The challenges facing President Moon Jae-in regarding trilateralism are far greater than those of Suga. His identity obsession with national reunification has been exposed as an illusion with much more serious consequences, given Kim Jong-un’s worldview. Moreover, his progressive camp has widened the national identity gap with Japan to a far greater degree, obstructing the normal course of building future-oriented relations centered on national interests. Even on the threat from Russia and Sino-Russian pressure, Moon’s New Northern Strategy misrepresents reality to a greater degree than Abe’s legacy with President Vladimir Putin, if more quietly. The Biden administration is bound to question the impact of these national identity preoccupations and seek to refocus both national identity and national interest attention on China’s threats, as it prioritizes a vision inclusive of Japan-ROK commitment to universal values and security ties.

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