Playing a role which befits a true middle power

Only when Seoul plays its middle-power role confidently can it get due respect from other countries.

Kim Dong-hoThe author is the economic news editor of the JoongAng Ilbo. The live-streaming of a meeting between Democratic Party (DP) leader Lee Jae-myung and Chinese ambassador to Korea Xing Haiming could have been maddening for President Yoon Suk Yeol. The director general-level envoy warned, “Seoul could regret big if it bets on the United States’ victory in the contest with China,” and lectured on the foolishness of the Korean government for underestimating Beijing’s determination to achieve the “Chinese dream.” The ambassador’s remarks represented China’s perception of Korea as its subordinate as was the case back in the old days. The condescending and intimidating attitude irked many Koreans.

Chinese President Xi Jingping in 2017 told his U.S. counterpart at the time, Donald Trump, that Korea used to be a part of China. Although the context of the remark remains unknown, it could have arisen while explaining the history of the two countries.

But Korea has always been an independent state. It has never lost its native homogeneity in language, culture, social norms and system. It has maintained its identity for thousands of years. It is true that the Joseon Dynasty was under the influence of the Ming and Qing Dynasty. And the country was once a Japanese colony and devastated by the 1950-53 Korean War.

But South Korea is no longer a weak country. It boasts supremacy in economic and military hardware as well as software, while K-culture has been enthralling the world. Korea’s global rank goes beyond our imagination. On the global diplomatic stage, Korea is a middle power. It is a candidate to become the eighth member to the Group of Seven economies. During an international forum about 10 years ago, I was awed by a former Australian prime minister and experts referring to South Korea as a middle power. Due to never-ending pressure from global powers, I had a habit of demeaning our country as a weak one. But the views from outside sharply changed. They demand Seoul live up to its newfound role and responsibility as a middle power.

Korea must change to reflect its changed status. We must shake out of the underdog mindset of holding China as Korea’s higher rank during the old days. China also must acknowledge that Korea no longer is the small and weak country inviting colonization. Moreover, today’s world respects each state to decide its economic and foreign policy without outside interference regardless the size of the nation.

Sadly, some politicians still live in the Joseon period. DP lawmakers were lectured during their unofficial visit to China that Washington is to be blamed for the soured Seoul-Beijing relationship. They claim that they had protested it, but I have never heard that they retorted it proudly. The lawmakers visited Tibet despite the controversies about abuses of human rights there to raise questions about the party’s liberal identity upholding justice, fairness, and protection of minorities.

Korea must behave as a middle power moving forward. It must manifest that it decides its own fate. Korea has been widening cooperation with the U.S. and Japan due to economic and security gains. But Beijing has dampened Korean investment and business activities in China with discriminatory actions. Korea’s exports to China have been shrinking on China’s nationalism to favor local products along with stronger competitiveness of China’s manufacturing industry.

Korea must of course keep up amicable relationship with China. It is our nearest neighbor along with Japan and the most important market along with the U.S. We have seen Chinese diplomats stress the need for Seoul to continue to improve relationship with Beijing even if it has to strengthen alliance with the U.S. However, despite this, it is up to Korea to decide how and to what extent it strengthens ties with its ally and improve relations with China. Beijing would be meddling in our affairs if it sets the guidelines for us and then goes on to tell us what to do.

We must not give into China’s overbearing ways and the attempts to tame us. Beijing responded it did not wish bilateral relationship to turn sour when President Yoon sternly retorted to the disrespectable tone of the Chinese ambassador unlike former president Moon Jae-in, who had to settle with dining alone several times during his state visit to China even after he praised China as the “high mountain.” Only when Seoul plays its middle-power role confidently can it get due respect from other countries.