President Lee declines a pre-Trump meeting with Xi, as stated by the Foreign Minister nominee.
The incoming South Korean government, led by President Lee Jae Myung, is taking a measured and strategic stance regarding China's activities and structures in the West Sea (Yellow Sea) region. This approach is evident in the statements made by the Foreign Minister nominee, Cho Hyun.
Cho Hyun has expressed concern over China's unilateral installation of structures within the Provisional Measures Zone (PMZ), a jointly managed area agreed upon by South Korea and China. According to Cho, this action violates the spirit of the agreement. In response, he has threatened to lodge a strong protest and take appropriate countermeasures.
However, Cho also advocates for close coordination with the United States in efforts to ease inter-Korean tensions and pave the way for dialogue with North Korea. He aims to make substantive progress on peace on the Korean Peninsula and the resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue.
In terms of negotiations with China, Cho adopts a measured stance, similar to China's cautious "wait-and-see" approach with the Philippines. He emphasises the importance of pursuing dialogue and negotiations cautiously, while carefully watching China's actions and readiness for practical cooperation to de-escalate tensions.
The incoming government's approach to China reflects a balance of maintaining regional security alliances and managing practical cooperation with China amid ongoing maritime tensions. South Korea, like other regional powers, navigates a complex balance, maintaining security ties with the United States and regional allies while recognising China’s growing presence and influence in regional infrastructure and maritime domains.
Cho is open to scaling down large-scale outdoor combined military exercises between South Korea and the United States to ease inter-Korean tensions and pave the way for dialogue with North Korea. He also advocates an all-in-one approach to alliance issues, including tariffs, security matters, and adjustments to Seoul's defense spending.
In regards to the sinking of the ROKS Cheonan and shelling of the island of Yeonpyeongdo, Cho does not believe that the conservative Lee Myung-bak administration's hard-line North Korea policy bears partial responsibility. However, he has stated that the Lee administration will respond firmly and resolutely to matters concerning South Korea's sovereignty, including those in the West Sea.
The date for a summit between President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump is still up in the air. Cho has expressed a positive outlook on reaching a deal by the Aug. 1 deadline set by Trump for imposing 25 percent "reciprocal" tariffs on South Korea. He has also stated that the Lee administration has no intention of balancing between the US and China.
Cho has expressed a willingness to resume exchanges between the leaders of the two countries at the APEC summit to be held in Gyeongju from late October to early November. He also advocates strengthening strategic communication with China on security issues concerning the Korean Peninsula and the surrounding region.
In conclusion, South Korea’s incoming government likely supports engagement and negotiation with China regarding West Sea maritime issues but will approach it with caution and strategic vigilance, taking into account China's assertive maritime law enforcement posture and ensuring that any dialogue does not compromise its sovereignty or security interests. This stance reflects a balance of maintaining regional security alliances and managing practical cooperation with China amid ongoing maritime tensions.
- Cho Hyun, the Foreign Minister nominee of the incoming South Korean government, has stated that he will pursue policy-and-legislation on maritime issues in the West Sea (Yellow Sea) region, carefully managing negotiations with China while ensuring the spirit of the agreements, such as the Provisional Measures Zone (PMZ), is not violated.
- In the realm of general news, Cho has shown an interest in politics by advocating for close coordination with the United States in easing inter-Korean tensions, but also emphasizing the importance of working with China, as evidenced in his support for strengthening strategic communication on security issues concerning the Korean Peninsula and the surrounding region.
