Tongil Research Institute "Joint Statement Mentioning Taiwan Sparks US-China Conflict... Need to Prepare Response Scenarios"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The mention of Taiwan in the joint statement of the recent South Korea-US summit could ignite tensions between the US and China, prompting calls for the preparation of response scenarios in case the US-China conflict escalates.

The Korea Institute for National Unification under the Prime Minister's Office stated in its report on the 26th, titled "Evaluation and Future Prospects of the South Korea-US Summit: Tasks Left by the Summit," that "we must not overlook the fact that the US left a spark for US-China conflict by mentioning the Taiwan issue in this joint statement."

Researcher Min Tae-eun of the Peace Research Office analyzed in the report, "Maintaining 'strategic ambiguity' by our government is the most ideal, but if US-China tensions escalate further, it is likely that neither side will welcome it. In that case, it is necessary to prepare scenarios during the time we have gained on how to respond."

Researcher Min positively evaluated the summit, citing that it ▲ confirmed South Korea's global status and role ▲ reaffirmed US support for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation ▲ and gained time to prepare response strategies amid US-China competition by not directly discussing or mentioning the Quad, saying, "These are the results of the government's efforts for the achievements of this South Korea-US summit."

However, he also assessed that challenges remain, such as the absence of concrete denuclearization agreements like easing sanctions on North Korea. Researcher Min pointed out, "There were no specific discussions or agreements on the denuclearization plans we expected. There is no visible concrete discussion on easing US sanctions on North Korea, reducing or postponing South Korea-US joint military exercises, or a declaration of the end of the war, which inevitably arise in the process of resolving the North Korean nuclear issue."

He also expressed regret that "there was no discussion on how to coordinate humanitarian cooperation with North Korea with improvements in North Korean human rights," advising, "South Korea and the US need to coordinate their positions and prepare effective measures that can simultaneously address North Korean human rights issues and humanitarian cooperation."

Researcher Min emphasized that resuming dialogue with North Korea is essential to link the summit results to progress in the peace process on the Korean Peninsula. He stressed, "Since the South Korea-US leaders agreed on global vaccine supply and humanitarian cooperation with North Korea, these should be actively proposed to North Korea and intentions should be explored. Also, the South Korea-US agreed upon reunion of separated families could be actively pursued targeting the upcoming June 25 or August 15, and this could serve as an opportunity to attempt restoring the inter-Korean liaison office."

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