Sahara : The Rabat–Seoul alliance attracts Spanish attention
A Spanish think tank based in Barcelona is examining the evolving relationship between Morocco and South Korea. «These relations have significantly strengthened in recent years, reflecting a broader strategy by both countries to expand their influence in key geopolitical regions», notes the Institute for the Development of Human Societies (IDUHS) in a report published on May 19, titled The Rabat–Seoul Axis: A New Strategic Pact Around the Sahara with Global Reach.
Seoul's recent decision to officially support Morocco's autonomy proposal for Western Sahara, submitted by Rabat to the United Nations in 2007, marks a significant shift from South Korea's traditional stance of neutrality on the issue.
On May 9, the South Korean government praised «the serious and credible efforts» of Morocco to advance a resolution to the Sahara conflict, according to a statement from its Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
«This support not only represents a turning point in bilateral diplomacy, but also introduces new dynamics into the Afro-Asian geopolitical landscape, with potential medium- and long-term implications», the think tank observes.
«South Korea's recognition of the Moroccan initiative, though framed in the usual diplomatic language of 'taking note' of the plan and applauding Rabat's 'serious and credible' efforts, constitutes an implicit political endorsement that departs from previous neutrality. As a major economic and technological power in East Asia, South Korea has chosen to align itself more explicitly with the United Nations' conflict-resolution approach, particularly within the framework of Security Council Resolution 1754, which advocates for a negotiated and realistic solution».
Resolution 1754 was adopted by the UN Security Council on April 30, 2007, three weeks after Morocco presented its autonomy plan. The resolution marked a shift from earlier UN positions, which had emphasized a referendum on self-determination in the Sahara.
«Amid growing geopolitical competition in Africa between traditional powers (France, the United States) and emerging players (China, Turkey, Russia), South Korea is seeking to strengthen its presence on the continent by deepening ties with partners seen as stable, proactive, and strategically located. Morocco meets all these criteria: it enjoys institutional stability, is a model of active diplomacy in both Africa and the Arab world, and serves as a key logistical platform due to its proximity to Europe and its influence across sub-Saharan Africa», the think tank adds in its analysis of Seoul's motivations.
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