President Lee Jae-myung said during his visit to the United States that it is impossible to maintain the 'Anmi Kyungjung (安美經中)', which means security is dependent on the United States and the economy is dependent on China, as before. Chinese state media criticized this by stating that South Korea has 'no choice,' rationalizing strategic lethargy. They added that relying on a U.S.-centered order while distancing itself from China is a choice that is neither independent nor autonomous, effectively subordinate to the United States.
The Chinese state-run Global Times noted in a commentary on the 27th that if 'Anmi Kyungjung' is described in the past tense and 'no choice' becomes the phrase that explains South Korea's diplomatic policy, it would reduce South Korea's national interest to a secondary position subordinated to the U.S. global strategy.
Earlier, President Lee noted during a lecture invited by a local think tank on the 25th (local time) in response to a question asking, 'Is South Korea dependent on the U.S. for security while reaping economic benefits elsewhere?' that 'Anmi Kyungjung' leads to 'a situation where South Korea can no longer adopt such an attitude as before.' He emphasized that as the U.S. began to contain China, it is no longer possible to depend solely on China economically as before.
The commentary stated, "The starting point of the U.S. strategy to contain China and the supply chain decoupling is to safeguard its own hegemony, not to ensure the security or economic interests of its allies," adding, "The reality that Korean corporations must partially abandon the Chinese market due to U.S. export controls is the result of having 'no choice.'
It further stated, "Ironically, has the 'Anmi' line that South Korea adheres to brought genuine security? Quite the opposite," adding, "As the South Korea-U.S. alliance has emphasized strengthening deterrence over the past few years, tensions on the Korean Peninsula have worsened, and unprecedented security anxieties have spread in South Korea.
The commentary warned, "If South Korea blindly follows the U.S.'s command of containment against China regarding core issues such as semiconductors, supply chains, the Taiwan Strait, and the South China Sea, it would be akin to binding its fate to a perilous chariot. There can be nothing that contradicts South Korea's national interests as an inevitable choice. Maintaining a peaceful and stable surrounding environment and fostering good relations with neighboring China should be the most fundamental foundation of South Korea's security strategy.
It added, "A sound and stable China-South Korea relationship itself is an important strategic asset for South Korea, providing a solid bulwark against external pressures and preserving peace on the Korean Peninsula," stressing that "Korean political leaders must determine whether they will be 'players' or 'pawns on a game board.' Strategic decisions must be made for the long-term interests of the nation, requiring independent judgment and autonomous decision-making.