Papers by Seong-Hyon Lee 李成賢 이성현
China Review International
ilmin International Relations Institute, Dec 1, 2020
Journal of Korean Studies, 2016
Dongbeiya hezuo yu zhonghan guanxi [East Asian cooperation and China-South Korean relations] by M... more Dongbeiya hezuo yu zhonghan guanxi [East Asian cooperation and China-South Korean relations] by Men Honghua and Shin Zhengseung. Beijing: Zhongguojingjichubanshe, 2014. 174 pp. 10 tables. 3 graphs. 58元 (paperback) Xiaozhongghua yishi de shanbian: Jindai zhonghan guanxi de sixiangshi yanjiu [The evolution of Korea's consciousness as "Little China": Study on China-South Korean relations' history] by Wang Yuanzhou. Beijing: Minzuchubanshe, 2013. 390 pp. Bibliography. 30元 (paperback) Hanguoren xinmu zhong de zhognguo xingxiang [South Korean images of China] by Dong Xiangrong, Wang Xiaoling, Li Yongchun. Beijing: Shehuikexuewenxianchubanshe, 2012. 230 pp. Bibliography. 38元 (paperback)
China Report, 2021
South Korea’s quest to become a middle power, articulated through autonomy in foreign policy, has... more South Korea’s quest to become a middle power, articulated through autonomy in foreign policy, has been challenged in the ambience of great power competition reality between the USA and China. This article delineates South Korean foreign policy’s complex nature in the evolving East Asian regional context, focusing on Seoul’s relationship with China in particular. Many observers noted that South Korea has in recent years been increasingly leaning towards China, despite the fact that it is a military-pact ally of the USA. It also comes as a bewilderment to outsiders to notice that South Korea has been ‘cold-shouldering’ Japan, the world’s number three economy. It does not necessarily mean that Seoul maintains good relations with China either. The two nations have yet to overcome the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) dispute. This article also scrutinises how the USA plays an important role in South Korea’s relations with its two neighbours. Seoul has been in search of diploma...
The Washington Quarterly, 2019
and Japan have a complex relationship. Although they both have a military alliance with the Unite... more and Japan have a complex relationship. Although they both have a military alliance with the United States, they are developing diverging strategic views on a rising China and have unresolved disputes over historical and territorial issues. However, in order to respond to their common security threat from nuclear-armed North Korea, South Korea and Japan continue to cooperate through their strong bilateral alliance with the United States. Nevertheless, the strategic cooperation between South Korea and Japan is likely to remain fragmented due to two crucial factors-bilateral mistrust and China. Containing China through the alliance with the United States is not in the best interests of South Korea as its economic and political ties with China are deepening. Japan, on the other hand, is increasing its military cooperation with the United States to respond to China's manifest and potential further assertiveness. Japan's military developments give rise to South Korean misgivings due to the popular perception that Japan has failed to settle its historical and colonial wrongdoings. Koreans' mistrust of Japan may even intensify if Japan mounts a more serious challenge to South Korea's sovereignty over the Dokdo Islets (Takeshima), which are disputed by both countries. On February 22, 2019, for instance, South Korean civic groups denounced Japan for holding an event to highlight its claim to Dokdo at a time when their diplomatic ties were already strained over
Asian Perspective, 2018
Abstract:The view that China would not “abandon” North Korea, despite repeated provocations by No... more Abstract:The view that China would not “abandon” North Korea, despite repeated provocations by North Korea, has been strengthened in the context of the US pivot to Asia, which is generally regarded by Chinese strategists as Washington’s ploy to contain China. As the rivalry and competition between Washington and Beijing deepen. North Korea’s strategic value to China increases. However, history shows that Beijing regarded Pyongyang as “expendable” even during the Korean War. Based on Sino-North Korean historical relations, in this article we argue that China’s policy toward North Korea is not fixed but fluid, and that Washington and Seoul could inspire changes within China’s policy toward North Korea.
Journal of International Politics, 2020
Nikkei Asia, 2023
Kim Jong Un looks likely to rule the nation for the next 50 years or more. But he may have a reas... more Kim Jong Un looks likely to rule the nation for the next 50 years or more. But he may have a reason to reveal a possible successor early.
S/N Korean Humanities, 2022
This article dwells on the uncertainty that lies in the
future of South Korea–China relations. Th... more This article dwells on the uncertainty that lies in the
future of South Korea–China relations. The deep economic
complementarity that previously characterized the close
South Korea-China relations is no longer there. Accusations
of cultural and historical appropriation have significantly
undermined confidence between civil societies. The anti-China
sentiment among South Koreans has been unprecedentedly
high since the THAAD dispute. Especially among young South
Koreans, a sense of incompatibility with China’s political
system is widening. In the security realm, South Korea’s high
hopes for China to render a constructive role in containing
North Korea’s nuclear and missile belligerence are becoming
less tenable, as China regards the United States, not North
Korea, as a bigger existential threat. The pull and push of the
intensifying U.S.–China rivalry is set to severely constrain
South Korea’s choices, including semiconductor supply chains,
while posing fresh challenges such as the tension building
in the Taiwan Strait. South Korea’s political leadership has
been traditionally primed for domestic turf fights and is
not well equipped to deal with the outside geopolitical shift,
precipitated by the “rise of China.” The year 2022 marks the
30th diplomatic anniversary of Seoul-Beijing relations. At age
30, the Seoul and Beijing’s earlier infatuation is over. Their
future is uncertain.
Sungkyun China Brief , 2013
New York Times, 2022
Kim Jong-un has launched a record number of missiles this year, hoping to leverage the tension be... more Kim Jong-un has launched a record number of missiles this year, hoping to leverage the tension between the United States and China, and to exploit hostilities toward Moscow.
China Review International, 2020
Asian Perspective , 2018
The view that China would not "abandon" North Korea, despite repeated provocations by North Korea... more The view that China would not "abandon" North Korea, despite repeated provocations by North Korea, has been strengthened in the context of the US pivot to Asia, which is generally regarded by Chinese strategists as Washington's ploy to contain China. As the rivalry and competition between Washington and Beijing deepen, North Korea's strategic value to China increases. However, history shows that Beijing regarded Pyongyang as "expendable" even during the Korean War. Based on Sino-North Korean historical relations, in this article we argue that China's policy toward North Korea is not fixed but fluid, and that Washington and Seoul could inspire changes within China's policy toward North Korea.
Washington Quarterly, 2019
South Korea and Japan have a complex relationship. Although they both have a military alliance wi... more South Korea and Japan have a complex relationship. Although they both have a military alliance with the United States, they are developing diverging strategic views on a rising China and have unresolved disputes over historical and territorial issues. However, in order to respond to their common security threat from nuclear-armed North Korea, South Korea and Japan continue to cooperate through their strong bilateral alliance with the United States. Nevertheless, the strategic cooperation between South Korea and Japan is likely to remain fragmented due to two crucial factors—bilateral mistrust and China.
국제관계연구 China-North Korea Relations in the U.S.-China Geopolitical Rivalry, 2020
The purpose of this paper is to delineate how the “Chinese factor” influenced the denuclearizatio... more The purpose of this paper is to delineate how the “Chinese factor” influenced the denuclearization negotiations between the U.S. and North Korea, specially under the currently unfolding U.S.-China rivalry. Usually, China is considered a “constant” in North Korean affairs. Therefore, it is regarded common sense that we should cooperate with China to resolve the North Korean nuclear issue. In historical context, such as the Korean War, China’s influence on North Korea was clearly felt. This essay, however, uses its imagination to ask a bold question: ‘Can we solve the North Korean nuclear issue without China?’ Trump said, before taking office, that North Korea is China’s problem to fix. But after taking office, he became the first incumbent U.S. leader to directly sit down with the North Korean leader. As much as the United States is active in the North Korean nuclear issue, China’s role and strategic space was reduced in reverse. The South Korean media used the term “China passing” (meaning, China is being sidelined) to point out the unusual phenomenon. This essay scrutinizes Trump’s unprecedent diplomatic outreach and China’s role. It ends with future policy implications.
China Report, 2021
South Korea's quest to become a middle power, articulated through autonomy in foreign policy, has... more South Korea's quest to become a middle power, articulated through autonomy in foreign policy, has been challenged in the ambience of great power competition reality between the USA and China. This article delineates South Korean foreign policy's complex nature in the evolving East Asian regional context, focusing on Seoul's relationship with China in particular. Many observers noted that South Korea has in recent years been increasingly leaning towards China, despite the fact that it is a military-pact ally of the USA. It also comes as a bewilderment to outsiders to notice that South Korea has been 'cold-shouldering' Japan, the world's number three economy. It does not necessarily mean that Seoul maintains good relations with China either. The two nations have yet to overcome the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) dispute. This article also scrutinises how the USA plays an important role in South Korea's relations with its two neighbours. Seoul has been in search of diplomatic autonomy between the world's two most powerful nations. The process has been tumultuous. The future outlook seems uncertain.
East Asia Forum, 2022
During the tenure of former South Korean president Moon Jae-in, South Korea became one of the mos... more During the tenure of former South Korean president Moon Jae-in, South Korea became one of the most anti-China nations in the world. Yet the Moon government was actually the most ‘pro-China’ government in South Korea’s history.
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Papers by Seong-Hyon Lee 李成賢 이성현
future of South Korea–China relations. The deep economic
complementarity that previously characterized the close
South Korea-China relations is no longer there. Accusations
of cultural and historical appropriation have significantly
undermined confidence between civil societies. The anti-China
sentiment among South Koreans has been unprecedentedly
high since the THAAD dispute. Especially among young South
Koreans, a sense of incompatibility with China’s political
system is widening. In the security realm, South Korea’s high
hopes for China to render a constructive role in containing
North Korea’s nuclear and missile belligerence are becoming
less tenable, as China regards the United States, not North
Korea, as a bigger existential threat. The pull and push of the
intensifying U.S.–China rivalry is set to severely constrain
South Korea’s choices, including semiconductor supply chains,
while posing fresh challenges such as the tension building
in the Taiwan Strait. South Korea’s political leadership has
been traditionally primed for domestic turf fights and is
not well equipped to deal with the outside geopolitical shift,
precipitated by the “rise of China.” The year 2022 marks the
30th diplomatic anniversary of Seoul-Beijing relations. At age
30, the Seoul and Beijing’s earlier infatuation is over. Their
future is uncertain.
future of South Korea–China relations. The deep economic
complementarity that previously characterized the close
South Korea-China relations is no longer there. Accusations
of cultural and historical appropriation have significantly
undermined confidence between civil societies. The anti-China
sentiment among South Koreans has been unprecedentedly
high since the THAAD dispute. Especially among young South
Koreans, a sense of incompatibility with China’s political
system is widening. In the security realm, South Korea’s high
hopes for China to render a constructive role in containing
North Korea’s nuclear and missile belligerence are becoming
less tenable, as China regards the United States, not North
Korea, as a bigger existential threat. The pull and push of the
intensifying U.S.–China rivalry is set to severely constrain
South Korea’s choices, including semiconductor supply chains,
while posing fresh challenges such as the tension building
in the Taiwan Strait. South Korea’s political leadership has
been traditionally primed for domestic turf fights and is
not well equipped to deal with the outside geopolitical shift,
precipitated by the “rise of China.” The year 2022 marks the
30th diplomatic anniversary of Seoul-Beijing relations. At age
30, the Seoul and Beijing’s earlier infatuation is over. Their
future is uncertain.