Leaders from China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea (ROK) just wrapped their first trilateral summit in four years in Seoul, signaling a thaw in regional diplomacy. The revival of high-level talks—including the recent China-ROK '2+2' dialogue—hints at renewed efforts to navigate complex geopolitical currents. 🌊
\"It's like a K-drama plot twist,\" says Professor Chung-in Moon, a top foreign policy expert at Yonsei University and former ROK presidential advisor. \"ROK is walking a tightrope: deepening economic ties with China while maintaining its U.S. security alliance.\" 🤹♂️
With the U.S. boosting its Indo-Pacific influence, Moon notes that ROK's balancing act is critical. \"China remains ROK's largest trading partner, but security concerns—like tensions over Taiwan and the Korean Peninsula—add pressure,\" he explains. Trade between the three nations hit $760 billion in 2023, underscoring their interconnected futures. 💼
While the summit produced pledges on supply chain stability and public health cooperation, Moon warns: \"Trust-building takes time. The real test is whether these dialogues lead to action.\" 🚀
