'US Check' Wang Yi to Visit South Korea Soon... Strengthening Cooperation Among South Korea, US, and Japan

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Inho Yoo and Jieun Lee] On the 14th, while South Korea, the United States, and Japan met in Tokyo to strengthen cooperation on North Korea's nuclear issue, Wang Yi, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, visited South Korea on the same day to review Korea-China relations.

Minister Wang arrived at Incheon International Airport in the evening and is scheduled to hold a Korea-China foreign ministers' meeting on the 15th, followed by a courtesy call on President Moon Jae-in. Wang's visit is attracting attention as it is part of the ongoing power struggle between the U.S. and China in the Asia region. In fact, the itinerary of Wang's tour itself emphasizes countering the U.S. Wang comes to Korea after visiting Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam, Cambodia, and Singapore.

These countries were visited last month by U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, so Wang's following this route can be interpreted as a move to counter the U.S.'s stance on China. Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies, interpreted, "Wang's visit itself appears to be an effort to indirectly check the U.S. by strengthening cooperation and solidarity between Korea and China."

In this context, there is analysis that Wang is likely to present incentives such as a North Korea strategy and an invitation extended by President Moon during this visit. He may send positive signals regarding the Beijing Winter Olympics invitation and Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Korea. However, some express concerns that since the Korean government is seen as having moved closer to the U.S. following the May South Korea-U.S. summit, Wang may demand a kind of 'choice' from the Korean government.

Amid China's countermeasures, South Korea, the U.S., and Japan held a meeting of deputy-level North Korea nuclear chiefs in Tokyo on the morning of the same day. Discussions likely covered the North Korean nuclear issue, resumption of dialogue with North Korea, and humanitarian aid. However, signs of reactor reactivation at North Korea's Yongbyon nuclear facility have been detected, and recently North Korea disclosed a test launch of a new cruise missile, making humanitarian aid discussions potentially difficult. The White House stated on the 13th (local time) that despite North Korea's missile launches, "the diplomatic approach to North Korea has not changed," but Rafael Grossi, Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), condemned the reactivation of the Yongbyon nuclear facility as a "clear violation of Security Council resolutions" during an IAEA board meeting on the same day.

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