When looking at China's relationships with other countries, is there a different attitude that China has towards our country? Well, it's the same as what's referred to as wolf warrior diplomacy. It's the same, but now they've tested the waters with the United States and seem to be backing down a bit. The problem with China is that the world generally dislikes them, and currently, China also harbors a dislike for the world. China feels hurt. It's as if they believe that, just like a hundred years ago when Western powers were oppressing us, the bad guys are uniting to bully them because they think they are superior. This strange victim mentality exists in China. However, in the case of Korea, it's not just a target of exclusion and repression; it's also an object of desire, which makes it even more problematic. They want everything good about Korea for themselves, and that desire is very blatant.

So, the underlying desire to absorb and integrate is present; this is a characteristic of China. The features of the Chinese culture and the Han people always involve expansion. Just like insects rush towards light, there’s no specific thought behind it. The inherent nature of Chinese civilization is expansion. The Korean Peninsula is very close by, yet China has a clear history of expansion towards the peninsula. They destroyed Gojoseon, conquered Goguryeo, and brought down Baekje. Silla almost faced destruction as well. Our ethnic culture survived because we won the battles of Mesosong and Gibeolpo during the Tang-Silla War. After that, through various processes, we reached an implicit agreement. In the process of destroying Goguryeo, China...

China experienced the fall of a dynasty, the Sui dynasty, and the Tang dynasty nearly fell as well. After that, not much was gained. Why was there ultimately nothing gained? Balhae suddenly emerged, and around the time Balhae fell, Goryeo re-emerged. Both Balhae and Goryeo are states descended from Goguryeo. We currently refer to Goguryeo and Goryeo this way to distinguish between the Goguryeo and Goryeo dynasties, but originally, when Goguryeo reached the mid-period, its name changed to Goryeo. Therefore, Goryeo and Goguryeo are essentially the same, akin to the difference between the Republic of Korea and Korea; there is no real difference. From the perspective of the Chinese, Goguryeo never truly fell; it briefly collapsed and then revived. Thus, they come to realize that all of this was just a farce.

There was something there. So in the case of China, even if we try to destroy that country, we would only end up limping along and gain nothing. From our country's perspective, both sides are experiencing a sense of reality check. From our country's standpoint, when the Korean dynasty faced the unified dynasty of China, we realized that if we pushed it to the end, we would ultimately face destruction as well. This could lead to an unspoken agreement: if I don’t provoke you, just treat me like an elder brother and take care of me. Then, it’s understood. From our country’s perspective, we will respect you as an elder brother, but that doesn’t mean we will allow too much interference. If you have any other thoughts in your heart, even though I might die if we confront each other, before I die, I’ll make sure to take one of your eyes or a leg with me. Thus, an implicit compromise is reached.

So what is this implicit compromise? China regarded the Korean dynasty as the number one vassal state among its vassal states. This was true from Goryeo to Joseon, where they were all treated as number one. In return, there was a clear form of respect, which was expressed through tribute and investiture. This compromise was possible in the past. Now, can the customs of the past, such as tribute and investiture, function in modern times? The systems have all changed, so it cannot. In other words, the cool-down period has passed. The relationship based on tribute and investiture between China and Korea has long ended, the Cold War is over, and the world is moving toward a self-sufficient, isolationist era. Now, China is entering a phase where it will express its ambitions toward the Korean Peninsula in a different form. We are on high alert and preparing for this.

China is hell. What does this mean? China is hell because we live next to a neighboring country that we call China, while maintaining our identity as Koreans, preserving our language and culture, and remaining an independent nation. This is a very unique situation globally. Naturally, given the characteristics of Chinese civilization and its geopolitical position, it would have been much more natural—by about a hundred times—to have been absorbed and integrated into China as part of it. China possesses transcendent population and productivity, and its resilience is also extraordinary compared to ours. We have been maintaining our identity by facing China, imitating it, competing with it, and at the same time cooperating with it. This is a significant mission; in terms of a game mission, it is close to impossible. We are playing on the hardest mode, but somehow, we have managed to get through so far.

The ultimate boss has been defeated. Now many people talk about Vietnam. Vietnam is indeed the grave of empires. However, the latitude of China, where civilization originated, overlaps with that of our Korean Peninsula. That latitude is that latitude. Looking at the Earth, Vietnam is much further south. Humans have difficulty overcoming different latitudes and climate zones when engaging in war or exchange. However, if there are deserts and grasslands in between, they can overcome the same latitude quite well. That's just how humans are. From China's perspective, invading and completely taking over the Korean Peninsula is originally more challenging than invading and taking over Vietnam. This is because the latitudes and climate zones are completely different. When climate zones differ, so do temperature, humidity, and the endemic diseases, pathogens, and viruses that exist there. These factors significantly impact the advance of an army.

It is significantly hindered. Nevertheless, Vietnam was under direct Chinese rule for a total of one thousand years in its entire history. Our country has not experienced that. In fact, when the Han commanderies existed, there were various states like Okjeo, Buyeo, Donghae, Mahan, and Jinhan, but we were never completely dominated like Vietnam was. Such instances are quite rare. We need to consider these factors. Therefore, when comparing Vietnam and us, it is quite remarkable that we have maintained our independence and cultural and linguistic identity, especially in contrast to Vietnam. However, there are statements like Everyone must bow down before Vietnam. I will explain why this mindset has become prevalent in our country. This stems from the activism of the 1980s in our nation.

Originally, even before 1980, students involved in the movement in our country liked America. However, after the Gwangju Uprising on May 18, 1980, the student movement in our country felt a great sense of betrayal from the United States. At that time, the U.S. did nothing to help us, and feeling this betrayal led to an increasingly anti-American sentiment. As they turned against America, Vietnam, which had triumphed over the U.S. in the Vietnam War, appeared incredibly admirable. Consequently, a culture emerged among student activists that elevated Vietnam as a means to criticize what they called U.S. imperialism. Initially, the goal was to criticize U.S. imperialism by praising Vietnam, but over time, this admiration for Vietnam became genuine. It transformed into a true belief.

So, the perception that Vietnam, which maintained its independence, has a much more impressive history than our country is a misunderstanding. In reality, our country has succeeded in a much more challenging mission. Instead of refuting each misunderstanding one by one, it is much quicker to explain the process of how those misunderstandings arose. As I just mentioned, our country's survival instinct is remarkable, and our capabilities are also extraordinary. However, some of these skills emerged as a result of successfully surviving. For example, if there had been a critical mistake by a general during the Tang-Silla War, leading to a defeat, we might not know where we would be now. But we did exceptionally well. Ah, I see. Then, what do you think about the relationship with China, and how do you see the future of our relationship with Russia?

We believe that we need to reset our relationship with Russia. During the Cold War, our relationship with the Soviet Union was one of disdain, as if we were looking at them like a cow or a chicken. They were just these red people in a completely different world, and we were merely seen as America's lackeys. Then, with the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the rise of the Roh Tae-woo administration, we began to engage in the bear project, establishing a close relationship with Russia based on mutual interests. As our country developed economically, we also expanded significantly into Russia, which needed South Korean capital, technology, and products. Additionally, South Korean companies operating in Russia contributed to local employment and other positive effects. Because of this, Russia has developed a strong sense of goodwill towards South Korea, and when we look ahead to the next 100 or 200 years, there is a recognition that we are a country worth partnering with.

Russia is here. In fact, there has been no loss for Russia in its dealings and diplomacy with Korea since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. So, while Russia may criticize Korea, the truth is that once this war in Ukraine is over, renowned German construction companies and civil engineering firms will come in to undertake post-war reconstruction projects there. You won't have a place in that. However, on the other side, we, Russia, still long for you, Korea. Where is the land larger? Where is the population greater? Where is the stronger nation? And where is the closest one? This is Russia's sentiment. So, while Russia warns you not to act recklessly, these warnings are always abstract, leaving room for interpretation. Therefore, after the war, we will also join hands with Russia. We are a country caught in the middle; we were never an empire and cannot become one.

Geopolitically, a kingdom must navigate empires well. It needs to manage relations between these empires effectively, knowing when to take from one and when to take from another. Until now, we have been on a two-track approach: economically, we rely on China for our livelihood, believing that our issues will be resolved if China sells us goods. In terms of security, diplomacy, and defense, we have been aligned with the United States as our blood ally. This two-track approach has been our strategy, but we should consider a three-track strategy as well. 

Furthermore, Russia and Japan are countries that have been at war with each other and are currently in a territorial dispute. To explain it differently, if we look at the Eurasian continent, Korea is protruding out at the end. This area is all Russia, while this area is China. If we were to form any kind of partnership with Russia after the war, it would change the dynamics of the Eurasian continent.

This grand force bends at a right angle, becoming the vertical stroke of the character 기 (gi), which represents our country, Korea, and the Korean Peninsula. The pressure this exerts on Japan is immense. The Japanese, especially the politicians from the Liberal Democratic Party, are truly foaming at the mouth and collapsing from it. This force, bent at a right angle, is destined to pierce Japan. And we are connecting railways, with KTX linked to Russian railroads. Of course, this also needs to be done with the northern port, but when we travel through Europe, we should be able to take a train from Busan all the way to Europe. At that point, we must never connect the railway to Japan; the terminus should be Busan, and Japan should be left out. This is about excluding them, and if this can be achieved, it would be fantastic. However, the current Yoon Seok-yeol administration is doing very poorly, failing to deliver any significant results.

We are not leaving enough room for possibilities. Instead of that, what we need to do right now is to talk about the fundamentals. We need to say that war is bad and that we hope it ends soon. It breaks my heart to hear that civilians are still dying today. If we keep waiting until the war is over, we need to hold hands with everything we can. That is the only way. 

Currently, all of Russia's factories have been converted into military factories. The factories that can operate properly have been transformed into military production facilities. Ultimately, after the war, they need to return to their original state. It would be even better if they could be upgraded in the process. Our country is good at building factories, especially smart factories, which could provide us with tremendous opportunities. Additionally, Russia can supply us with energy at a lower cost, and we should consider such possibilities.

Anyway, over the past 20 years, prior to the war, the German economy thrived, particularly against two countries. Germany was receiving cheap energy from Russia and selling products to China. But then the war broke out, and now Xi Jinping's dictatorship is becoming more entrenched, leading to the collapse of the Chinese economy. Meanwhile, Russia is facing strong U.S. sanctions. As a result, Germany is on the decline. Of course, from the perspective of the German people, this decline is significant, but from the viewpoint of people in many other countries, Germans are still quite well-off and enviable. Nonetheless, due to these factors, the German economy has reached this point. Therefore, when we look at the German economy, we find it risky to assume that the current situation with Russia or China will last forever, or that our friendship will endure indefinitely, or that the political stability of those countries is guaranteed. Designing industries based on such assumptions is extremely dangerous.

In that sense, we have woken up earlier than Germany and are suffering less than they are. What happened is that when Xi Jinping imposed the Korean ban, it gave a huge shock to our country's businesses. As a result, we found alternative markets in China several years earlier than any other country. Xi Jinping has actually saved our country. While hiding this desire, he has been trying to make China appear as a benevolent figure, like Papa Smurf or Santa Claus, saying he likes Korea, intending to keep us dependent for another 10 or 20 years. After increasing our country's dependency and reliance, he could suddenly draw the sword and say, Will you listen to me or not? At that point, we would have no choice but to succumb to China. However, now we must cultivate our economy to be self-sustaining without China, a realization that we shared with all the heads of our country's businesses a few years ago.

I have planted everything, so I said that Xi Jinping is truly someone without patriotism. Therefore, our country needs to engage in balanced diplomacy with China, Russia, the United States, and Japan. We need to practice balanced diplomacy. Our people tend to look down on our politicians, which makes it seem like we are the worst at diplomacy in the world. However, it’s not that bad; we just need to do better. Historically, we can see that the Mongols left Goryeo intact, and the Qing Dynasty did not completely conquer the Korean Peninsula and eventually retreated. Is this a similar context to what we discussed earlier? Yes, it is a similar context. Kublai Khan accepted the surrender of Goryeo and made it a vassal state, but in return, he allowed it to maintain its status as an independent nation and its identity as a sovereign state.

When they reached an agreement, they did two things well. First, our ancestors, the Goguryeo people, did a great job. Although Goguryeo eventually fell, it historically demonstrated how difficult it was to receive their surrender. This is why when Kublai Khan received the surrender of Goryeo, it was such a moment of pride for him. The Goryeo people themselves fought against the Mongol Empire for 30 years. Because they fought fiercely for such a long time without yielding, the longer the fighting lasted, the better the terms of surrender negotiations became. At that time, defeating the Mongols was impossible; they were an undefeated army, the strongest military force in history. They fought against this army for 30 years, and it was precisely because they fought for so long that...

We had been raising the conditions for surrender negotiations during those 30 years. It’s not that we must fight until the very end. Fighting until the end doesn’t mean that everyone must die, one by one. Fighting, waging war, winning, and surrendering are all about living well. Just like during the Japanese colonial period, when it was said that all must perish—from the emperor to the youngest girl—this is not the way. Surrender is necessary; however, until we surrender, we must fight with all our might. Only then can we surrender in a dignified manner. Not surrendering is good, but I’m not saying this out of pride. The period of Japanese rule is a sad history, but it is also a fortunate one. It is important to fight well, even if we lose; we must fight well.

“러시아 한국에 군침흘린다” 우리나라를 향해 180도 달라진 중국과 러시아의 태도, 곧 전세계 지각변동 일어난다  (홍대선 작가 / 3부)

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