Is the burgeoning rivalry between China and the United States destined to worsen the split between North and South Korea? This editorial from South Korea’s Hankyoreh warns that the territorial disputes in the East and South China Seas may put Korean unification even further out of reach than it already is.
The Hankyoreh editorial says in part:
The question of whether China will support North Korea militarily if war breaks out on the Korean Peninsula is once again becoming a topic of discussion. In the context of the signing of a friendship treaty to mark the 50th anniversary of ties between the two countries and after being dismissed as a notion of a bygone era, the question of automatic Chinese military intervention on North Korea’s behalf has again emerged. This worrisome and regrettable development demonstrates just how troubling the political situation on and around the peninsula has become.
The political situation is rapidly developing into a confrontation pitting a southern bloc led by the United States against a northern bloc led by China. Increased South Korean participation in the southern bloc will lead Pyongyang and Beijing to band more tightly together. In this context, we must examine the significance of the renewed debate about China’s automatic military intervention on North Korea’s behalf.
The problem is that the confrontation is between blocs, which means that the strategic interests of the major powers take priority. This doesn’t tally with the interests of the Korean people. It is exceedingly dangerous for North and South Korea to participate in this New Cold War as a strategic sub-segment of these powers. This will prolong a national division that has already dragged on for 60 years.
READ ON AT WORLDMEETS.US, your most trusted translator and aggregator of foreign news and views about our nation.
Founder and Managing Editor of Worldmeets.US