Chinese, Japanese and South Korean diplomats shaking hands. It was a rare scene that took place in Seoul, where representatives of the foreign ministries of the three countries committed to reviving the trilateral relationship, which had been at a standstill since 2019. A summit between Japanese leaders, South Korean and Chinese could take place by the end of 2023. While South Korea and Japan have moved significantly closer to the United States and tensions with China have increased recently, what can we expect from this spectacular resumption of dialogue?
2 mins
With our correspondent in Seoul, Nicolas Rocca
The trilateral summit must be organized “ as soon as possible » ; the formula of the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs demonstrates the desire to renew dialogue. Since coming to power, President Yoon Suk-yeol has focused everything on strengthened cooperation with the United States and Japan, made a reality by the Camp David summit.
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In recent months, tensions have even increased between Seoul and Beijing. But now the tone has changed. Last weekend, the South Korean Prime Minister met Xi Jinping and the Chinese president is even considering a trip to South Korea, a first since 2014. Among the important issues, that of semiconductors.
Economic leverage
The United States is seeking to exclude Beijing from the production chains of this sensitive material. Japan has limited the export of some chipmaking tools to China, but South Korean companies remain dependent on the Chinese market and have factories there. Especially since China remains the main trading partner of Seoul and Tokyo.
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This economic lever is Beijing’s main asset in trying to limit the growing influence of the United States in the region. However, on the major defense issues of Taiwan and North Korea, the positions of the three neighbors seem too far apart to imagine significant progress.
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