Ahead of South Korea’s parliamentary elections, the political arena is witnessing heightened tensions, underscored by President Yoon Suk Yeol’s administration’s rivalry with the dominant opposition party. The focal point of the contention is the recent Beijing-friendly statements made by the opposition leader, sparking a heated debate over South Korea’s stance on China.
The forthcoming 22nd parliamentary elections, scheduled for April 10, are anticipated to be a pivotal moment, potentially reshaping the legislative landscape and influencing the Yoon administration’s governance strategy.
The ruling People Power Party, which advocates a U.S.-friendly stance, seeks to challenge the opposition’s majority in an effort to secure a stable governance path for President Yoon. Conversely, the Democratic Party of Korea, known for its Beijing-friendly inclinations, aims to maintain its parliamentary dominance, positioning itself as a counterbalance to the current administration.
Competition for parliamentary seats has intensified following an incendiary campaign stop by Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung in Dangjin, a city known for its significant Chinese demographic. Mr. Lee’s critique of the Yoon administration’s foreign policy towards the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) questioned the relevance of cross-strait issues to South Korea and warned against antagonizing China, igniting controversy.
“Chinese people will stop buying South Korean products because they dislike South Korea. Why provoke [the CCP]? Just saying ’thank you‘ to them, and also ’thank you’ to Taiwan, should suffice,” Mr. Lee said.
Responding to these remarks, Han Dong-hoon, chairman of the People Power Party’s emergency strategy committee, defended the Yoon government’s foreign policy as prioritizing national interests and not yielding to any specific country, including China.
“How can a country that does not stand on the side of justice in the world order develop? The Yoon Suk-yeol government is one that makes necessary voices heard in foreign affairs,” Mr. Han said.
Han Dong-hoon, aged 51 and a seasoned prosecutor, has emerged as one of President Yoon’s most pivotal allies. His transition from the minister of justice to the chairmanship of the ruling People Power Party’s emergency strategy committee at the end of 2023 marked his debut in politics, positioning him as a prominent figure for future presidential contention within the party.
President Yoon has not shied away from addressing the escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait. His stance, articulated in a Reuters interview, vehemently opposes any forceful alterations to the status quo by the CCP.
“The Taiwan issue is not merely a problem between the two sides of the Strait; just like the issue between North and South Korea, its implications extend beyond this region and must be viewed as a global issue,” President Yoon said.
Opposition Party’s Controversial Beijing-friendly Stance
In a pointed rebuttal to Mr. Lee’s Beijing-friendly comments on March 24, Mr. Han highlighted what he perceives as the Democratic Party’s deference toward the CCP. He referenced a diplomatic faux pas involving Mr. Lee who met with Xing Haiming, the Chinese Ambassador to Korea. This encounter, according to Mr. Han, showcased an “unwarranted level of submission” by Mr. Lee. Mr. Han criticized the passive reception of Mr. Xing’s extended and critical monologue without any form of counterargument.The ambassador’s rebuke of the South Korean government’s alignment with U.S. policies and disregard for the CCP’s core interests, including Taiwan, during his interaction with Mr. Lee, was marked by a stark warning against succumbing to external pressures, particularly from the United States.
Mr. Xing warned against ’misjudgments’ regarding Beijing, which could sour China-South Korea relations. Mr. Han’s critique raises critical questions about national dignity and the strategic implications of such submissive diplomacy.
“Will bowing to China (CCP) in such a manner enhance our national interest? Isn’t this a signal that we can be easily disrespected?” Mr. Han said, in rebuke to Mr. Lee’s stance on China.
Disputes Over Voting Rights and Espionage Laws
Mr. Han expanded his critique to encompass broader “China issues,” underscoring profound ideological disparities between the ruling People Power Party and the opposing Democratic Party.He pinpointed the opposition’s blockade of crucial legislative reforms, specifically amendments aimed at fortifying espionage laws to counteract intelligence theft and the leakage of advanced technologies to the CCP, alongside adjustments to the Public Official Election Act, which governs voting rights in local elections.
Highlighting a significant loophole, Mr. Han said that South Korea’s existing espionage legislation is narrowly focused on North Korea, leaving acts of espionage by Chinese nationals or technology leakage to China unpunished due to the lack of a comprehensive legal framework.
This oversight, he argued, is exacerbated by the Democratic Party’s staunch resistance to amending the espionage law to cover foreign espionage activities beyond those related to North Korea.
Additionally, Mr. Han highlighted the asymmetry in voting rights: South Koreans residing in China are denied the right to vote in Chinese elections, whereas approximately 100,000 Chinese nationals living in South Korea possess voting rights in local South Korean elections.
According to Mr. Han, this discrepancy violates the principle of reciprocity and is unjustifiable, both logically and pragmatically. He has vowed to address the situation.
Anticipating opposition from the Democratic Party to these reforms, Mr. Han posed a rhetorical question to underscore the gravity of the issue: “Would the Democratic Party, under the leadership of Lee Jae-myung, passively acquiesce to illegal fishing activities by Chinese vessels in South Korean waters by merely expressing gratitude?”
The question aimed to highlight the perceived leniency and compliance of the Democratic Party toward China, contrasting it with the urgent need to protect South Korea’s national interests and sovereignty. This is especially relevant given the significant impact of illegal Chinese fishing operations in South Korean waters, including the Yellow Sea and the seas south of North Korea’s coast.
