11

Jan

3:32am
Arnold August
South Korean Turmoil, the “Ironclad Alliance,” and China

South Korean Turmoil, the “Ironclad Alliance,” and China

Arnold August//3:32am, Jan 11th '25

The President of the Republic of Korea (ROK), Yoon Suk Yeol, declared martial law on December 3rd. However, he rescinded the order only six hours later. Furthermore, on December 7, he publicly apologized. Nonetheless, the main opposition party, the Democratic Party, immediately requested his resignation or face impeachment.

The PRC reacted through its Embassy in Seoul. It suggested that its citizens in the ROK refrain from expressing political opinions and should comply with the official orders issued by the ROK. These positions conform with the PRC’s long-standing principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.

However, in sharp contrast to pursuit of international harmony, we can witness the reactions of the U.S. government and American mainstream media. The U.S. official reactions were relatively mild compared to the corporate media. However, as we see below, the official press reveals the qutheiet parts of Washington’s statements out loud. The media reads between the lines of the elusive White House and State Department declarations. By so doing, the corporate press reveals to the public the thinking behind Washington’s positions, especially regardi

The Washington Reactions

The December 3rd State Department routine press briefing was converted into a heated question-and-answer debate in response to journalists’ questions regarding the ROK. More than 1/3 of the briefing dealt with the ROK, despite other burning issues related to the Middle East. The State Department's principal deputy spokesperson, Vedant Patel, did not directly answer questions regarding the U.S. view on the imposition of martial law. However, the representative did underscore no less than six times that U.S.-ROK relations are “ironclad.”

For those critical observers of U.S. foreign policy, the code word “ironclad” carries great significance. It has often come to signify that, irrespective of the reprehensible behavior of an American ally, Washington overlooks it to maintain the alliance. On December 4th, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, President Biden’s Asia coordinator, reacted to the ROK situation. He said President Biden, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken are all being appraised of the problem. Campbell also concluded that the U.S.-ROK alliance is “ironclad.”

On the same day, Blinken “welcomed” the rescinding of martial law. However, he added, "We reaffirm our support for the people of Korea and the U.S.-ROK alliance based on shared principles and the rule of law.” Later that day, Blinken offered an interview with Reuters. Like his spokesperson in Washington, he avoided directly providing a judgment as to the justification for the martial law. He nonetheless stated that U.S.-ROK ties represent “one of the most critical alliances we have anywhere in the world.”

Image

The American Corporate Press Weighs In: China is the Issue

While the official Washington narrative has never mentioned China openly, the corporate media does. The reporting varies depending on the preferred political option of the media, pro-Democrat or pro-Republican. However, “China containment” is the common denominator. Whether intentional or not, these editorial policies serve to complement the statements by the official political circles. For example, ABC, which is prone to support the Democrats, is milder than the pro-Republican Fox News. ABC, nonetheless, chose to quote a retired U.S. Real Admiral who claims that the tension in ROK “poises fresh frustration for the Biden administration and its legacy of promoting democracy abroad, as well as its strategy of containing China by bolstering other partnerships in the region.” The pro-Democrat New York Times wrote that Biden is in a difficult position now as he must deal with a conservative leader to enhance “military ties to better counter China, North Korea, and Russia.”

The Fox News video report was more about China than the ROK. It headlined “The China Threat” in menacing giant letters. It featured the views of U.S. think tank researcher and author Gordon G. Chang. FOX dramatically plugged his book: “PLAN RED: China’s Project to Destroy America.”

Considering the different degrees of “China containment” narratives in the liberal and conservative media, they all indicate what is at stake when the political elite drops the keyword “ironclad.” They appear to favor an unconditional alliance with the ROK to “contain China.”

People-to-People Diplomacy

However, President Xi's far-sighted plans to open tourism to China further with a vastly expanded visa-free policy have already impacted inbound tourism from the ROK. Since November 8, 2024, this country has been added to the 38 countries, enjoying free and rapid visa access. On December 2nd, one of China’s most important travel agencies reported a 150% increase in ROK reservations from November 8 to December 2 compared to the same period last year.

If you read our blogs then why not our magazine!!!
Image
Click here to subscribe our monthly magazine

In addition, a few days after the visa-free policy was enacted, one Chinese airline company announced a 20 % increase in flight reservations from the ROC. Eighteen daily return flights now operate between the ROK and three Chinese cities. This people-to-people diplomacy can contribute to restraining any hostile policies by the ROK fostered by the U.S.

Editor's Note:

The views and informations expressed in the article are solely those of the author and may or may not reflect the views of The International. We believe in providing a platform for a range of viewpoints from the left.

All paths lead to China
Jerry Grey China//10:14pm, Jun 20th '23

All paths lead to China

To coin a sporting phrase, “it’s all happening here”; here, of course is China. And there’s little doubt that things are happening on a global scale. Perhaps more than a casual observer might notice,....

Read More
What Will Happen If Trump Gets Re-elected?
Dr. Partha Banerjee New York//4:35pm, Oct 28th '20

What Will Happen If Trump Gets Re-elected?

And there is still a high chance that Trump will get re-elected, especially if white voters with no college education turn out in huge numbers on November 3, and at the same time Biden voters — college-educated,....

Read More
BRICS monetary cooperation: A step towards a more just and equal world order
Anna Ge China//2:45pm, Sep 3rd '23

BRICS monetary cooperation: A step towards a more just and equal world order

In recent times, an increasingly resounding chorus of voices from nations around the globe, particularly those from the global south, has been advocating for a shift away from their traditional reliance....

Read More
The social dimension of the pandemic in Brazil
Cristian Junior Brazilian History researcher and teacher//2:31pm, Apr 23rd '21

The social dimension of the pandemic in Brazil

It's done. Brazil reached 350 thousands of pandemic deaths. Although there is the biological factor – the virus itself -, it looks small in front of its social nature. This disease doesn’t mean a “natural....

Read More
Socialism or Extinction: There is No Alternative - Part 1
Stewart McGill UK//1:15am, Oct 8th '22

Socialism or Extinction: There is No Alternative - Part 1

The Economy and the EnvironmentThere have been many declarations that defeating the climate emergency is impossible under capitalism. The imperatives of that system to accumulate profit through growing....

Read More
Revisiting The Chilean Struggle for Gender Parity in the Constitution
Teeju Bhagat India//11:55pm, Nov 18th '21

Revisiting The Chilean Struggle for Gender Parity in the Constitution

“If Chile was the cradle of neoliberalism, it will also be its grave.” These words said by Gabriel Boric (presidential candidate for the left-wing electoral coalition Apruebo Dignidad ) are a breath....

Read More