South Korea to Imitate US Policy to Counter China Influence, Seeks to Prevent Tech Leaks: Report

Seoul is expected to join a proposed US-led chip alliance known as the Chip 4 initiative, which also includes Japan and Taiwan, according to a report.

By ANI | Updated: 25 July 2022 11:00 IST

South Korea to Imitate US Policy to Counter China Influence, Seeks to Prevent Tech Leaks: Report

Photo Credit: Unsplash/ Daniel Bernard

South Korea previously stated it would participate in the US-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework

Highlights

South Korea is reportedly keen on countering China's regional influence
Its Indo-Pacific strategy will 'imitate' the US according to a report
South Korea could also reportedly join the US-led Chip 4 initiative

With the growing assertiveness of China in the Indo-Pacific region, the topic of relations with China, a top trading partner and powerful neighbour, remains a sensitive one among South Korean industry and government officials. Erika Na, writing in The Star said that South Korea's Indo-Pacific strategy will 'imitate' the US to counter China's regional influence.

As other close allies of the US - including Japan, Australia and the European Union — long ago joined in and announced their own Indo-Pacific guidelines and strategies, a number of pundits saw the move by the newly inaugurated Yoon administration as a clear sign that South Korea was choosing to get closer to the US rather than China.

Seoul is expected to join a proposed US-led chip alliance known as the Chip 4 initiative, which also includes Japan and Taiwan, according to the report.

Chip Hoarding by Manufacturers Turns Shortage to Glut: Details

South Korea needs to devise a "strategy that fits into the gap" between the United States and China's hegemonic race in the Indo-Pacific region, according to analysts.

Their recommendation comes after South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol revealed a plan in May to formulate the country's own Indo-Pacific strategy framework, reported The Star.

Announced in a joint statement after US President Joe Biden's visit to Seoul, the plan could herald a significant policy shift for South Korea.

Taiwan ‘Happy’ to See Chip Investment in EU, Seeks Deeper Ties

It also came after South Korea said it would participate in the US-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which is aimed at countering China's regional influence.

"It's really essential that we put a lot of thought into how we are going to find our place in the context of the intensifying hegemonic race between the US and China and the reorganising of orders in the Indo-Pacific region," said Kim Sang-bae, a professor of international politics at Seoul National University.

The previous Moon Jae-in administration's regional policies, referred to as the New Southern Policy, encompassed only Southeast Asian countries, according to the report.

"In the past few months, it seems like we are getting closer to the US and getting further away from China," Kim added, speaking on Thursday during an event held by the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy, a government-funded economic research institute.

The US strategy in the region has expanded to include the wider Indo-Pacific region since the former presidential administration of Donald Trump.

Why is Oppo making strange choices with its flagship Reno series? We discuss this on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.

Affiliate links may be automatically generated - see our ethics statement for details.

Comments

For the latest tech news and reviews, follow Gadgets 360 on X, Facebook, WhatsApp, Threads and Google News. For the latest videos on gadgets and tech, subscribe to our YouTube channel. If you want to know everything about top influencers, follow our in-house Who'sThat360 on Instagram and YouTube.