Dilemma of Korea-China Relations with the Emergence of the G2 Era

Abstract

This article claims that, with the emergence of the G2 era, mounting tensions between Korea and China have hampered the practical progress of these two countries’ “strategic cooperation partnership.” This article examines the popular perception of the current strategic threats and diplomatic challenges in the two countries, analyzing the results of Korean and Chinese public opinion polls. Observations on how such public perceptions affect the recognition of Korea-China relations are also presented. The study concludes with discussion on along what directions Korean and Chinese perception should change to promote the two countries’ strategic relationship in the G2 era.