Biden's First Visit to Korea and Japan After Inauguration... Priority Is Containing China and Demonstrating Alliances

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Josel Gina] U.S. President Joe Biden’s first visit to South Korea and Japan since taking office is heavily focused on countering China, which is engaged in a global hegemony competition. Unlike his predecessor, former President Donald Trump, who visited Beijing first during his initial Asia tour, Biden is prioritizing traditional allies South Korea and Japan to showcase a "strong security and economic alliance." The launch of the U.S.-led economic initiative, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), during the trip also clearly aims to check China’s influence.

◆ Biden’s First Asia Tour Since Taking Office

Jake Sullivan, U.S. National Security Advisor, said in a press briefing on the 18th (local time) that during Biden’s visit to South Korea and Japan from the 20th to the 24th, "there will be opportunities to strengthen security alliances and deepen economic partnerships with South Korea and Japan." He emphasized the significance of this trip as "the first Indo-Pacific visit at a very critical moment."

The Biden administration has identified China as its top strategic competitor since taking office and has focused on strengthening diplomacy and security in the Indo-Pacific region. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine crisis, this is Biden’s first visit to Asian countries since his inauguration 16 months ago in January last year.

U.S. foreign policy experts evaluate this trip as a message to China and North Korea that the alliances with South Korea and Japan remain strong. The Biden administration is closely monitoring regional issues such as China’s military ambitions targeting the South China Sea and Taiwan, the contrasting U.S.-China positions on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and North Korea’s recent nuclear and missile provocations.

A South Korean diplomatic source explained, "Biden’s top foreign policy priority is to check China," adding, "He will showcase the alliance with South Korea and Japan while demonstrating U.S. influence in the Asia region." Jeffrey Kingston, head of Asian studies at Temple University in Japan, said, "President Biden aims to reassure allies by reaffirming U.S. commitments that were damaged by former President Trump’s unpredictable diplomatic strategies."

◆ Summit in South Korea... Likely Discussions on North Korea Nuclear Response and Alliance Strengthening

The core of the South Korea-U.S. summit between President Biden and President Yoon Suk-yeol on the 21st is expected to be security on the Korean Peninsula. This summit will be the earliest-ever South Korea-U.S. summit, taking place just 11 days after President Yoon’s inauguration on the 10th.

During his stay in South Korea, President Biden is expected to take a tough stance against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats. He has also excluded the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), a frequent destination for past U.S. presidents, from his itinerary. Sullivan warned that North Korea might conduct a nuclear test or a long-range missile launch during or after Biden’s visit, stating, "We are prepared for all emergencies."

In addition, Biden is expected to send a message during his South Korea visit to further strengthen the U.S.-South Korea alliance not only in security but also in economy, advanced technology, and supply chains. His visit to the Samsung semiconductor plant on the first day is part of this effort. Sullivan said, "President Biden will emphasize the necessity of a truly global U.S.-South Korea alliance across all fields, including climate change, energy, technology, economic growth, and investment."

This also reflects the Biden administration’s intention to counter China, which challenges global supply chain dominance and advanced technology competition. The visit to the Samsung semiconductor plant can be seen as an effort to strengthen cooperation with South Korea on supply chain issues, including semiconductors, which have been emphasized as key future industries since early in Biden’s term.

However, foreign media analyze that it is unclear whether President Biden will pressure South Korea to take a tough stance against China similar to the U.S.

Time magazine noted, "President Yoon has expressed a firmly pro-U.S. stance," but added, "Given that economic improvement is a key issue, he may be reluctant to alienate China, South Korea’s largest trading partner." The Washington Post reported, "The U.S. wants to strengthen relations with South Korea and Japan to address urgent regional issues such as North Korea’s nuclear provocations, China’s supply chain dominance, and the possibility of a Taiwan conflict," but also noted, "Considering the deteriorated South Korea-Japan relations and South Korea’s economic dependence on China, this will not be easy."

Furthermore, Sullivan confirmed that there is currently no scheduled meeting between President Biden and former President Moon Jae-in during this trip.

◆ Quad Summit and IPEF Launch in Japan... Clear Message to Counter China

The Japan leg of the trip, following South Korea, is more focused on countering China.

On the 23rd, President Biden will hold a U.S.-Japan summit, followed by attending the Quad summit with Japan, Australia, and India on the 24th, a consultative body aimed at countering China. This will be the second in-person meeting since September last year. Sullivan said, "This trip will fully showcase President Biden’s Indo-Pacific strategy," adding, "It will present a path for effective and principled U.S. leadership and engagement in a region that will define much of the 21st century’s future."

However, there are expectations that contradictions within the Quad alliance may surface. India has refrained from criticizing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which could be uncomfortable for the U.S. But local media report that Biden is unlikely to pressure India, considering the U.S.-China competition dynamics.

The counter to China is expected to culminate with the launch declaration of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) during this period. IPEF is an economic consultative body launched by the U.S. to curb China’s expanding economic influence in the Indo-Pacific by rallying regional allies and partner countries. It is an attempt to fill the void left by the U.S. withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) in 2017 and clearly aims to economically challenge China, the main competitor in the hegemony race.

South Korea has also expressed a positive stance toward participation, and President Yoon is likely to join the launch summit via video conference. Besides South Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand are expected to participate. Singapore, the Philippines, and Malaysia are also mentioned. Time magazine evaluated that the initiative aims to reduce the influence of the China-led Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and revive opportunities lost with the TPP, which was abandoned by former President Trump.

In response to a question at the briefing about whether this trip would serve as a warning to China, Sullivan replied that the message of the trip is a positive vision of what the world could be if democratic countries unite their strength. He added that China will hear this message but it is not targeted at any single country.

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