| ID | 192118 |
| Title Proper | Reassessing Seoul’s “One China” Policy |
| Other Title Information | South Korea-Taiwan “Unofficial” Relations after 30 Years (1992-2022) |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Liff, Adam P ; Lee, Chaewon |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | Amid U.S.-led efforts to “internationalize and multilateralize” support for Taiwan in response to mounting pressure from China, the 2021 U.S.-South Korea presidential statement’s unprecedented reference to “peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait” made global headlines. This study analyzes contemporary Korea-Taiwan relations in historic and comparative perspective, focusing especially on Seoul’s official 1992 position on “One China” and its implications for Korea’s Taiwan policy. It demonstrates that Seoul has never recognized Beijing’s self-defined “One China principle” concerning its essential claim of PRC sovereignty over Taiwan. Comparative analysis of Korea’s position and subsequent policies with the U.S.’, Japan’s, and others’ further reveals significant (potential) flexibility in Korea’s approach to Taiwan. The relatively distant state of Korea-Taiwan relations today is the collective political choice of Korea’s democratically-elected leaders—not the legacy of some (non-existent) putative commitment made to Beijing 30 years ago. |
| `In' analytical Note | Journal of Contemporary China Vol. 32, No. 143; Sep 2023: p.745-764 |
| Journal Source | Journal of Contemporary China Vol: 32 No 143 |
| Key Words | One China Policy ; South Korea-Taiwan ; Unofficial” Relations after 30 Years (1992-2022) |