Will South Korean President Lee Jae-myung stay neutral in the current friction between Japan and China over the issue of Taiwan? Observers say President Lee has a tight rope to walk. On the one hand, he has to keep China in good humor. South Korea has had strong economic ties with the country. China happens to South Korea’s largest trade partner. China and South Korea share cultural links. Today they have common goals via the APEC. In order to keep China in good humor, President Lee today talks of playing a mediating role to ease the tensions between the two nations.

But, at the same time, President Lee is very much aware of the need to promote South Korea’s ties with Japan. He must be knowing Japan and South Korea are natural partners. They share democratic values and close alliances with the United States. Besides, like Japan, South Korea faces a super-aging society. It would be in the interest of Seoul and Tokyo to work together in the field of economics. Japanese suppliers and South Korea’s tech industry are increasingly interdependent today.

President Lee knows he must........

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