2007. 4. Where does Korean Diplomacy Stand Now?

About a decade after the end of the cold war between two powers, the sole super power, the U.S., is now being challenged. The recent rise of China and Russia, and challenges posed by the two countries, are shaking up the order of international politics. Such changes are taking place mainly because the U.S., trapped in the quagmire of the Iraq War, is losing its standing and trust in the international community. Some analyses point out that China’s ascendance as a military power and Russia’s attempt to restore its past position create preliminary conditions for competition with the U.S.

Certainly, others view the change as a temporary fight for hegemony among countries taking the chance of America’s diminishing global power while the nation preoccupies itself with the Iraq War. However, many voice concerns over a possible advent of a new Cold War or the age of Cold Peace amid the move by the U.S. to strengthen its alliance with Japan against China’s rise in Asia, and the standoff between the U.S. and Russia in Europe.

Rapid Rise of Asia, Especially China, and America’s Move to Strengthen Alliances-

The U.S. and Japan reconfirmed their stance to beef up their bilateral alliance at a summit on April 26. This was a proclamation for the two parties to continue their “special alliance” in the region, despite the recent chasm between the two countries over issues related to Japanese colonial rule such as sexual slavery by the Japanese military.

Prior to the summit, NSC Senior Director for Asian Affairs Dennis Wilder said in a press meeting, “President George W. Bush will convey his message that the U.S. has no intention to de-list North Korea from terror sponsoring countries before the communist country addresses the abduction of Japanese nationals.”

The U.S. also relayed its willingness to discuss the purchase of Japan’s latest F-22 fighter jets prior to the U.S.-Japan summit on April 25. Also, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Australian Prime Minister John Howard announced the Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation, establishing three pillars of a security alliance in the Asia Pacific region with the U.S. at the center.

Without a doubt, the stronger diplomatic alliance is aimed to keep China in check. China’s underlying intention is a silent rise as a powerful economy, and this is heightening tensions with its neighbors with its fast-growing military capabilities.

The world’s most populous country appointed former China’s Ambassador to Washington Yang Jiechi (57) as a new foreign minister succeeding Li Zhaoxing. The appointment of an America expert to the head of Foreign Ministry is interpreted as China’s determination to put its strategic relationship with the U.S. on top of its diplomacy agenda.

Europe in a New Competition with the U.S. and Russia-

Russia, once on the brink of bankruptcy with the end of the Cold War, is now taking steps to restore its past standing based on oil-money. Some diplomatic experts already caution against the country, defining it as a trans-imperialist nation.

In particular, President Vladimir Putin announced the suspension of Russia’s compliance with the CFE Treaty (the Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe) in his national address on April 26. The treaty was a by-product of cooperation between the East and the West, signaling the end of the Cold War. Thus, Putin’s announcement suggests the country is entering a new phase of confrontation.

Russia and the U.S. have already experienced conflicts over the establishment of the U.S. Missile Defense system in Eastern Europe. Russia boycotted Intermediate the Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) in protest against the MD system, and bluffed attacks on Europe’s MD bases.

Meanwhile, Russia has increased mutual ties with China to step up cooperation against the U.S. Recently, the two countries are increasing military cooperation by conducting joint military exercises and expanding their arms trade.