US-South Korea relations under Moon

South Korea’s newly-elected, President Moon Jae-in, may shake up the US-South Korea alliance which was established after World War II. While the US has urged South Korea to step up pressure on the regime in North Korea under Kim Jong-un, Moon, who is the son of North Korean refugees, said he would focus on dialogue. He also called for review of the US’s deployment of an anti-missile defense system in South Korea.

This could create a potential rift with the US and a sharp departure from Moon’s predecessor’s position on North Korea. It is not yet unclear if Moon plans to revive the Sunshine Policy  which aimed at peaceful co-existence rather than regime change. While a softer stance on North Korea will ease tensions with Beijing, it might be an upset to US President Trump’s administration.

Charles Hay, British Ambassador to South Korea, will brief Asia House corporate members this Thursday about the outcome of the election and what to expect from Moon’s presidency.