A Study On The Establishment Of China-ROK Diplomatic Relations And Taiwan Question During The Roh Tae-woo Government Period

Roh Tae-woo government period refers to the period when Roh Tae-woo,the 13th president of South Korea,was in office(1988-1993.02).During his presidency,China and South Korea formally established diplomatic relations through the "Nordpolitik" policy.2022 is the 30th anniversary of the establishment of China-ROK diplomatic relations.The history of it has once again become a subject worthy of study.Based on the declassified archives in South Korea,Chinese Taiwan and previous studies,this thesis analyzes the linkage between the establishment of China-ROK diplomatic relations and the Taiwan question during the Roh Tae-woo government period.The history of China-ROK relationship can be divided into the ice-breaking period(1983-1987),the temperature raising period(1988-1992.04),and the establishment of diplomatic relations period(1992.05-1992.09).Accordingly,the relationship between South Korea and Chinese Taiwan has gone through phases of high-level,Chinese Taiwan’s unilateral high-level and low-level.This thesis systematically discusses the historical facts involved in different stages,and clarifies the history of the establishment of China-ROK diplomatic relations and the development of Taiwan question.This thesis consists of three parts:introduction,argument and conclusion.The introduction part expounds the background and significance of the topic,reviews the research status of the establishment of China-ROK diplomatic relations and Taiwan question in domestic and foreign academic circles,and summarizes the research methods and innovations.Chapter 2 expounds the background of the formulation of foreign policy in the period of Roh Tae-woo,which is also the ice-breaking period of China-ROK relationship(1983-1987).It mainly discusses the evolution of the world pattern,the advantages of China and South Korea’s action.Thirty years ago,the two countries got rid of the shackles of the Cold War and opened a new chapter of cooperation.In addition,the influence of the rise of China,the continuation of the "Nordpolitik" policy,and the indirect trade between China and South Korea opened by the hijacking incident affected the policy towards China of the Roh Tae-woo government.Chapter 3 analyzes the different relationship between the Roh Tae-woo government and the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.This stage is also the period of temperature raising of China-ROK relations(1988-1992.04).Based on the comprehensive consideration of the two sides of the Taiwan Strait by the Roh Tae-woo government from the perspective of national interests,two modes have been determined.One is active improvement with Chinese mainland and the other is passive maintenance with Chinese Taiwan.South Korea and Chinese mainland gradually developed from the early stage(1988-1990),when there was no political interaction but cultural and people-to-people exchanges went first,to the later stage of intergovernmental meetings(1991-1992.04).The relationship between South Korea and Chinese Taiwan experienced a change from high-level to Chinese Taiwan’s unilateral high-level.Chapter 4 discusses the negotiation and follow-up work on the establishment of China-ROK diplomatic relations and the Taiwan question.This stage is the period of negotiation and establishment of China-ROK diplomatic relations(1992.05-1992.09).This chapter focuses on the Taiwan question,including Chinese Taiwan sent special envoy to South Korea for negotiation,the handling of the Taiwan question during the negotiation of the establishment of diplomatic relations,and the reorganization of South Korea’s relations with Chinese Taiwan after the establishment of China-ROK diplomatic relations.Chinese Taiwan sent ’special envoy’ to discuss maintain the Korea-Chinese Taiwan diplomatic relations but failed.China and South Korea have launched three rounds of secret negotiations under the One-China principle and reached an agreement on matters relating to the establishment of diplomatic relations including Taiwan question.After the establishment of diplomatic relations,South Korea’s follow-up work was carried out in two ways.An apology delegation was sent to Chinese Taiwan to appease.President Roh Tae-woo visited China further consolidated China-ROK relationship.In short,this thesis analyzes the declassified archives in South Korea,Chinese Taiwan,and so on.Along the main line of normalization of China-ROK relationship,this thesis not only analyzes the process of South Korea and Chinese mainland from confrontation to establishing diplomatic relations,but also pays attention to relationship between South Korea and Chinese Taiwan from high-level to low-level.At the important juncture of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries,to reveal the history of establishment of China-ROK diplomatic relations and the development of the Taiwan question,providing historical experience for promoting the steady and long-term development of China-ROK relationship.