Abstract: | Anti-American, pro-Chinese sentiment is spreading widely in South Korea. This phenomenon is caused by extreme US-ROK policy
dissension over matters related to North Korea, especially the nuclear questions, and South Korea's emotional attachment for
China based on historical and geopolitical factors. In order to prevent this irrational situation from damaging the mutual
interests of both Washington and Seoul, the two capitals should come up with mutually acceptable options for nuclear issues—placing
more gravity and priority on dialogue over sanctions as a matter of strategy. Coercive measures can be employed only as a
last resort. In order to maintain peace, to fulfill the political responsibility as a great power in East Asia, and to reciprocate
to South Korea's positive expectation, Beijing should play a more constructive role in resolving the North Korean nuclear
issues and in inducing Pyongyang to open up and reform more aggressively. |