What South Korean leader's China visit signals for Asia's future

CGTN

President of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Lee Jae Myung has made a high-profile visit to China, the first by a ROK leader since 2017. Beijing says the trip advances the China–ROK strategic cooperative partnership, while Lee has called the restoration of ties his government's "greatest accomplishment" so far. 

For decades, Seoul has balanced U.S. security alignment with deep economic ties to China. Since taking office last June, Lee has begun questioning that long-standing formula, and this China visit suggests the rethink has gone further. 

What does this signal for the future of China–ROK relations, and what lessons does it hold for countries navigating intensifying great-power competition? Watch for an in-depth breakdown.

Guests of this edition are Robert Kelly, professor of Political Science with Pusan National University; K.J. Noh, journalist, geopolitical analyst and author, laureate of Serena Shim Award for Uncompromised Integrity in Journalism; and Rong Ying, senior research fellow at China Institute of International Studies.

------------------------------------------------------------------

K. J. Noh writes:

The fact is, South Koreans have no inherent animosity towards the Chinese.  

There are 3 key issues of contention: 

1. Covid--China released Covid on Korea 2. 

2. Elections--China interfered in Korean elections 

3. The Chinese are threatening Korea (and enabling North Korea).

All three are absolute nonsense.  

This is US propaganda that is mindlessly intoned by the US-quisling Korean far right (CPAC Korea), which is then multiplied by select Korean influencers, who are being algorithmically boosted by US social media companies (esp. Youtube).  

It's a top down information/influence campaign. Of course, it also draws on knee-jerk racist sentiments about foreigners damaging the country and economy, the go-to fascistic cope trope as conditions worsen economically under capitalist contradictions. 

Lastly, I alluded to President Lee's visit to Shanghai (but was not able to discuss it for lack of time).  What I wanted to say is that visiting Shanghai for many Koreans is like visiting Yanan (the birthplace of the CPC).  This is where the flame of Korean sovereignty and freedom was kept alive. 

President Lee's visit to Shanghai was a very deliberate move to remind Koreans of China's historic support of Korea at its darkest hour--the moment when a 4,000 year old civilization was in danger of being snuffed out. This is an important message especially for young people.