Ro Jae-hun, President of East Asia Culture Center is engaged in various activities to develop Korea-China relations.
The event commemorating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and China was held simultaneously in Seoul and Beijing yesterday (24th), with both the foreign ministers of both countries in attendance. Compared to the attendance of then-Vice President Xi Jinping 10 years ago at the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and China, the "level" has significantly decreased. Vice President Xi Jinping had already been appointed as the president at the time of the 20th anniversary event. This is not only a representative example of how Korea’s view of China changed significantly in the last 20-year period, but how China’s view of Korea has also significantly changed. Attorney and eldest son of former President Roh, Ro Jae-hun, was interviewed regarding his father, the former Korean president, Roh Tae-woo, who decided to establish diplomatic relations between Korea and China 30 years ago. Attorney Ro Jae-hun is President of East Asia Culture Center and Chairman of the Social and Cultural Affairs Subcommittee of the Committee for the Future Development of Relations between Korea and China and is actively engaged in the development of relations between the two countries.
--The diplomatic relations between Korea and China took place during the presidency of your father, the late former President Roh Tae-woo. How do you personally feel about the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and China?
I don't think it will be that different from others. I think everyone will feel that the Korea-China relationship has made rapid progress over the past 30 years, and that there are many challenges and necessary tasks for the present and future. I am thinking about how to further develop in the future by inheriting what my father did well in the past.
--With what intention did former President Roh seem to have when promoting diplomatic relations between Korea and China?
Many people mentioned that establishing diplomatic relations between Korea and China would be a mission remembered throughout history. This is why my father emphasized the importance of establishing diplomatic relations with China. At that time of his presidency, North Korea was the final destination for "Northern Diplomacy," but I believe he considered China to be the most important route to get to the final destination and in conducting independent diplomacy. This was because the advantages and benefits of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries were great.
--China participated in the Korean War as an ally with North Korea, so there must have been a lot of public opposition at the time.
Although it is impossible to predict accurately now, it seems that there were many internal and external difficulties. There was domestic opposition, as well as the relations with North Korea and Taiwan to consider. However, I think a lot of people thought that this historic disconnect with China should not continue anymore. Also, since the United States and Japan have established diplomatic relations with China, it seemed that we must normalize relations with China if we want to unify with North Korea. Then, it also was seemed necessary to considered economic reasons for reconnecting with China. At that time, China had a great influence on our manufacturing-based industries, and so I believe my father also wanted to consider the development of Korea’s west coast. I remember he agonized a lot about severing ties with Taiwan at the end of diplomatic negotiations.
--Did former President Roh mention the direction of Korea-China relations during his lifetime?
Since he was sick for a long time, he was hardly able to mention anything more recently. Since retiring, he visited China twice in 2000 and 2002. When he came back, he often stated, “We opened the door to China through diplomatic relations between Korea and China, but in the end, it is up to the next generation to deepen and further develop relations between Korea and China.” He strongly emphasized consideration, understanding, and an inclusive attitude for each other.
--You are involved in many activities promoting Korea-China relations. What do you think of the current relationship between Korea and China?
As every relationship changes, so does the Korea-China relationship. It is true that Korea is aware of the variety of challenges caused by these internal and external changes. However, China is our neighbor who cannot move even if they want to. We need to think about what we can do to become indispensable to each other. Some things do not change. Various values such our principles of mutual respect and trust, have laid the groundwork for diplomatic relations, but there is still work to be done. How to restore these values and principles is the key. Hwaibudong (和而不同). We should admit our differences but not overemphasize them, and we should think about how to harmonize our differences for mutual benefit.
--As I understand, you spoke often with the Chinese committee members while working on the Korea-China Relations Future Development Committee. How does the Chinese side view Korea?
I had a lot of open and honest conversations with our Chinese counterparts. Though we were forced to have non-face-to-face meetings due to COVID-19, we had sincere conversations relating to various fields and agreed to find a solution together. We have also agreed to expand cooperation in the Social and Cultural Department, of which I am in charge. This is because the social and cultural sphere directly relates to public sentiment in both countries.
--Recently, the number of Koreans who viewed China negatively has increased significantly. What can Koreans expect to gain from developing a better diplomatic relationship with China?
First of all, I think it is natural to have a negative view. It is true that if one selects something only based on the good qualities, those good qualities fade away as time goes by. When we are together for a long time, we sometimes see bad things in personal relationships. In personal relationships as well, staying with that individual for a long time reveals the bad qualities. This is concerning, but I do not believe it is a reason to be pessimistic. When it comes to cultural cooperation, Korea is in the situation where they are emerging as a cultural powerhouse with the influence of the Korean Wave and other movements. Through cooperation with China, Korea can continue to increase their influence/value in these movements. China is rigid in its cultural industry, but Korea can lead the way toward openness and the creation of a joint culture. This will increase the pie in cultural cooperation and increase the benefits of Korea.
--The younger generations of the two countries, in particular, seem to have strong animosity toward each other. Were there any discussions on this issue at the Future Development Committee?
It was one of the most discussed topics. I concluded there are two causes. After the COVID-19 outbreak, face-to-face exchanges disappeared and the communication platforms of young people in the two countries are different. Therefore, though, young people communicate a lot online, the platforms of the two countries have not been compatible. Young people in both countries are communicating in different worlds. In addition, the pride and patriotism of young people in their countries are also at work. We need to redirect this in a positive way, not just see it as a negative thing. We need to create collaborations between these two groups, so that the pride and patriotism of the young people of the two countries can cross borders into joint cooperation. The committee discussed strengthening online exchanges first, as face-to-face exchanges have become difficult due to COVID-19. There was an opinion that it would be better to try a new platform since the current online platforms in each respective country are disconnected from each other. For example, platforms such as the metaverse platform have a lot of room for cooperation both in policy and technology.
--What is the reason for the deterioration of Korea-China relations in recent years?
There seems to be a diluted aspect of what we thought were common values. When economic development occurred, everything was helpful and mutually beneficial. However, it seems that these values/goals have gradually become exclusive as Korea and China have entered into a competitive relationship. In addition, in the past, cultural familiarity was felt in relation to similarities in classical culture. But, misunderstandings began accumulating as arguments over elements of cultural turned into cultural attribution or false dilemmas.
--The competition for dominance between the U.S. and China seems to make diplomacy with China more difficult.
I am not an expert in diplomacy, so I want to speak carefully about this. Bilateral relationships have changed, and the international order is also continuously changing. Furthermore, given that it is unclear how the situation will change in the future, I believe our diplomatic strategy should be more multi-dimensional than one-dimensional and that we should adopt a more open and flexible diplomatic stance that is practical. I think that our national power has become strong enough to do so.
--How do you forecast Korea-China relations in the future?
I think it depends on what we do. I am one of the people who thinks that relations have to get better rather than thinking they will not get better. Although the two countries have a different structure, among many other differences, this was the same before the establishment of diplomatic relations. We did not establish diplomatic relations without knowing these differences. In the end, it depends much more on the common values and common interests we find, discover, and work together to promote them, as well as how sincere these commonalities and efforts are.
--What do you want to request of China for the sake of developing Korea-China relations?
I hope for China to be more open-minded. Especially in the cultural sector. I’m not just referring to the Korean Wave, but I think openness is necessary for China to play a major role in Asia and both in Korea-China relations and the world beyond cooperation. Though our own culture is important, both Korea and China have the power to create a new culture by embracing the pluralistic cultures of other countries.
--If you were to summarize the 30 years of Korea and China in one word?
It was successful, but we still have a long way to go. I want to say it like that.
김지성 기자 2022.08.25 13:29