hankyoreh

BEIJING - South Korean Ambassador to China Kim Ha-joong has strongly criticized the so-called “sandwich theory,” a warning on the South Korean economy, of Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee.

Chairman Lee observed a crisis in the South Korean economy earlier this year by saying: “Korea is being sandwiched by fast-growing China and technologically-advanced Japan.” Then in June, he said that “The nation’s economic situation is worsening.”

In a lecture at the Korean International School in Beijing on August 28, Kim said, “Some South Korean figures have frequently mentioned the ‘sandwich theory,’ but it upsets me whenever I hear it. South Korea can’t be sandwiched and there is no such possibility.” Kim made a series of critical remarks, such as: “Who will be sandwiched?” and “Why do they discourage South Koreans like that?” and “Who makes such remarks and with what intentions?”

“There are some foolish people who think that Korea should beat China in every respect, but it is an illusion and a bunch of nonsense. How Korea can beat a nation with so much expansive land containing so many more resources?” said Kim, adding, “We can gain an upper hand over China in fields in which we have an edge. People should not criticize the government unreasonably by claiming that Korea will be sandwiched.”

Kim also objected to the idea that China would threaten Korea. “We don’t have to be afraid of China’s growth. There will be no problem if we strengthen our nation accordingly,” stressed Kim. “It is unclear how the nation’s leaders will do in the future, but I believe that the Korean people will establish a more powerful nation, far from becoming sandwiched. Even if some Korean companies tend to exaggerate the situation, domestic firms have a competitive edge over those from other nations,” added Kim.

In response, an executive at Samsung said, “Even if Korea has been gaining an advantage over China, a crisis may come after four or five years. In this sense, Chairman Lee made future-oriented remarks indicating that Korea should be prepared for the future. If he thought that Lee was creating a crisis theory, Kim misunderstood his intentions.”