S. Korea stuck in the middle as U.S.-China trade war heightens

Welcome to Within The Frame, where we bring the most pressing issues across the globe into focus. I'm Kim Mok-yeon.

The U.S. has raised tariffs on Chinese goods to 145%, escalating an economic standoff that's already reshaping global trade.

For South Korea, the ripple effects are immediate: over half of its semiconductor exports go to China, and a significant share of its intermediate goods are embedded in Chinese exports now facing steep U.S. barriers.

At the same time, Beijing is courting ASEAN partners and reviving its vision of a "shared destiny" in Asia.

For Seoul, that means a complex recalibration: economic alignment with the U.S., regional interdependence with China, and rising competition across Southeast Asia.

In Within The Frame tonight, we'll examine how these shifts are challenging South Korea's economic resilience, diplomatic strategy, and industrial future.

For this, we invite Dr. Youngshik Bong, research fellow at Yonsei University Institute for North Korean Studies, here in the studio with us. Welcome.

Also joining us online is Jeff Moon, President of China Moon Strategies at LLC and former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for China. Great to have you.

(MOON) 1. Let's start with Mr. Moon. With U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods hitting 145%, how do you assess the economic implications for South Korea—especially as Korean intermediate goods flow heavily into Chinese export industries?

(BONG) 2. In response to this pressure, President Xi Jinping is emphasizing a "community of shared destiny" with neighboring countries. Dr. Bong, what does this shift suggest about China's evolving diplomatic strategy—and how might it reshape Korea–China relations going forward?

(BONG) 3. Xi Jinping's upcoming visits to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia are seen as a strategic countermove to U.S. containment efforts. What are the implications of China strengthening ASEAN ties—and how should Korea diplomatically position itself in response?

(BONG) 5. As ASEAN becomes a contested space in the new Cold War landscape, how can Korea avoid marginalization while maintaining diplomatic and economic balance between the U.S. and China, Dr. Bong?

(MOON) 6. With around 60% of Korea's semiconductor exports going to China—and tech dependence on the U.S.—how can this dual over-dependence be reduced in a sustainable way?

(MOON) 7. U.S. export controls and China's countermeasures are disrupting high-tech supply chains. Mr. Moon, how should Korean leaders at firms like Samsung and SK hynix navigate this strategic split in the global tech ecosystem?

(BONG) 8. Regarding the currency, the weakening yuan is dragging down the Korean won. Do you see this as just a currency ripple—or a deeper sign of strategic vulnerability in Korea's financial independence?

(BONG) 9. Are Korea's current diplomatic and corporate strategies sufficient in the face of this global realignment? What gaps or blind spots urgently need attention?