Seoul’s “strategic ambiguity” is only causing conflicts

The dispute over whether to deploy the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) with US Forces Korea is gradually intensifying. It has the potential to damage South Korea’s relationships with both the US and China.

The South Korean government bears a large portion of the blame for trying to walk the tight rope of “strategic ambiguity.” It’s time for the government to make its position clear. The same goes for the question of joining the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).

The US and China have gone as far as to send high-ranking officials, equivalent to deputy minister in rank, to Seoul to make public statements aimed at checking each other. The tone of these statements is blunter than before.

On Mar. 16, Chinese Assistant Foreign Minister Liu Jianchao, speaking on the topic of THAAD, asked South Korea to “pay attention to China’s interest and concern.” On Mar. 17, US Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Russel countered by remarking that it is “curious that a third country would presume to make strong representations about a security system that has not been put in place.”

The question of the AIIB was also addressed by the two officials. Liu urged South Korea to join the bank, while Russel took issue with its transparency and control structure.

As it happens, the US is becoming more and more isolated internationally in regard to the question of joining the AIIB. Not only the UK but also France, Germany, and Italy are moving toward joining the bank, and there is increasing support for joining inside the US as well.

The situation is such that there is no reason for South Korea to delay joining either. If South Korea continues to hesitate out of concern for what the US will think, it is likely to damage the national interest by reducing South Korean influence in the bank. The practical way to address concerns such as China’s domination of the control structure is by participating in the bank.

A decision should also be quickly made on the THAAD question according to the principles of balanced diplomacy and peace in Northeast Asia. Beijing thinks that deploying THAAD in South Korea goes far behind what is necessary for South Korea’s national security and poses a threat to China. Some are even predicting that deploying THAAD could fundamentally change relations between South Korea and China.

In addition, the South Korean government has said that it will not participate in the missile defense system that the US is building in Northeast Asia, which is aimed at China. Instead, it has been developing the Korean Air and Missile Defense system to counter the threat of North Korea.

Placing THAAD, which is considered a component of missile defense, in South Korea would violate these principles. Furthermore, there has been no confirmation of claims that THAAD would effectively counter the threat of North Korean missiles. It goes without saying that deploying THAAD would require major changes to the existing national defense plan.

We hope that the government will make clear its opposition to deploying THAAD and bring an end to this pointless argument. Strategic ambiguity reflects little more than the opportunistic willingness to reluctantly go along with the US if it pushes for the deployment of THAAD.

The Ministry of National Defense said on Mar. 17 that China should not attempt to exert influence on South Korean defense and security policies, but the more urgent task is to eliminate the cause of such conflict.

Director of Blue House National Security Office Kim Kwan-jin (left) talks with Senior Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Security Ju Chul-ki during a cabinet meeting at the Blue House, Mar. 17. (by Lee Jeong-yong, staff photographer)

　

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