Roh Moo Hyun on China

Roh Moo-hyun's administration viewed China as an increasingly vital partner in Northeast Asia, seeking to develop a 'strategic supplement,' if not an alternative, to the traditional alliance with the United States. A core element of his strategy involved prioritizing engagement with North Korea, an approach that often aligned more closely with Beijing’s interests, as evidenced by his administration's emphasis on dialogue and cooperation over immediate security-related preconditions. During his presidency, he was the first South Korean leader to visit China twice, signaling the importance placed on deepening bilateral ties, which had seen rapid growth since diplomatic normalization in 1992.

However, this proactive effort to enhance relations with China was met with domestic and intellectual skepticism, particularly after the 2004 Koguryo controversy, which temporarily reversed public opinion trends to favor the US over China. While Roh sought greater autonomy and explicitly voiced his disagreements with allies, his administration ultimately recognized China's indispensable role in regional security, particularly regarding North Korea's nuclear issue, where Beijing was seen as the key mediator. His government also acknowledged China's major economic role, becoming its largest investment target, and formally recognized China's market economy status in 2005.