Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring you today’s most pressing issues across the globe, I’m Kim Mok-yeon.
South Korea is currently navigating through a period of significant political instability, with a crisis that has cast uncertainty on its domestic governance and, consequently, its foreign policy.
The ongoing impeachment of a sitting president and the shifting political landscape have raised questions about the country’s international credibility, its relationships with key neighbors, and its ability to adapt to a rapidly evolving global environment.
At the same time, South Korea’s foreign policy achievements, such as mending ties with Japan and strengthening trilateral cooperation with the U.S. and Japan, highlight the complexity of balancing regional security, economic interests, and diplomatic strategy.
To explore these dynamics and better understand South Korea’s position on the world stage, we invite Bruce Bennett, Adjunct Defense Researcher at RAND Corporation in California. Welcome.
Also joining us is Choi Hyun Jin, Associate Professor at the Department of Political Science of Kyung Hee University. Great to have you.
(CHOI) 1. Let’s start with Professor Choi. So first, South Korea is currently on a leadership vacancy amid the ongoing impeachment crisis against President Yoon Suk-yeol. How do you assess the implications of South Korea’s internal political crisis on its foreign policy and diplomatic relations with key neighbors?
(BENNETT) 2. Now to Mr. Bennett, South Korea’s international credibility, which had set the country on a course for G7 membership, has now plummeted in the aftermath of the impeachment crisis.
Given the uncertainty surrounding South Korea’s political stability, how do you think this might affect its credibility and influence in international negotiations? How can South Korea regain trust on the global stage?
(Choi) 3. South Korea’s top foreign policy achievement under President Yoon’s administration started with mending relations with Japan.
The Yoon administration has worked to resolve long-standing issues with Japan, particularly the forced labor compensation issue. Professor Choi, How do you evaluate the effectiveness of these diplomatic efforts in strengthening bilateral relations in the long run?
(BENNETT) 4. In March of last year, President Yoon and then-Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida paid visits to each other, restoring in-person high-level diplomacy between the two leaders after 12 years. But recently, a Japanese government official stated, “It will be difficult for Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru to visit Korea for the time being.” Mr. Bennett, How do you foresee Seoul-Tokyo relations going forward?
(Choi) 5. But with the possibility of a new liberal administration coming in for South Korea, Professor Choi how do you think this would affect relations? What challenges do you foresee in maintaining momentum?
(BENNETT) 6. On July 28, South Korea, the U.S., and Japan’s defense ministers signed the “South Korea-U.S.-Japan Security Cooperation Framework” in Tokyo, marking the first institutionalized document for trilateral security cooperation. Mr. Bennett, How firm do you expect this alliance to be considering the political situation in Korea?
(BENNETT) 7. Meanwhile, North Korea and Russia have been strengthening their military alliance. How should South Korea adjust its defense and foreign policy strategies in response to these shifting security dynamics?
(Choi) 8. Amid continued political instability in South Korea due to martial law and the suspension of the president’s duties, South Korea and China have resumed communication, including a phone call between their foreign ministers.Professor Choi, How do you see China’s approach to South Korea changing, particularly in light of the Trump administration’s more aggressive stance on China and the potential realignment of global powers?
(BENNETT) 9. Mr. Bennett, Given the strategic rivalry between China and the U.S., how can South Korea balance its economic ties with China and its security commitments to the U.S. and Japan?
(Choi) 10. With the emergence of the Trump administration, South Korea faces a dramatic shift in the global security and economic order, at a time of historic change.
Given the challenges posed by the impeachment crisis and the shifting geopolitical environment, what steps can South Korea, under an acting president, take to stabilize its foreign policy and strengthen its relationships with both Western and Eastern powers Professor Choi?
Source : Arirang TV, https://www.arirang.com/news/view?id=279501
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