China-South Korea relations

As China-U.S. competition securitizes more and more economic transactions, Seoul’s old balancing act between the rivals is becoming trickier to sustain.

China's move appeared to be retaliation for “discriminatory entry measures” against Chinese travelers amid a surge in COVID-19 cases.

The explanation goes well beyond the oft-mentioned THAAD dispute.

Li, chairman of the standing committee of China's National People's Congress, heads a 66-member Chinese delegation to South Korea that includes three Cabinet-level officials. 

On 3 big issues – THAAD missile defense, Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan and South Korea, and the Chip 4 semiconductor initiative – Yoon has been careful not to anger Beijing.

Despite President Yoon Suk-yeol’s campaign promises, his actions show that South Korea’s foreign policy still operates within Chinese constraints.

Despite campaign-trail promises to get tough on China, the Yoon administration in practice has been more cautious in its dealings with Beijing.

North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs. The China challenge. Social divisions at home. Just two weeks into office, Yoon Suk-yeol has a full plate.

Beijing is showing its sunny side, in hopes of convincing Yoon Suk-yeol that cooperation is a better choice than the hard line he embraced on the campaign trail.

The long-term solution to tensions in East Asia is for the neighboring countries to start taking each other’s security concerns more seriously.

The victory of the more hawkish, China-skeptical candidate means China must rethink its approach to the Korean Peninsula.