PM’s China trip reveals President’s priorities

Prime Minister Chung Hong-won’s visit to China is seen as an indication of closer Korea-China ties.

But observers question whether this could come at cost to the Korea-U.S. alliance.

Chung finished his five-day visit to China, Sunday, which included a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang.

“President Park Geun-hye also stressed the close relationship with China, which is significant politically and economically,” said Prof. Kim Meen-geon of Kyung Hee University.

“Park sent Chung ahead of Obama’s visit to Korea next week,” said Kim, indicating that it may be more than a scheduling coincidence.

President Park held a meeting with Xi Jinping last month on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague, their fourth such encounter since she took office in early 2013.

Obama is scheduled to visit Tokyo on April 24 before heading to Seoul the following day.

Experts project that Park is attempting a policy of diplomatic equilibrium between the competing influences of China and the U.S.

Washington and Beijing are engaged in an across-the-board struggle for regional hegemony. Beijing is Korea’s largest trading partner, while Washington is its oldest ally.

“Park cannot afford to lose China’s cooperation because the country is also crucial for dealing with North Korean threats,” said Kim.

Some have accused Park of overly favoring China, dating back to when she was president-elect.

After winning the presidential election in 2012, Park dispatched one of her right-hand men, Kim Moo-sung, who exerted a big influence inside the governing camp as a special envoy to China and named a close confidant, Kwon Young-se, as ambassador.

Park then sent ruling party floor leader Lee Hahn-koo as a special envoy to the U.S., while tapping former Vice Foreign Minister Ahn Ho-young as U.S. ambassador.

Lee and Ahn are regarded as technocrats.

Meanwhile, Park is known to have deep respect for Chung, making him more than the figurehead of the Cabinet.

“There is some criticism that instead of proactively dealing with tough state affairs, Chung only studies the expressions on President Park’s face,” journalist-turned-commentator Lee Kang-yun said. “However, Park appears to trust him.”

Meanwhile, Chung headed to Pakistan to become the highest level South Korean official to visit the country since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1983. By Kim Tae-gyu The korea times