THE KOREA TIMES

APLN member Kim Won-soo wrote for The Korea Times on the risks and implications arising from drifting American politics. He argued that South Korea must take all necessary measures to mitigate the immediate risks posed by a potential Trump 2.0 and remain vigilant against the long-term consequences of a possible American retreat.

The year 2024 has been labeled as the super-election year. Elections are being held in about 70 countries around the world. Even one more election is added unexpectedly in France in the wake of the surprising victory of far-right parties at the European Parliament election. The election is going on in a way backfiring against the intention of French President Emmanuel Macron. Its first-round outcome only reaffirmed the troubling trends of the rise of far-right parties across Europe.

Much more troubling and important is the election of the United States. The recent presidential debate reveals the unpopular nature of the election. Rather than fighting over policy lines, both candidates were mostly engaged in a contest trying to show who should be disliked more. Despite mounting pressure following the debate, President Biden remains steadfast in staying the course.

If the election is held today, former President Trump is largely expected to win. But it is still too early to tell since unexpected developments can happen in the next four months until the election day.

The U.S. election exposes the following two risks to the world. The first is the immediate risk former President Trump’s return may pose. Among others, many pundits warn of a hasty discontinuation of U.S. assistance to Ukraine and the weakening of the alliance relationships. He also avows to withdraw again from the Paris climate accord.

The second risk is more structural and long-term. Trump’s continued influence, despite facing criminal allegations, reflects a growing trend in American politics toward intolerance and isolationism. A country of immigrants is increasingly turning inward and isolationist. In this respect, the Trump phenomenon must be taken not as a cause but as a serious symptom of the polarization of American politics.

The original article can be accessed here.

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