Yoon Stresses Cooperation with US and China

South Korea’s president-elect emphasizes the importance of maintaining good relations with both countries

Yoon Suk-yeol, South Korea’s president-elect, has said that maintaining good relations with both the United States and China is vital for his country. Yoon said in an interview with the Financial Times that “it is not a case of choosing one or the other” when it comes to US and China. He added that “South Korea needs to maintain a cooperative relationship with both countries.”

Yoon’s comments come amid heightened tensions between the US and China. The two countries have clashed over a range of issues, including trade, technology, and security. Yoon’s remarks suggest that he wants to avoid taking sides in the US-China rivalry and instead maintain good relations with both countries.

Yoon’s stance is in line with South Korea’s traditional foreign policy of “equidistance.” This policy aims to maintain a balance between the US and China and avoid getting caught in the middle of their rivalry. Yoon’s comments suggest that he will continue this policy, even as tensions between the US and China continue to rise.

Yoon’s comments were welcomed by both the US and China. US President Joe Biden said that he looks forward to working with Yoon to “further strengthen” the US-South Korea alliance. Chinese President Xi Jinping said that he hopes to “deepen” relations between China and South Korea under Yoon’s leadership.

Yoon’s comments suggest that he wants to avoid taking sides in the US-China rivalry and instead maintain good relations with both countries. This stance is in line with South Korea’s traditional foreign policy of “equidistance.” Yoon’s comments were welcomed by both the US and China.