SEOUL: Joe Biden may have a new friend in Asia, with South Korea’s presidential-elect preparing a foreign policy reboot that more closely aligns with the US president’s views of China.
Conservative Yoon Suk-yeol’s election win this week is well-timed for Biden, who is seeking to rally allies to counter Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China’s assertiveness over disputed territory and North Korea’s tests of longer-range missiles and nuclear weapons. Outgoing President Moon Jae-in’s feud with Japan and efforts to court China frustrated American efforts to stitch together a stronger coalition in Asia.