Majority of South Koreans Support Expanding the US-ROK Alliance, but Do Not Want Conflict with China
I am surprised that the number of Koreans supporting the expansion of the U.S.-ROK alliance is this high:
Koreans are carefully weighing the possible consequences of expanded security cooperation with the United States, especially regarding possible conflicts with China, a survey suggests.
Joong Ang Ilbo
In a recent survey of 1,000 Koreans over the age 18 by the JoongAng Ilbo and the East Asia Institute, 81.8 percent agreed that the Korea-U. S. alliance should address not only issues of the Korean Peninsula but also those of the region at large.
However, though the Korean public favors expanding the U.S.-ROK alliance, they don’t want the ROK to become involved in a conflict over Taiwan:
Should a conflict break out between the United States and China in the Taiwan Strait, a majority of respondents wanted Korea to take no part in the clash.
Slightly more respondents said Korea should remain uninvolved in a clash over Taiwan than those who said Korea should play a role in the conflict, 56.5 percent to 43.5 percent.
When asked more generally what Korea should do in a potential conflict between the two superpowers, 50.3 percent said Korea should stay neutral; 45.2 percent said Korea should support the United States; and 4.2 percent said that Korea should support China.
Luckily for South Korea countries back in 1950 came to their aid when they were attacked by aggressive Communists, but now the majority of Koreans want to turn their backs on a country very similar to them facing aggressive Communism today.
A lot more interesting findings from this survey can be read at the link.
Interesting that Trump said he would not defend Taiwan, would end the Ukraine war in 20 minutes by sucking up to Russia (Putin is admired by Trump), and he would make South Korea pay double the money ($10 billion a year) that he was demanding a few years ago.
There’s no point in getting into a war with China, when you’re sitting right next to their border facing liquidation through close-range attacks (and not like you the armchair American critic who’s safely sitting 10,000 miles away). When you face little to no material losses to your civilians, it’s easy to talk.
Taiwan had decades to build up its military. They spent all their money on expanding factories in their country and also in China. Even today, they’re doing nothing to build their military. For instance, men’s military draft period is only 4 months, and very rarely, do their military train like real military. Taiwan expects other countries to come to their rescue only because of TSMC. Now compare what Taiwan attitude, and what South Korea has done in terms of military preparations. Why should South Korea or any other country for that matter, fight for Taiwan when the Taiwanese themselves are not willing to fight for themselves?
I only ask because I’m genuinely curious.
Korea Man, don’t you worry.
If China invades Taiwan, American cruise missiles will reach TSMC before the People’s Liberation Army get there to liberate an ASML.
Bonus: Everybody knows this because TSMC’s shiny new ASML 2nd generation high-NA EUV was just installed…
…in…
…Phoenix.
Everybody is preparing for war.
You should too.
China cannot be trusted.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzrxvnQCFtM