► Amid intensifying US-China strategic competition, the Yoon administration's policies toward the US, Japan, and expansion of regional security cooperation inevitably create structural challenges for Korea-China relations across various domains.

► Moves toward China by US allies indicate the realistic challenges of the US insisting on de-coupling from China and a willingness to maintain strategic autonomy, pursuing as many economic benefits from China as possible while maintaining cooperation with the US.

► For Korea's long-term benefit, it is necessary to accept the possible short-term pressures, pursue proactive diplomatic dialogues and negotiations, and form a national consensus on such processes.