South Korea: what foreign policy for the conservative Yoon Suk-yeol?

Conservative Yoon Suk-yeol has vowed to respond harshly to North Korean provocations and has previously waved the threat of a preemptive strike if an imminent attack from Pyongyang is detected.

AFP - KIM HONG-JI

Text by: Nicolas Rocca Follow

3 mins

In Seoul, a new president has just been elected, it is the conservative Yoon Suk-yeol.

This is a political turning point in the country, as it puts an end to five years of Democratic Party governance, but above all it could have lasting consequences on relations between South Korea and other countries in the region.

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from our correspondent in Seoul

,

Just a year ago, Yoon Suk-yeol was still the attorney general, a very important position in South Korea.

And it was by using his power that he became an opponent of the government, which obviously made him popular within the electorate of the Conservative Party (PPP), whose primary he won.

The new leader of the tenth world economy has been compared here to Donald Trump, in particular for his declarations during the campaign and his unpredictability.

Yoon Suk-yeol has made xenophobic or sexist remarks about “ 

 ”, foreigners, Chinese,

or even women in general.

On the other hand, he differs from the former American president on many aspects such as his reputation as incorruptible or his weakness in public speaking.

►

: Yoon Suk-yeol, next president, a K-Trump?

What strategy for North Korea?

On the issue of

which has been very active in recent weeks with numerous ballistic missile tests, and as on many other issues, Yoon Suk-yeol wishes to show clear opposition to the policy pursued by his predecessor.

For five years, Moon Jae-in has displayed a constant desire for dialogue, while Yoon advocates firmness against Pyongyang.

During his first press conference,

promised to respond harshly to North Korean provocations.

He had already waved the threat of a preemptive strike in the event of an imminent attack from Pyongyang being detected and this strategy could be put to the test even before he takes office on May 10, as North Korea suggests that it could take the next step in provocations, with the test of an intercontinental ballistic missile in sight.

An ultimate provocation, because these missiles are capable of hitting the United States.

►

 Washington accuses North Korea of ​​testing a new ballistic missile system

This Friday, Washington echoed this by saying that Pyongyang's last two tests were tests of a new intercontinental ballistic missile system.

Described as " 

 " by a White House official, these trials could lead to new sanctions as early as this Friday.

While Moon Jae-in strove to keep a measured approach to North Korea, Yoon Suk-yeol's strategy appears to be South Korea's total alignment with its ally, systematically condemning attempts.

The desire to get closer to the “Quad” alliance

Yoon Suk-yeol affirms the desire to get closer to the "Quad", the alliance between the United States, Japan, India and Australia in order to counter China.

This would be a very clear break with the historical strategy of the South Korean government, which is used to playing the balancing act between its main Chinese economic partner and the American military ally.

But Yoon Suk-yeol seeks in particular to surf on a growing anti-Chinese feeling in South Korea against a backdrop of accusations of appropriation of key elements of Korean culture such as hanbok or kimchi.

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the revival of the Quad, a tool against China?

Another military partnership project that risks irritating Beijing is to deploy additional batteries of the THAAD anti-aircraft defense system.

This same system which had earned Seoul to suffer Chinese sanctions.

If Yoon Suk-yeol continues with his attempts to align with Washington, it could promise five years of very turbulent relations between South Korea and its neighbors. 

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• Yoon Suk-yeol