[Jeong In-hong Column] Be Confident if There Are Many National Interests to Gain

"President Lee Jae-myung's participation in China's Victory Day event on September 3 is expected to yield various diplomatic achievements, including the official lifting of the Korean Wave ban, a Korea-Russia summit, enhanced mediation by China for improving inter-Korean relations, and the confirmed attendance of President Xi Jinping at the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) summit in Gyeongju in October."

Recently, a Chinese expert I met in private mentioned that they discussed ways to improve Korea-China relations with a senior Chinese official in mid-July in Beijing. Given the individual's deep connections with senior Chinese officials while leading Korea-China private exchanges domestically, it was not something to be taken lightly. The key point was that if President Lee attends the Victory Day event, Korea is ready to receive a variety of diplomatic gifts it desires.

During his candidacy, President Lee stated, "The foundation of Korea's diplomacy is the Korea-U.S. alliance," but also emphasized, "We must not ignore relations with China and Russia." Even immediately after his election, he said, "Diplomacy leaning towards one side is dangerous." In short, the diplomatic policy of the Lee Jae-myung administration can be described as a thoroughly national interest-centered balanced and pragmatic diplomacy.

This was also evident in the Korea-U.S. tariff negotiations, which were abruptly concluded on the 30th of last month (local time). Despite the intense pressure from President Donald Trump, the master of 'hit-and-run' negotiations, we managed to protect the final bastions of the rice and beef markets by leveraging the globally strongest K-shipbuilding industry. The essence of diplomacy is thorough reciprocity. Give one, get one. There's no free lunch.

Let's consider the national interests we can gain by participating in the Victory Day event. First, the previously uncomfortable Korea-China relations could lead to substantial economic cooperation and restoration. China is Korea's largest trading partner, accounting for about 20% of our total exports and being the largest trading country for 21 consecutive years. The lifting of the Korean Wave ban could be an added bonus.

If the summit between President Lee and President Trump, scheduled for later this month at the latest, concludes successfully following the conclusion of the tariff negotiations with the U.S., diplomatic burdens can also be reduced. If uneasy, President Lee can seek diplomatic understanding from President Trump in advance. For us, maintaining the foundation of the Korea-U.S. alliance while pursuing Korea-China cooperation allows us to enjoy the so-called 'first America, then China' diplomatic leverage effect. If President Xi officially confirms his visit to the APEC summit in Gyeongju, a meeting between President Trump and President Xi in Gyeongju, which the world will pay attention to, can be envisioned. By strategically balancing the Korea-U.S. alliance and Korea-China cooperation, it aligns with President Lee's balanced and pragmatic diplomatic policy.

If Kim Jong-un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea, and Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, are met, it could naturally provide a turning point for improving inter-Korean and Korea-Russia relations. If a surprise meeting between the leaders of the two Koreas occurs while the government shows its intention to improve inter-Korean relations by dismantling loudspeakers towards North Korea, it would be significant in itself. Building trust with China could enhance our negotiating power in major multilateral meetings in the future.

Of course, the current situation is not easy. The U.S. strongly criticizes our diplomatic balancing act between the U.S. and China, which could create a gap in the solid Korea-U.S. alliance. Despite the conclusion of the tariff negotiations, the U.S. might present a 'post-bill' at any time and grab us by the collar. Sensitive issues, such as the $350 billion investment fund method or the opening of the agricultural and livestock markets, where words between Korea and the U.S. diverge, could lead to President Trump's rough negotiation skills emerging. The diplomatic benefits we gain from inter-Korean and Korea-Russia relations could be limited as President Trump effectively holds the initiative.

But how long will we just be dragged around because the other side is threatening? No matter how unexpected the attack, if we skillfully use the opponent's (America's) strength, it becomes a self-defense technique that protects our body (national interest). Previously, President Lee instructed the Korea-U.S. trade negotiation team to "face it confidently, even if it's difficult." We cannot leave Korea-China diplomacy as a dependent variable of Korea-U.S. or U.S.-China relations. No matter how difficult the situation, if there are many national interests to gain, facing it confidently is pragmatic.

haeneni@fnnews.com