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Wed, September 26, 2018 | 11:32

Opinion > Columnists > Lee Seong-hyon >

China's 'exclusion anxiety' in North Korea talks

U.S. President Donald Trump famously said that North Korea is China's problem to fix. It reflects the international community's recognition of Beijing's leverage over Pyongyang. However, China has consistently distanced itself from being identified as such, passing the buck to the United States.

Lee Seong-hyon | 2018-05-01 16:51

Kim Jong-un visiting China: reports

Washington and Beijing's perspectives on inter-Korean summit

For the last few weeks, I have travelled to Washington and Beijing, and North Korea was a major topic. While honoring the Chatham House rule, here are a few perspectives to share, pertinent to the upcoming North Korea summits with South Korea and the United States. The primary purpose is to inform North Korean leader Kim Jong-un about how the outside world really thinks about Pyongyang's current moves and, importantly, that's why this time Kim should truly take the courage to denuclearize.

Lee Seong-hyon | 2018-04-24 16:37

Advice for Kim Jong-un

As North Korean leader Kim Jong-un prepares for his upcoming two summits (inter-Korean and with the U.S.), he could use some insights from the outside world, in addition to his “in-house” consulting. The gist is twofold. One, he should be strategically committed to denuclearization this time. Two, South Korean President Moon Jae-in could be his last chance. So, Kim should grab this opportunity and chart a new course of action to be regarded as a “normal country” (as Kim wishes to be, according to interlocutors).

Lee Seong-hyon | 2018-04-17 17:09

Impact of Xi-Kim meeting

By pre-emptively meeting with Kim Jong-un, China's leader Xi Jinping made it clear that no one country can decide the fate of the Korean Peninsula without consulting China first. That was the most important message from the Sino-North Korea summit. And the message was meant to be heard in Washington foremost.

Lee Seong-hyon | 2018-04-03 17:32

Is it 'right time' for Xi-Kim meeting?

Since the Korean geopolitical roller-coaster got into full swing with looming double summits (inter-Korean and North Korea-U.S.), China doesn't want to be a bystander. Is Xi Jinping also thinking about seeing Kim Jong-un? Especially now that Xi has just completed the busy “housekeeping” of his alignment of power for his second term?

Lee Seong-hyon | 2018-03-20 17:23

Why is China 'silent' on the 'bloody nose' strategy?

China's “silence” on the “bloody nose” strategy is raising many eyebrows. Some speculate that the Chinese government's silence implies it acquiesces to a U.S. limited military strike on North Korea. If that were the case, then it would connote something extremely significant _ a fundamental shift in Beijing's geopolitical calculus. However, in the final analysis, this interpretation is a wild guess.

Lee Seong-hyon | 2018-03-06 16:52

China's opportunism with North Korea

What was the real reason for China to send troops to aid North Korea during the 1950-53 Korean War? The stock answer has always been that China made this decision because the fall of North Korea into the hands of the United States would constitute endangering China's security itself. This served as key evidence to reinforce the rationale that China regarded North Korea as China's security “buffer zone.” Now, we have a new explanation.

Lee Seong-hyon | 2018-02-20 19:11

Does China-N. Korea relationship resemble US-Israel relationship?

The view that China would not "abandon" North Korea, despite repeated provocations by North Korea, has been recently strengthened in the context of U.S. policy of "pivot to Asia," which China regards as Washington's ploy to contain China. Both U.S. National Security Strategy (NSS) and Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) name China as a rival, signaling a return to great power competition. As the mistrust and conflict between Washington and Beijing deepens, North Korea's strategic value to China is bound to increase.

Lee Seong-hyon | 2018-02-06 15:40

Korea's new diplomatic strategy

Is there a grand strategy or value in South Korea that guides the nation’s foreign policy? Back in 2008 when former President Lee Myung-bak said he would promote “value-oriented” diplomacy during a meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush, the media response back home was like he had just stepped into a minefield. For South Korea, emphasizing “values” in its foreign policy is increasingly seen as a liability, rather than an asset. Even some conservative media outlets with a pro-American leaning at that time expressed a concern that Lee’s open emphasis on democratic values might antagonize ...

Lee Seong-hyon | 2018-01-23 17:19

Kim's olive branch and US

North Korea's Kim offered a rare peace overture. Washington should be careful not to make the usual mistake of tossing the ball over to Beijing.

Lee Seong-hyon | 2018-01-09 18:30

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Inter-Korean Summit in Pyongyang