South Korea Needs a Taiwan Principle

2026/07/04 by T. T. Hong, Taehwa Hong
Social Sciences · #Korean Peninsula Historical and Political Studies #International Relations and Foreign Policy #Maritime Security and History

paper · doi:10.1080/00396338.2026.2704401

Abstract

South Korea should abandon its position that Taiwan is of little concern and adopt the principle that preserving the status quo in the Taiwan Strait is a core national interest. Taiwan’s fate matters directly to Seoul because Chinese control would reshape the regional balance of power, jeopardise South Korea’s semiconductor-based economy, threaten vital sea lanes, and damage US credibility and thus the US–South Korea alliance. Instead of framing the choice as pro-China versus pro-Taiwan or pro-US, Seoul should acknowledge Taiwan as a democratic, de facto autonomous node in the chip supply chain and First Island Chain, and commit to sustaining that status. This means deepening defence and economic-security cooperation with states of similar disposition, tolerating some operational flexibility for deployed US forces and strengthening deterrence while avoiding symbolic, status-changing moves.

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