"Afghan Withdrawal the Right Decision... Serious Competition with China"
May Demand Stronger Participation from Korea in Containing China
[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] U.S. President Joe Biden defended the withdrawal from Afghanistan as the "best decision" and emphasized that he will clearly focus on the 'core security interests of the United States' going forward. Experts analyzed that the Biden administration is likely to hastily conclude the Afghanistan withdrawal issue and concentrate on pressuring China. It is also suggested that South Korea may be asked for a more definite stance and cooperation as an ally.
On the 31st (local time), President Biden, in a national address at the White House, emphasized that the decision to withdraw from Afghanistan was "the right and wise best decision," and stressed, "What we need to understand is that the world is changing." He stated, "We are engaged in serious competition with China," and added, "Currently, the United States must address challenges of a new era such as China, Russia, nuclear proliferation, and cyberattacks rather than the Afghanistan issue."
On the same day, President Biden presented a new direction for foreign policy, saying, "As we turn the page on the foreign policy that has guided us for the past 20 years, we must learn from our mistakes." He explained, "There are two things most important to me: one is that we must set clear and achievable goals rather than what we can merely reach," and "second, the United States must clearly focus on core national security."
Experts interpreted President Biden's remarks as indicating that the U.S.'s 'core security interests' have clearly shifted from the Middle East to the East Asia region, and that in the future, South Korea may be asked to participate more strongly in containing China.
James Kim, Director of the U.S. Research Center at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, said, "The Biden administration's decision to proceed with the Afghanistan withdrawal despite all domestic and international criticism appears to be a choice to focus on containing China," and predicted, "The Korean Peninsula, a key area for containing China, may see more proactive engagement, and South Korea may be asked more definitively to side with the U.S. as an ally."
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