Uphill task ahead for Seoul

The impending leadership changes in South Korea and the United States have cast a cloud of uncertainty over the future of Seoul-Washington relations.

- LEE BYUNG-JONG

With President Trump sworn in and the potential confirmation of President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment in South Korea, the stage is set for significant political and diplomatic shifts.

If a liberal administration takes power in Seoul, a likely backlash against Yoon's conservative policies, the relatively warm relationship between Yoon and outgoing US President Biden based on shared values of democracy and freedom could become a relic of the past.

Under Trump's "America First" doctrine, the value-driven alliance championed by Yoon and Biden would likely take a backseat to a transactional approach.

Trump's history shows little regard for shared democratic values or long-standing alliances when they conflict with his vision of US national interests.

His treatment of Canada, one of America's closest allies, illustrates this approach: imposing high tariffs and making inflammatory remarks about Canada as the 51st state of the US that strained bilateral relations.

Trump's constant attacks on Mexico and Western European countries, also key US partners or allies, on the issues of immigration, tariffs and defense costs, further prove this point.

Adding to the uncertainty is Trump's contentious history with South Korea's liberal governments.

During his first term, Trump reportedly viewed Seoul as an unreliable partner on North Korea, according to former National Security Advisor John Bolton's memoir, "The Room Where It Happened."