“What South Korea truly needs to ensure its national security is a friendly neighborhood rather than a US Terminal High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) system at the cost of the interests of surrounding countries such as China”. Their stance is entirely disingenuous, with this “progressive block” seeking to posture as an alternative to Washington’s war drive in the region.
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Other South Korean celebrities, including actor Lee Joon-gi, have been mentioned as possible victims of the diplomatic row, with reports emerging that he was denied a visa to China ahead of a promotional tour for his latest film “Never Said Goodbye”.
Chinese state media outlets have recently published numerous columns that are particularly critical of Seoul’s THAAD decision.
While the MPK hopes to exploit the THAAD issue to boost support in next year’s presidential election, its underlying concern is the potential economic impact.
Mr Kim Young-ho, one of the six opposition lawmakers travelling to Beijing, said their sole motivation was to calm the situation.
“The fundamental reason for the decision to deploy THAAD lies in the rising nuclear and missile threats from North Korea”.
At the same time, the Democrats are seeking to prevent the issue from becoming the focus for widespread anti-war sentiment among workers and youth. For instance, the Chinese and North Korean foreign ministers traveled on the same plane to the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) meeting in Laos and projected renewed closeness between the two countries at the ARF meeting in Laos.
We all know by that the issue of deploying U.S. made THAAD anti-missile defense is drawing criticism and protests right inside South Korea. “She is well aware of the real direction of the THAAD anti-missile system”, the editorial read.
“We are aware of rumors circulating in China”. MPK lawmakers intend to visit Beijing today.
The blame game South Korea and China have been ensnared in this month shows the rising tensions between the two countries in the face of the growing number of weapons tests that North Korea has been conducting in the region.
Whether the Chinese Government will go so far as to “suggest” to local tour companies that they should send their nationals to destinations other than South Korea, remains to be seen. But before our very eyes we are seeing China trapping South Korea between it and the USA and then turning the screw.
Numerous news sources reporting on these defections are questionable, which, according to Voice of America, has a lot to do with discouraging defections to China over South Korea. Relations between the ROK and the United States have been solid for the last decade or so; however, the potential loss of U.S. military support is something that always excites minds in Seoul’s foreign affairs and defence establishment. “The defense industry is tainted with corruption”.
But tourism is a double-edged sword for the country, according to Park. But since President Xi Jinping took office in 2012, China has been focusing on “getting things done” ( you suo zuo wei, 有所作?) and emphasizing that Asia’s security should be left to Asians.
President Park Geun-hye is greeted by ruling Saenuri Party members during a caucus to elect the new party leadership in Jamsil, Seoul, Tuesday.
In truth, China is anxious that if South Korea has THAAD, it will make it immune not only to North Korean missiles but also to the coercive possibility of Chinese missiles.
“This is all about expanding the United States’ missile defense system, not serving South Korea’s needs”, says Choi Jong-kun, a professor of political science and global studies at Yonsei University in Seoul.
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A staunch communist, his interest in the country peaked after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and he came to know some North Korean families in Madrid. This means that they are on the same schedule. “The THAAD deployment and related aspects of the agreement must pass through parliamentary proceedings”. For three years, South Korea had been intensifying a romance with its biggest trading partner, China.
