China's strategic distastes for Korea in the Indo-Pacific strategy: Major concerns and countermeasures

Abstract

China sees South Korea's full access will perfect the Indo-Pacific strategy, dealing a detrimental blow to its national security interests for three reasons, geography, economics, and defense. The Indo-Pacific strategy is also a strategy based on network building. However, the inherent nature of the network limits the membership to allies, “like-minded states,” and supporters to the rule-based order. While Korea still holds reservations about making a full-fledged commitment to the strategy, China is to do its utmost including coercive measures to prevent it from joining it. In this light, the article will first analyze the reasons why China opposes Korea joining the strategy. China's strategic interest against the Indo-Pacific strategy will be inferred to substantiate its objection to Korea's participation. The article will also explain the imperatives for Korea to join the strategy. It will conclude with some remarks that can help the United States. induce Korea's commitment and vice versa.