Gov`t must make careful decisions over South China Sea dispute

On the territorial dispute over the South China Sea between the U.S. and China, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russell urged Korea to raise the voice. It is unprecedented for an American official to officially call for Korea to express its stance over a pending issue, which is concerned to cause military conflicts due to a row between the U.S. and China.

About the reason why Korea raises its voice over the territorial dispute to which it is not directly related, Russell explained, “It`s the role of a country of laws. It`s the role of a trading nation. It`s a role of a country that has flourished under the international system.” His remarks are based on the theory of principle that Korea needs to speak out over current issues in the international community, in line with its economic and national power. However, it sounds like pressure to demand Korea, as an ally, to join forces with the U.S. to keep China in check without hesitance. Last year, Korea and the U.S. agreed that maritime security, safety, and freedom of sailing are important in the South China Sea at the ministerial meeting for diplomacy and national defense (2+2).

China seems not afraid of a military clash, if the U.S. finally stops it from constructing an artificial island near the Spratly Islands. American media reported that China has already deployed artillery on the disputed island and it plans to deploy a missile system and radar. The U.S., which has hegemony over the sea, warns that it will regard China’s artificial islands as a serious challenge against international laws and freedom of sailing and no longer sit idly over the issue.

Concerns over Korea-China alliance may serve as a partial reason for the U.S. to demand Korea to make public its stance over the territorial row in the South China Sea, ahead of Korean President Park Geun-hye’s visit to the U.S. on June 16. Although the two nations are bound by the ROK-US alliance, Korea cannot help but paying attention to China as 25 percent of its exports are headed to China. It is desirable for Korea and the U.S. to exercise partnership and jointly respond to a global issue. However, the two nations’ interests cannot be identical all the time. One example was America’s opposition for Korea to join the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). The objection turned out to be a diplomatic failure, however.

The territorial dispute over the South China Sea is different from the THAAD system deployment, which is directly related to Korea’s national defense. The Korean government must make a careful decision considering international laws and national interests comprehensively.