[Global NK Newsletter] Security Cooperation between South Korea and Europe, China’s Role in North Korean Problem
2022-09-05
August 16, 2022
[Global
NK Interview] Future Directions of Security Cooperation between South Korea and
Europe, China’s Role in North Korean Problem
In this Interview, Dr. Ramon Pacheco Pardo, Professor of
International Relations at King’s College London and the KF-VUB Korea Chair at
the Brussels School of Governance of Vrije Universiteit Brussel, discusses the
EU’s growing security cooperation with South Korea and its potential role in
North Korea’s denuclearization. As South Korea is the only Asian country
actually exporting military equipment to NATO members, Dr. Pacheco Pardo
highlights that Europe has a special interest in maintaining its longstanding
relationships with Seoul in strengthening its deterrence against the Russian
threat. Regarding the EU’s role in Korean Peninsula stability, he explains that
Europe used to be considered a gateway for North Korea to send a message to the
U.S. or South Korea. However, Dr. Pacheco Pardo emphasizes that Pyongyang’s
siding with Russia has made European countries lose confidence in the meaning
of engaging with North Korea and led them to support Seoul’s North Korea policy
even further.
Reviewing
30 Years of “China’s Role” in North Korea’s Nuclear Issue
Dong Ryul Lee, Professor at the Department of
Chinese Studies at Dongduk Women’s University and the Chair of the China
Research Center at EAI, writes that China’s policies toward North Korea and its
nuclear program has been consistent for the past 30 years, and has taken
caution not to pressure North Korea to the extent that would escalate
instability and has played a role in easing tensions. Professor Lee highlights
that Beijing actively intervened to secure its position and influence in the
Korean Peninsula when significant changes to the region’s strategic landscape
were made. He suggests that South Korea should seek the support of China in its
North Korea policy based on the accurate understanding of China’s policy stance
and the maximum degree to which South Korea can influence.
