Several countries have been courting an increasingly active Japan to support them in asserting their maritime rights in the South China Sea against China's expanding presence. But South Korea may be slow to follow Japan's example. Though the waters off the southeast Chinese coast are a vital trade route for South Korea, as they are for other surrounding countries, committing military force there would risk hurting the country's close trade relationship with China.

Why South Korea will stay out of the South China [West PH] Sea. (2015, November 10). The Manila Times, p. A5.