미·중 신냉전 속에서의 한국의 생존전략

The US-China Confrontation Enters its Second Phase: How Can We Protect Korea in the New Cold War?

Thanks to US support and aid over the past four decades, China has become a formidable competitor, challenging the United States for dominance in the 21st century. In 2012, Xi Jinping revealed his ambitious ‘Chinese Dream’ to reclaim his nation’s suzerainty over East Asia, a status it enjoyed until the Opium War of 1842. Embarrassed by the Chinese challenge, the US government began to counter its aggressive activities. With the help of allies and friends, namely, Japan, Australia and India, the United States has begun to contain China militarily as well as economically. Now the US-China relationship is entering the second phase of a new Cold War. Jammed between two superpowers, Korea is pressed to find a strategy to secure its sovereignty and prosperity. Choices are limited, however. To keep its liberal democratic political system and market economy, Korea should remain allied with the United States and strengthen cooperative relations with Japan and other democratic neighbors. To reduce China’s pressure, Korea should carefully avoid unnecessary conflict with China. Korea should also maintain mutually beneficial economic and cultural relations with China based on international law. And Korea should possess sufficient military capabilities to effectuate its ‘Proactive Deterrence Strategy’ so that China cannot ‘Finlandize” Korea.