Asia & Pacific

Beijing Struggles to Distance Seoul From US-Led Security Alliance: Analysts

South Korea’s president seeks help on Pyongyang, but Beijing’s inability to act stifles its strategic ambitions, say experts.
Beijing Struggles to Distance Seoul From US-Led Security Alliance: Analysts
South Korea's President Lee Jae Myung (C) and his wife Kim Hea Kyung (centre R) walk towards their plane to depart for China at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam on Jan. 4, 2026. Jung Yeon-je / AFP via Getty Images
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As South Korean President Lee Jae-myung wrapped up his four-day state visit to China seeking expanded trade, experts warned that Beijing is likely to use the engagement to pilfer critical technologies and subvert Seoul’s trilateral defense coordination with Washington and Tokyo.

Lee said on Jan. 8 that he had laid the groundwork for fully restoring ties with Beijing, according to The Korea Times.
Jarvis Lim
Jarvis Lim
Author
Jarvis Lim is a Taiwan-based writer focusing on human rights, U.S.–China relations, China's economic and political influence in Southeast Asia, and cross-strait relations.