East Asia Foundation

East Asia Foundation Summary With South Korea-China relations relatively stagnant, or even deteriorating, since the inauguration of the Yoon Suk Yeol government, there are many voices calling for the restoration of cooperative relations and a search for improvement. To this end, it is necessary to start with an accurate diagnosis of the fundamental causes of the current crisis in South Korea-China relations. It is not in the bilateral relationship itself, but rather the contradictory structure of the trilateral relationship among South Korea, the United States and China. The Korean Peninsula has now fallen into the “trap of a triangular structure” commonly experienced in Korea’s history. Therefore, the idea of improving the Korea-China cooperative relationship by simply stitching the two countries together doesn’t address the underlying problems and is not sustainable. The best way to escape the trap of the triangular structure is cooperation between South Korea and China. Lessons and implications from history will be helpful in initiating this. This essay underscores the importance of balanced diplomacy, preventive diplomacy, self-discipline and self-determination, as well as domestic political integration in the future of South Korea-China relations.