NVDB005_-_CH_4.003._The_Korean_Peninsula_Issue_-_EK_Bunly-3

Diplomatic Briefing — KAS Cambodia and CICP

82 — DP Vol. 05

The Korean Peninsula Issue and Cambodia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2022

alleviate tensions on the Korean peninsula through the use of discreet diplomacy.

Challenges for ASEAN and Korea

Inevitable challenges must be confronted by both ASEAN and the Koreas. Firstly, both ASEAN and the Koreas currently do not have the same “threat-per- ception”. While South Korea views North Korea as a major threat to its security 8, ASEAN’s current pressing issues revolve around the South China Sea, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Myanmar issue 9.

Secondly, the relationship between ASEAN and the Koreas is currently confined to the economic rather than the security and defense realm 10. In fact, according to a survey report conducted by ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in 2020, ASEAN member states view the Republic of Korea as a good development cooperative partner, while only a few in Southeast Asia view it as a strategic partner 11.

Thirdly, the world is currently occupied with the Russia – Ukraine war and its impact, such as the rising cost of food and fuel. The externally-involved actors, such as the United States, Russia, China, and Japan, will find

8 Reuters. (2022, June 12). South Korea says it will boost defence capacity to counter North Korean threat. Retrieved June 14, 2022, from https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south- korea-says-boost-defence-capacity-counter-north-korean- threat-2022-06-12/

9 Ho, S., &amp; Po, S. (2021, December 30). Three key challenges for Cambodia’s ASEAN chairmanship in 2022. RSIS. Retrieved June 14, 2022, from https://www.rsis.edu.sg/wp-content/ uploads/2021/12/IP21027-Ho-Po-masthead-final.pdf

10 Choe , W. (2021, January 26). “New southern policy”, Korea’s newfound ambition in search of strategic autonomy. French Institute for International Relations. Retrieved June 14, 2022, from https://www.ifri.org/en/publications/notes-de-lifri/asie- visions/new-southern-policy-koreas-newfound-ambition-search

11 Tang Siew Moon et al., The State of Southeast Asia: 2020 Survey Report, op. cit., p. 42.

it difficult to turn their attention toward the six-party talk - the multilateral negotiation involving the US, China, Japan, Russia, North Korea and South Korea to find peaceful resolutions towards the security concern raised by North Korea nuclear weapon programs - especially at a time when Russia is currently being isolated and sanctioned by the Western world.

The Way Forward

Moving forward, during its 2022 ASEAN Chairmanship, Cambodia should maintain its current position as a good cooperative partner to both North and South Korea, without putting forward provocative demands that could trigger tension within the Korean peninsula and elicit further confrontation between the US and China.

The most feasible and positive approach Cambodia could take is to remain neutral while opening up to all the parties concerned, such as North Korea, South Korea, Japan, Russia, the United States, and China to discourage any escalation of tensions within the peninsula and ease the region from the current geopo- litical contestation between major powers that could result in further confrontation at any moment.