‘North Korea still Seoul’s top security threat’ – even in a Taiwan Strait conflict

South Korean president says his country must deal with Pyongyang first, above all else
Chinese analyst says Yoon Suk-yeol trying to avoid antagonising Beijing

Taiwan

Amber Wangin BeijingandErika Nain Hong Kong

Published: 9:15pm, 26 Sep 2022

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Pyongyang will remain Seoul’s top security priority even if there is conflict in the Taiwan Strait, South Korea’s president said on Sunday in comments that a Chinese observer said were to avoid provoking Beijing.

When asked by CNN whether he would support the US militarily against a mainland China attack on Taiwan, Yoon Suk-yeol said the North Korean issue would still be the country’s top priority in such a situation.

“In the case of military conflict around Taiwan, there would be an increased possibility of North Korean provocation,” Yoon said.

“Therefore, in that case, the top priority for [South] Korea and the US-Korea alliance on the Korean peninsula would be based on our robust defence posture. We must deal with the North Korean threat first.”

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His comments came just days after US President Joe Biden said again that American troops would defend Taiwan if Beijing were to attack the island.

In August, the People’s Liberation Army conducted large-scale military exercises around the island in response to a visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Pelosi’s next stop after Taiwan was South Korea but Yoon did not meet her because he was on holiday, opting instead for a phone call.

The South Korean president was the exception on Pelosi’s trip, with leaders in Singapore, Malaysia and Japan – as well as Taiwan – holding talks with the US speaker.

Yoon said on Sunday that he had a really “productive and friendly” conversation with Pelosi in the call.

Asked if Seoul would ask the US to first meet its obligations to South Korea before getting involved in Taiwan, Yoon said it would not be appropriate to “reply about US priorities”, adding both the Korean peninsula and Taiwan issues were important and ought to be defended by the US and its allies.

He also criticised China’s military activities in the Taiwan Strait, saying: “China is increasing its tensions, for example, sending aircraft above the territory of the Taiwan Strait.”

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Wang Junsheng, a researcher on North Korea issues with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said Yoon avoided getting drawn into the Taiwan issue during the interview, which showed he was trying to keep a balance between China, the country’s biggest trading partner, and the US, its biggest security ally.

“He was trying to be as careful as possible to avoid getting involved,” Wang said.

“It is worth noting that he didn’t say what South Korea was going to do on the Taiwan issue … He is still trying to find a balance between China and the United States.”

Wang said Yoon’s comments were a step down from his previous tough stand on Beijing, indicating he did not want to provoke China.

He also said it was alarming that the US was strengthening its alliance with South Korea.

Seoul and Washington are conducting military drills involving the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, while North Korea has continued to conduct missile tests this year.

Additional reporting by Erika Na