Under the leadership of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, South Korea has pursued closer ties with the US and Japan in national defense, security and diplomacy, bolstering its commitment to the trilateral partnership.
Following consecutive visits to the US, Yoon took a step toward mending frayed ties with Japan, a relationship that deteriorated under the administration of former South Korean president Moon Jae-in.
In the US, Yoon and US President Joe Biden reiterated that they would stand together to tackle North Korea’s advancing nuclear program and its threat to regional security. Under the Washington Declaration, South Korea has also dropped the idea of building its own nuclear arsenal in return for protection under the US’ nuclear umbrella.
On Sunday, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida visited Seoul. As the host, Yoon said that “we should stay away from a thinking that we must not make a step forward because our history issues aren’t settled completely.”
To heal the countries’ historical feud, Yoon also announced a plan to compensate South Koreans who were subjected to forced labor during Japan’s colonial rule. His arrangement would not require Japanese companies to contribute to the reparations.
Yoon also expressed his willingness to set aside their differences and focus on collaborating on regional security and economic issues, and said that Seoul would not rule out Japan’s participation in the Washington Declaration.
Some critics say that Yoon’s moves were not only intended to help deal with the North Korean threat, but more importantly to create a strategy that improves relations in the region. If China attacks Taiwan, North Korea could seek to create a diversion to prevent US forces stationed in South Korea from assisting Taiwan, by striking its neighbor, perhaps with an all-out invasion.
As the situation would be much more complicated if war breaks out, Yoon must take precautions by solidifying the trilateral partnership with the US and Japan, not only to ensure peace in the Taiwan Strait, but also security in the Korean Peninsula.
Yoon’s actions show that he possesses vision and foresight, and he has proven himself to be an outstanding leader when he managed to make a breakthrough amid pressure from anti-US and anti-Japanese sentiment in South Korea.
While a South Korean leader has shown the resolve to say that “the Taiwan issue is a global issue,” it is dismaying to hear what potential presidential candidates in Taiwan have said about their diplomatic positions, especially regarding national defense and regional security.
The series of unnerving remarks include Hon Hai Precision Industry founder Terry Gou’s (郭台銘) pro-China comments that cater to “deep blue” supporters with statements such as the best antidote to Chinese jet incursions is to sing the national anthem and wave the national flag, or that Taiwan should stop buying arms from the US. New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜) gave a reluctant and prevaricating response that acknowledges China as the biggest threat to Taiwan during a question-and-answer session, while Taiwan People’s Party Chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) has promoted forming equal ties with the US and China with the idea of looking toward Washington for economic aid and Beijing for national defense.
The remarks show that these potential candidates either have an appeasing or self-defeating attitude toward national defense, or else they consider themselves smart enough to have come up with a solution that transcends all predicaments.
However, it is doubtful that they have the vision to lead Taiwan on a path to prosperity and peace.
Roger Wu works in the service industry in New Taipei City.
Translated by Rita Wang
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