December 5, 2016

"The relations between South Korea and China have experienced a sharp turn, which observers consider as the worst as South Korea edges towards its 2017 elections. Recent events in South Korea have exacerbated tensions between the two countries, leading to analysts believing that China may eventually lose South Korea as a reliable partner. Since the decision to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system against the threat from North Korea, South Korea-China relations had changed in many ways (Chen, 2016). While it was logical for South Korea to strengthen its security in the wake of increasing threats from North Korea, Chen (2016) reported that China considered the move as detrimental to its national security. Currently, the two countries maintain a state of mutual suspicion, which has prevented effective communication of each country's real intentions. 

The THAAD decision by President Park Geun-Hye created a crucial conflict between China and South Korea centering on the threat from North Korea. Some analysts argued that China should start re-thinking the China-South Korea partnership. For example, Yang Xiyu of the China Institute of International Studies opined that China would have to establish counter-measures against THAAD’s X-band radar, which China believed can spy on its activities (The Korea Times, 2016a). According to other analysts, China might feel cornered by South Korea and the US leading to the emergence of a potential Asian-style Cold War (Chen, 2016). A conservative Park Geun-hye strengthened ties with Japan and the US in terms of security cooperation, for example, in the recent THAAD decision, which had hurt South Korea-China relations. "

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