China-South Korea Relations: Terminal High Altitude Area Defence System Deployment and Implications for Bilateral Ties

Abstract

China-South Korea ties had been strained following Park Geun-hye’s decision to deploy Terminal High Altitude Area Defence System (THAAD) in July 2016. Relations have warmed with Moon Jae-in as South Korea’s president since May 2017. He has attempted to reach out to China and Chinese President Xi Jinping also seems willing to improve ties. Yet, despite the recent agreement by the two countries to normalise relations, the pace and extent of this process bears watching.