Where are the Koreans?

By Sean O’Malley

I recently returned from five days in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. From Korea Town in District 7 to the Paris Baguette in District 3, the signs and symbols of South Korea seemed everywhere. Nonetheless, it was the absence of a particular Korean presence that struck me most. Let me explain.

I was in Ho Chi Minh City at the invitation of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV) in order to speak at the 15th South China Sea International Conference (Oct. 25-26). The annual event is a Track 1.5 dialogue that brings together experts and diplomats from across the globe to discuss difficult issues concerning the South China Sea (SCS). I met government officials from the United States, the European Union, Australia, Germany, Italy, Russia, and Vietnam. Many more states also sent attendees. Experts came from near and far for the dialogue, as well. Participants in my panel on critical infrastructure included experts from France, Australia, and Denmark (online), with our moderator from Vietnam.

Considering the conference is a flagship event for the DAV, I was honored to be part of the proceedings, even more so, upon the realization that I was the only panelist from South Korea speaking at the event. As I am a foreigner residing in South Korea, and a Caucasian male at that, I wound up fielding a number of questions from my fellow attendees about Korea’s participation in the event, even though I have no affiliation whatsoever with the South Korean government. These questions were summed up nicely by a Vice Admiral (Ret.) from Japan, over a glass of wine at the farewell dinner. He leaned in and with a serious tone said, “I have to ask. Where are the Koreans?” I of course had no answer for him or the others. Simply put, the absence of a South Korean representative was conspicuous.

It is fairly well known that South Korea does not wish to wade deeply into SCS affairs. The expanding strategic competition between China, a major economic partner, and the United States, an alliance partner, is highly visible in the region. Vietnam, a claimant in what is known as the South China Sea dispute, is a burgeoning market seen as a safe haven for Korean companies as they de-risk from China.

Becoming more deeply involved in the SCS carries some risk for middle-power Korea, a country hoping to ruffle few feathers diplomatically. Nevertheless, some representation by South Korea at a DAV flagship event seems warranted. Korean representatives need not take sides. The DAV organizes the event to foster dialogue and promote a peaceful resolution to SCS disputes. The Chinese position was ably and frankly presented by Senior Colonel (Ret.) Zhou Bo, while the U.S. position was defended by Greg Poling of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). The two needed no help in clearly stating their cases.

It seems clear to me that South Korea should participate in such events for a number of reasons. Firstly, the government of President Yoon Suk Yeol aims to make South Korea a global pivot state promoting a free and prosperous Indo-Pacific. To avoid SCS issues means such a goal is unreachable, as the SCS is the focal point of Indo-Pacific challenges. Korean representatives may have benefitted from the panel discussions on “Great Powers and Great Responsibilities” and “A Multilateral Approach to the South China Sea” at this year’s event.

Secondly, South Korea depends heavily on the SCS region for trade and maritime security. In 2016, ChinaPower at CSIS estimated that 47 percent of all South Korean trade transits through the SCS. According to the Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs, maritime shipments of fossil fuels make up 85 percent of South Korea’s total primary energy supply, including 69 percent of total oil imports that come from the Middle East. As most of these fuels transit through the SCS, South Korean representatives may have appreciated the panels on “The Coast Guard’s Role in Fostering Cooperation” and on “Critical Infrastructure.”

Thirdly, it is quite clear that Vietnam and South Korea can have a future of deep cooperation on many issues. Vietnam offers a crucial economic alternative to reliance on China. Both countries face bullying and intimidation by China in the diplomatic, economic and military domains. Both countries rely on free and open access to the SCS for their livelihood and have an interest in increasing economic cooperation with the other. Plus, more recently, with export restrictions by China on germanium, gallium and graphite, Vietnam's reserves of rare earth minerals ― the second largest in the world ― must be attractive for Korea's high-tech manufacturing sector. Korean representatives may have appreciated the panel on “Energy at a Crossroads” at this year’s conference.

Some here in South Korea are clearly thinking about the South China Sea region. This past June, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared, "Vietnam is a key partner of our Republic of Korea in cultivating a free, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific." A month earlier, writing for the online magazine The Diplomat, Commander Jihoon Yu stated, “By proactively taking up a greater role in regional maritime affairs, South Korea could become a moderating force that helps reinforce the freedom of navigation and rules-based order of the South China Sea, and establish trust and cooperation across Indo-Pacific waters.” If this is truly the case for South Korea, the SCS, and Vietnam, then one question was rightly on the mind of many: “Where are the Koreans?”

Sean O’Malley (seanmo@dongseo.ac.kr) is a tenured professor of international studies at Dongseo University, where he teaches classes on regionalism and The ASEAN Community. More information on the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and the 15th South China Sea Conference can be found at https://www.dav.edu.vn/.