S.Korean media traps US in diplomatic dilemma

• Source: Global Times
• [22:08 July 21 2010]
• Comments

Despite the Cheonan incident, the situation on the Korean Peninsula seems to have gradually subsided. South Korea has not gained much, which makes the situation difficult for the Lee Myung-bak administration and has angered the South Korean public.

The tensions brought by the joint military exercise have just begun, and the South Korean government is skillfully using the media to gain a strategic advantage.

Do the US-Korea military exercises really pose an imminent threat to China? I'm afraid not. If Americans really think that they can deter China by sending a carrier battle group to the Yellow Sea, they are badly underestimating China.

The Chinese media has exaggerated the impact of these exercises, following cues from the Korean media, but the resentment also reflects real public feeling in China. Such opinions can't be ignored in future dealings with China, but South Korea has calculated the outcome of the situation better.

Northeast Asia is going through a period of strategic change. It needs precise calculations on how to form the future pattern and whether each country will benefit.

Today's use of the media and public opinion should probably be regarded as a calculated ploy.

For the Chinese media, it is essential to know how to recognize others' motives in today's environment. Otherwise, we may become beads on the abacus of others.

The author is a senior editor with the People's Daily. dinggang@ globaltimes.com.cn