'Beijing Olympic Boycott', Different Stances Between Korea and Japan

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] There are expectations that the differing decisions made by South Korea and Japan regarding the diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics early next year will impact the geopolitical situation in Northeast Asia.

According to diplomatic circles on the 25th, the South Korean government is reportedly not planning to participate in the U.S.-led diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 23rd, during the Korea-China Vice Foreign Ministers' Strategic Dialogue held for the first time in four and a half years, both countries evaluated that exchanges at the high-level, economic cooperation, and COVID-19 quarantine cooperation had developed in various fields. They agreed to further develop the strategic cooperative partnership into a more mature and future-oriented relationship in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of Korea-China diplomatic relations in 2022.

In particular, Choi Jong-geon, First Vice Foreign Minister, expressed his hope that the Beijing Winter Olympics would be successfully held as an Olympics of quarantine, safety, and peace, thereby supporting China, which faced the obstacle of a diplomatic boycott by the U.S. and some Western countries.

This aligns with the South Korean government's official stance of not considering a boycott of the Beijing Olympics. In this context, the government is expected to dispatch officials to the Beijing Olympics.

This strategic dialogue was held as an extension of frequent high-level communications between Korea and China, including Wang Yi, State Councilor and Foreign Minister's visit to Korea in September and the Korea-China Foreign Ministers' meeting, as well as Seo Hun, Director of the Blue House National Security Office's visit to China earlier this month and his dialogue with Yang Jiechi, Political Bureau Member in charge of foreign affairs.

Although President Xi Jinping's reciprocal visit has not taken place due to the impact of COVID-19, both countries are considering promoting video summit meetings if face-to-face summit meetings are difficult, and are also exploring 2+2 consultations between diplomatic and defense authorities.

On the other hand, Japan has publicly expressed its intention to align with the U.S. diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics. Matsuno Hirokazu, Chief Cabinet Secretary and spokesperson for the Japanese government, stated at a press conference held at the Prime Minister's Office on the 24th that the government does not plan to send a delegation to the Beijing Olympics.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Matsuno explained that Japan believes it is important that unchanging international values such as freedom, respect for fundamental human rights, and the rule of law are guaranteed in China, and that Japan has conveyed this position directly to China through various channels.

He added, "Japan's response to the Beijing Olympics was made after comprehensively considering these points."

In response, the Chinese government showed a relatively restrained reaction without direct criticism of the Japanese government. Zhao Lijian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said at a regular briefing on the 24th when asked to comment on Japan's diplomatic boycott, "China welcomes personnel related to the Japanese Olympic Committee and Japanese athletes coming to China to participate in the Beijing Winter Olympics."

However, he added, "We hope and urge the Japanese side to properly fulfill the promise that China and Japan made to support the depoliticization of the Olympics and sports hosted by each other." This is interpreted as an indirect expression of concern over Japan's decision to join the diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Olympics.

Diplomatic experts expect that the differing decisions by the South Korean and Japanese governments will lead to some changes in Korea-China-Japan relations in the future geopolitical situation of Northeast Asia. While Korea-China relations are expected to be strengthened as a strategic partnership, China-Japan relations are likely to maintain a tense relationship.

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