That policy has also strained relations with the US.
For the past three years, Seoul has balked at a US plan that could allow US forces stationed in Korea to be sent, if need be, to the Taiwan Strait in case of a Chinese military attack on Taiwan and a consequent US-China conflict.
That policy, part of what the Pentagon calls "strategic flexibility," has been rejected by Seoul because the government is worried that it could lead to South Korea becoming unwittingly involved in a US-China war.
new agreement
Early this year, Ban and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice signed a new agreement in Washington on overall bilateral ties, including a provision easing Seoul's objection to the US plan, but which would require the US to seek Korean permission before moving any US troops from the peninsula.
It provides that Seoul "shall not be involved in a regional conflict in Northeast Asia against the will of the Korean people."
Seoul's attitude contrasts with that of Japan toward a potential Taiwan Strait conflict. Last year, Tokyo altered its security policy to regard a cross-strait blow-up as a matter of mutual security concern with Washington, signaling a possible willingness to aid the US in countering China's attack.
If elected, Ban would be the first Asian UN secretary-general since Burma's U Thant retired in 1971.
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