In the row over South Korea’s newly launched e-arrival card system listing Taiwan as “China (Taiwan),” the government’s priority should be to address the issue with a level head through an open dialogue and diplomatic negotiation. It should articulate its position clearly in seeking a correction and avoid resorting to retaliatory measures or hostile emotional responses, as that would only escalate the situation and damage its wider interests.
Former South Korean president Park Geun-hye’s administration expressed a desire for Taiwan to use the name “Korea” as the country’s shorthand. However, whether due to the need to differentiate it from North Korea or simply long-standing habits, Taiwanese society, media and academic circles have struggled to adjust.
Op-eds in local media outlets have suggested that the government retaliate by deliberately mislabeling South Korea, perhaps even with internationally unrecognized monikers. This kind of tactic would not only be unproductive, but could also create a bad impression of Taiwan abroad, undermining the nation’s diplomatic standing and ultimately running counter to rational engagement.
Others have argued for trade sanctions, restrictions on South Korea’s film and entertainment sector in Taiwan, or even stoking anti-Korean sentiment by invoking the history of the Republic of China government’s support for the Korean independence movement and subsequent severing of diplomatic ties in 1992.
Again, this brand of emotional retaliation — not unlike China’s own informal cultural sanctions on South Korea — risks perpetuating lose-lose outcomes, damaging bilateral relations and tarnishing Taiwan’s international image.
Taiwan, the US, Japan and South Korea all belong to the democratic camp. Over the past few years, Japan’s explicit advancement of the security narrative that “a Taiwan contingency is a Japan contingency” is a step away from strategic ambiguity toward clearer alignment with Taiwan.
The US has long angled for stronger strategic ties between Japan and South Korea in the hope of establishing a closer-knit trilateral cooperation framework.
However, progress on this front remains limited by deep historical grievances stemming from Japanese colonial rule, and issues around comfort women and forced labor.
Against the backdrop of China’s authoritarian system continuing to expand its influence, neighboring countries have sought to balance their strategic interests through alliances and international cooperation.
In South Korea’s case, it relies on the US for security and China economically. If Taiwan responds to this single incident with a trade confrontation or its own version of China’s so-called Korean restriction order, Seoul would inevitably respond with equal pushback.
Such a situation would only leave China to reap the rewards.
Taiwan and South Korea are middle power democracies which have, over the past three decades without formal diplomatic relations, gradually restored and deepened economic, trade and people-to-people exchanges. The relationship is based on shared values of freedom and democracy, and vigilance toward authoritarian regimes. While firmly upholding its principles, the government should continue to engage in a rational and pragmatic dialogue, carefully define its non-negotiables, and avoid repeating the lose-lose situations of the past.
Chang Ling-ling is a retired colonel in the armed forces reserves.
Translated by Gilda Knox Streader
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