experts also see that the US and our government exchanged what they wanted in this summit. From before the summit, the US clearly intended to press China, while Korea intended to request the restart of the Korean Peninsula peace process.

The result was as expected. The US accepted President Moon’s request to resume North Korea nuclear negotiations at this summit. Both the Singapore joint statement and the Panmunjom Declaration were included in the joint statement. Conversely, our government partially accepted the US’s request to join efforts to check China.

So far, the reality is that Korea has taken a step toward the US at the crossroads of choosing between the US and China. Since there is a high possibility of a Korea-US-Japan summit at the upcoming G7 summit next month, this will likely strengthen the US-centered China containment policy.

The problem is the backlash. Domestic political circles and media have been raising critical voices daily, saying “China is showing displeasure toward Korea.”

Contrary to our government’s explanation that “necessary communication with China has been made regarding this visit to the US, and China is expected to understand our government’s position,” China has shown a cold response.

Sharp official statements such as “The Taiwan issue is purely China’s internal affair and no external interference will be tolerated” and “Do not play with fire” have been made.

In this situation, our government needs even more cautious diplomacy. Establishing relations with China has become more urgent.

Of course, the possibility of China taking economic retaliation measures like during the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) deployment is low. The government shares this view. Although the Korea-US alliance has expanded from a security-centered alliance to an economic alliance, Korea’s China strategy has not changed.

Still, Korea and the US maintain a ‘comprehensive strategic alliance,’ and Korea and China maintain a ‘strategic cooperative partnership.’

For President Moon to avoid a situation more serious than COVID-19 during the remaining one year of his term, he must turn the crisis into an opportunity and focus his diplomatic efforts on both the US and China.

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