U.S. pushback on ‘security with Washington, economy with Beijing’ puts new Korean government to the test

U.S. Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks on the Shangri-La Dialogue safety summit in Singapore on Could 31. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

 
Korea’s newly elected president begins a five-year time period tomorrow. The incoming administration, shaped after a six-month nationwide disaster triggered by the martial legislation declaration and impeachment of the earlier president, will take workplace with out the good thing about a presidential transition workforce. Amongst many urgent home and worldwide challenges, one stands out instantly: responding to shifting international dynamics beneath U.S. President Donald Trump’s second administration.
 
Specifically, stress from Washington is intensifying as america strikes to counter China’s affect. U.S. Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth, talking on the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore final weekend, delivered a pointed message. “We perceive that many international locations are tempted to pursue financial cooperation with China whereas counting on america for protection,” he mentioned. “However this dependence on China in financial phrases complicates our skill to make protection choices in moments of disaster.”
 
Hegseth’s remarks had been broadly interpreted as a direct warning to Seoul. For years, Korea has maintained a dual-track technique often known as “anmi-gyeongjung” — searching for safety by way of its alliance with america whereas increasing financial ties with China. However the Trump administration is signaling that this method is not acceptable. Washington now expects clear alignment, not hedging.
 
Japan has additionally stepped up. On the identical discussion board, Japanese Protection Minister Gen Nakatani launched a brand new regional initiative referred to as Ocean — One Cooperative Effort Amongst Nations — which envisions larger coordination amongst like-minded Indo-Pacific companions. Tokyo’s proposal seems to transcend trilateral safety cooperation with Seoul and Washington, and deeper into strategic alignment with the U.S. aim of containing China.
 
For Korea, which should handle important relationships with each China and Russia, this diplomatic panorama presents rising challenges. The brand new administration faces a posh international coverage examination from day one.
 

U.S. Forces Korea helicopters are seen at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi, on April 9. [YONHAP]

 
On prime of geopolitical recalibrations, Seoul is more likely to be confronted by a renewed U.S. push on protection cost-sharing. Washington is anticipated to name for elevated protection spending, the potential of troop commitments overseas and a bigger contribution towards stationing U.S. forces in Korea. These points are more likely to be outlined within the 2025 Protection Strategic Steering, anticipated to be launched in August.
 
The Korean authorities should work swiftly and decisively to make sure its place is mirrored in that doc. On the identical time, it should reinforce the Korea-U.S. alliance whereas crafting a broader technique that turns disaster into alternative. Balancing competing pursuits whereas sustaining strategic readability would be the new authorities’s first main check.

Translated from the JoongAng Ilbo utilizing generative AI and edited by Korea JoongAng Each day employees.