미국의 남중국해 ‘항행의 자유 작전’과 중국의 대응이 주는 전략적 함의 = The Strategic Implication of China’s Response to US Freedom of Navigation Operations in the South China Sea

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The purpose of this paper is to find out the strategic implications of US Freedom of Navigation Operations(FONOPs) in the South China Sea and China’s response strategy. In recent years, the cause of military tension in the South China Sea related to US FONOPs and China’s respond strategy lies in US-China’s global hegemonic strategies stemming from hegemonic competition in the world, not merely military competition. This paper found the following conclusions.
First, the United States will continue to support the Obama administration’s ‘Pivot to Asia Strategy’ and the Trump Administration’s ‘Into-Pacific Strategy’ to strengthen control in the Asia-Pacific region, including the South China Sea. Second, China will respond to the US with a ‘Strategy to Grow into a Big Country’ based on the ‘One Belt and One Road’ and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank(AIIB) strategies that encompass all areas of politics, economy and diplomacy. Third, the United States recognized that the potential threats to sea lines of communications(SLOCs) in the South China Sea are widespread, ranging from pirates, maritime terror to emerging competitors like China, and will further strengthen the FONOPs in the region.
Fourth, the ‘Sea Silk Road’ strategy based on ‘One Belt and One Road’ strategy to connect major SLOCs including the South China Sea will continue to clash with US FONOPs. Lastly, the United States is in the position that the FONOPs can be available in the EEZ of other countries. On the other hand, China has the position that it can have exclusively exercise sovereign rights and jurisdiction over EEZ except for some freedom of navigation in the high seas. This difference position between the United States and China is bound to cause conflict.
In conclusion, Republic of Korea should express its position on the timely issues related to national vital interests related to US-China conflict over the FONOPs. In the South China Sea issue, even under the confrontation between the United States and China, Seoul must be able to respond with the principle without any hesitation, and we can secure our position in the long term. The ROK government should recognize that disputes arising from the FONOPS in the South China Sea can have a negative impact on our national economy and security, and should cooperate to resolve them peacefully.