Analysis: South Korea and Taiwan Strait FONOPs

Pressure is increasing on South Korea to conduct or participate in FONOPs - business groups are strongly opposed

Event or Trend: Pressure is increasing on South Korea to conduct or participate in Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPs) in the Taiwan Strait, following precedents set by other U.S. allies and partners.

Significance: FONOPs carry profound geopolitical and economic implications for South Korea and the broader region. It signifies a profound shift in South Korea’s foreign policy, which has traditionally sought to balance its critical economic relationship with China and its security reliance on the United States. Given the sensitivity of the Taiwan Strait, regarded by China as a crucial area of national sovereignty, South Korea’s involvement in naval maneuvers in this contested space would strain ties with Beijing and trigger diplomatic fallout.

The decision also signals deeper alignment with the U.S, positioning South Korea more firmly within the framework of the U.S.-led security efforts in the Indo-Pacific. Understanding the consequences of this decision is vital, as it will impact…