Yoon Transition Committee's Foreign and Security Affairs... US Present, China Absent

Speed of Policy Shift Centered on the ROK-US Alliance
Reflecting Incoming Administration Yoon's Diplomatic Direction
Concerns Over ROK-China Conflicts on Trade and THAAD

On the 18th, at the entrance of the transition team building in Tongui-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol and other attendees are taking a commemorative photo after the plaque ceremony.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

As experts on the United States fill the Foreign Affairs and Security Subcommittee of the Presidential Transition Committee, the shift in diplomatic policy centered on the Korea-US alliance is accelerating. On the other hand, since no China experts are included in the subcommittee, if China later exerts pressure citing issues such as trade and the additional deployment of THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense), dialogue may not be easy, and ultimately, a recurrence of Korea-China conflicts could occur, analysts say.

According to the Presidential Transition Committee on the 18th, many opinions suggest that the list of committee members fully reflects President-elect Yoon’s diplomatic direction. Among the three members of the Foreign Affairs and Security Subcommittee, former Vice Foreign Minister Kim Seong-han and former Presidential Office of Foreign Affairs and National Security Planning Officer Kim Tae-hyo are classified as “US experts,” while former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Lee Jong-seop is from the military.

Although Professor Wang Yunjong of Dongduk Women’s University, regarded as a Chinese economic expert, is included as a member of the Economic Subcommittee 2, his influence is expected to be limited as he is not directly involved in foreign policy. Professor Wang advocates gradually reducing dependence on China and discovering alternative supply countries in response to the potential increase in China’s economic retaliation.

China is currently taking a wait-and-see stance. In a letter delivered to President-elect Yoon through Chinese Ambassador to Korea Xing Haiming, Chinese President Xi Jinping stated, “The Chinese side is willing to firmly uphold the original intention of establishing diplomatic relations with Korea and deepen friendly cooperation to bring welfare to both countries and their peoples.” This implies that China will observe whether the original intention is maintained.

President-elect Yoon’s diplomatic policy is being formulated around the United States. He has already held phone calls with the leaders of four countries?the US, Japan, Australia, and India. These countries are members of the “Quad.” Additionally, he has expressed intentions to participate in the US-centered “Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF).” Amid growing nationalism in the global market, the core strategy is to maximize national interests by building “economic security” such as supply chains and trade centered on the US.

Kim Yeol-su, Director of the Security Strategy Office at the Korea Institute for Military Affairs, said, “President-elect Yoon has spoken with the leaders of the four Quad countries but has not communicated with China. While this is a strategic approach to break away from submissive diplomacy, it is necessary to continue communication considering diplomatic interests.”

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