Lee government runs two-track diplomacy on US, China

Feb 02, 2026, 07:58 am

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Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back speaks with Vice Adm. Patrick Hannifin, commander of the US 7th Fleet, inside the command room of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington during a visit to Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan on Jan. 30. / Ministry of National Defense

The Lee Jae-myung administration is pursuing a two-track diplomatic strategy — offering reassurance to the United States while carefully managing relations with China — as it seeks balance amid intensifying great-power rivalry.

Ahn Gyu-back, South Korea’s defense minister, visited the US aircraft carrier USS George Washington on Jan. 30 at Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan, ahead of talks with his Japanese counterpart. During the visit, Ahn underscored the importance of the South Korea–US alliance and combined operational readiness.

In contrast, Chung Dong-young is reviewing the possibility of dispatching a special envoy to China to discuss issues related to the Korean Peninsula, signaling Seoul’s intent to keep diplomatic channels with Beijing open.

The contrasting moves by the two ministers highlight the Lee administration’s pragmatic, national interest–driven diplomacy. On security, Seoul is anchoring itself firmly to the South Korea–US alliance to provide Washington with confidence. On diplomacy, however, it is avoiding the exclusion of China and preserving room for communication.

Before meeting Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, Ahn boarded the USS George Washington, a 100,000-ton nuclear-powered aircraft carrier docked at Yokosuka, where he held talks with Patrick Hannifin, commander of the US 7th Fleet. Ahn stressed the importance of the alliance and combined posture, while calling for close cooperation between the South Korean Navy and the 7th Fleet. He also received a detailed briefing on carrier operations from Capt. Timothy L. Waits, commanding officer of the carrier.

Analysts interpret Ahn’s decision to reaffirm the alliance with the US before engaging Japan as a strategic move to set the tone and limits of trilateral defense cooperation. The carrier visit sent a clear signal of reassurance to Washington, particularly by reaffirming alliance credibility at Yokosuka, a core hub of the US-Japan alliance.

At the same time, the subsequent South Korea–Japan defense talks proceeded without a strategic upgrade, a move seen as conveying a message to Beijing that while Seoul reaffirmed its alliance with Washington, it was not strengthening a unified anti-China front with Tokyo. By visiting the US carrier first, Ahn demonstrated trust toward the US while preemptively preventing perceptions of a rapidly solidifying South Korea–US–Japan strategic bloc.

Meanwhile, details surrounding a potential special envoy to China — including timing and format — have yet to be finalized. The presidential office has said the idea is “under review,” leaving the door open while refraining from specifics. Chung emphasized both caution and “timing,” indicating that Seoul recognizes the need for sufficient conditions before pushing for renewed dialogue on the Korean Peninsula.

Experts view this approach as an effort to align with China’s preference for patience and calibrated engagement on peninsula issues, allowing Beijing room to choose its role while carefully adjusting the tone and direction of Seoul’s messaging.

Park Beom-jin, a professor at Kyung Hee University’s Graduate School of Business Administration, said visiting the US carrier and the 7th Fleet command ahead of talks with Japan “clearly reflects a prioritization of reaffirming the South Korea–US alliance.” He added that the move demonstrated alliance stability and continuity to Washington while easing concerns that Seoul-Japan cooperation could rapidly expand into full-scale military coordination.

“In a context of ongoing tensions between the US and China, as well as between China and Japan, South Korea faces the dual burden of maintaining security cooperation while managing diplomatic repercussions,” Park said. “This can be interpreted as a calibrated approach that clarifies military cooperation with the US while adjusting the sequence and format of engagements to avoid provoking neighboring countries.”

#Lee Jae-myung government #practical diplomacy #US alliance #China relations #Ahn Gyu-back