Most South Koreans are still “firmly behind” their country’s alliance with America—but divisions endure, says former foreign minister Kang Kyung-wha. “Putting Japan into the mix invariably stirs up resentment,” she argues
touted in diplomatic speeches. But at the frontlines of diplomacy, questioning the real intentions of others is a constant part of the work, even among friendly neighbours and close allies. So it is not surprising that, as was recently revealed, the United States has not given up its habit of secretly wiretapping many of its allies, including South Korea. The safe bet would be to assume that all governments with the ability to wiretap must be doing so—not that that makes it right.
The South Korea-US security alliance turns 70 years old this year. There will be much pomp around the anniversary when the South Korean president, Yoon Suk-yeol, holds a summit with President Joe Biden in Washington, DC on April 26th. The meeting is the centrepiece of the first state visit to America by an Asian leader since Mr Biden took office.
This has bolstered the confidence of the younger generation of Koreans not to take things as given. That confidence and South Korea’s growing soft and hard power must be harnessed if the alliance with America is to remain strong. But this has to be more than just about strengthening the alliance. With astute strategy and agility, South Korea can and needs to be a more assertive force for peace and human dignity in a fraught world.
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