South Korean Government Sends Signal Closer to the U.S. at Cambodia ASEAN Summit

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] Our government raised its voice of criticism against China and Russia at the ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, firmly confirming its policy of strengthening relations with the United States.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, the diplomatic strategies toward China and Russia remain as tasks to be addressed.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the 6th, Foreign Minister Park Jin, attending the ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers' Meeting, held a brief meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the afternoon of the previous day (local time) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

After a roughly 25-minute meeting with Secretary Blinken at the Sokha Hotel in Phnom Penh, Minister Park told reporters, “I explained our position regarding the Indo-Pacific strategy, including our relations with China and Japan.”

When asked whether they discussed the U.S.-China conflict over the Taiwan Strait and the semiconductor supply chain cooperation dialogue proposed by the U.S., known as 'Chip 4,' he replied, “We had very productive discussions on various current issues.”

Minister Park also said, “We talked about how to respond to North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats.”

Secretary Blinken, after the meeting, said, “Our alliance is a cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” adding, “There was a good discussion on key agendas, including several challenging issues related to regional peace and stability.”

Secretary Blinken also mentioned discussions on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the situation in Myanmar. He emphasized, “There was deep concern about these issues, and as always, both countries coordinate closely on these matters.”

A Ministry of Foreign Affairs official explained to reporters, “Regarding Taiwan, both sides agreed that peace and security in the Taiwan Strait are very important, and regional stability is essential for peace and prosperity in the area.”

On the other hand, Minister Park raised critical voices targeting China and Russia. On the same day, in front of Wang Yi, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister, and Sergey Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister, Park stated, “Unilateral changes to the status quo by force are unacceptable.”

This phrase is frequently used by the U.S., Japan, and others to criticize China’s behavior on the Taiwan issue and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, making its use by South Korea unusual.

This is the first time Minister Park has expressed such a specific position regarding the U.S.-China conflict surrounding the Taiwan Strait.

According to a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official, Minister Park said at the East Asia Summit (EAS) Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, “I intend to discuss some of the most urgent regional and international situations,” adding, “In particular, unilateral changes to the status quo by force cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.”

He then mentioned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Taiwan Strait issue, the South China Sea issue, and the Myanmar situation.

Regarding the Taiwan Strait issue, he expressed “serious concern about the escalating tensions,” stating, “South Korea supports the ‘One China’ policy while emphasizing that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are important to South Korea and essential for regional security and prosperity.”

He further pointed out, “Geopolitical conflicts in the Taiwan Strait, if intensified, could cause significant political and economic instability, including disruptions to supply chains.”

This is interpreted as a statement to check China, which has conducted a series of military demonstrations following U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.

In diplomatic circles, Minister Park’s emphasis on maintaining a ‘rules-based order’ and opposing ‘unilateral changes to the status quo by force’ regarding current geopolitical issues is seen as a signal that South Korea is moving closer to the U.S. position.