China Aims to Widen Influence on Korean Peninsula via Flight Deal With Seoul, Visit to Pyongyang

Without adequate U.S. support, South Korea could become a weak link in the First Island Chain to contain the CCP and North Korea, experts said.

China Aims to Widen Influence on Korean Peninsula via Flight Deal With Seoul, Visit to Pyongyang

TL;DR

  • South Korea and China agreed to expand weekly scheduled flights for the first time in seven years.
  • Chinese leader Xi Jinping will visit North Korea on June 8, his first visit in nearly seven years.
  • Analysts believe China is attempting to increase its influence on both North and South Korea.
  • Seoul could become a vulnerable point in the first island chain without adequate U.S. economic and security backing.