Yoon praises the U.S.-Korea alliance, while Lee appears to ignore its importance
South Korea’s four presidential candidates showed clear differences on foreign policy at their first debate on Thursday ahead of the presidential election on March 9.
Yoon Seok-youl, the presidential candidate of the conservative main opposition People Power Party (PPP), said that the current ruling Democratic Party (DP) is pursuing pro-China policies and has a servile attitude toward Beijing. Lee Jae-myung, the presidential candidate from the DP, argued that Yoon is trying to cause conflict with China and North Korea by mentioning the deployment of an additional Terminal Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) U.S. antimissile system and a preemptive strike against North Korea as the only option to protect South Korea from Pyongyang’s alleged hypersonic missiles.
During the televised debate on Thursday, Lee argued that Yoon’s plan to deploy an additional THAAD antimissile system would ruin the economy. Earlier this week, Yoon announced that he plans on buying an additional THAAD system from the United States and deploying it near the greater Seoul region. Seemingly, the current THAAD system deployed at a U.S. base in Seongju County, North Gyeongsang, is unable to adequately defend the Seoul region since it is located in the south of the peninsula.
“We need to improve our strategic relationship with China,” Lee said. “Some 25 percent of our trade is dependent upon China and our trade revenue with China is over 50 trillion won [$41.5 billion] a year.”
Then Lee asked Yoon, “Why are you trying to ruin our economy by stimulating retaliation from China by deploying an additional THAAD system? Where are you going to place them anyway?”
Yoon responded that Lee has not studied the THAAD antimissile system thoroughly. Yoon explained that the altitude of interception for a THAAD projectile is 40 kilometers to 150 kilometers, and that when North Korea aims at the Seoul metropolitan region, it tends to launch a missile at a high altitude. “So, we obviously need the THAAD missile system,” Yoon said. He added that the location of the deployment does not have to be in the Seoul metropolitan area and the government can choose other locations, such as Gangwon, Chungcheong, and Gyeongsang provinces that are closer to the border.
In response, Lee brought up a quote by former U.S. forces Korea Commander Vincent Brooks, saying there is no need to deploy additional THAAD batteries in Korea. “Even Commander Brooks said there is no need to deploy additional THAAD in Korea, and there are people who say that Yoon is causing an uncomfortable situation regarding national security to win more votes and ruin our economy,” Lee said.
Yoon responded by saying, “Risk in the Korean Peninsula will decrease and our stock market will be stabilized if we establish strong national security.” He explained that what Commander Brooks meant was that it will be more effective when the THAAD system is integrated with other antimissile systems that intercept objects at lower altitudes. “He did not say there is no need to deploy additional THAAD,” Yoon said.
In 2020, retired Gen. Vincent Brooks told Radio Free Asia that there is no need to deploy an additional THAAD missile system in South Korea. Brooks reportedly said that the THAAD system already deployed in South Korea could protect the country from missile threats from North Korea if it is operated together with other antimissile systems, such as the Patriot and Green Pine systems.
Ahn Cheol-soo from the moderate People’s Party also pointed out Lee’s previous comments calling for the THAAD deployment to be scrapped and asked Lee whether his stance is the same. During an interview with the Chinese state CCTV in March 2017, Lee stated that “if I become president, I will withdraw the decision to deploy the THHAD system.”
During the debate, Lee argued that “before the deployment, not deploying it was my belief, but since it was deployed, we have no other options but to accept the fact.”
Shim Sang-jung from the leftist Justice Party also attacked Yoon, arguing he is using national security populism to win more votes. She argued that to defend the Seoul metropolitan area, the only way is to deploy THAAD around Kaesong in North Korea.
“You got it wrong,” Yoon said. “When people get into a fight, they should protect themselves from attacks coming to their stomach, legs, and head. That is why we need to establish a comprehensive antimissile system. If we do not need THAAD, why is our military developing the L-SAM2 system that is similar to THAAD?”
During the debate, the relationship with the United States and China was also a contentious topic. Yoon said that during the DP administration, South Korea’s relationships with the United States and Japan collapsed due to the administration’s servile attitude toward China and North Korea. Ahn also said that Lee’s previous comments indicated he is pro-China and anti-America.
“That is absolutely not true,” Lee said. “The alliance with the United States is the only security alliance we have so we have to foster it.”
Ahn asked how Lee sees the Moon Jae-in administration’s policy of “Three Nos,” which he called humiliating. This is the pact that the Moon administration reportedly agreed to with China in 2017. It means that there will be no additional THAAD deployment, no joining a broader U.S. missile defense system, and no Korea-U.S.-Japan military alliance.
“To make it clear, it is not the Three Nos policy but three stances of the South Korean government,” Lee said. “I think it is appropriate when considering the economic relationship with China.”
The four candidates who joined the debate received the same question – who will they meet first among the leaders from the United States, China, Japan, and North Korea after they become president.
Yoon said he will meet the leaders from the United States, Japan, China, and North Korea in order. Lee gave a vague answer, saying it is important to meet a leader that makes the most sense at the time. Ahn said he will meet the leader of the United States first, since the alliance with Washington is most important. Then Ahn said that he will meet the leaders from China, North Korea, and Japan in that order.
Leftist Shim said she will hold a summit with North Korea first and hold the summit with the United States and a four-party summit subsequently, clearly indicating a pro-Pyongyang stance.
