Washington: A security expert in the United States emphasized the urgent need for South Korea to actively engage in diplomatic efforts to persuade China against initiating conflict in the Taiwan Strait, highlighting the challenges Seoul may face in avoiding involvement in a potential Taiwan crisis.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Ellen Kim, director of academic programs at the Washington-based Korea Economic Institute of America (KEI), remarked on the increasing difficulty for South Korea to remain uninvolved in a Taiwan-related contingency. She pointed out the significant role the 28,500-strong U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) could play in such a scenario, potentially dragging South Korea into the conflict.
Kim stated, "My personal view is that increasingly, it's going to be very difficult for South Korea to be trying to avoid contingency." She urged South Korea to engage China diplomatically to prevent war, emphasizing that conflict would be detrimental to China. Kim warned that while Seoul may wish to avoid entanglement in the Taiwan issue, it could be compelled to participate if USFK forces are mobilized during a crisis.
She explained, "South Korea does have USFK troops, and that really becomes a major factor for China because if USFK forces come in support of Taiwan, that becomes a threat to China." Kim added that South Korea might automatically join the conflict if China perceives a threat from U.S. forces.
Kim urged South Korea to consider its response to Taiwan Strait issues, as they have grown beyond being merely "local" concerns. Although South Korea has been cautious in discussing its role in potential Taiwan Strait contingencies due to its significant trade relations with China, it has recently taken a more defined stance by expressing support for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait in public documents.
Meanwhile, Scott Snyder, president and CEO of the KEI, described ongoing trade discussions between Seoul and Washington as efforts to "reconfigure" the bilateral trade relationship, while also anticipating talks on "reconfiguring" the defense and security relationship. He clarified that this reconfiguration process would not necessarily involve "unilateral demands or requests" from the U.S.
Snyder highlighted a policy change under the second Trump administration, noting a shift from offering subsidies to imposing tariffs, contrasting it with the previous Biden administration's approach. He observed that South Korean companies are navigating these changes.
South Korea and the U.S. have engaged in talks regarding tariff- and non-tariff measures, investment cooperation, economic security, and currency policy, as Seoul seeks to mitigate the impact of new tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration.
On the same day, KEI released a survey indicating that over half of Americans view South Korean firms' investments in the U.S. positively for the U.S. economy, reflecting a favorable perception of economic ties with South Korea. The survey revealed that 55.62 percent of respondents believe South Korean business investments benefit the U.S. economy.
The survey also found that 57.23 percent of respondents support South Korean investments in new U.S. high-tech manufacturing plants. In comparison, the percentages for Japanese and German companies were higher, while Chinese companies received lower positive responses.
This survey, conducted with a sample of 1,500 individuals across 10 states, including Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, and New York, from December 17 to January 2, had a margin of error of plus or minus 8.21 percentage points.