Park Geun-hye should play moderating role

Source:Global Times Published: 2012-12-20 0:20:07

Park Geun-hye, from the ruling conservative Saenuri Party, has become South Korea's first female president. She is also the first female leader for the modern Northeast Asian region. As more issues and hostilities are emerging in this region, this new president is expected to play a moderating role.

During former president Lee Myung-bak's term, South Korea played a relatively rigid role in the region. While most countries in the region also demonstrated their toughness, South Korea did not gain advantages but in fact, suffered losses, during the sinking of the Cheonan and the Yeonpyeong Island attack.

Lee's tough stance came about as a result of his hasty choices when he did not have a clear understanding of the geopolitics in Northeast Asian region and his country's strategic capabilities.

The South Korean leader must remain calm in response to a variety of questions, such as the kind of threat North Korea poses to the South, what benefits or losses the country will have from China's rise, and what role it should play between China and the US as well as in the Northeast Asian region.

It is regrettable that the relationship between Chinese and South Korean people suffered during Lee Myung-bak's rule. It is expected that the new president will take a moderate stance. Moreover, we are expecting the situation on the Korean Peninsula will remain under control and the Sino-South Korean relationship will remain stable in the long run strategically.

South Korea is subject to the influence of China and the US. Bonded with Washington with a military alliance, South Korea finds it difficult to balance its ties between these two big powers. If Seoul is serious about its strategic partnership with Beijing, it should show that goodwill with actions rather than mere lip service.

When spats emerge between the two countries, South Korea tends to overreact. Though they are not troubled by major conflicts, disputes at the grassroots level can sometimes make big waves.

Perhaps China should show more modesty in order to prevent the bilateral relationship from going awry. But this cannot be the tacit rule between the two countries. Though it has harnessed its rapid development well, South Korea needs to remain sober-minded. The role it can play in the complex Northeast Asian region has boundaries. The intense relationship among Northeast Asian nations should give way to mutual respect based on an understanding of international politics.

From the perspective of North Korea, Seoul is safe. Seoul is also respected from the Chinese perspective. South Korea is also a stakeholder in China's rise.

We hope President Park Geun-hye can help South Korea understand this. It would benefit the country, and may also be a turning point in the tense regional situation.



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