한국의 역사적 고난과 미래 외교 전략

### 역사적 관계 탐색하기: 중국 및 러시아와의 외교적 도전: 한국의 외교적 과제
* 🌏 중국 문명의 본질은 확장을 특징으로 하며, 역사적으로 중국은 **고조선, 고구려 등 여러 왕국을 지배하고자 했던 한반도와 같은 주변 지역과 갈등**을 빚어왔습니다.
* ⚔ 특히 당-신라 전쟁 당시 중국의 팽창에 맞서 살아남은 한국은 **강력한 이웃 나라의 압력에도 불구하고 문화적 정체성을 유지**할 수 있었던 놀라운 회복력을 보여주었습니다.
* 🇻🇳 일부에서는 베트남의 독립 역사가 우월하다고 인식하지만, **한국은 역사적으로 주권과 정체성을 지키기 위해 더 큰 도전에 직면**하고 이를 극복해 왔습니다.
* 🤝 냉전 이후 한국은 러시아와의 관계를 재설정하고 특히 **경제 협력과 전후 재건 분야에서 상호 이익**을 활용하기 위해 노력하면서 관계가 발전해 왔습니다.
* 🔄 경제적 필요는 중국에 의존하고 안보는 미국과 협력하는 투트랙 접근 방식이 한국의 전략이었지만, 이제는 지정학적 복잡성을 더 잘 헤쳐나가기 위해 **3트랙 접근 방식**이 고려되고 있습니다.
* 🚂 향후 러시아와의 파트너십은 특히 **한국과 유럽을 연결하는 철도와 같은 인프라 프로젝트**에서 일본의 개입을 피하면서 유라시아 대륙의 역학 관계를 재편할 수 있습니다.
* 📜 역사적으로 한국은 몽골의 침략 등 외부의 압력 속에서도 어느 정도의 독립성을 유지해왔으며, 이는 **강대국과의 균형 외교의 중요성**을 강조합니다.
* 💬 궁극적으로 한국은 역사적 고난을 통해 복잡한 국제 관계를 헤쳐나가는 데 필요한 기술을 갖추었음을 인식하고 **중국, 러시아, 미국, 일본과 균형 잡힌 외교**를 펼쳐야 합니다.

지역 강대국들 사이에서 괄목할 만한 생존을 이어가고 있는 한국의 독특한 정체성과 균형 외교의 필요성을 강조합니다.

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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웅달 책방

중국의 외교적 태도와 한국에 미치는 영향

늑대 전사 전술로 특징지어지는 중국의 외교적 접근 방식은 전 세계적인 혐오감으로 인해 피해자 의식을 품고 있으면서도 미국에 물러설 기미를 보이고 있습니다.

한국의 성공에 대한 러시아의 열망으로 인해 러시아 역시 더 긴밀한 관계를 갈망하는 복잡한 역학 관계가 형성되고 있습니다.

중국의 행동에 대한 한국의 대응은 중국에 대한 의존도를 낮추기 위한 자립적 경제 성장의 필요성을 깨닫고 비즈니스 초점을 전환하는 계기가 되었습니다.

중국의 팽창주의적 성격과 한국에 미치는 영향

중국 문명은 역사적으로 한반도를 정복한 것에서 알 수 있듯이 확장을 향한 강한 열망이 특징입니다.

중국의 지역 지배에도 불구하고 한국은 독립성과 문화적 정체성을 유지하며 괄목할 만한 생존을 이어가고 있습니다.

경쟁과 협력으로 특징지어지는 한국과 중국의 독특한 관계는 한국에게 정체성을 보존해야 하는 도전적이면서도 특별한 사명을 제시했습니다.

베트남과 한반도의 복잡한 역학 관계

제국의 무덤이라는 베트남의 역사적 중요성은 중국과 한반도의 위도가 겹치는 것과 대비되어 중국의 침략을 더욱 어렵게 만들었습니다.

위도와 기후대가 다르면 온도, 습도, 풍토병에 영향을 미쳐 군사적 진격에 영향을 미칩니다.

과거 조공과 투자의 관계였던 중국과 한국의 관계가 종식되고 중국이 한반도에 대한 야망을 표출하는 새로운 국면으로 접어들고 있습니다.

학생 운동의 변화와 역사적 맥락

한국의 학생 운동은 처음에는 미국을 좋아했지만 1980년 광주 항쟁 이후 베트남 전쟁에서 베트남이 미국에 승리한 것에 배신감을 느끼고 반미로 돌아섰고, 학생 운동가들 사이에서 베트남에 대한 진정한 동경이 생겨났습니다.

몽골 제국에 맞선 고려인들의 역사적 투쟁과 청나라의 한반도 철수는 균형 외교의 중요성과 외부 압력에도 불구하고 주권을 유지할 수 있는 가능성을 보여줍니다.

독일 경제의 쇠퇴와 지정학적 역학 관계

독일 경제는 전쟁 전 20년간 러시아의 값싼 에너지와 중국으로의 제품 판매에 의존하며 번성했지만, 전쟁이 양국에 미친 영향으로 지금은 쇠퇴하고 있습니다.

중국의 정치적 불안정과 미국의 강력한 대러시아 제재가 독일의 경제 침체에 영향을 미쳤습니다.

복잡한 지정학적 환경을 헤쳐나가기 위한 방법으로 중국에 대한 경제적 의존도와 미국과의 안보 협력의 균형을 맞추는 3트랙 전략의 필요성이 제시되고 있습니다.

품위 있는 항복의 중요성과 한국의 회복력

연사는 그때까지 최선을 다해 싸우면서 품위 있는 항복의 필요성을 강조합니다.

일제 식민 통치 기간 동안 한국이 겪은 투쟁의 역사적 의미와 일본을 배제하기 위한 철도 연결의 중요성을 강조합니다.

연사는 중국과 한국의 왕조를 비교하며 고구려와 고려가 본질적으로 같으며 한국의 회복력은 끊임없는 힘이었다는 점을 시사합니다.