Core Viewpoint - South Korea finds itself in a dilemma due to its involvement in the U.S.-China shipbuilding industry rivalry, initially aiming to benefit from U.S. support while facing sanctions from China against its subsidiaries [1][10]. Group 1: South Korea's Strategy - South Korea has been attempting a dual strategy of relying on China economically while seeking security from the U.S., but this approach is becoming increasingly untenable as the power dynamics shift [7][10]. - The country invested in U.S. shipbuilding to gain market share from China, but the U.S. shipbuilding industry is in decline, making this investment potentially unprofitable [5][12]. Group 2: Market Dynamics - Currently, China holds the majority of global shipbuilding orders, with South Korea capturing only about 20% to 30% of the market share [3]. - In 2024, China's shipbuilding orders are projected to grow by 8%, while South Korea's orders are expected to decline by 15% [14]. Group 3: Consequences of Actions - Following China's sanctions, South Korea sought to communicate with China to mitigate losses but failed to address the impact on Chinese companies, indicating a lack of balanced dialogue [8]. - South Korea's reliance on the U.S. while antagonizing China may lead to significant losses, as it risks being used as a pawn in the U.S. strategy against China [10][12]. Group 4: Future Outlook - The current geopolitical landscape suggests that South Korea must reassess its relationship with China to achieve mutual benefits, or it risks losing access to a crucial market and being discarded by the U.S. [14].